Living in Singapore – Postgraduate Guide

The city-state of Singapore hosts over 55,000 international students – not bad for such a small country, area-wise. Attracted by Singapore’s world-class universities and its unique approach to urbanism, these students live in one of the most vibrant and diverse cities on the planet.

This page will give you an overview of what you need to know about postgraduate life in Singapore, from culture and cuisine to accommodation, living costs and transport.

Recent decades have seen Singapore’s transformation into a “garden city”, with thousand of trees planted and a focus on make the city as green and sustainable as possible. You’ll come across several buildings and skyscrapers covered in plants, as well as many inner-city parks.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens, for example, are UNESCO-listed and over 150 years old. Gardens by the Bay, meanwhile, is a very modern take on the botanical garden, with state-of-the-art ‘supertrees’ and skyways that offers breath-taking views of the city.

Cultural highlights in Singapore include the Asian Civilisations Museum and National Gallery Singapore.

Singaporean cuisine is rightly famous, spanning the whole gamut of sizzling street food to gourmet Michelin-starred restaurants. In fact, there are even two Michelin-starred food stalls in Singapore! The best places to get cheap eats are Singapore’s hawker centres: open air food markets with a range of stalls to choose from. Chinese, Indian and Malay cuisines are among the most popular, reflecting Singapore’s diverse nature.

Outside of Singapore’s concrete jungle, it’s easy to access the real thing – the MacRitchie Reservoir offers a chance to witness lizards and macaques in their natural habitat, while the Southern Ridges encompass a series of parks and forests nestled within the city.

Singapore’s compact size means that housing is in high demand. However, there are a few different routes international Masters students can go down in their search for accommodation.

Most Singaporean universities operate student residences (also referred to as hostels). In some cases, these are aimed specifically at postgraduates – perfect for Masters students seeking a quieter environment in which to live and study. Depending on the university, there are on-campus and catered options available. Bear in mind that this kind of accommodation is often oversubscribed, so you should begin your application early and have a plan B ready in case you’re not successful.

There are also several private companies offering student-only accommodation, which can be a good alternative. This is sometimes more expensive than university-owned housing.

The cost of living in a hostel at the National University of Singapore is between $138 and $337 per week (USD $98-$239). Prices are slightly higher for self-funded students than for government-subsidised ones. You can also apply for a 'married appartment' if your spouse will be accompanying you for the entirety of your degree (these can cost up to $446 or USD $316 per week).

Another option is to rent a room in a Housing and Development Board (HDB) apartment. HDB flats are managed by the Singaporean government and are a relatively affordable kind of accommodation.

The cost of living in Singapore is comparable to major cities such as London, Paris and Sydney.

The National University of Singapore estimates that the average budget for a student living on-campus is $10,400 (USD $7583) including accomodation (depending on lifestyle and other factors).

These are some typical monthly student expenses you’ll encounter:

• Monthly transport pass – S$120 (USD $87.78)
• Inexpensive restaurant – S$216 (USD $10.24)
• Utilities – S$215 (USD $157)

International Masters students in Singapore are free to work during their studies, subject to certain conditions.

During term time, you can only work 16 hours a week, while you can work without restrictions during the holidays.

For more information, visit the website of the Singaporean Ministry of Manpower.

Hopefully you now have a good understanding of what makes Singapore such an eco-friendly study abroad destination, as well as some foodie inspiration. There are a few more practicalities to consider before packing your bags, however.

Health insurance

As an international student in Singapore, you’ll need to enrol on a health insurance scheme administered by your university. The fees for this are payable at the same time as your tuition fees.

This scheme is compulsory for full-time students. Part-time students will need to have their own private health cover.

Banking

Opening a bank account in Singapore is a good idea if you want to avoid unnecessary international transfer fees or if you’re receiving a university stipend.

The process for doing so is fairly simple. As an international student, you should visit your local branch with the following documents:

• Your passport
• Your student pass
• Proof of your current address

There may also be a minimum deposit. Bear in mind that the process can take up to a month, so make sure you have alternative financial arrangements in place until then.

Transport

Singapore is home to an extremely efficient subway network: Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). This extensive transport system is usually the quickest and cheapest way to travel around the system. There are also plenty of buses to supplement this mode of transit, especially when the MRT closes for the night.

Singapore is a major international travel hub and Singapore Changi Airport is one of the busiest in Asia.