Singapore Scholarships for International Students

Home to over 5.6 million people and yet one of the highest standards of living in the world! Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this island nation which is a global financial hub as well as a premier destination for education? As a student, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: world-class education and an unparalleled quality of life. Besides, the country offers scholarships to study there. Many scholarships not only cover tuition fees but also provide generous allowances for living expenses, accommodation, and even international travel. So, let’s explore the amazing scholarship opportunities Singapore has in store for you.

Open Scholarships

Scholarships	Application link	Singapore International Pre-Graduate Award (SIGPA)- for UG & PG
Singapore International Pre- Graduate Award (SIGPA)- for UG & PG	Apply Now	Nov 30th, 2024
Singapore International Graduate Award- for PhD or EngD	Apply Now	Dec 1st, 2024
ADB Japan Scholarship Program for PG students	Apply Now	Around January, 2025
Evolve Warrior Scholarship for UG students	Apply Now	Around April, 2025

Types of Scholarships

Discover a diverse range of scholarships offered by various organizations to international students in Singapore:

Government- Funded Scholarships

• ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarships– Awarded to freshman- undergraduate students from ASEAN member countries- Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam excluding Singapore. Eligible students studying at NUS, NTU, and SMU will be invited to apply for the scholarship by the University. The scholarships offer subsidized tuition fees, around S$5,800 for living expenses, around S$3,000 annually for accommodation, and S$1,750 as computer allowance once. Applications are generally tenured according to the college admission timeline. You can check the university’s website for specific deadlines.

• Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)– The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) is offered by the Agency for Science, Technology & Research (A*STAR) in collaboration with the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), the Singapore Management University (SMU), and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). It is a bond-free, merit-based scholarship for international students with a strong interest in research leading to a doctorate (PhD) or an EngD in Science and Engineering at any of the above-mentioned Universities. The scholarship covers 4 years of tuition fees plus provides a monthly stipend of around S$3,200 and other allowances up to S$2,500. Applications are open till Dec 1st, 2024. Apply here.

• Singapore International Pre-Graduate Award (SIGPA)– The SIGPA Scholarships for international students are a prestigious financial aid opportunity designed to support talented students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various fields such as engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The scholarship can be claimed for an attachment of two to six months in duration for a monthly stipend of S$ 2,000 during the attachment period. For applications, visit the Astar Official website and download the list of SIGPA-approved projects. Once you find your desired project, you can start applying for SIGPA Scholarships here. The opportunity ends on Nov 30th, 2024. 

Private/Non-Profit Organization Scholarships:

• Dr. Goh Keng Swee Scholarships- Managed by the Association of Banks in Singapore, the Dr. Goh Keng Swee Scholarship is awarded to students from 15 Asia Pacific countries studying undergraduate courses at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU) or Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). The scholarship covers full tuition and airfare expenses plus gives maintenance allowance of S$6,500 and other allowances as per the need. Selections are made on the basis of academic, leadership, and extracurricular performance and students will be required to serve a 3-year bond upon completion of their degrees. Applications start around November and you can fill out the application form here. 

• Lee Kong Chian Scholars’ Program (LKCSP)- The LKCSP is a prestigious scholarship offered by the Lee Foundation. This scholarship offers a full four-year tuition fee waiver, a one-off notebook grant, an annual living allowance, and global opportunities sponsorship to meritorious students of SMU (Singapore Management University) studying a full-time undergraduate course. To apply, indicate your interest in the scholarship section while filling up the admission application form for SMU. You will be selected based on your academic strength as well as non-academic participation. Make sure you show strong leadership and communication skills. Applications for SMU start mid-Nov in 2024 and end on March 19th, 2025.   

University Specific Scholarships:

• NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship – As the name suggests, the National University of Singapore offers scholarships to international students admitted for full-time undergraduate courses at the NUS. The scholarship expects outstanding academic performance and extracurricular skills in exchange for subsidized tuition fees plus an amount of S$ 12,550 for living, accommodation, and a one-time computer allowance. All students who qualify for undergraduate admission to NUS will be considered for this scholarship. Those who are eligible will be asked to apply for the scholarship separately. Deadlines would vary depending on your course application deadline. 

• Science and Technology Undergraduate Scholarship by NUS- One of the most prestigious institutions in Singapore, the NUS (National University of Singapore) offers this scholarship for full-time admitted undergraduate freshmen students for science and technology courses from Asian countries except Singapore. Eligible students will be shortlisted through the admission application to NUS and then invited to submit a scholarship application separately. You need to showcase outstanding academic as well as extracurricular skills. The scholarship subsidizes tuition fees & compulsory fees besides giving a $6,000 living allowance, and around S$1,950 for other allowances including accommodation, travel, computer allowances, etc. Deadlines would depend on your admission application deadline. 

• Science and Technology Undergraduate Scholarship by the SMU- The Singapore Management University or the SMU offers this Science and Technology Scholarship to international students admitted to study full-time undergraduate courses at the SMU. This scholarship is open for Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, Computer Science, and Software Engineering programmes offered by the School of Computing and Information Systems. Students from India, PRC, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 or above in their high school results are considered for this scholarship. There is no separate application form and you need to indicate your scholarship interest during the admission application to be considered for this scholarship. 

Other Scholarships:

• ADB- Japan Scholarship Program- The ADB Japan Scholarship is offered in Asia and the Pacific for graduate studies to international students to study economics, business and management, science and technology, and other development-related courses. This prestigious scholarship offers fully funded tuition monthly living allowance including housing, books, and instructional materials, medical insurance as well as travel expenses. To be eligible to apply, the student should be a national of an ADB borrowing member country and a Japanese ODA scholarship-eligible country. Besides, students should not hold dual citizenship in any developed country and have a bachelor’s degree with an excellent academic record. You will be required to request an application form from your university fill this information sheet and send it to the institution along with the documents required. Deadlines fall around January 2025.

• Evolve Warrior Scholarship– The Evolve Warrior Scholarship is a merit-based award offered by the Evolve MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Institution designed to assist talented individuals in unlocking their full potential. Open to applicants of any nationality, this scholarship does not require any service bond. Recipients may use the Evolve Warrior Scholarship at any accredited educational institution for any course at the undergraduate level. The scholarship is valued at up to S$10,000 for one full academic year. The application period for the Evolve Warrior Scholarship is now open. You can start your application here.

How to Apply for Scholarships in Singapore?

To apply for different types of scholarships in Singapore, follow these guidelines based on the type of scholarship:

1. Scholarships Considered Upon Admission:  For scholarships that do not require a separate application, ensure you focus on your university admission application and show your intent for consideration in the same. Once you submit your application for admission, the university will automatically consider you for these scholarships based on your profile and academic merits. 
2. Scholarships Requiring Separate Applications: For scholarships that require separate application, follow these steps-

• Research and Prepare: Identify the scholarships that require a separate application. This may include government scholarships, private organization grants, or university-specific scholarships that have distinct application processes.
• Application Process: Visit the official websites of the scholarship providers to gather detailed information about the application process, required documents, deadlines, and eligibility criteria.
• Submit Applications: Carefully complete and submit your applications according to the instructions provided by the scholarship bodies. Ensure all documents are accurate and submitted before the deadlines.
• Follow-Up: After submission, keep track of your application status and follow up if necessary. Prepare for any interviews or additional requirements that may be part of the selection process.

Conclusion

Whether you’re an outstanding student with exceptional academic achievements or someone in need of financial assistance, there are opportunities tailored to meet your needs. Embracing these scholarships not only alleviates financial burdens but also provides access to world-class education. Start exploring your options today, and take the first step towards a bright and successful future in Singapore.

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