Singapore

Higher Education in Singapore

Characterized as world-leading and selected for commendation by Britian's education minister, Singapore's higher education system has developed into a leading force that assists in promoting its reputation as one of the world's leading centers for financial growth and technological advancements.Six national universities in Singapore are ranked among the top 50 in the world: the Nanyang Technological University, the Singapore University of Technology and Design, the National University of Singapore, the Singapore Institute of Technology, the Singapore Management University and the SIM University.These universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in Accountancy, Information Systems Management, Business Management, Economics, the Social Sciences, Law and Computer Science.

Singapore also has polytechnic colleges that are designed to train students for jobs that support the economic and technological development of the nation.Currently, Singapore offers five polytechnics for students who wish to earn a non-academic degree that allows them to enter the workforce immediately upon completing the program.A degree earned at a polytechnic is similar to an associate's degree or vocational certificate and takes less than two years to complete.

International students are allowed to work 16 hours each week while enrolled full - time at a Singapore university.Students applying for a study visa need to prove they are fluent in English by providing the results of a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); a General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE); or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS). They must also have received an acceptance letter from a university or polytechnic as well as passport photos and documentation proving their eligibility to enter a university degree program (high school diploma, for example).

In addition, international students will need to obtain a local sponsor who is a Singaporean citizen before they can apply for a student visa. Some universities and polytechnics may not require sponsoring, so students should check with their intended school of choice to determine whether sponsorship is required. Visa processing may take one to two months, depending on the validity of a student's paperwork and amount of documentation. All applications are to be submitted online to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (SOLAR), which provides all information necessary to facilitate a student's entry into Singapore's higher education system.

Why Study in Singapore?

Students graduating from Singapore's universities are consistently ranked exceptionally high on assessments regarding science and mathematic knowledge. In fact, Singaporean students were ranked number one according to statistical research performed by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement organization. Moreover, the Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore are considered among the top 50 educational institutions in the world. In addition, students will also enjoy Singapore's excellent healthcare system which the World Health Organization ranks as the sixth best in the world.

The Republic of Singapore is officially an island-country located in Southeast Asia less than 100 miles north of the Equator. Consisting of one large island (called Pulua Ujong in Malaysian) and over 60 smaller islands, Singapore is a major world commercial center that claims the third-highest per capita income among all world countries. Nearly 75 percent of Singapore's population is Chinese, with Indians, Eurasians and Malays comprising the other 25 percent. Due to Singapore's quick ascent into economic prosperity, it is now identified as a "middle power" country exhibiting substantial influence in global affairs.