Singapore's Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay framed against an overcast sky.

Singapore Open year-round — applications must reach MDIS at least one month before your course commencement date

MDIS Merit Scholarship

The Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) is Singapore's oldest not-for-profit professional institute, founded in 1956, and delivers degrees awarded by partner universities in the UK and Europe from its Stirling Road campus. Its Merit Scholarship is small but genuinely open to international students, including Sri Lankans: SGD 3,800 (about LKR 912,000) for Master's applicants, SGD 3,000 (about LKR 720,000) for Bachelor's applicants, and SGD 500 for pre-degree programmes. Be clear-eyed about scale — this is a fee offset of roughly one semester's worth of costs, not a funded place. Selection weighs academic achievement alongside leadership qualities and communication skills, and you must have applied for MDIS admission before the scholarship can be reviewed. Applications are open year-round, but must be submitted at least one month before your course starts. The scheme applies only to new applicants entering Master's and Bachelor's degree programmes — students progressing internally from an MDIS diploma, and MDIS staff, are excluded. For a Sri Lankan student weighing Singapore against Australia or the UK, MDIS is a lower-cost, shorter-flight option; just budget the full remaining tuition plus Singapore living costs rather than treating the award as a discount that changes the decision.

Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS)

University-funded

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Master's

SGD 3,800 (~LKR 912,000)

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Bachelor's

SGD 3,000 (~LKR 720,000)

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Applications

Rolling, all year

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Open to International Students

MDIS's Merit Scholarship carries no nationality restriction — Sri Lankan applicants are eligible on the same footing as other international students. This distinguishes it from Singapore's public-university undergraduate scholarships, most of which are limited to citizens and permanent residents.

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Admission Application First

You must have applied for admission to MDIS before your scholarship application can be reviewed. The award is assessed against your academic record, so submit complete Sri Lankan transcripts with your admission file.

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Leadership and Communication Count

MDIS weighs demonstrated leadership qualities and strong interpersonal and communication skills alongside grades. Prefect roles, society leadership, sports captaincy or workplace responsibility are worth documenting concretely.

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New Applicants Only

The scheme applies to new applicants in Master's and Bachelor's degree programmes. Students progressing internally from an MDIS diploma to a degree are not eligible, and neither are MDIS staff.

account_tree Application Process

Apply for admission to an MDIS degree

Choose your MDIS programme and partner-university award, then submit the admission application with certified Sri Lankan transcripts and English evidence.

Submit the scholarship application at least a month ahead

Scholarship applications are accepted throughout the year but must be in at least one month before your intake starts. Missing that window means waiting for the next intake.

Assessment on merit and profile

MDIS assesses academic achievement, leadership potential, special talents and personal characteristics. A short, specific account of what you have led or built beats a generic personal statement.

Accept and apply for your Student's Pass

With your offer and net fee confirmed, MDIS initiates the Singapore Student's Pass application through ICA. Factor in the pass fee, medical examination, insurance and a rental deposit — none are covered by the award.

Why MDIS?

MDIS is Singapore's oldest not-for-profit professional institute and delivers UK and European partner-university degrees in business, engineering, IT, health sciences, media and hospitality from a purpose-built campus at Stirling Road. It is a private institution rather than one of Singapore's autonomous public universities, so the draw is a recognised Western award earned in an English-speaking Asian city, at a lower total cost and a four-hour flight from Colombo. Verify how your intended employer or postgraduate destination views the specific partner award before committing.