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Gain insights into the Singapore higher education framework, academic culture, teaching methods, and grading system to prepare for your studies.
Usually 3 or 4 years
Six universities give bachelor's degrees. They are the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU), SUTD (Technology and Design), SIT (Institute of Technology) and SUSS (Social Sciences).
Often 1 to 1.5 years full-time
NTU MSc Biomedical Engineering: at least 1 year. NUS Master of Computing: 1.5 years.
Universities, polytechnics and private schools, and how long each degree takes.
Singapore's main higher education institutions, and which ones can take international students.
Autonomous universities are Singapore's 6 public universities: NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT and SUSS.
•Research-heavy universities: NUS, NTU and SMU
•Hands-on degree universities: SIT and SUSS
Five local polytechnics (colleges for job-focused diplomas) are on ICA's list of approved Institutes of Higher Learning.
•Nanyang, Ngee Ann, Republic, Singapore and Temasek Polytechnics
These schools must be registered with the Skills and Workforce Development Agency, a government agency.
•Only EduTrust-certified private schools can take foreign students
•No Tuition Grant for private school courses
Given by the 6 autonomous universities (Singapore's public universities).
Taught master's programmes.
Each university has its own style.
NUS, NTU and SMU teach with a lot of research work.
NUS: lets you mix subjects from different departments
NTU: strong focus on engineering, science and technology
SMU: interactive discussion classes (seminars)
SUTD teaches with a focus on design.
Courses across engineering and architecture
SIT and SUSS give job-focused, applied degrees.
SIT: science and technology, and programmes with overseas universities
SUSS: social sciences, for school leavers and adult learners
Universities use a grade point average (GPA). Scales differ by university.
NTU uses a 5-point scale in its master's rules. NUS Computing sets a minimum final GPA to graduate.
Most programmes start in August.
NUS counts a study year as 35 weeks.
NTU MSc Biomedical Engineering takes at least 3 trimesters full-time.
Each course earns points. NUS calls them Units. NTU calls them Academic Units.
Check that your school is on an official list before you apply.
Lists you can check.
The list of universities and polytechnics that can take students on a Student's Pass.
Student's Pass rules for private schools.
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