According to top-mba-universities, Singapore is particularly attractive for bachelor graduates who want to complete their master’s degree in an Asian country because the study system is based on the British and US systems. And also the language of instruction and lingua franca is exclusively English due to the colonial history. In addition, in recent years the government has increasingly advocated greater flexibility and diversity in the field of education and universities and has entered into partnerships with many universities from all over the world.
International and recognized: A Masters in Singapore
The range of courses in the small island nation is huge. Next to the Singapore universities
- National University of Singapore (NUS)
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
- Singapore Management University (SMU)
- Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD)
- Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) and
- Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)
have many renowned foreign universities an external campus established in Singapore. These include, for example, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the James Cook University Singapore and Stanford University.
The special thing about the Masters programs in Singapore is their international orientation and their high practical relevance. Often internships in local companies are integrated into the course. Internships or individual semesters in other countries such as Dubai, Canada or Australia are also possible at international universities.
Masters programs in Singapore are available in all fields of study. The areas of economics, tourism management and IT are particularly popular, as knowledge of the Asian market is playing an increasingly important role in these subjects. The MBA programs in particular are enjoying increasing popularity.
Master types in Singapore
Typically, the Masters programs in Singapore take anywhere from one year to 16 months to complete. How long the students have to plan for their master’s degree depends on whether they choose a more research-oriented or a more practice-oriented program. As in the anglophone countries, there are also two types of masters in Singapore:
- Master by Coursework (job- oriented)
- Master by Research / Thesis (research-oriented)
While the students in the Master by Coursework perform their work in the courses and seminars during their studies, Research Master students attend fewer events and write a longer scientific paper (master’s thesis) instead. Naturally, the Master by Coursework prepares you for a quick career entry, whereas the Master by Research would be preferable for a subsequent doctorate.
Regardless of this, the practical application of what has been learned plays a role in both types of masters. The universities work closely with local companies and research institutes where students complete internships.
Reasons for a Masters in Singapore
In addition to the cultural diversity, prosperity and security, the excellent university landscape also speaks in favor of expanding your knowledge of Asia by studying in Singapore. Singapore is considered to be one of the most important locations for science and research in all of Asia. The universities are heavily funded by the state. This leads to very good equipment at the universities, modern study programs and intensive supervision of the students by the lecturers. In addition, a lot of importance is attached to international exchange in Singapore. All courses are conducted in English and there are collaborations with well-known foreign universities that have opened branches in Singapore.
Requirements for a Masters in Singapore
Requirements for a master’s degree in Singapore are usually a good first degree, such as a bachelor’s, master’s or diploma, and sufficient knowledge of English. You can prove the latter in the form of a standardized language test such as the IELTS or TOEFL. In certain subject areas, the universities require a certain result in academic tests, such as the GRE or GMAT. In individual MBA courses, universities expect their applicants to have several years of professional experience.
Tuition fees for a Masters in Singapore
The tuition fees for a Masters degree at Singapore’s state universities range from S $ 30,000 to S $ 120,000 (in medical subjects) per year, depending on the subject. At international universities, tuition fees between S $ 19,000 and S $ 53,500 can be expected, i.e. between € 11,300 and € 31,600.
The cost of living in Singapore is the highest in Southeast Asia. Nevertheless, they are not higher than in Germany. It should be emphasized here that Singapore offers a standard of living that is in no way inferior to the western OECD countries and also has a very low crime rate.
Depending on your lifestyle, you can expect around € 600 to € 1,200 a month for rent, food and leisure activities for a Masters in Singapore. The student residences offer affordable accommodation. Here you have to expect between S $ 160 and S $ 560 (around € 100 to € 350) per month. The rental prices for flats or apartments are much higher. Since there are few places in the dormitories, it is advisable to try to find accommodation there as early as possible.
Singapore is known for its many laws that regulate everyday life and ensure cleanliness and order. Anyone studying for a Masters in Singapore should familiarize themselves with it, because the penalties for disregard are sensitive and can be safely avoided.
Financing a Masters in Singapore
There are several funding options available to help cover the cost of the Masters in Singapore. The DAAD and various foundations offer various scholarships for master’s candidates. The Singapore government and some universities also offer full and partial scholarships for international master’s students to promote diversity. You can find out about possible scholarships and financial aid on the website of the Ministry of Education Singapore.
A student or education loan completed in Germany can also be a way of realizing the dream of a Masters in Singapore. International students can supplement their funds with a part-time job. Up to 16 hours per week are allowed during the semester, and even more during the semester break.
Visa, students pass and health insurance for Singapore
You need a multiple journey visa for your entry and exit. Upon arrival in Singapore, you will be given a Social Visit Pass that is valid for two to four weeks. During this time you have to apply for your students pass. Among other things, you have to present your certificate of enrollment. A health certificate is also mandatory for stays of more than six months. You could have it exhibited in Singapore’s certified hospitals.
You should definitely visit a travel or tropical medicine doctor in good time before departure to have all standard vaccinations refreshed. Additional vaccinations may be necessary, especially if you plan to travel to the surrounding Asian countries. A comprehensive international health insurance is absolutely necessary for medical care in Singapore is indeed excellent but also very expensive.
