Key Highlights
To a lot of the Indian students and their families, the idea of studying abroad has always focused on U.S., U.K., Canada or Australia. However, not far at all, Singapore, the object of study, is only a 5-hour drive. The island city state is home to three of the best institutions in the world, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore Management University (SMU), which provide the Indian students with not only prestige but also scholarship, high employability, cultural vicinity and security. Singapore offers what can be viewed as a smarter, quicker payoff quite literally in the face of rising costs across the world.
Global Academics with Local Comfort
World-Class Universities
NTU, NUS and SMU are continually topping the world and Asia in terms of ranking. They have strict programmes, their research emphasis is high (particularly at NUS and NTU) and their modelling is progressive and interdisciplinary (particularly SMU in business and management). These schools provide the quality of academic pedigree that is comparable or even superior to most of the Western universities particularly in such disciplines as engineering, computing, life sciences, business, and finance.
Also Read: Singapore Immigration: A Comprehensive Guide
Cultural Familiarity & Safety
Singaporean culture resonates with Indian students, who find this one of the greatest attractions. English is popular, familiar multicultural mix, food, festivals, and community life tend to become more accessible compared to more distant Western places. To add to that, Singapore has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, and this is an important fact in sending students to a foreign country.
Cost, Scholarships & Return on Investment
Scholarships & Undergraduate Funding
-
NTU has the ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship: one can waive tuition fees and get a monthly allowance, which makes a four-year undergraduate education much cheaper in comparison with many of its counterparts in the U.S.
-
NUS has the Science and Technology undergraduate scholarship that covers tuition fees, a stipend, and settling-in allowances.
-
SMU in the form of the Lee Kong Chian Scholars Programme not only covers tuition but also provides opportunities to be exposed to the world through exchanges and study trips.
Postgraduate Support & MBA Paths
-
The Nanyang President Scholarship (NPGS) of NTU provides 100 per cent tuition fees + monthly allowance for PhDs and research programmes.
-
Postgraduates of foreign nationalities are generously financed by NUS Research Scholarship and Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA), which pays tuition, stipend, and airfare in some cases.
-
MBA at NUS, NTU, and SMU are also funded financially - lots of scholarships are offered to cover 50-100 per cent of tuition fees, full tuition fees plus a stipend to the best applicants.
Also Read: Visa Free Transit Facility Singapore: Complete Guide
Employability, Industry Integration & Placements
Strong Job Prospects
Alumni of these universities are characterised by good initial wages. Singaporean undergraduates are reported to earn an average of SGD 4,200 / month (approximately 2.6 lakh) with an approximate placement rate of 95 per cent six months after graduation.
In the case of postgraduates, particularly engineers, computer, biotech, and life sciences, the salary packages are competitive. Some positions have starting salaries of SGD 50,000-70,000 per year in different fields.
Graduates of these MBA institutions tend to work in consulting, finance, and high-tech companies, having an average starting salary that is much larger; most of them pay back within two to three years.
Pathway to Work Visas & Internships
-
Students on a Student Pass are permitted to work part-time (16 hours/week during term) and full-time during vacations. Most courses are integrated with internships.
-
After graduating, most people are often able to easily switch to the Employment Pass or the S Pass, though they have to meet the salary requirements. Employers are accustomed to the system.
Why Singapore Beats Many Western Alternatives
Time & Cost Efficiency
In Singapore, scholarships and financial aid can greatly lighten the load of debts in comparison with the same courses in the West. Living standards are cheaper, the cost of travelling to India is less, and the duration of programmes (particularly to MBAs) is shorter or more related to employability.
Regional Opportunities & Network Effects
Singapore is not only about the island, but a centre of Southeast Asia as well as the rest of the world. Graduates of the institution are usually able to access opportunities in the ASEAN region, East Asia, and frequently receive positions in multinational companies that have a good presence in the Asia-Pacific. The industry connections (A*STAR, Temasek, GIC, etc) are high, and international firms heavily hire in Singapore.
Also Read: Singapore Visa Photo Requirements: Latest Experts Guide
Familiar Climate & Family Concerns
Being near India implies an easier way back home, food one knows better, less culture shock, and more comfortable adaptation of students and families. Convenience, comfort in day-to-day living, and the knowledge of the language also play a major role.
Specific Highlights: NTU, NUS & SMU
National University of Singapore (NUS)
-
Good reputation in engineering, life sciences, and technology among the three.
-
Large postgraduate scholarships (Research Scholarship, SINGA) ‒ allowances that are adequate to cover living costs.
-
Great success rates and an international network of alumni.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
-
High engineering, sustainable technology, and computing.
-
Good undergrad scholarship by ASEAN, etc, good postgraduate stipend schemes.
-
MBAs who are technologically and sustainably strong.
Singapore Management University (SMU)
-
Boutique-sized, especially strong in business, management, and social sciences.
-
The Lee Kong Chian programmes of SMU focus on leadership, global exposure, and global exchange.
-
Although the salaries might be a bit shorter than those of NUS/NTU MBA graduates, networking opportunities will be high, and the exposure to hands-on experience will be invaluable.
Considerations & Challenges
Although Singapore is a country with many advantages, there are a few points to be taken into consideration:
-
Living Expenses: Singapore is not cheap, but compared to most cities in the West, its cost of living is lower. There are accommodation, travel, transport, food, etc. Planning is a necessity to secure scholarships and stipends.
-
Competition & Rigour of Admission: Admission into the best programmes is very competitive. Students must have outstanding academic qualifications and good profiles.
-
Minimal Salaries and Thresholds: Fresh graduates need to have minimum thresholds on salaries to be eligible to receive some of the post-study work visas. This can be different depending on the sector, and it can be researched.
Conclusion
Singapore boasts of world-ranked universities NUS, NTU, and SMU, and the proposition of Indian students in Singapore is possibly one of the best in the field of higher education currently. It is not simply a second or third choice with big scholarships, good academic courses, good employment opportunities, and geographic and cultural closeness, but a smarter first choice most of the time.
Singapore is not merely an option to the Indian students and families seeking global quality at no more than a premium cost and at no more than the jeopardization that the Western substitutes entail, but a strong and occasionally underestimated contender. Contact TerraTern for more information.
