Can I get a waiver for the application fee at NUS or NTU in Singapore?
No, NUS and NTU do not offer general application fee waivers for international students; NUS charges S$20 and NTU charges S$25 for undergraduate applications, and both explicitly describe these fees as non-refundable and non-waivable, though some graduate programs set their own separate fee policies.
No, NUS and NTU do not offer a general application fee waiver, and both universities describe their fees as non-refundable and explicitly non-waivable in their own admissions materials. Being an Indian applicant does not change this, though the exact fee and policy can vary slightly by program level.
Application Fees at NUS and NTU
| University | Typical Fee (Undergraduate) | Waiver Available |
|---|---|---|
| NUS | S$20 | No, stated as non-refundable |
| NTU | S$25 | No, explicitly non-waivable and non-refundable |
| NUS graduate programs | Varies by program | Generally no, program pages state no waivers provided |
| NTU graduate programs, including NIE | Varies by program | Generally no, waivers stated as unavailable |
What You Can Actually Do About the Fee
- Budget for it upfront: Treat the S$20 to S$25 fee as a fixed cost of applying, not something to negotiate.
- Check your specific program page: Master's and PhD programs occasionally have their own fee structure, separate from the general undergraduate fee.
- Do not delay over the fee: The amount is small relative to your overall application and visa costs, so it should not affect your timeline.
My Advice
Do not spend time searching for a waiver loophole here, since both NUS and NTU are unusually explicit that these fees are non-waivable, even compared to universities in other countries. Put that energy instead into strengthening your actual application, since a stronger profile matters far more to your admission outcome than the S$20 or S$25 you pay to apply.
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