About Singapore

Located on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is the smallest nation in Southeast Asia. Consisting of one main island and 60-plus smaller islands and islets, Singapore is populated by people of Chinese, Malay, Indian and European descent. Each group has added its own art, architecture and culinary traditions to the overall culture of Singapore, creating a fascinating backdrop for students in search of a memorable study abroad experience.

According to Malay tradition, Singapore was originally named Singapura by a Sumatran prince after he encountered a strange animal that he took to be a lion. This was considered to be good luck, and thus, “Singapura” (which means “City of the Lion”) was founded. Once the hub of British power in Southeast Asia, Singapore was occupied by the Japanese during World War II, but reverted to British rule after the war. Eighteen years later, Singapore achieved independence and merged with Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak to form Malaysia. On August 9, 1965, Singapore was separated from Malaysia, becoming an independent republic, and the new country joined the United Nations on September 21 of that same year.

For most of the period since Singapore’s independence, the country was governed under the political leadership of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who served from 1959 to 1990. High economic growth rates and rapid industrialization since earning independence have placed Singapore among the “Four Asian Tigers,” along with South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Singapore is now the fourth largest global foreign exchange trading center, and boasts the busiest port in the world. Some of the main industries of this booming economy are electronics, chemical exports, financial services and tourism.

Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese and Tamil. Malay is the national language, while English is used for business and administrative purposes, and is the language of instruction for most subjects. Singapore recognizes the importance of a diverse student population and, in 2007, inaugurated the “Singapore Education Awards” to acknowledge exceptional contributions by individuals and organizations in the field of international education.

Singapore’s postsecondary educational institutions include autonomous universities, private universities and institutions, and polytechnic institutions. Noted for their excellence in education, research and service, the three autonomous universities are the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU).

Standing side-by-side, the mosques, synagogues, temples and churches are constant reminders of Singapore’s cultural mix. Singapore’s various ethnic neighborhoods were first formed during the colonial period under the “Raffles Plan,” and today historic Little India, Chinatown and Arab Street are bustling hubs of activity where customs and traditions are proudly celebrated.

Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who signed a treaty in 1819 establishing a British trading post in the southern part of the country, is recognized as the founder of modern Singapore.

The three tallest buildings in Singapore - Republic Plaza, UOB Plaza One and OUB Centre - are located at Raffles Place, and Raffles’ statue is erected at the spot where he first landed. Some of Singapore’s architectural gems, including places of worship like Sri Mariamman Temple, Jamae Mosque and the Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, were built in colonial times.

Singapore’s cuisine, a fusion of Chinese, Malay, Tamil and Indian influences, is a major cultural attraction, and can be found at Singapore’s inexpensive, open-air food complexes known as “hawker centres.” Halal versions of traditional Tamil food are served at Malay hawker stalls, and Chinese stalls incorporate indigenous Malay ingredients. Singaporeans enjoy a wide variety of fish and seafood; barbecued stingray served on a banana leaf with chili is one example of a popular favorite.

Sports play an important part of life in Singapore, and many public residential areas have swimming pools, basketball courts and indoor sports centers. Favorite sports include soccer, badminton, basketball, rugby, volleyball and table tennis. A nation of islands, Singapore is a hot spot for water sports, and the southern island of Pulau Hantu, known for its rich coral reefs, is a major attraction for scuba divers.

Brimming with energy, contrast and color, Singapore is a magnet for students of all fields of study. This highly cosmopolitan, multicultural country promises a rewarding study abroad experience for students of all levels.

Education in Singapore

International students studying abroad in Singapore are not only assured of an education system that promotes excellence, but also be a part of a global community.

International students can choose an exchange experience with Singapore’s public universities such as National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) or Singapore Management University (SMU) on a tuition-waiver basis. For more information on eligibility and application for exchange programs, please visit the following institutions’ websites:

Nanyang Technological University (NTU), a global university founded on science and technology, nurtures creative and entrepreneurial leaders through a broad education in diverse disciplines.

Visit the NTU International Relations office website.

Click here to access NTU’s international exchange programme information sheet.

Nanyang Technological University: The Nanyang MBA

Click here to find out about the Nanyang MBA.

National University of Singapore (NUS), a leading world university, committed to delivering quality education that nurtures global citizens, and undertaking high impact research that adds to the body of knowledge worldwide.

Visit the NUS International Relations Office website.

Click here to access information on NUS exchange programmes.

Singapore Management University (SMU), Singapore’s first publicly-funded private university with a focus on business and management programs.

Visit SMU International Programs’ website.

International students can also choose to do a diverse range of fee-paying summer or semester programs with the following private education institutions. Please visit their websites for details on course and application details:

Kaplan Singapore

One of the world’s largest education companies and a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company, Kaplan Singapore is a provider of management education and quality lifelong learning programs.

Click here for information on Professional Certificate in Mandarin Language & Chinese Culture Programme(PCMCC).

National University of Singapore (NUS) Extension

Tapping on the excellence of National University of Singapore, NUS Extension offers a wide variety of quality short term courses for professional development and personal enrichment.

Click on the following links for information on:

* Asian Perspective: Learn Mandarin and Uncover Southeast Asia program.

* Professional Certificate in Chinese language (IMP) program.

* Certificate in English Language (ELP) program.

New York University Tisch School of the Arts Asia

The school that trained filmmakers of movies such as “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” and “The Sixth Sense” offers students 6-week summer courses at the new Singapore campus, NYU Tisch Asia.

Click here for information on Summer Intensive Filmmaking courses.

Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), one of the largest and most comprehensive private education and professional development organizations in Singapore. SIM offers a study abroad program as well as a six-week Singapore Summer International Programme (SSIP).

Click here for information on:

* Study Abroad Program at SIM.

* Singapore Summer International Program (SSIP).

University of Nevada, Las Vegas Singapore, University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ first international campus outside the United States, which offers international students study abroad options for the Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration and the Executive Masters Degree in Hospitality Administration.

Click on the following links for information on UNLV Singapore’s program:

* Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel Administration (Hospitality Major).

* Executive Masters Degree in Hospitality Administration.

A growing number of children in Singapore are attending optional pre-nursery or playschool education before the age of 4. Many children also attend Nursery for 1 year at the age of 4 (also optional). By the age of 5, most children will be attending Kindergarten for 2 years (K1 and K2).

Formal education in Singapore begins at primary schools, starting from Primary 1 through Primary 6, which is similar to First Grade through Sixth Grade in the American system.

Children who pass the Primary Six Leaving Examination (PSLE) at the end of Primary 6 will progress to secondary schools, starting from Secondary 1 through Secondary 4 (Special/Express Stream), or Secondary 1 through Secondary 5 (Normal Stream). This is somewhat similar to Seventh Grade through Tenth Grade in the American system.

Students who pass the GCE ‘O’ Level examination at the end of Secondary 4 or 5 will then have to compete for admission to either a Junior College (2 years), a Polytechnic (3 or 4 years) or a Pre-University Centre (3 years). This is imilar to Eleventh Grade and Twelfth Grade in the American system.

Finally, students who pass the GCE ‘A’ Level examination at the end of Junior College Year 2 or Pre-University Year 3, and students with excellent results at the end of Polytechnic Year 3/4 will then have to compete for admission to a local university, either National University of Singapore (NUS) or Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Singapore?s Education System

The Ministry of Education aims to help students to discover their own talents, to make the best of these talents and realize their full potential, and to develop a passion for learning that lasts through life.

Singapore a strong education system. Singapore students aim high and they achieve very good results. It has good schools, with capable school leaders and teachers, and facilities that are among the best in the world.

Singapore is building on these strengths to prepare the next generation of Singaporeans for the future. The task of schools and tertiary institutions is to give students the chance to develop the skills, character and values that will enable them to continue to do well and to take Singapore forward in this future.

In recent years Singapore has been moving towards an education system that is more flexible and diverse. This aims to provide students with greater choice to meet their diverse interests and ways of learning. Being able to choose what and how they learn will encourage them to take greater ownership of their learning. Students are given a more broad-based education to ensure their all-round or holistic development, in and out of the classroom.

Due to its large expatriate community Singapore is host to many international schools, one of which, the Singapore American School has one of the largest intakes of international students in the world. Most employers in Singapore pay part or all of their employees children’s school fees. International and private schools in Singapore generally do not admit Singapore students without the permission from the Ministry of Education.

However, on 29 April 2004, The Ministry of Education permitted two new international schools to be set up and no permission is required of admitting Singapore students. These school must follow the compulsory policies set by the Ministry such as playing the national anthem every morning, take the pledge and follow the nation’s bilingual policies. Both of these schools are private school arms of two renowned schools, they are Anglo-Chinese School (International) and Hwa Chong International. The school fees are around 15 to 20 percent lower than foreign international schools. Their intake is mainly Singaporeans, with nationalities from various countries including Malaysia,India, People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, Netherlands, Indonesia and the United Kingdom.

Study in Singapore

Application procedures are dependent on the type of institutions the students are applying to. Entry requirements vary from institution to institution. In general, you need to check the application procedures with the educational institution of your choice.

As English is the common language of instruction, most institutions require students to meet?a minimum standard of English. Generally, certification of competence in English is in the form of:

? General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)

? Test of English As a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

? International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Besides English, different institutions and courses have different minimum requirements. These requirements are usually stated in the course prospectus, brochures or websites of the institutions.

For government, government-aided and independent schools, the general application procedures will be as follows:

1. Apply at school of choice : The parent/guardian submits the completed application form for school admission together with all the necessary original documents directly to a school of choice.

2. School conducts placement test and issues Letter of Acceptance. School will conduct placement test for the applicant if there is a vacancy.

If applicant passes the placement test and the school accepts him/her, the school will issue a Letter of Acceptance. The Letter of Acceptance will indicate in-principle acceptance of the applicant to the school. The applicant can proceed to ICA to apply for a student’s pass with this letter (see Step 3).

Acceptance to the school is subject to the applicant obtaining and returning with a student’s pass from Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) within 2 weeks from date of issue of the Letter of Acceptance.

Applicants who are holding a Dependant’s Pass (DP) or an Immigration Exemption Order (IEO) are not required to apply for a student’s pass from ICA. He/She can be admitted by the school immediately upon passing the placement test (go to Step 5).

2b: School issues Letter of Referral to ICA for clearance; Applicants with parents working in Singapore but not eligible for DP need to be referred to ICA before the school can conduct the placement test. School will fax a Letter of Referral to ICA.

ICA will follow up with the applicant directly on matters regarding immigration clearance and issue a letter of clearance to the applicant. The applicant can then approach the school for a placement test with this letter (refer to Step 2a).

Step 3: Apply student’s pass at ICA

The Letter of Acceptance is valid for 2 weeks from date of issue. Upon receiving the Letter of Acceptance, the applicant should proceed to ICA immediately to apply for a student’s pass. Applicant must produce the original Letter of Acceptance endorsed by the School to ICA.

Step 4: Return to school within 2 weeks with student’s pass

The applicant must return to school with a valid student’s pass within 2 weeks from the date of the Letter of Acceptance. The applicant will forfeit his/her admission to the school if he/she does not return within 2 weeks.

Step 5: Donation to the Education Fund

After the applicant has been successfully admitted to the school, the Ministry of Education will send a letter to him/her requesting for the biennial donation to the Education Fund, i.e $1,000 for every 2 years.

For more information, please visit http://www.moe.gov.sg/esp/foreign/

For other private, foreign system, international schools and universities, polytechnics or institute of technical education:

1. Apply directly to the educational institutions accompanied by the relevant certification and documentation.

2. Some institutions or courses may require you to undergo an interview or placement test. Some schools may also require work experience. These requirements are usually stated in the course prospectus, brochures or websites of the institutions.

Click here for the general application procedures for application to the following institutions:

* Government, Government-Aided or Independent Schools

* Local Universities

* Private Schools

* Foreign System / International Schools