Singapore has a host of reputed public and private universities that provide quality education and a wide range of courses. This makes Singapore a coveted destination for higher education. Apart from receiving quality education, students also enjoy Singapore's fascinating cultural milieu, where its cosmopolitan present co-exists with its culturally-rich past.
Studying in Singapore is expensive, but this doesn't mean that it isn't within your reach. Scholarships for international students in Singapore give the financial boost that they need to pursue their dream courses. There are government, external and university-specific scholarships. Here is a list of scholarships in Singapore.
This is one of the most renowned scholarships in Singapore. Abbreviated as SINGA, this scholarship is awarded to students who want to pursue a PhD in biomedical sciences and physical science and engineering.
SINGA is a collaboration between four top universities - the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). Students can carry out research work at labs in any of the universities mentioned above.
All international students with a passion for research can apply for this scholarship to study in Singapore.
The Award provides funds for up to 4 years of PhD studying. This includes a monthly stipend of SGD 2,000-SGD 2,500. Plus, a one-time air-fare grant and a one-time settling-in allowance.
The submission deadline courses starting August 2021 is 1st January 2021 (23:59 hrs GMT + 8 Singapore time).
The Asian Development Bank – Japan Scholarship Program (ADB – JSP) was started in 1988. It is awarded to deserving candidates from ADB's borrowing member countries. Students interested in pursuing postgraduate studies in economics, science, business, management or technology can apply.
About 300 scholarships are given out annually. However, only programs offered by participating universities are eligible for funding.
The ADB-JSP covers tuition fees, monthly living allowance, study material, medical insurance, travel expenses. A special allowance is given for research and thesis preparation.
Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded to students belonging to countries that are part of the Commonwealth. These scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and have been around for almost six decades.
Indian students can apply to participating universities in New Zealand, Singapore and the UK. Scholarships can be availed for Masters or PhD programs in participating universities.
For a Master's level scholarship
For PhD programs
The scholarship covers travel expenses, tuition fees and other allowances.
The Lee Kong Chian Graduate Scholarships are funded by the Lee Foundation – Singapore's largest private charitable foundation. These scholarships in Singapore are awarded to students who wish to pursue PhD programs at the National University of Singapore. It is open to students of all nationalities.
The scholarship includes a monthly stipend of SGD 3,300, tuition, examination fees and other approved fees at NUS, a one-off travel allowance and a one-off laptop allowance.
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The ASEAN Foundation (AF) and the Chulabhorn Graduate Institute (CGI) jointly offer the CGI – AF Post-graduate Scholarship Program in Science and Technology. This Singapore university scholarship is open to Southeast Asian nationals who wish to pursue postgraduate studies at the CGI.
The scholarship covers tuition and other academic fees, air-fare, VISA fees, relocation allowance, monthly allowance, study material allowance, and health insurance.
Singapore Millennium Foundation is a non-profit created to advance scientific progress in Singapore. Scholarships offered by the foundation can be availed by predoctoral and postdoctoral research scientists and engineers. Both local and international students can apply for the scholarship.
The scholarship includes a monthly stipend and travel fees.
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This scholarship program has been designed for students belonging to nations of the ASEAN. The scholarship is awarded to students who wish to undertake two years of pre-university studies in Singapore's selected colleges.
This Singapore scholarship for Indian students and others is distributed across two years and is renewed annually based on students' academic records.
The selection process for the SIA Youth Scholarship comprises previous academic records, a selection test, and a selection interview. The applications usually begin in June while scholarships are announced in November.
Selected students are granted funding for tuition fees, exam fees, living expenses, medical benefits and accident insurance.
Global Schools Foundation - headquartered in Singapore - offers the GIIS Global Citizen Scholarship to deserving candidates to study at its flagship campus in Queenstown, Singapore. Instituted in 2008, the GIIS Global Citizen Scholarship is offered to Class 10 academic toppers worldwide for Junior College CBSE (11th-12th) or an IB Diploma.
The scholarship amount is SGD 90,000 per student, including a one-time return air-fare and visa fee, tuition fee, boarding and lodging at a hostel and pocket allowance per month for daily expenses.
Universities in which Accepted: (A*STAR), the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).
Applicable for Course (Names): PhD in biomedical sciences and physical science and engineering.
Total Award: Monthly stipend of SGD 2,000–SGD 2,500, one-time air-fare grant, one-time settling-in allowance.
Eligibility: Graduates with a passion for research, good communication skills in English, excellent academic record.
Universities in which Accepted: Participating universities in ADB borrowing member countries.
Applicable for Course (Names): Postgrad in economics, science, business, management or technology.
Total Award: Tuition fees, monthly living allowance, study material, medical insurance, travel expenses + allowance for research and thesis preparation.
Eligibility: Must be a citizen of an ADB's borrowing member country, should have gained admission to an approved course in a participating university, should have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent, and should be no more than 35 years at the time of application.
Universities in which Accepted: Participating universities in Commonwealth nations.
Applicable for Course (Names): Master's or PhD programs.
Total Award: Covers travel expenses, tuition fees and other allowances.
Eligibility: Must have a Bachelor's/Master's degree, be a citizen of any commonwealth country, not have already registered for the Master's/Bachelor's course at any other university, a minimum score of 60% in Social science and 65% in Science subjects. Candidates should be below 40 years of age at the time of applying.
University in which Accepted: National University of Singapore.
Applicable for Course (Names): PhD programs.
Total Award: Monthly stipend of SGD 3,300, tuition, examination fees and other approved fees at NUS, a one-off travel allowance and a one-off laptop allowance.
Eligibility: Must be a graduate, must have gotten admission for a full-time degree at NUS, must be eligible for Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) subsidy.
University in which Accepted: Chulabhorn Graduate Institute.
Applicable for Course (Names): Postgrad in Science and Technology.
Total Award: Covers tuition and other academic fees, air-fare, VISA fees, relocation allowance, monthly allowance, study material allowance, health insurance among others.
Eligibility: Candidates must be under 30 years of age, have a Bachelor's degree in the Sciences, Medical Sciences or Pharmacy.
Universities in which Accepted: Select Singapore-based universities and research institutes.
Applicable for Course (Names): Predoctoral and postdoctoral research scientists and engineers.
Total Award: Monthly stipend and travel fees.
Eligibility: Must be a graduate student who is enrolled in or intends to study in a Singapore-based university or research institute.
Universities in which Accepted: Select colleges in Singapore.
Applicable for Course (Names):2 years of pre-university studies.
Total Award: Tuition fees, exam fees, living expenses, medical benefits and accident insurance.
Eligibility: Selection is based on previous academic record, selection test, selection interview.
University in which Accepted: GIIS Queenstown Campus in Singapore.
Applicable for Course (Names): Junior College CBSE (11th-12th) or an IB Diploma.
Total Award: SGD 90,000 per student which includes a one-time return air-fare and visa fee, tuition fee, boarding and lodging at a hostel and pocket allowance per month for daily expenses.
Eligibility: Class 10 academic toppers.
There are several scholarships available for Indian students who wish to study in Singapore. These scholarships are offered by many public and private universities and outside entities, like trusts, banks or think-tanks. You can avail of these scholarships by meeting their eligibility criteria and applying for them. Look for scholarships that cover most of your study and living expenses, including travel fare and health insurance.
Different scholarships cover different expenses. Most pay for your tuition fees, study material and provide a monthly stipend for your living expenses. Some scholarships also cover travel and health expenses. However, this is a limited sum and costs above the set limit will have to be borne by you. This can include eating out, shopping or sight-seeing. It could also include living and studying expenses that exceed the scholarship amount.
You will be competing with students worldwide for the scholarship, so it can be challenging to get one. Your success depends entirely on the quality of your application. Some universities will also take your financial status into account. To increase your chances of getting the scholarship, include all documents requested and invest time writing your application. Communicate why you've chosen the course and college and how getting the scholarship can fulfil your ambitions. Submit all documents before the deadline and don't forget to list all the qualities that make you the perfect candidate to receive the scholarship.