Singapore: Admission to Public Schools via Study Abroad Is Difficult
Children of immigrants face no restrictions regarding schools or majors, and their admission rates are significantly higher than those of international students. However, it is generally difficult for international students to gain admission to public schools in Singapore, and many private schools only accept local students.
Furthermore, permanent residents can apply for citizenship after residing in Singapore for two years. If one intends to obtain citizenship through studies, they must graduate from a private university, secure local employment, and have their employer apply for an S Pass or Employment Pass (EP) on their behalf before they can apply for Singaporean PR, which is usually difficult to obtain.
However, there is a certain distinction between citizens and permanent residents in Singapore. Citizens have priority in school selection, followed by permanent residents. Even so, permanent residents still have a wide range of choices and can usually select a school they are satisfied with. In contrast, international students are much more passive; many schools and majors are not open to them, and even when they are, tuition fees are significantly higher.
Singapore has a strict policy on part-time employment, with only public schools generally allowing students to work.
Since it is difficult for Chinese students to gain admission to public schools, they are not permitted to work while enrolled in private schools. However, there are no such restrictions for the children of immigrants.
Singapore: Low Tuition Fees for Children of Permanent Residents
Currently, tuition fees for children of Singaporean permanent residents are very low: SGD 13 per month for primary school and SGD 22 per month for government secondary schools. In contrast, the cost for international students is much higher, with secondary school expenses totaling approximately 70,000 to 100,000 RMB.
The annual cost for higher education—the most common choice for Chinese students—is approximately SGD 15,000 to 30,000, which is about 80,000 to 150,000 RMB. Within this, university course fees are roughly SGD 6,000 to 17,000 per year. For students at polytechnics, the annual fee is SGD 9,800. Preparatory university programs in Singapore charge monthly fees of SGD 240, and if an international student enters secondary school, the monthly tuition is SGD 130. University dormitories in Singapore, which include meals and laundry services, cost approximately SGD 160 to 350 per month.
However, school dormitories in Singapore only allow students to reside for one year; after that, students must move out and find other arrangements. Additionally, students who have received a Singapore government scholarship are not eligible to live in school dormitories. If one chooses to rent a private residence from a local, the cost is relatively higher, ranging from SGD 1,000 to 2,000 per month, which also includes meals and laundry services.
