Cost of Studying in Singapore

The total first-year cost of studying in Singapore can range from approximately INR 26 lakh to INR 89.4 lakh with the MOE Tuition Grant, and INR 35 lakh to INR 1.64 crore without the grant, depending on your programme and level of study. Medicine and Dentistry generally cost more because of their significantly higher tuition fees, making your choice of programme one of the biggest factors affecting your overall study budget.

In this guide, you’ll find details about the cost of studying in Singapore, including tuition fees, the MOE Tuition Grant, living and pre-arrival costs, scholarships, and more.

The total first-year cost of studying in Singapore depends mainly on your programme and whether you receive the MOE Tuition Grant. Including pre-arrival expenses, tuition, living costs and other first-year expenses, expect to spend SGD 34,703–119,210 (INR 26–89.4 lakh) with the grant and SGD 46,703–218,050 (INR 35 lakh–INR 1.64 crore) without it.

Here is an overview of the cost of studying in Singapore for Indian students.

For international students, annual tuition fees in Singapore range from SGD 21,400–91,250 (INR 16–68.4 lakh) with the MOE Tuition Grant, compared with SGD 33,400–190,150 (INR 25.1 lakh–INR 1.43 crore) without the grant.

At Singapore’s public universities, Indian students are generally considered non-ASEAN international students. These universities publish two tuition rates under this category: a subsidised rate for students who accept the MOE Tuition Grant and a non-subsidised rate for students who do not. 

NUS Tuition Fees (Non-ASEAN International Students)

At NUS, annual tuition fees for international students range from SGD 21,400 to SGD 87,800 (INR 16–65.9 lakh) for programmes with the MOE Tuition Grant. Without the grant, fees range from SGD 33,400 to SGD 190,150 (INR 25 lakh–INR 1.43 crore), depending on the programme. Master’s tuition fees range from SGD 21,900 to SGD 41,400 (INR 16.4–31.1 lakh) with the subsidy and SGD 41,800 to SGD 118,489 (INR 31.4–88.9 lakh) without it. 

NUS uses a cohort-based fee system, which means your tuition rate is tied to your admission year. If you receive an offer for AY2026/27, the tuition fee stated in your offer remains fixed for the duration of your degree. 

The table below shows NUS tuition fees with and without MOE grant for Indian students.

At NTU, annual tuition fees for international students range from SGD 21,400 to SGD 91,250 (INR 16 lakh to INR 68.4 lakh) for undergraduate programmes with the MOE Tuition Grant. Without the grant, the listed bachelor’s programmes cost SGD 36,350 to SGD 45,600 (INR 27.3 lakh to INR 34.2 lakh), while master’s programmes can cost SGD 30,000 to over SGD 70,000 (INR 22.5 lakh to over INR 52.5 lakh).

The table below lists NTU tuition fees for international students with and without MOE grant.

SMU Tuition Fees (Non-ASEAN International Students)

The annual tuition fees at SMU Singapore range from SGD 25,850 to SGD 56,150 (INR 19.4 lakh to INR 42.1 lakh), depending on the programme and MOE Tuition Grant. 

The table below summarises the annual SMU tuition fees for international students across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) Tuition Grant is a government subsidy that helps students reduce the cost of full-time tertiary education in Singapore. The scheme covers autonomous universities such as NUS, NTU and SMU, and polytechnics.

• Fee reduction: You pay a subsidised tuition rate if you receive the grant. The exact reduction varies by university and programme.
• Three-year service obligation: If you accept the grant, you must fulfil a three-year work obligation after graduation, subject to the terms of the Tuition Grant Agreement.

How Does the MOE Tuition Grant Work?

To apply for the grant, you must indicate your interest in the Tuition Grant during your admission application, register through Singpass, arrange two sureties (guarantors), and complete the application through the MOE TG&S Portal.

Who is Eligible for the MOE Tuition Grant?

All students can qualify for the Tuition Grant if they enrol in an eligible full-time undergraduate or diploma programme at a participating Singapore institution. However, if students have previously received a Tuition Grant for a programme at the same or a higher level, they cannot be eligible for another Tuition Grant.

What are the Benefits of the MOE Tuition Grant?

• Lower tuition fees: You pay the subsidised international student rate instead of the higher non-subsidised rate. For example, NUS Computing charges SGD 21,400 with the MOE Tuition Grant compared with SGD 39,700 without it.
• Reduced education costs: The lower tuition rate can significantly reduce your overall cost of studying in Singapore, particularly for programmes with a large gap between subsidised and non-subsidised fees.
• Access to Singapore's public universities: The grant applies to eligible programmes at participating publicly funded institutions, making selected programmes more affordable for international students.

Expert Insight: Before accepting the grant, consider the three-year service obligation carefully. If you plan to return to India or move to another country immediately after graduation, the bond can affect your post-study plans. The terms of the Tuition Grant Agreement determine your obligations and the consequences of failing to fulfil them.

Splitting your cost of studying in Singapore into pre-arrival and post-arrival costs helps you plan your expenses more accurately. Pre-arrival costs cover one-time payments such as tests, applications, visa processing and flights, while post-arrival costs include tuition fees (with and without MOE grant), accommodation and your recurring living expenses in Singapore.

Pre-Arrival Costs

Before arriving in Singapore, you need to budget for essential pre-arrival expenses such as English language tests, university application fees, visa processing, document attestation and your flight from India. Pre-arrival costs for studying in Singapore typically range from INR 40,000 to INR 69,000. 

The table below breaks down pre-arrival costs for studying in Singapore.

Post-Arrival Costs

Post-arrival costs account for most of your total study budget because they include recurring expenses such as tuition and living costs, along with one-time settling-in expenses you typically pay during your first few weeks in Singapore. 

The total post-arrival cost of studying in Singapore ranges around SGD 34,170–118,290 (INR 25.6–88.7 lakh) per year with the MOE Tuition Grant and SGD 46,170–217,130 (INR 34.6 lakh–INR 1.63 crore) without the MOE grant. Tuition remains the highest cost, particularly for programmes such as Medicine and Dentistry. 

The annual cost of living in Singapore is approximately SGD 12,360–26,280 (INR 9.3 lakh–INR 19.7 lakh) per year. Singapore’s cost of living is generally lower than in cities such as London or New York, but accommodation can significantly affect your monthly budget. 

The table below breaks down the monthly cost of living in Singapore for Indian students.

Expert Insight: Hawker centres cut your food spend by roughly half compared to eating out at restaurants, and staying in a university hostel over a private room can save you SGD 600 (INR 45,000) or more a month.

International students need a student visa for Singapore, known as a Student's Pass, issued by Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), to study full-time at any approved institution. You apply through ICA's Student's Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) system, and the fee is divided into two separate payments.

• Processing fee: SGD 45 (INR 3,400), payable within seven days of submitting eForm 16, non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
• Issuance fee: SGD 60 (INR 4,500), payable once ICA approves your application and issues your In-Principle Approval letter.
• Multiple-journey visa fee: SGD 30 (INR 2,250), payable only if you need to enter and exit Singapore multiple times during your studies.

Expert Insight: Submit your Student's Pass application two to three months before your course begins, since ICA processing takes about one week without a visa requirement and up to two weeks with one, and Indian nationals fall into the visa-required category.

Scholarships in Singapore range from university-specific awards for undergraduate students to government-funded fellowships for PhD candidates. Depending on the award, you may be able to receive a scholarship alongside the MOE Tuition Grant, reducing your overall education costs further. 

The table below provides a list of scholarships available to Indian students studying in Singapore.

Expert Insight: Apply for university-specific scholarships alongside your admission application rather than separately, since both NUS and NTU assess most of their flagship undergraduate awards automatically from the same form you submit for admission.

Singapore can offer a lower annual cost of studying than other study abroad countries like the USA and UK for many programmes, particularly when you receive the MOE Tuition Grant. However, the cost difference becomes smaller without the grant, as non-subsidised tuition at universities such as NUS and NTU can be significantly higher compared to countries like Australia. 

This table compares the approximate annual cost of studying in Singapore with other popular study-abroad destinations.

You can manage the cost of studying in Singapore by making informed choices about tuition, accommodation, food, transportation and part-time work. 

• Apply for the MOE Tuition Grant before you accept your offer: Indicate your interest during the admission application itself. Missing this step means paying the full non-subsidised rate for your entire degree, since you generally can't add the grant retroactively.
• Choose on-campus housing in your first year: NUS estimates SGD 6,000 a year in living costs excluding accommodation, and on-campus rooms starting at SGD 4,000 a year keep your total budget predictable while you learn the city.
• Eat your meals at hawker centres: Choose hawker centres for regular meals to keep your food budget manageable. A full meal typically costs SGD 3–6, compared with SGD 12–25 at a restaurant, and many hawker centres near NUS, NTU and SMU offer Indian food options.
• Apply for a student concession travel pass: A Monthly Concession Pass gives you unlimited MRT and bus travel for around SGD 48 (INR 3,600), compared with SGD 100–150 (INR 7,500–11,250) per month at standard fares.
• Work part-time within your Student Pass limits: You can work up to 16 hours a week during term time and without a weekly hour limit during official vacations. Even a modest role paying SGD 10 (INR 750) per hour can help offset a meaningful portion of your monthly food and transport expenses.

The cost of studying in Singapore can change significantly depending on your MOE Tuition Grant decision, so you should plan your budget before accepting your university offer. Compare the subsidised tuition fee with the non-subsidised rate and factor in the three-year work obligation that comes with the grant.

If you’re comparing NUS, NTU or SMU based on your budget,Yocket Premium can help you shortlist programmes that match your finances and track important scholarship deadlines. Planning your tuition grant, scholarship applications and visa timeline early can also help you avoid last-minute costs and missed deadlines.