Singapore Destination Guide · Free for Students
A 4-hour flight to a top-20 Asian university
NUS and NTU both rank in the global top 20 — ahead of most Ivy League and Russell Group institutions. The MOE Tuition Grant cuts your fees by up to 75%, and the Singapore graduate job market pays Western salaries in tax-friendly Asia.
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Why Choose Singapore?
NUS & NTU — Global Top 20
Both flagship universities rank in the QS global top 20 — ahead of most Ivy League and Russell Group institutions. SMU is the leading specialist business university.
MOE Tuition Grant
Cuts your tuition by up to 75% in exchange for a 3-year work bond in a Singapore-registered company after graduation. Most Sri Lankan students see this as a benefit, not a constraint.
Asia's Finance & Tech Hub
Global HQs for Google, Meta, Stripe, ByteDance and most international banks. Graduate starting salaries average SGD 4,500/month — among the highest in Asia.
What it costs to study in Singapore
Singapore looks expensive at headline tuition rates, but the MOE Tuition Grant changes the math dramatically. Here are realistic LKR estimates both with and without the grant.
check_circle Lanka Scholar's counselling, applications and visa prep are free. Universities pay us a commission when you enrol — you pay tuition and visa fees to the institutions themselves.
Note on Exchange Rates
Figures are based on current average LKR/SGD rates. Our counsellors provide up-to-date estimates and help you evaluate the MOE Tuition Grant bond against your career plans.
Average Annual Costs
Most Sri Lankan students take the MOE Grant. Without the grant, plan for LKR 14M – 23M/year.
See the full LKR cost breakdown arrow_forwardThe Student's Pass (via SOLAR+/ICA) — what you'll actually need
The four things every Sri Lankan applicant has to put together. We prepare and review every file before it goes in — refusals are rare when the application is properly prepared.
In-Principle Approval (IPA)
Issued by ICA via your university's SOLAR+ portal once your admission is confirmed — required to enter Singapore as a student.
Student's Pass
Activated on arrival in Singapore. Sponsored by your university; valid for the duration of your program.
Medical Examination
Mandatory medical check (HIV, TB, chest X-ray) on arrival in Singapore — required before the Student's Pass is issued.
Financial Evidence
Proof of funds covering Year 1 tuition (after grant if applicable) plus living costs of ~SGD 12,000/year.
What Sri Lankan students apply for in Singapore
Hand-picked programs that Sri Lankan applicants are getting offers from this year.
NUS MBA
National University of Singapore (NUS Business School)
Nanyang MBA
Nanyang Technological University (Nanyang Business School)
Master of Computing (Computer Science)
National University of Singapore (School of Computing)
Scholarships open to Sri Lankan applicants
Open right now. Eligibility varies — message us before assuming you don't qualify.
Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)
A*STAR Singapore
NUS Research Scholarship
National University of Singapore
Nanyang President's Graduate Scholarship (NPGS)
Nanyang Technological University
When to apply for 2026/27
Start your application 6–9 months before the intake you're targeting. Below are this academic year's windows for Singapore.
August Intake (Primary)
The main academic year start across NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD and SIT. Largest scholarship round and the only intake for most Bachelor programs.
January Intake
A secondary intake for select postgraduate programs at NUS, NTU and SMU — useful if you miss the main round.
May Intake
A smaller intake for select graduate research programs and short professional certificates.
Common questions about studying in Singapore
Don't see your question? WhatsApp a Singapore counsellor — we usually reply within the hour, weekdays.
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What is the MOE Tuition Grant? expand_more
A government subsidy that cuts your tuition by up to 75% in exchange for a 3-year work bond at a Singapore-registered company after graduation. Most Sri Lankan students take it — Singapore graduate salaries are among the highest in Asia, so the bond pays for itself. -
How competitive is NUS / NTU admission? expand_more
Very. Strong A/Ls (typically 3 As) plus SAT or MUET for Bachelor’s, or a First Class Honours undergraduate degree for Master’s. We help shortlist realistic NUS/NTU options alongside SMU, SUTD and private alternatives. -
Can my family visit easily? expand_more
4 hours by flight, no visa needed for short Sri Lankan visits, multiple daily flights. Many students fly home each semester break. -
What about post-study work? expand_more
If you accept the MOE Grant, your 3-year bond satisfies the post-study work requirement. Without the grant, you apply for a separate Employment Pass once you secure a job offer. -
Is the cost of living manageable? expand_more
Singapore is expensive — but on-campus housing or HDB sublets run SGD 600–1,000/month, and most students cook to save. Total living costs around SGD 12,000/year are realistic.
Ready to start your Singapore application?
A 15-minute WhatsApp chat is enough to map out your timeline, shortlist 3–5 universities, and tell you what the realistic LKR budget looks like. Free for students — universities pay us, not you.
Message a Singapore Counsellor- check_circle Free for students — universities pay us, not you
- check_circle Average reply: under 1 hour, weekdays
- check_circle Walk in to any of 4 offices across Sri Lanka
Prefer a callback?
Drop your number — a counsellor calls within one working day.