Singapore is an island city-state with a diverse cultural and linguistic heritage and a thriving modern economy. It is a centre of global commerce and trade, with one of the world’s most business-friendly economies. With limited natural resources, the success of Singapore is based on its population’s entrepreneurial capabilities and drive to succeed.

In 2005, Singapore was host to over 70,000 international students. The Singaporean Government is committed to see international education grow, and by 2015 plans to attract 150,000 students. The combination of Asian schooling and Western-style practices has made Singapore an educational hub in Asia, and a number of international institutions, such as INSEAD, MIT, University of Chicago amongst other top-ranked global universities, have created satellite campuses there to serve as a launch pad for their entrance into Asia.

Singaporean culture
Located at the tip of the Malay peninsula, Singapore has always had a strong connection to the sea. Its colourful history saw it pass from a key port of the Sri Vijayan empire (which included modern-day Malaysian and parts of Indonesia) to the establishment of a British trading station in the 1820s. After its period as a Crown colony, Singapore became an independent republic in 1965.

With a population of almost 4 million people, Singaporeans reflect an ethnically diverse yet unified nation. About 77 per cent of the population is Chinese, 14 per cent are Malay and 8 per cent are Indian. Although its original inhabitants were Malay fisherman, the 19th century saw the arrival of immigrants from the region, including southern China, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Middle East.

There are four official languages in Singapore: Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English. Due to the diversity of the country’s inhabitants, English is the primary working language of the country, and is used in government, business and law.

Getting to and around Singapore
Flights from Pakistan to Singapore usually require connecting either in the Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) or Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok. Travel time can vary between eight or nine hours to over 20.

Singapore has one of the most advanced public transport systems in the region. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) has three lines which service all of the island. This is probably one of the most affordable and time-efficient ways to travel in Singapore.

About Singaporean Institutions

Higher education in Singapore
Singapore has several different levels of higher education: institutes of technical education, polytechnics, universities and private institutions.

»Institute of Technical Education
The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) provides two-year courses which lead to a National ITE Certificate. There are three ITE colleges in the country with 12 different locations. Courses offered include business studies, engineering, communications and technology as well as beauty and wellness, creative media and hospitality.

»Polytechnics
Polytechnics provide three-year diploma courses, which can lead to university studies. There are five polytechnics in Singapore:

»Nanyang Polytechnic
»Ngee Ann Polytechnic
»Republic Polytechnic
»Singapore Polytechnic
»Temasek Polytechnic
»Universities
Singapore has three local universities: two are publicly funded and one is private. Nanyang Technological University and National University of Singapore are public universities and have over 20,000 students, offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and established research facilities.Singapore Management University is a publicly funded private university whose curriculum focuses on business and management courses.

There are also a number of universities from Australia, the US, Canada and Europe who have established satellite campuses in the country or partnerships with local universities. These campuses or partnerships offer students from both Singapore and the region to follow an international course at a fraction of the cost of moving further away to a country with a higher cost of living.

»Private institutions
Finally, there are numerous private institutions which operate autonomously and include two arts institutions and more than 300 private commercial, IT, fine arts and language schools. Two quality-assurance bodies in Singapore ensure that private institutions meet student welfare and regulatory standards: the CaseTrust for Education and Singapore Quality Class for Private Education Organizations (SQC-PEO).

Academic calendar
The standard university academic calendar in Singapore is divided into two semesters. The first semester usually starts mid-August and lasts until the beginning of December. The second semester starts mid-January until the end of April.

Graduate vs. postgraduate
In the US, the term ‘graduate’ is used for master’s and PhD studies. This is the equivalent of ‘postgraduate’, which is used in the UK. Universities in Singapore may use either graduate or postgraduate for studies at master’s and doctorate level.

Types of courses
Institute of Technical Education (ITE)
For students who want to follow an alternative post-secondary career path, ITE provides an opportunity for hands-on learning in a high-tech environment over a two-year period. Recognised by numerous international awards, the three ITE colleges have a total enrolment of about 23,000 students.

There are four levels of certification achieved at ITE: National ITE Certificate (Nitec), Higher Nitec, Master Nitec and Technical Engineering Diploma in Machine Technology (TED).

ITE Eligibility criteria
Each course offered at ITE will have different eligibility criteria. Check with your programme of choice for exact requirements. Generally Pakistani students will need to provide proof of secondary education and English language proficiency.

»Pakistani Intermediate/Higher School Certificate
»English language proficiency
»Higher Nitec: TOEFL 550 (paper-based) or 61 (internet-based) / IELTS 5.0
»Nitec: TOEFL 475 (paper-based) or 53 (internet-based) / IELTS 4.5
ITE Application process
Applications from Pakistani students to attend ITE should be made directly to the institution unless you have sat the Singapore-Cambridge GCE O Level. If so, you will make your application online via the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAC) administered by the Singapore Ministry of Education.

Polytechnics
The five polytechnics offer a range of practice-orientated courses at diploma level, offered over three years. They are:

»Nanyang Polytechnic
»Ngee Ann Polytechnic
»Republic Polytechnic
»Singapore Polytechnic
»Temasek Polytechnic
Polytechnics offer a range of courses in science, engineering, business, communication and design as well as specialised courses in optometry, nursing, early childhood education and film.

Polytechnic eligibility criteria
Pakistani students are required to have completed 12 years of education (Intermediate/Higher Secondary School Certificate) or be a holder of an IB or General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).

International students may be required to write an entrance exam administered by the polytechnic’s admissions service which tests potential students’ English language skills. Alternatively, some polytechnics require international students to sit the IELTS exam.

Polytechnic admissions process
International applicants with non-Singaporean qualifications must apply online via the Direct Admissions Exercise (DAE).

Be sure to consult the most current prospectus on the website of the polytechnic of your choice and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.

Undergraduate education
Singaporean universities boast that they combine the academic rigour of British universities and the flexibility and personalisation of American universities. Each of the three Singaporean universities has slight variations on the flexibility offered, but undergraduate programmes usually include a combination of compulsory courses and electives.

Both the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have an international reputation for being research-intensive universities and have contributed greatly to Singapore’s development and reputation as a scientific and technological hub.

»Bachelor's degree
Singaporean universities offer both basic bachelor’s and bachelor’s degrees with Honours. A basic bachelor’s degree is usually three years of study and a bachelor’s degree with Honours will normally require an additional year of study.

»Modular system / Academic units
A bachelor’s degree is awarded once you receive a certain number of credits or academic units, which usually takes four years to complete. Each course is assigned a number of academic units: one hour of lecture/tutorial per week is usually one unit; three hours of laboratory/fieldwork per week is one unit.

»Courses
There are three types of undergraduate courses: core courses, which are compulsory to satisfy the programme requirements; prescribed electives, which allow for a specialisation in a degree programme; and unrestricted electives, which are chosen at the discretion of the student..

In order to complete a bachelor’s degree, you will need to earn a certain number of credit hours. This will vary from one university to another as well as the programme you choose. The total number of credit units for compulsory and elective course varies with each individual degree programme.

Most programmes will also allow you to choose a minor where you can broaden your studies in an additional subject area.

Eligibility criteria
»Pakistani intermediate/Higher Secondary School Certificate or IB Diploma
International students are required to have completed 12 years of primary and secondary education before applying to a Singaporean university. For Pakistanis, this means you need to present a Pakistani Intermediate or Higher Secondary School Certificate of IB Diploma before considering studying at university level in Singapore.

»English language ability
For students whose medium of instruction in school is not English, you must provide proof of your English language proficiency. Universities in Singapore accept either:

»TOEFL 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based)
»IELTS 6.0 to 6.5
Undergraduate application process
The admissions procedure for undergraduate international students usually opens around October of the previous year, therefore you should start your application process at least 12 months before your intended study date in order to research the different institutions and programmes.

Applications are made directly to the institution and include:

»Application form (usually online)
»Application fee
»Academic credentials (for Nigerians this is your Senior School Certificate of Education/Nigerian Certificate of Education or IB diploma)
Postgraduate education
Two types of postgraduate degrees are offered in Singapore: master's and doctoral degrees.Graduate diplomas also provide additional professional training without the long-term time commitment of a postgraduate degree.

»Graduate diploma
This terminal qualification provides professional training and usually lasts about a year full-time.

»Coursework-based programmes (master's)
These degrees usually involve formal classes, lectures, tutorials, seminars, laboratory work and written examinations as well as a dissertation. They generally prepare students for the practice of a profession.

»Researched-based programmes (master’s, doctoral)
A research-based degree involves independent research on an approved topic based on a thesis submitted for revision. You may also be required to take several courses related to your subject.

Eligibility criteria
»Undergraduate degree
You will usually be required to have completed an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree of four years in length to enter a master’s programme. Admission into a PhD programme requires a good master’s degree in a relevant discipline.

»Admissions tests
At master’s and doctoral level, some departments may require you to take either the GRE (Graduate Recruitment Test) or GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). Additionally, you may have to complete an admissions test or be interviewed.

If your mother tongue is not English and you did not study in an English medium at undergraduate level, you will also have to prove you have sufficient English language ability. Singaporean universities accept TOEFL or IELTS or you may have to sit an internal examination to verify your English language skills.

Postgraduate application process
You should start your application process between around a year before your intended study date in order to research the different institutions and programmes and complete any necessary tests. Once you have made your shortlist of institutions you wish to apply for, you’ll have to prepare your application.

Each institution sets its own application deadline. These are usually between January and February to start in August, and between August and September to start in January. It is always a good idea to submit your application as soon as possible.

Applications to most postgraduate programmes are done online, however some programmes have specific admissions requirements and applications must be submitted directly to the department.