Quick Read
- PG deadlines for August 2027 fall between December 2026 and February 2027 at most programs.
- Application fees start at Rs.1,480 (SGD 20) at NUS and go up to Rs.7,400 (SGD 100) for PG coursework.
- NTU requires marksheets to be uploaded within 3 calendar days of result declaration, without which your application is incomplete.
- MOE Tuition Grant cuts fees by 40 to 60% but binds you to work in Singapore for 3 years after graduation.
UG Application Process for Singapore Courses for Indian Students (2026-27)
The application process for UG courses in Singapore starts in December, about eight months before classes begin. For the August 2027 intake, the window for CBSE and ISC students at NUS and NTU will open in early December 2026 and close around late February 2027.
The table below shows the key UG application details for the 2026-27 academic year across the three main universities.
| University | UG Application Window (Indian Students) | Application Fee | Portal | Acceptance Rate (Intl.) | August Intake Starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUS | Early Dec 2026 to late Feb 2027 | Rs.1,480 (SGD 20) | NUS Applicant Portal (OAM) | 5 to 10% | First week of August 2027 |
| NTU | Nov 2026 to mid-March 2027 | Rs.2,220 (SGD 30) | NTU Admissions Portal | Around 47% overall (international student rate significantly lower; varies by program). | First week of August 2027 |
| SMU | Nov 2026 to mid-March 2027 | Rs.2,220 (SGD 30) | SMU Admissions Portal | Interview-based, holistic | First week of August 2027 |
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Note: SUTD has a separate application process, including portfolio submissions for design tracks. See the SUTD admissions page or the 2026-27 timeline.
Here is the step-by-step UG application process for Singapore courses:
- Shortlist two to three programs per university. Check subject prerequisites carefully. NUS Engineering requires strong scores in Maths and Physics. SMU places a heavy weight on the personal interview, not just your board percentage.
- Register on each university portal separately. For NUS, this is the OAM portal. To find NTU, visit the international qualifications section on their admissions site.
- Upload your academic documents: Class 10 marksheet, Class 12 marksheet or admit card if results are still pending, passport biodata page, and English proficiency scorecard, if applicable.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee online using Visa or Mastercard.
- At NUS, you can rank up to 8 program preferences. At NTU and SMU, you rank programs in order of preference within the portal.
- Wait for the outcome. NUS and NTU typically communicate shortlisting decisions between May and July 2027. SMU moves faster on interviews, usually between March and April.
- If shortlisted at SMU, complete the online interview. NUS may call you for an aptitude test if you applied to medicine, law, or design.
- Accept your offer through the Joint Acceptance Portal (JAP) by the deadline. NTU's acceptance deadline follows the same late-May pattern each year. Pay your acceptance deposit at that stage.
English language requirement for UG: If English was not your medium of instruction at school, for example, if your school was Hindi-medium or you studied English as a second language, you need one of the following at NTU: IELTS overall 6.0 with Writing 6.0 and Speaking 6.0; or TOEFL iBT 90 overall with Speaking 25 for tests taken before 2026, or TOEFL iBT overall 4.5 with Speaking 4.5 for tests taken from January 2026 onwards; or SAT 1,250 redesigned; or PTE Academic overall 55 with Speaking 55. CBSE students who studied in English-medium schools are generally exempt from NTU. Confirm directly with each admissions office before skipping the test.
Source: NTU India Standard 12 Admissions page
Counselor insight: NUS and NTU do not work with predicted grades from Indian students. You apply with your actual Class 12 results. CBSE results come out in May, which means if you are sitting in Class 12 right now, your boards will finish around May 2026, and the portal for August 2027 will not open until December 2026. That gap is your preparation window, not downtime. Use it to take IELTS, build your SAT score, and write a sharp SOP draft so you are ready to submit the day the portal opens.
Application Process for PG Courses in Singapore for Indian Students (2026-27)
For the August 2027 PG intake, most NUS graduate programs will open applications around December 2026, with deadlines falling between December 2026 and February 2027.
The table below gives you a side-by-side view of PG application requirements across the main universities.
| University | PG Intake(s) | Typical Application Window | Application Fee | IELTS Min | GRE/GMAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUS (most programs) | August | Dec to Feb | Rs.3,700 to Rs.7,400 (SGD 50 to SGD 100) | 6.0 to 6.5 overall | Varies by program |
| NTU (most programs) | August | Dec to Mar | Rs.2,220 to Rs.5,180 (SGD 30 to SGD 70) | 6.0 to 6.5 overall | Program-specific |
| SMU (select MSc) | August and January | Varies by program | Rs.2,960 (SGD 40) | 6.5 overall | GMAT for MBA; GRE optional for MSc |
| NUS Business School (MBA) | August | Round 1 and Round 2 | Rs.7,400 (SGD 100) | 6.5 overall | GMAT strongly preferred |
| Nanyang Business School (MBA) | August and January | Multiple rounds | Rs.2,960 (SGD 40) | 6.0 overall | GMAT required |
Step by step, here is how the PG application process for courses in Singapore works:
- Go to the specific program page on the faculty website, not the university's graduate admissions homepage. Find the exact deadline for your course.
- Take IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, or GMAT at least eight weeks before the application deadline. You need the official score report in hand before you apply.
- Contact your LOR referees at least six weeks before the deadline. Singapore universities ask recommenders to submit LORs directly through the applicant portal. You send them a link; they log in and upload. Give them enough time.
- Write your SOP with a research angle, even for coursework MSc programs at NUS and NTU. A generic career-goal essay does not land well here.
- Create your applicant account on the university's Graduate Admission System at NUS or the equivalent portal at NTU or SMU.
- Upload all documents: degree certificate or provisional degree certificate, all semester mark sheets, CGPA conversion letter, English and test scorecards, passport copy, CV, and SOP.
- Pay the application fee. At NUS, research programs cost Rs. 3,700 (SGD 50) and coursework programs Rs. 7,400 (SGD 100).
- Check your application portal regularly. Offer letters generally arrive four to eight weeks after the application deadline closes.
For program-specific guidance, see MBA colleges in Singapore, LLM in Singapore, and MA in Singapore.
Counselor insight: Indian students record their academic performance as CGPA on a 10-point scale, but Singapore universities want percentages. While a 7.0 CGPA is typically interpreted as 70%, both NUS and NTU frequently ask for an official letter from your university registrar to confirm this conversion. Get that letter when you collect your transcripts. Students who wait until after submitting their application to sort the issue out usually end up scrambling.
Documents Required for Singapore UG and PG Applications from India
Document collection is where Indian PG applicants lose weeks that they cannot recover. The CGPA conversion letter from your registrar can take 2–3 weeks at some universities, and the IELTS score report has its own ETS submission timeline. Start both the moment you decide to apply.
| Document | Required for | India-Specific Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Class 10 marksheet | UG | Issued by CBSE, ISC, or State Board. A photocopy is fine at the application stage; the original may be requested after admission. |
| Class 12 marksheet | UG | Download the official digital marksheet from the CBSE or ISC DigiLocker portal. NTU explicitly accepts this format. |
| Class 12 Admit Card | UG (results still pending) | Upload the document along with your application if you are a current Class 12 student. Actual results must be uploaded within 3 days of the official release date. |
| Degree certificate or provisional degree certificate | PG | The provisional certificate from your college is acceptable if the final degree certificate has not been issued yet. |
| All semester marksheets | PG | Submit every semester, not just the final year. If your university issues a consolidated marksheet, attach it along with individual semester sheets wherever available. |
| CGPA conversion letter | PG | Official letter on university letterhead from your registrar converting your CGPA to a percentage. Standard requirement at NUS and NTU. |
| Passport biodata page | UG and PG | Must be valid for at least 6 months past your intended course end date. |
| English proficiency certificate | UG and PG | IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE scorecard. The test is not required if English was your confirmed medium of instruction throughout your education. |
| GRE or GMAT scorecard | PG (program-specific) | ETS sends scores electronically to the university. You will need the university's ETS institution code when registering for the test. |
| Statement of Purpose (SOP) | PG (all programs) | Usually 500 to 1,000 words. Each program sets its own word limit and prompt, so check the specific page. |
| Letters of Recommendation (LOR) | PG (all programs) | Two to three referees from academics or your workplace. They submit directly through the online portal via a link you generate from your applicant account. |
| Passport-sized photograph | UG and PG | Recently, color, white background. Most portals require a digital file of 35mm x 45mm. |
| Financial proof | UG and PG (Student Pass stage) | Bank statements covering 12 months. Funds of at least Rs.16,50,000 to Rs.21,90,000 (SGD 25,000 to SGD 30,000) to cover first-year tuition and living costs. |
| Police Clearance Certificate | PG at select programs | Not universally required at the application stage, but needed for the Student Pass. Obtain from your local police station or Passport Seva Kendra. |
Tuition Costs for UG and PG Courses in Singapore (2026-27)
Annual Tuition Fees Table (2026-27)
| University and Program | Annual Fee (Unsubsidised, incl. GST) | Annual Fee (With MOE TG) | INR Equivalent (With TG, approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUS UG (Engineering, Science, Computing) | SGD 20,000 to SGD 22,100 | SGD 17,000 to SGD 20,000 | Rs.12.6L to Rs.14.8L |
| NTU UG (Engineering, Business, Science) | SGD 40,500 to SGD 45,500 | SGD 17,000 to SGD 30,000 | Rs.12.6L to Rs.22.2L |
| SMU UG (Business, Accountancy, Computing, Economics, Social Sciences) | SGD 47,700 | SGD 26,200 | Rs.19.4L |
| SMU UG (Law) | SGD 56,150 | SGD 30,450 | Rs.22.5L |
| NUS PG MSc (coursework, general range) | SGD 40,000 to SGD 58,860 (total programme) | Varies; 40% rebate for some programs | Rs.29.6L to Rs.43.6L (total) |
| NUS MBA (full programme, 17 months) | SGD 99,953 incl. GST | Not eligible for MOE TG | Rs.74L (total programme) |
| NTU Nanyang MBA (full programme) | Up to SGD 89,380 incl. GST | Not typically eligible | Up to Rs.66.1L (total programme) |
Exchange rate used: Rs.74 per SGD (Investing.com, 27 April 2026). Please verify the current rate before finalizing your budget.
Monthly living costs in Singapore (2026)
| Expense | Monthly Cost (SGD) | Monthly Cost (INR approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus accommodation | SGD 500 to SGD 800 | Rs.37,000 to Rs.59,200 |
| Off-campus shared apartment | SGD 700 to SGD 1,200 | Rs.51,800 to Rs.88,800 |
| Food (hawker centres and home cooking) | SGD 300 to SGD 450 | Rs.22,200 to Rs.33,300 |
| Transport (MRT and bus) | SGD 80 to SGD 120 | Rs.5,920 to Rs.8,880 |
| Health insurance (mandatory) | SGD 100 to SGD 200 per year | Rs.7,400 to Rs.14,800 per year |
| Miscellaneous (books, phone, personal) | SGD 150 to SGD 300 | Rs.11,100 to Rs.22,200 |
Exchange rate used: Rs.74 per SGD (Investing.com, 27 April 2026). Please verify the current rate before finalizing your budget.
For a full cost breakdown, see cost of studying in Singapore for Indian students.
Scholarships Available for UG and PG Courses in Singapore
| Scholarship | Level | What It Covers | Bond | Deadline (2026-27) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOE Tuition Grant | UG and select PG | 40 to 60% tuition reduction | 3-year work bond in Singapore | Confirmed at the admission offer stage |
| NUS Merit Scholarship | UG | Full tuition + Rs.4.4L (SGD 6,000) per year allowance | 3-year bond | Automatically considered at admission; no separate application needed |
| NTU Science and Technology UG Scholarship | UG | Full tuition + Rs.4.4L (SGD 6,000) per year stipend + airfare + computer grant | 3-year bond | Closes with UG application in February 2027 for the August 2027 intake |
| SMU Lee Kong Chian Scholars' Programme | UG | Full tuition + Rs.7.4L (SGD 10,000) per year allowance + Rs.3.7L (SGD 5,000) travel grant | Bond terms apply | Considered for SMU admission |
| SINGA (Singapore International Graduate Award) | PhD only | Full tuition + Rs.2L (SGD 2,700) per month stipend + airfare + settling-in grant | No bond | Twice yearly; June 2026 deadline for January 2027 intake |
| Singapore International Pre-Graduate Award (SIPGA) | Pre-grad and Research | Stipend and research allowance | Bond terms apply | Check SIPGA official page |
For full details on PG-level funding, see Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) 2025.
Counselor insight: The NUS Merit Scholarship and NTU Science and Technology UG Scholarship are automatically considered when you submit your admission application; no separate form is needed. The one thing students miss is the NTU STS application deadline, which typically aligns with the UG application deadline in February. Students who find out about the scholarship after they apply cannot retroactively be considered. Build your scholarship letter into your SOP and application, not as a separate afterthought.
Month-by-Month Application Process for UG and PG Courses in Singapore (2026-27)
This calendar is for students now planning for the August 2027 UG intake and the January 2027 PG intake. It maps directly to the Indian academic year.
| Month | What to Do | Indian Academic Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| May to June 2026 | CBSE and ISC Class 12 results are out. Begin shortlisting Singapore universities and checking program prerequisites. | Board results declared. BTech final semester results have been declared. |
| July to August 2026 | Take IELTS or TOEFL. Start the SOP first draft. Request LORs from professors while relationships are fresh. | The new college semester starts. The BTech final year begins. |
| September to October 2026 | PG applications open for the January 2027 intake at NUS Business School, NTU Nanyang Business School, and select SMU MSc programs. Submit if targeting January 2027. | Navratri and Dussehra break. |
| November 2026 | Finalize your university shortlist for August 2027. Verify individual program deadlines. Build your documents folder. | College mid-semester exams. |
| December 2026 | UG portals will open for the August 2027 intake (NUS expected from early December 2026). PG portals for August 2027 also open. Begin submitting applications. | College winter vacation. |
| January to February 2027 | UG: Submit before late February 2027 for the NUS CBSE/ISC track. PG: Submit for CS, Data Science, and other competitive programs well before faculty deadlines. | BTech Semester 7 exams. |
| March 2027 | SMU and NTU UG deadlines close. SMU written tests and interviews begin. | BTech Semester 7 results. |
| April to May 2027 | Await UG shortlisting decisions. Prepare for SMU interviews. CBSE and ISC board exams in progress. | CBSE and ISC board examinations. |
| May to June 2027 | UG and PG offer letters arrive. Accept your offer by the JAP deadline. Apply for a Student Pass on SOLAR right after receiving your offer. | CBSE results are typically released in May. BTech final semester exams are also scheduled around this time. |
| July 2027 | Arrange accommodation. Complete Student Pass issuance at ICA. Get a pre-departure medical screening done. | B.Tech. results declared. |
| August 2027 | Orientation week. Semester 1 begins. | First week of August 2027: classes start at NUS, NTU, and SMU. |
Which Singapore Application Track Suits Your Situation Best
Scenario 1: You are a Class 12 student with CBSE results coming in May 2026
The August 2026 intake at NUS and NTU is closed. Their portals shut in February 2026, and both universities require actual results, not predictions. Your target is August 2027. Spend the time between now and December 2026 well. Take IELTS and aim for 7.0 overall. If Engineering or Computing is your first choice at NUS, work toward 95% or above in Physics, Chemistry, and Maths in your boards. Take the SAT, too, since a strong score adds weight to your application. Open the NUS portal in December 2026 and submit on day one.
Scenario 2: You are a BTech graduate from May 2026, targeting NTU MS in Computer Science
The August 2026 PG intake deadlines have passed. Your next target is either the January 2027 intake at select programs or the August 2027 intake for most MSc courses. Start now: collect all your semester marksheets and get the CGPA conversion letter from your registrar before your contact with the college administration cools. Ask your professors for LORs while you are still in touch with them. NTU CS does not always mandate GRE, but scoring 320 or above strengthens a borderline profile. Check the NTU SCSE program page directly for the current GRE requirement.
Scenario 3: You are a working professional with 5 years of experience targeting the NUS MBA
A GMAT score in the 680 to 720 range is the realistic range for a competitive Indian profile at the NUS MBA. Apply in Round 1, typically September to October, for the August intake. Round 1 also gives you better access to scholarship consideration. If your GMAT is below 640, run parallel applications to the SMU MBA and the Nanyang MBA, where strong work experience carries more relative weight. Learn more about programs and post-study salaries at MBA colleges in Singapore.
For post-graduation career context, see job opportunities in Singapore for Indian students.
What to Do When the Singapore Application Process Does Not Go as Planned
Your CBSE board results came in lower than expected
NUS and NTU do not publish exact cutoffs, but 90% or above in CBSE with strong subject-specific scores is the practical floor for Engineering at NUS. Falling below that does not mean you should stop. Apply anyway. A strong SAT score, a solid co-curricular record, and parallel applications to NTU, SMU, and SIT (Singapore Institute of Technology) give you real options. At NTU specifically, a good SAT result can partially compensate for a lower board aggregate.
Your Class 12 or degree marksheet is delayed
NTU is explicit on these matters: upload your results within 3 days of the official board release date via the Check Status link. Missing that window makes your application incomplete, and it will not be processed. For NUS, contact the OAM office immediately if the delay is on CBSE's end. Board-caused delays are treated differently from a student's own late submission. Have your email ready to send as soon as you know that the results are delayed.
You met the minimum requirements but received no offer
Singapore's public universities have a limited number of seats for international students. Clearing the minimum threshold is not a guarantee of admission. Apply to NTU, SMU, and SIT in parallel with NUS. Private institutions like SIM Global Education, which offers degrees affiliated with UK and Australian universities, also offer an alternative path for students who do not get through to a public university.
Your Student Pass application was rejected by ICA
Most commonly, ICA rejects Student Pass applications because of insufficient financial proof, missing documents, or health screening issues. Review the rejection reason carefully. Reapply through SOLAR once you have addressed the specific gap. Contact your university's International Student Services Office as soon as possible. They deal with ICA regularly and know exactly whether to reapply or submit a formal appeal.
You missed the August 2026 PG deadline entirely
The August 2026 PG deadlines have passed. Check whether your target program offers a January 2027 intake. NUS Business School, NTU Nanyang Business School, and some SMU MSc programs have applications opening in October 2026. If your program does not offer a January start, your next entry point is August 2027, with applications opening in December 2026. Use the time to raise your GMAT score, complete a relevant short course, or get a research paper onto your CV.
Conclusion
Three things matter most when planning the application process for UG and PG courses in Singapore in 2026-27:
- UG applications to NUS and NTU for CBSE and ISC students open in early December each year and close in late February. The August 2027 portal opens in December 2026. Class 12 students finishing boards in May 2026 should use the months between now and December to take IELTS, build their SAT score, and draft their application materials.
- For PG, find the program-level deadline, not the faculty homepage cutoff. Programs in CS and Data Science at NUS and NTU close weeks before the broader faculty deadline, and getting your CGPA conversion letter from your registrar takes more time than most students expect.
- Apply for your Student Pass through ICA's SOLAR system within two weeks of your offer letter. Book the ICA issuance appointment on the same day your IPA letter arrives. August slots disappear fast.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Application Process for UG and PG Courses in Singapore
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1. What is the application process for NUS for Indian students?
You apply through the NUS Applicant Portal, run by the Office of Admissions. UG, CBSE, and ISC students can apply from early December 2026, with the window closing around late February 2027 for the August 2027 intake. For PG, each faculty sets its own deadline, so check the program page directly, not the general admissions homepage. The UG application fee is Rs.1,480 (SGD 20) and is non-refundable. You rank up to 8 programs in order of preference and wait for a shortlisting decision, which typically comes between May and July.
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2. What documents do Indian students need for Singapore university applications?
For UG, keep your Class 10 and 12 mark sheets ready, along with your passport's biodata page and an English proficiency scorecard if English was not your medium of instruction. For PG, the list is longer: degree certificate or provisional certificate, all semester mark sheets, a CGPA conversion letter from your registrar, a GRE or GMAT scorecard if your program requires it, a statement of purpose, and two to three recommendation letters from professors or workplace supervisors. Do not wait until the deadline month to collect these. The CGPA conversion letter alone can take two to three weeks to get from some universities.
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3. What IELTS score is required for PG courses in Singapore?
Most PG programs at NUS, NTU, and SMU ask for an overall IELTS score between 6.0 and 6.5. MBA programs and business school courses generally sit at a 6.5 minimum. That said, some programs at NTU will waive the IELTS requirement altogether if your undergraduate degree was taught entirely in English. The catch is that this waiver is decided at the program level, not the university level. Always look at the English language requirements section on the specific program page before assuming you are exempt.
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4. What is the application deadline for Singapore universities in 2027?
For the August 2027 intake, NUS and NTU UG portals for CBSE and ISC students are expected to open in early December 2026, with deadlines around late February 2027. SMU and NTU usually close in mid-March 2027 for their respective tracks. For PG, the most competitive programs in CS and Data Science tend to close in December 2026 or January 2027, well ahead of the faculty-wide cutoff. If you are targeting the January 2027 PG intake instead, applications at NUS Business School and NTU Nanyang Business School open in October 2026.
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5. How much does it cost to apply to Singapore universities from India?
NUS charges Rs.1,480 (SGD 20) for UG applications. NTU and SMU each charge Rs. 2,220 (SGD 30). For NUS PG, research programs cost Rs. 3,700 (SGD 50) and coursework programs Rs. 7,400 (SGD 100). None of these are refundable. Separately, once you receive your offer, the Singapore Student Pass costs Rs.2,220 (SGD 30) as a processing fee paid to ICA, plus Rs.4,440 (SGD 60) as an issuance fee paid on arrival. Budget these into your pre-travel costs.
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6. Do I need a GRE or GMAT for PG courses in Singapore?
It depends entirely on the program. NUS MBA and Nanyang MBA both require GMAT. Many MSc programs at NUS and NTU do not formally require the GRE, but if your profile is borderline in terms of CGPA or work experience, a GRE score of 320 or above or a GMAT of 700 or above provides the admissions committee with a clear basis for evaluation. SMU MSc programs generally accept either one. Always read the admission requirements on the specific program page. The faculty overview page often does not list these details accurately.
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7. How long does the Singapore Student Pass take to process?
Standard processing at ICA takes around 2–4 weeks (approximately 10–15 working days) standard, up to 6 weeks during peak intake season (June–August). July and August stretch that timeline because those are the peak months, with thousands of incoming students applying at the same time. The safest approach is to log in to SOLAR and submit your eForm 16 within two weeks of receiving your offer letter. After approval, ICA sends you an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. You travel to Singapore on that letter, get a temporary Social Visit Pass at the checkpoint, and then complete the final Student Pass issuance at the ICA Services Center by prior e-appointment.
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8. What happens if my board results are delayed and I miss the Singapore application deadline?
Contact the NUS or NTU admissions office the moment you know results are delayed, and make it clear the delay is on CBSE or ISC's end. NTU requires your marksheet to be uploaded within 3 days of the official release date via the "Check Status" link. Going past that window makes the application incomplete. If you miss a full cycle because of the deadline, the January 2027 intake is still open for select PG programs at NUS Business School, NTU NBS, and some SMU MSc courses. For UG students, the August 2027 cycle is your next window, with portals opening in December 2026.
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9. Can I apply to Singapore universities without IELTS?
Often yes, if English was genuinely your medium of instruction throughout school or college. NTU has an explicit provision for such cases. NUS and SMU have similar but less publicized policies. What you usually need to submit is a Medium of Instruction certificate from your institution, confirming that all teaching was in English. If English appeared in your curriculum as a second language or a separate subject rather than the teaching medium, the IELTS requirement still applies, no exceptions.
Verified by: LeapScholar's Singapore counseling team, with hands-on experience guiding Indian students through UG and PG admissions at NUS, NTU, and SMU.
Have questions about the application process for UG and PG courses in Singapore? Book a free session with a LeapScholar counselor.
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