Higher education in singapore. National University of Singapore: a teacher's view from the banks of the Amur. Education cost in Singapore

An applicant who has completed grades 9, 10 or 11 of high school can enroll in a university in Singapore.

If you did not take the international test in English IELTS or TOEFL, then upon arrival in Singapore you will have to take the Placement Test exam, which assigns all applicants according to their level of English proficiency and determines them to the appropriate level of study. If your test result does not reach the minimum requirements for your chosen study program, then you will have to take an English language course, and only after successfully completing this course you will be able to start studying the chosen academic program.

If you have a TOEFL or IELTS certificate for which the result is not lower than the level specified in the requirements for your chosen program, then you will be admitted to the university without taking an additional English course.

So, what are the study programs in Singapore:

What is Honors

Many undergraduate programs in Singapore have so-called Honors classifications. Such an Honors Diploma in Singapore is valued higher than Ordinary (or Pass Degree).

However, even upon admission to the Bachelor's Degree "with Distinction", if you do not get the required number of points on the basis of the results of training, then you will not receive the classification "With Distinction", you will be given a regular Bachelor's degree.

There are 5 classifications of the Bachelor's Degree "with Distinction", depending on the gained average score:

1. The highest class - First (First Class Honors), is awarded for an average score of 70% and above.
2. The second upper class (Upper Second Class Honors) is issued for an average score of 60-69%.
3. The Lower Second Class Honors are awarded for an average grade of 50-59%.
4. Third class (Third Class Honors) is awarded for an average score of 40-49%.
5. A GPA of less than 40% is recognized as No Outcome, but some universities award such students a regular Bachelor's Degree with no grading or Pass Degree.

What needs to be done: everything in order

1. First, you need to choose a university and a study program. The site www.postupionline.com will help you with this. There you will find all the admission requirements, start dates of classes, and tuition fees for each program. Or you can read this article(Universities of Singapore) and choose the university you like, learn more about it on its official website.

1. One and a half months before the start of classes, you must submit an online application for admission to the university. To do this, you will need the following documents:

Application (find it on the official website of the university you have chosen);
-Notarized translation into English of the school certificate / report card / high school diploma / diploma of secondary special or higher education with an attachment;
-Certificate of IELTS or TOEFL, if you took this test;
-Photo of passport size in JPG format with high resolution on a white background;
-Copy of the main page of the foreign passport.

These documents must be sent to the selected university, either scanned copies by e-mail, or paper copies by regular mail to the address of the university.

Consideration of the application and documents takes up to five working days.

1. After you have received confirmation that your documents have been reviewed, you will have to pay the entrance fee to the account of the university. The entrance fee includes payment for the examination of documents, the conclusion of a contract for study, receipt of forms for a student visa and an official letter of acceptance (Letter of Offer) from the university. The university itself applies for a student visa for you. If you were refused a student visa, then the payment of the entrance fee, unfortunately, is not refundable. Read more about a student visa in the article in the section "How to get a Singapore student visa?"

1. When entering Singapore, do not forget to take with you the documents that are necessary for passing immigration control, obtaining a visa card and registering at the university:

• Letter of acceptance from the university - Letter of Offer;
• International passport;
• Entry visa In-Principal Visa Approval letter;
• Originals and notarized translations of educational documents, copies of which you sent to the university upon admission;
• Completed form .

After passing through passport control, you will be given an immigration card stub, which you need to keep, as you will need it to obtain a student visa card.

1. As soon as you arrive in Singapore, the next business day, you need to register at the university. There they will tell you the general rules of the university and familiarize you with the curriculum. To register at the university, you will need the following documents:

• A valid foreign passport;
• Printed entry visa - In-Principal Visa Approval letter;
• Printed letter of enrollment - Letter of Offer;
• Originals of educational documents and their notarized translations;
• Receipt for payment of tuition fees and admission fee.

1. After registering at the university, you will have to undergo a medical examination to identify dangerous diseases such as AIDS, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, etc., as well as to identify the fact of pregnancy and drug use. After that, you will need to submit your biometric data to the Singapore Immigration Service and register with government agencies. Only then will you receive your student visa card. Keep in mind that this entire procedure takes up to two weeks. Also, if required, they will assign an English test.

1. Many universities provide rooms on campuses (such as our dorms). You can check into the university campus a week before the start of classes.

The term of renting a room in a hostel is from 3 to 12 months, it is possible to extend the lease agreement, but subject to the availability of free rooms. Utilities are usually included in the rental price.

The cost of renting a room on a university campus: S $ 450 - 900 per month.

1. If the hostel does not suit you, then you can rent a room in an apartment or an entire apartment. More about housing in Singapore

It is clear that if you rent a room in an apartment, then other people will live with you in the same apartment, they may be the same students, or maybe family members who have a free room to rent it out. As a rule, utility bills are paid according to meter readings, separately from the basic rent.

The cost of renting a room in an apartment: S $ 400-1500 per month.

Renting an entire apartment is a good option if you are coming to Singapore to study with friends or family.

When renting an apartment, you will have to pay the rent one month in advance and a security deposit in the amount of the rent for 2 months, which will be returned to you when the rental period ends. The security deposit is charged as a guarantee that if you damage something in the apartment, the landlord will have something to compensate for this damage. Utility bills are paid additionally, according to meter readings.

To book a room or apartment, you can use the Airbnb service or wimdu.ru

The cost of renting an apartment starts from S $ 1800 per month. If the rental period is less than 2 years, then the cost will be higher.

National University of Singapore (国大 )
original name	新加坡国立大学
International name	The National University of Singapore
Motto	Towards a Global Knowledge Enterprise
Year of foundation
The president	Tan Chorkh Chuan
Students	26 418
Postgraduate studies	10 548
Professors	518
Teachers	2 402
Location	Singapore Singapore
Site	www.nus.edu.sg

Faculty of Engineering, NUS

National University of Singapore(eng. The National University of Singapore, abbreviated as NUS; whale. ex. 新加坡 国立 大学, pinyin: Xīnjiāpō Guólì Dàxué, abbreviated whale. ex. 国 大, pinyin: Guódà; malay. Universiti Kebangsaan Singapura; there. சிங்கப்பூர் தேசியப் பல்கலைக்கழகம் ) is the largest university in the country both in terms of the number of students and training programs. It is the oldest university in Singapore.

According to the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) international ranking, National University of Singapore was ranked 33rd among universities in the world in 2007, 30th in 2008, and by 2013 it had risen to 22nd place in this ranking.

The university consists of two campuses - the main one is located in the south-west of Singapore in the Kent Ridge area and its area is 1.5 kilometers². The Bukit Timakh campus is also a Faculty of Law.

History

In September 1904, Tang Kim led a group of representatives from the Chinese and other non-European communities. They approached the Governor, Sir John Anderson, with the idea of ​​establishing a medical school in Singapore. Tanu, who was the first president of the Sino-British Association, managed to raise $ 87,077, of which $ 12,000 was his own contribution. On July 3, 1905, the medical school was established. She became known as the Straits and Federated Malay States Government Medical School.

In 1912, the medical school received a donation of $ 120,000 from the Edward VII Royal Memorial Fund, which was started by Dr. Lim Boon Keng.

On November 18, 1913, the name of the school was changed to King Edward VII Medical School. In 1921 it was again changed to the King Edward VII Medical College to better reflect its academic status.

In 1929, Raffles College of Arts and Social Sciences was established.

Two decades later, Raffles College was merged with the King Edward VII Medical College and on October 8, 1949, the University of Malaya was formed. Two reputable educational institutions have merged to provide higher education to citizens of the Federation of Malay and Singapore.

In 1959, the University of Malaya was split into two divisions: the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur and the University of Malaya in Singapore. The latter was renamed the University of Singapore in 1962.

The current university was created with the merger of the University of Singapore and Nanyang University in 1980.

Education

NUS offers 27 undergraduate and 115 graduate and doctoral programs in 17 faculties.

Education at NUS is based on a modular system. This system includes the features of the British system, such as small groups of students in training, and the features of the American system - the credit system.

During the first two semesters, students can take elective courses in different faculties.

It is also possible to study under a double bachelor's degree program: bachelor of arts, social sciences and engineering; bachelor of arts, social sciences and law, bachelor of business and engineering, and bachelor of business and law.

Singapore is an Asian country with a high standard of living and oriental cultural values. It is one of the most comfortable for living due to progressive social policy, ecology and the level of wages. Singaporean education also deserves attention, which is distinguished by its high quality and relatively low cost of education. Therefore, educational institutions in Singapore are attractive for international students.

The history of the formation and principles of the Singapore educational system

Until the middle of the 20th century, Singapore was a British colony. The independence of the state was granted only in 1959. Teaching in schools was conducted in the native language of citizens (English, Malay, Chinese, Hindi). Only Europeans spoke English, 95% of the population were Chinese, Indians and Malays. To form a new society, a new education system was needed.

In the history of the formation of Singaporean education, 3 stages can be distinguished.

In the period from 1959 to 1979, educational programs were standardized. English was chosen for teaching school subjects. Within the framework of the education development program, 83 schools were built, financing was carried out from the state budget. Textbooks began to be published in Singapore. Special attention was paid to technical education - professional schools and institutes were created.

from 1979 to 1997, emphasis is placed on improving the quality of education. Streaming distribution of students is being introduced in schools (classes are formed depending on the abilities of children). In 1992, the Institute of Technical Education was created, and special technical streams were introduced in secondary schools. The salaries for engineering and research professions were increased, which increased the prestige of higher education.

Since 1997, there has been a stage in the implementation of the existing capabilities of the educational system. By 2008, streaming education in schools was canceled. The emphasis is on individualized educational programs, the ability of citizens to learn throughout their lives, the development of creativity and teamwork skills. The Edusave grant system was introduced, which allows to fully cover the costs of students for training. Natural and technical disciplines became the leading directions.

The principles of the modern Singaporean educational system are:

• bilingual education programs (teaching is in Chinese and English),
• fostering tolerance in the younger generation,
• meritocracy (a person's merits determine his position in society),
• accessibility (the state guarantees that no child will be deprived of the opportunity to study),
• individual approach.

Features of the educational system of Singapore

The educational system includes 3 stages - preschool, secondary and higher education. In state institutions, education is conducted in the state languages ​​- English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. In private educational institutions, children can also study in their native language, other than the state one. The academic year at school begins on January 1 and is divided into 4 quarters of 10 weeks each, in universities - into two semesters.

Singapore's educational system is similar to European

Preschool education

Singapore kindergartens are preschool institutions. They accept children from 3 years old, here they are taught communication skills, native and English languages, reading, counting, music and singing, drawing, modeling, dancing for 3 years. All preschools are private, some of them run by religious organizations or foundations. There are no state kindergartens.

Kindergartens are attended by children from 3 to 5 years old

Secondary education

The institutions of secondary education include schools, technical schools, colleges. Children start going to school at the age of 6. Secondary education is divided into primary, secondary and pre-university levels.

In elementary school, education lasts 6 years, children learn mathematics, English and their mother tongue (Chinese, Malay, Tamil), civics, drawing, music. At the end of school, children take exams and receive a PSLE ​​certificate, which is necessary to advance to the next level of education. All primary school curricula are standardized. If desired, students can attend sports sections, lessons on aesthetic education and classes for gifted children. The primary school education system is divided into 2 levels - basic (grades 1–4) and orientation (grades 5–6). From the 3rd grade, natural science disciplines are introduced into the curriculum. Primary school attendance is compulsory and free for all citizens.

Primary school is attended by children from 6 to 12 years old

In secondary school, groups of students are formed according to the results of examinations in primary school. Education in secondary school is carried out according to the following courses:

• special (4 years, emphasis on learning the native language, upon completion an O-level exam is passed),
• technical (4 years, an emphasis is placed on the study of technical disciplines, upon completion an N-level exam is passed),
• express (4 years, superficial study of the native and English languages, presupposes obtaining an O-level),
• academic (training lasts up to 5 years, upon completion an N-level exam is passed),
• an integrated program - a professional course (5–6 years, 6–10 disciplines are studied, upon completion, an A-level exam is passed, which is necessary for admission to the university).

Classrooms are formed based on the results of primary school exams

The pre-university level (Foundation) involves preparation for a university. After completing express and special secondary school courses, students can enter part-time (junior) colleges, the duration of which is 2 years. The final stage of studying in colleges is passing the exam for obtaining the A-level certificate. For students wishing to get a technical education and having O- and N-level certificates, there are polytechnic schools (training period - 3 years) and technical education institutes (1–2 years).

Academic performance is assessed on the following scale:

• A1 / A2 - excellent,
• B3 / B4 - good,
• С5 / С6 - test,
• D7 / D8 - fail,
• E8 / F9 - unsatisfactory.

According to this system, the highest grade A1 is equal to 1 point. Upon admission to an incomplete college, the level of knowledge is assessed according to the L1R5 system, where L1 denotes a score in the native or English language, and R5 is the sum of points in 5 disciplines, which include at least one exact and 1 humanitarian subject. The lower the score, the higher the level of knowledge. The maximum score required for admission to junior college is 20. Polytechnics use the L1R2B2 system, where R2 is the two compulsory subjects and B2 is the two subjects for which the student earned the highest score. Polytechnics usually put forward additional requirements for applicants.

Higher education

Higher education institutions are:

1. Polytechnic institutes.
2. Technical University (Nyang Technological University).
3. Independent universities.
4. National, state, private universities.

Training is conducted in Chinese or English. Upon admission to universities, applicants take exams. Gifted and successful children, as an exception, can be admitted without any entrance tests. High school graduates provide an A-level certificate. Graduates of incomplete colleges and technical schools must provide information about their progress and attendance at additional classes, sections. At the discretion of the selection committee, the applicant may be assigned additional entrance tests.

Education in universities meets international standards

Education in Singapore universities is carried out according to international standards and includes 3 stages:

• Bachelor's degree (3-4 years),
• Master's degree (1-3 years),
• Doctorate (2–5 years).

To award an academic degree and when moving from one level of study to another, students must take exams, the list of which is approved by each specific university. Diplomas from Singaporean universities are recognized all over the world.

Tuition fees in Singapore for Russians and not only

The cost of studying in Singapore for international students is higher than for local students. It also depends on the prestige of the educational institution and specialty.

The cost of education in kindergartens varies from $ 100 to $ 2000 per year, in a public school - about $ 1000 per year, and in an international school - $ 1000-3000 per month.

Tuition fees for undergraduate programs vary on average from $ 10,000 to $ 32,000 per year, in master's programs - $ 15,000-42,000 per year. 4-week English courses will cost applicants about $ 2000. The cost of pre-university education is $ 7000-17000 per year.

Education for international students can be free of charge. There is a subsidized fee system and grants for undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition, the student may be offered work at one of the enterprises in Singapore by profession after graduation.

Table: the most popular educational institutions

Photo Gallery: Popular Universities and Colleges in Singapore

SIM University offers programs of study in the arts, social and natural sciences Nanyang Polytechnic College specializes in training students of technical, engineering and scientific specialties Singapore Management University - the largest private university The main focus of Nanyang Technological University is engineering sciences National University of Singapore is the oldest educational institution in the country

Basic requirements for foreigners when entering educational institutions

Each educational institution has its own list of entrance examinations, often SAT testing is included in it. A prerequisite for admission for foreign applicants is the presence of a certificate or diploma of education (secondary, higher), a certificate of international testing for knowledge of English - IELTS or TOEFL (the minimum passing score is 6.0 or 550, respectively). In the absence of these certificates, you can study at one of the language schools in Singapore (training lasts 2-10 months), after which students are tested for admission to the university.

SAT is a standardized test for university admission. Developed and operated by College Board, an American non-governmental organization. Includes tests in mathematics, text analysis, and English grammar. Testing is carried out on a paid basis.

If the applicant has only a high school diploma, to enter the university, you need to study at a Singapore school for 2 years (a requirement of government agencies), and then complete the Foundation program. For admission to the master's program, a diploma of graduation from the university under the bachelor's program is required.

Scholarships and grants for international students

Every successful and gifted student can apply for a scholarship or educational grant. Financing of training programs is carried out by the state, educational institutions and employers.

At the state level, support is provided by the Ministry of Education, with funding provided for various stages of education. The list of scholarship programs and grants is regularly updated on the Ministry's website (https://www.moe.gov.sg/education/edusave). Only students enrolled in an educational institution can apply for a scholarship. Upon approval of the application, an additional agreement is signed, according to which the student is required to work in Singapore after graduation for several years. The grants provided by the Ministry of Education represent an amount of money that will only partially cover educational costs.

Almost all universities in Singapore have their own scholarship programs. Information is available on the websites of specific universities. Funding is often provided for highly specialized students.

Large enterprises and corporations are also interested in highly qualified personnel, therefore they are ready to pay for the training of a future employee. To do this, the student signs an agreement with the company, according to which he needs to work for several years under a contract in this organization after studying.

Accommodation for students

Singapore students live in dormitories and rented rooms (apartments). Not all educational institutions can provide a hostel for students. It is also possible to live with Singaporean families (information is provided by the university).

Some Singaporean universities provide a hostel for students

Infrastructure, quality and novelty of interior decoration and furniture, age of the house, proximity to the center affect the cost of housing. The price of renting a room or apartment on average varies from $ 200 to $ 1500 per month. Also, the list of student expenses includes:

• utility bills (~ $ 80),
• meals (~ 400 $),
• payment of travel by public transport (~ $ 100),
• telephone, internet (~ $ 50),
• books, office (~ $ 70),
• medical insurance ($ 20-300).

To rent out properties, landlords must have an HDB permit, which they must present to the potential tenant prior to signing the contract. The contract must specify the terms of the lease, the rights and obligations of the parties.

Video: Student Life in Singapore

Obtaining a study visa

Citizens of Russia and the CIS countries need a student visa to study in Singapore, the duration of which is more than 4 weeks. The registration process takes about a month.

The visa section of the Singapore Embassy is required to provide notarized documents translated into English:

1. Passport.
2. Photo 3cm × 4cm.
3. Education certificate.
4. Final exam results.
5. Birth certificate.
6. Copies of passports of close relatives (father, mother, brothers, sisters).
7. Bank statement confirming the possibility of living abroad and tuition fees.
8. Certificate from the parents' place of work indicating the position and average monthly earnings for the last six months.
9. Letter of invitation from the university confirming the fact of enrollment.
10. Proof of residence.

You also need to pay a visa fee of $ 25. If the decision is positive, you need to additionally issue a 30-day tourist Singapore visa in order to undergo a medical examination at an educational institution, receive a visa card and register at the Singapore immigration department during this time.

Foreign students are required to study at the institutions that are indicated in the visa application. When changing the place of study, the visa is subject to cancellation and re-issuance. At the same time, the minimum number of teaching hours must be at least 15 hours per week, and attendance must be at least 90%. Student visa holders are not allowed to work in Singapore.

Courses while studying and job prospects

During the training, students can attend additional language courses. At the same time, they are not allowed to work during the entire period of study. At educational institutions in Singapore, attendance and academic performance are tightly controlled. If a foreign student misses a session and has an attendance below 90%, he is expelled and sent home.

The situation with the employment of foreign citizens is quite difficult. In 2012, local authorities began monitoring the number of foreign workers in Singapore. However, talented and talented students have a chance to find a job after graduation. Graduates of educational institutions are allowed to stay in Singapore for some time after graduation in order to receive a diploma, and draw up related documents. If a graduate wants to stay in the country, he needs to find a job and obtain a work visa. The list of priority areas for employment is approved by the government. At the moment, these areas include manufacturing, construction, healthcare, finance, information technology, tourism, trade. Even if a graduate has not found a job, but has a priority specialty, he can stay in Singapore. An employer who wishes to hire a foreigner must obtain permission from the authorities.

Universities attracting a huge number of foreign students began to appear in Singapore only in the 20th century, most of them are considered very "young" by world standards. Nevertheless, today a high-quality education is given here, and graduates receive diplomas of the international standard.

Among the famous polytechnics of Singapore are:

Tuition and living costs

To do this, you must submit to the consular section of the Singapore Embassy: a valid foreign passport, confirmation of existing education, birth certificate, color photographs of 3x4 cm format, a certificate of passing a language test, a bank statement and other documents, a complete list of which can be found on the website Embassy of Singapore.

Pros and cons of studying in Singapore

Pros:

• relatively low cost of training
• quality teaching in English
• borrowing the best educational programs from universities in Europe and the USA
• international recognition of diplomas
• tolerance and individual approach to each student

Minuses:

• young educational institutions not distinguished by outstanding history and traditions
• the need to undergo preliminary training for a period of 1 to 4 years before entering a university
• strict, in comparison with Europe and America, orders that apply to both the lifestyle and the learning process
• unusual Asian culture that has left its mark on the education sector

Despite the fact that Singapore is a city-state, the number of universities here is quite impressive. There are four universities and five institutes on a small territory. Three universities of the country are state-owned:

• Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
• Singapore Management University (SMU)

In addition to them, higher education can be obtained in private educational institutions and branches of universities in other states located in Singapore. The specificity of these universities lies in the fact that they do not conduct research work and do not have postgraduate studies.

Singapore universities are consistently ranked among the world's best higher education institutions. Thus, according to the results of research conducted by the British magazine Times Higher Education in 2014, the University of Singapore (NUS) occupies an honorable 25th place in the World University Rankings, ahead of several American, Canadian, Australian and English universities. Also in the top 100, taking 61st place, was Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Diplomas obtained in Singapore are recognized all over the world and provide an opportunity for successful employment in the received specialty in any country.

Singapore Universities

Universities in Singapore, as well as in most countries of the world, do not accept Russians for training on the basis of only one certificate. The problem lies in the inconsistency of education systems, because in Russia secondary education is obtained in 11 years, and in Singapore - in 12. There are several ways to level this difference:

• graduate from school in Singapore or any country with a 12-year education program;
• complete a year at a domestic university and transfer to a university in Singapore from the second year;
• undergo training on the Foundation Program preparatory course, which will allow applicants to “pick up” a year, as well as fill in the missing knowledge of the English language, help to adapt to the educational system of a new country for a future student.

Many educational institutions of the state practice interviewing via Skype. This saves the student from having to fly to Singapore for the interview, and greatly speeds up the enrollment process. The process of admission to a Singaporean university takes no more than 4 months, unlike universities in most countries of the world, documents to which must be submitted one year before the start of study.

To stay in the country for more than four weeks, you will need to apply for a student visa, which can be done at the Singapore embassy in your country. Usually there are no problems with obtaining it - it is issued within 4-6 weeks.

Education cost in Singapore

The cost of higher education in Singapore is significantly lower than in the USA or European countries, and its quality is not inferior to the best universities in England and Switzerland. On average, the cost of one year of study at a Singaporean higher education institution varies between 4000 - 12000 USD, depending on the chosen specialty. The most expensive is education at medical and dental faculties - it can cost up to 40,000 USD.

Unfortunately, only a few educational institutions in Singapore provide international students with hostel accommodation. Therefore, most often, students rent housing in the city on their own. On average, an apartment in a good neighborhood with a living room and one bedroom costs S $ 500-600 per month. Living with two or three people will significantly reduce the monthly rent.

Food costs should be calculated based on S $ 120-150 per month per person. The cheapest form of transport in Singapore is city buses, which follow the same route as metro trains. A bus ticket will cost only one and a half dollars. You can also spend your leisure time quite inexpensively, for example, going to the cinema will cost 8-10 S $.

Scholarships and grants

The Singapore Ministry of Education implements a variety of university funding schemes that enable international students to significantly reduce their tuition costs. The Singapore Ministry grants are only a partial coverage of the costs. However, when it comes to living in a new country, even partial tuition fees make life much easier for a student. Therefore, if you are serious about getting an education in Singapore with noticeable financial savings, then regular monitoring of the website of the Ministry of Education can help in this. It constantly updates the list of scholarships and international programs. Also, almost all universities in Singapore implement their own scholarship programs, which can be found on the website of a particular educational institution.

The application for funding is submitted after successfully passing the entrance exams and enrolling in the university. If the request is approved, an agreement will be required, according to which the student undertakes, after graduation, to work in a Singapore company for several years. In case of violation of the concluded contract, you will have to reimburse the cost of training.

Many large companies in Singapore are interested in attracting young professionals, so they are ready to provide them with financial support for their studies, provided that the student undertakes to work in this enterprise for several years after graduation. If the graduate receives a more favorable offer from another company and wishes to terminate the already existing agreement, then he will also have to pay a penalty in a predetermined amount.

Over the past 30 years, having made an economic breakthrough, Singapore has become one of the leading countries in East Asia, a dynamically developing state and a center for communications, technology and research, providing tremendous prospects for young professionals to realize their potential. Higher education received in Singapore is the key to successful employment in the chosen specialty and career growth in a prestigious large company.