Singapore is growing in popularity for international students, ideally located as the gateway to Asia with both domestic and international university campuses offering industry focused and research-driven degrees. It is also one of the most expensive cities in the world.
The cost of living for students who plan study a degree in Singapore is high, and we’ve collected the main monthly costs for you to consider when making a choice about studying there.
Monthly cost of living: the headlines
Known for being clean and safe, Singapore’s high quality of life comes with a significant price tag. Remember to consider conversion rates when comparing cost. You can expect to need $2000 SGD a month to support yourself as an international student in Singapore, taking into account non-essential expenses like socialising and fitness.
| Singaporean dollar | USD | Euro |
On-campus accommodation | $800 - $1200 | $620 - $932 | €500 - €800 |
Private housing | $1000 - $3000 | $776 - 1400 | €666 - €1200 |
Groceries | $200 - $400 | $155 - $310 | €133 - €266 |
Transport | $48 - $100 | $37 - $77 | €32 - €66 |
Tuition fees
Fees for international students in Singapore range from course to course and institute to institute. It’s important to check with your specific institute how much your course will cost, especially as fees can vary from year to year. Medicine and Law degrees are usually the most expensive, with the majority of fees sitting at the lower end of the range.
- Undergrad courses range from $20,000 - $84,000 SGD
- Postgraduate fees range from $35,000 - $43,000 SGD (excluding Dentistry and Medicine programs)
Remember that some universities charge a miscellaneous fee to cover costs of insurance and student services! This fee will be payable at the start of each term.
Student accommodation in Singapore for international students
There are multiple options for accommodation in Singapore, with a range of prices intended to make housing accessible for students. Check the websites of specific institutions to see what housing they have available as costs vary from university to university.
Student Hostels/University accommodation | University accommodation allows students to live with community and have catering options, and some institutes partner with nearby hostels for students | $340 - $1000 SGD |
Housing and Development Board (HBDs) | Apartments subsidised by the government, some of which are reserved for students | $700 - $1200 SGD |
Private housing | Students can live off-campus in privately owned accommodation which might be a share house, flat or condominium | $800 - $1600 SGD |
Other accommodation costs to consider:
- Utility bills are often excluded from advertised rents in Singapore, and can range monthly $100 - $400 for water, gas and air-conditioning
- Wi-Fi can be an expensive hidden cost excluded from monthly rents and range depending on selected provider
- Private housing may not be furnished and students would be expected to source their own furniture at personal expense
Transport
Singapore has an efficient transport network that enables students to visit all neighbourhoods with ease and safety.
Undergraduate students are eligible for a Monthly Concession Pass which offer one month of unlimited travel on trains and buses:
- Bus Concession Pass — S$55.50
- Train Concession Pass - S$48.00
- Hybrid Concession Pass — S$81.00
Otherwise, single journeys on the Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) system cost between S$1.50 - S$2.50, depending on where and when you’re travelling. If you aren’t eligible for the undergrad MCP, we estimate needing S$100 a month for getting around Singapore.
Other travel costs to think about include travel to and from Singapore, if you’re visiting home during the holidays, and any other trips you might want to make while you’re there to make the most of being in Asia’s air capital.
Food
The cheapest way to eat in Singapore is to do your own shopping and prepare your own food, with restaurants typically being aimed at tourists and quite pricey. However there are also popular hawker stalls that offer low-cost street food. Some accommodation will have food (catering) included in the price which could help reduce your monthly expenses.
The National University of Singapore estimates students will need $250-288 a month for food ($2,600 a year, excluding vacation periods), with the government average per person estimating around $200 a month.
At hawker markets, meals range from $5 - $10 dollars while in restaurants you can expect to pay anything upwards of $30 per person.
Sheng Siong and Fairprice are considered the cheaper supermarket options, with all supermarkets advertising their weekly discounts on Thursdays. Keep an eye out for supermarket brands when shopping which also helps to reduce price.
Costs throughout the year
When budgeting, you should think about how to spread your money out throughout the year. Some months will be more expensive than others due to deposits and lump sum purchases.
- Semesters start in August and January so July/August and December/January are likely to be costly months as you’ll have to put down deposits and pick up new school supplies like textbooks
- The holidays might be expensive if you need to pay extra to stay in your accommodation outside of term time (check contract lengths when looking at university accommodation, typically won’t impact privately-run, off-campus housing)
Other costs
- The student visa (the ‘Student’s Pass’) required for all international students costs S$45 (USD£34.56)
- As the gateway to Asia, Singapore’s airport is a major travel hub which can add premiums to flights
- In Singapore, you have to apply to each university directly and each application comes with a fee. If you’re applying to multiple universities, this cost can start to add up
- Health insurance is often mandatory for students and can range from $900 - $5000 SGD
- Mobile phone plans/SIM cards are monthly (averaging S$30) but cheaper options can be found online by looking at e-SIMS
In conclusion…
So, Singapore is more expensive than your normal city but, in return, it offers tropical weather, safety and cleanliness, and a world-class education system.
Tuition fees are also comparatively more affordable than the US and Europe (excluding clinical courses) so where you save on studying you have more to spend on living. 90% of students agree that their programme is good value for money and the majority of scholarships available to international students in Singapore offer subsidies for living costs.
