Singapore, a city-state located in Southeast Asia, is known popularly as the “Lion City” or “Garden City.” The small archipelago is surrounded by neighboring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. In addition to this, as of 2021, the population of the country is at 5,709,000. Here, we will be looking at some of the best affordable universities in Singapore.
It is best known for having the best airport in the world which is the Changi Airport, the famous Gardens by the Bay, and of course, the mouthwatering Chili crab sold at their hawker centers at an affordable price. Despite the country’s small size, lots and lots of tourists visit the country due to how vibrant the whole archipelago is.
Singapore’s educational system has often been remarked as a world-class system. It is centralized, and it has been noted that it is effective & successful in shaping bright learners and producing well-rounded graduates.
The stages of the school system in the country start with six years of primary school, followed by four to six years of secondary school. Afterward, the student goes on for postsecondary school which can be completed within one to three years. The next step is for them after this is to pursue tertiary education.
For that, students can opt to pursue vocational training which is provided by institutes of technical training. However, to enter polytechnics, the student needs to complete their GCE O Levels. As for universities, the student must pass the A-Levels first which can be achieved in two years at a pre-university.
Related Scholarships
- National University of Singapore Scholarships
- Singapore Scholarships
- Nanyang Technological University Scholarships
Cheap Universities in Singapore
1. Ngee Ann Polytechnic
- Tuition Fee: S$11,000
- Tuition Link
Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) is an affordable university in Singapore that offers post-secondary education established in 1963. When it first opened its doors to students, it began by offering courses in language, commerce, and technology. Now, it is known as the second oldest polytechnic in Singapore.
Some of NP’s noteworthy alumni include music artist Alan Tam, ESPN presenter & Gold 90.5FM radio DJ Jamie Yeo, scientist & inventor Richard Yeo Swee Chye, founder of Creative Technology Sim Wong Hoo, and award-winning filmmaker Anthony Chen.
This center of learning has a variety of academic schools that offer 36 full-time diploma courses and these schools are for Business & Accountancy, Design & Environment, Engineering, Film & Media Studies, Health Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences, InfoComm Technology, Interdisciplinary Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Life Sciences & Criminal Technology.
The tuition fees at NP vary depending on whether the enrolling individual is a Singaporean, permanent resident, or an international student.
2. Republic Polytechnic
- Tuition Fee: S$11,159.50
- Tuition Link
Located in the town of Woodlands, Republic Polytechnic (RP) is a fairly young institute of higher learning as it was founded only 19 years ago. RP utilizes the Problem-based Learning (PBL) approach for students to improve critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills. The center of learning is big on giving students real-world exposure in order to prepare them for the challenges they will face after graduation.
A wide range of courses are available at RP and they are distributed among the schools which include School of Applied Science, School of Engineering, School of Hospitality, School of Infocomm, School of Management & Communication, School of Sports, Health, & Leisure, and School of Technology for the Arts.
The tuition fees are payable over 2 semesters for every academic year and it must be noted that international students pay a different amount compared to Singapore citizens and Singapore permanent residents.
3. Singapore Polytechnic
- Tuition Fee: S$11,156.82
- Tuition Link
The first and oldest polytechnic in Singapore is none other than Singapore Polytechnic (SP). It was established in 1954. Boasting its innovative teaching methods and vibrant campus life, the center of learning is fully equipped with all the amenities a student might need such as sports centers, retail & dining areas, and industry-relevant teaching facilities.
This affordable university in Singapore has a number of schools offering various courses for its students and these are School of Architecture & the Built Environment, School of Business, School of Chemical & Life Sciences (CLS), School of Computing (SoC), School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering (EEE), School of Life Skills & Communication (LSC), Media, Arts & Design School (MAD), School of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering (MAE), School of Mathematics & Science (MS), Professional & Adult Continuing Education (PACE) Academy, and Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA).
Much like the other centers of learning mentioned above, the tuition fees at SP vary depending on whether a student is an international one, a Singaporean citizen, or a permanent resident.
4. LASALLE College of the Arts
- Tuition Fee:
- Undergraduate – S$24,990
- Postgraduate – S$34,980 to S$46,640
- Tuition Link for Undergraduate
- Tuition Link for Postgraduate
A post-secondary institution heavily focused on arts, LASALLE College of the Arts is a publicly-funded center of learning founded in 1984. Currently, this affordable school in Singapore is working hand in hand with Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore. In addition to this, LASALLE is expected to be a University of the Arts by the year 2023.
The schools are distributed between LASALLE’s two campuses which are the McNally Campus and Winstedt Campus. As for the schools, these include the McNally School of Fine Arts, Puttnam School of Film & Animation, School of Creative Industries, School of Design Communication, School of Fashion, School of Spatial & Product Design, School of Contemporary Music, and School of Dance & Theater.
The exact amount of tuition fee depends on numerous factors. It will depend on the student’s level as well as whether they are an international student, Singaporean citizen, or permanent resident.
5. Singapore Management University
- Tuition Fee: S$24,500 to S$47,320
- Tuition Link
An autonomous & public university established in the year 2000, Singapore Management University (SMU) is a university with cheap tuition fees in Singapore and is also known as a premier university in all of Asia. Furthermore, it is frequently included in top university rankings and is considered a reputable center of learning.
SMU currently has 10,000 students spread out across its six schools which are the School of Accountancy, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, School of Economics, School of Computing and Information Systems, Yong Pung How School of Law, and School of Social Sciences.
When it comes to tuition fees, the exact amount will depend on the student’s chosen course and on whether they are an international student, Singaporean citizen, or permanent resident.
