Having your child completed a university degree is one of the top priorities for many parents in Singapore. A university degree would probably mean higher status and salary when the child started working in society. Some parents may consider it important too if the child carries the title "Graduated from NUS". In this article, we provide some useful tips and information if your child is ready to consider a university education.
Let us first look at the local universities: It would mean a huge difference to your pocket if your child is studying locally rather than overseas universities. Although the lcoal universities have announced a recent increase in tuition fees, studying locally is still much more affordable than overseas. A typical local undergrad in Singapore is paying an annual tuition fees (another term for school fees) of about S$6,000. This is after deduction from the MOE tuition grant. Students may further apply for tuition fee loan of up to 80% of the approximate S$6,000. Congratulation if your child is having a scholarship, school fees may be partially or fully subsidized.
Currently, there are 3 local universities -
National University of Singapore (NUS) In recent years, NUS have gained much reputation worldwide. Recently, it is ranked as top 20 university in the world. Students can choose a large variety of courses such as dentistry, medicine, law, engineering etc. Tuition fees for dentistry and medicine will be higher than other courses.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) NTU is ranked top 50, and 7th in Asia by the Times Higher Education Supplement. Recently, the university is developing into full-fledged comprehensive university, offering many courses such as Aerospace Engineering, Psychology, Sociology, Bioengineering etc.
Singapore Management University (SMU) The university continues its existing role as a quality university offering business and management education. It has relocated to its new city campus beside Brash Basah Complex.
Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) SIM will be Singapore's 4th university by 2005. The institution will continue to provide degree courses for working adults who are keen to upgrade their qualifications. Graduates will have a choice to receive a British University Degree or the SIM degree in the 1st few years of its set up.
Let us now take a look at studying in overseas universities:
Some of the popular countries among Asian students are Australia, USA and England. Australia universities are the most popular since it is nearest to Singapore. Also, It is much more affordable compared to many other countries too. Annual tuition fees can be as low as S$20,000. Comparatively, studying in the US can be easily more than S$60,000 per year. Apart from the school fees for overseas education, other significant expenses such as accomodation and air tickets should be taken into consideration too. However, overseas universities may offer some courses which are not available in Singapore. This may be the reason for young Singaporeans to opt for overseas tertiary education.
