Singapore Cost & living Questions

Living costs for a PhD student in Singapore typically run around SGD 1,200 to 1,500 a month, covering rent, food and transport. If you hold SINGA or a comparable scholarship, the monthly stipend usually clears this with room to spare. Check the official scholarship page for the latest stipend.

Annual tuition at Singapore Management University is typically SGD 45,000 to 52,000 for international students without a Tuition Grant. First-year fees differ by course, so check the official university fee page for the program you want before you plan your budget.

The UK offers globally recognised universities and typically one-year master's programmes with a Graduate Route visa (2 years, 18 months from 1 January 2027). Singapore offers top-ranked Asian universities and generally lower costs, but post-study work depends on securing an Employment Pass. Your choice should match your goals and budget.

No, a part-time job is not guaranteed when you study in Singapore, the UAE or Malaysia. Singapore and Malaysia allow student work only under conditions, and in the UAE it needs specific permits, but finding a job depends on your skills, language ability, job market demand, timing and visa rules.

Yes, students at MOM-listed institutions in Singapore can work up to 16 hours a week during term and full-time in vacations. There is no automatic post-study work visa, but graduates of specified institutes of higher learning can get a Long-Term Visit Pass for up to a year of job hunting.

Singapore students typically choose between university halls at around SGD 500 to 1,000 per month, shared flats at around SGD 500 to 1,800, or private condos at around SGD 3,500 to 7,000. Overall rent can range from SGD 500 to 8,000 depending on the option you pick.

None is better for everyone. ETH Zurich ranks in the top 10 and has the lowest fees, NUS ranks 10 and NTU 12. NTU and NUS both offer a one year Long-Term Visit Pass after graduating, while ETH Zurich offers non-EU graduates a six month job seeking visa.

The MBA at Nanyang Technological University typically costs international students about SGD 92,955 in total programme tuition. This is at the top end of the university's postgraduate range, which starts at SGD 21,000 a year, so check your specific programme fees.