EDUCATION SYSTEM IN SINGAPORE
Tuesday - 09/12/2025
The Ministry of Education (MOE) Singapore directly oversees public schools that receive government funding and also plays an advisory and regulatory role for private schools in Singapore.
For more details, see: Education in Singapore, Secondary, College, and University list
Below are key general information areas that Vietnamese students should pay attention to:
Levels of Study and Qualifications in Singapore
Like many other countries, Singapore offers the following education levels:
- Nursery & Kindergarten: ages 3 – 6
- Kindergarten: ages 4 – 6
- Primary & Secondary Education: A 13-year system similar to the UK, covering core subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, History, Geography, Science, Business, and Technology. Includes:
Primary 1 – 6: ages 6 – 12 → Primary School Certificate
Secondary 1 – 5: ages 12 – 16/17 → O-Level qualification
Junior College / Pre-University: ages 16 – 18/19 → A-Level qualification
- Diploma & Advanced Diploma: 1 – 2 years, various fields and age groups
- Bachelor’s Degree: 2 – 3 years, various fields and age groups
- Master’s Degree: 1 – 2 years, various fields and age groups
- Doctoral Degree (PhD): 3 – 5 years, various fields and age groups
Intake Periods
- Primary & Secondary: January each year, typically two semesters
- Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD: January, April, July, October for private institutions; July for public institutions
Admission Requirements
- Public Schools: Entrance examinations are required for all levels.
- Private Schools: Application-based admission, with general requirements:
English:
Primary & Diploma: IELTS 5.5 (PTE Academic 50 – 55)
Higher levels: IELTS 6.0 – 7.0 (PTE Academic 60 – 70)
Academic performance: Good academic standing (above-average grades)
Study Programs
- Public Schools: Follow the official curriculum of the Singapore Ministry of Education.
- Private Schools: Offer Singaporean programs or international programs from partner institutions (UK, Australia, US, etc.)
Study Costs
- Public Schools: Government-subsidized, making tuition relatively affordable. However, at the diploma and university levels, international students who receive government subsidies must work for the Singapore government or a Singapore-based company for 3 years after graduation.
Tuition Fees (Annual):
Primary & Secondary: S$6,000 – 12,000
Diploma: S$5,000 – 10,000
University: S$7,000 – 12,000
- Private Schools: Tuition varies depending on the institution.
Tuition Fees (Annual):
Primary & Secondary: S$22,000 – 40,000
Diploma: S$8,000 – 14,000
University: S$12,000 – 20,000
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