What questions to ask about studying abroad?
The academic year in Singapore is very different from that in China. China generally only has two semesters, while Singapore has four semesters. When should candidates apply for the least loss to themselves? The following article will start from this aspect, Introducing all aspects of studying in Singapore.
The school system in Singapore is different from that of domestic schools. If candidates choose the wrong application time, they may have to wait a year before they can enter the local institution for study, so the application time is very important.
Q: When is the best time to study abroad?
A: Preferably at the beginning of the school year. The academic year in Singapore starts in January each year and ends in mid-November. It is divided into 4 semesters of approximately 10 weeks each. There are 12 weeks of vacation throughout the year, with 1 week of vacation each between the 1st and 2nd semesters and the 3rd and 4th semesters. There are 4 weeks of vacation during the year and 6 weeks of long vacation at the end of the year.
Q: When to apply to study abroad?
A: If you want to study in Singapore, it is best to start the application process after June 30 of the previous year. However, students applying for the first year of the Junior College (two-year preparatory course) need to wait for the Singapore educational institution to complete the local Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE “0” level) candidates. The Ministry of Education of Singapore can issue the supporting documents in 4 to 6 weeks. After receiving the supporting documents, they can take a test in the selected school, which covers English, mathematics, and Chinese. The school will decide whether to admit or not based on the student’s performance on the test and the school’s vacancies.
Q: How much is the tuition fee for studying abroad?
A: The tuition fees charged by schools in Singapore are relatively low compared to other countries. The tuition fee for foreign students holding a student card to enter a local primary school is about S$80 per month, about S$130 per month for secondary school, and about S$240 per month for junior college/high school. Overseas students who receive a Singapore government bursary pay S$1,980 a year to study at the Polytechnic, but they need to work in Singapore for three years after completing the course. For those who do not receive the new government grants, the annual tuition fee is S$9,800.
University tuition fees range from S$60.50 to S$170,000 for a year. Student ID holders who are enrolled in primary and secondary schools/junior colleges/high schools are required to donate S$5,000 to the Education Fund under the Ministry of Education; students enrolled in higher education institutions (polytechnics, universities) do not need to donate any funds. Singapore also offers a range of bursaries, awards, and scholarships, and overseas students can apply for merit awards in order to pay lower tuition fees to new schools.
Q: How much are the living expenses for studying abroad?
A: Those who are admitted to the Singapore Government University and Government Polytechnic can accept the subsidies provided by the Singapore government. In other cases, the tuition fee is more than 30% lower than that of European and American countries. In terms of living expenses, the accommodation is 300 Singapore dollars per month, and the transportation is 100 yuan per month. In Singapore dollars, the total monthly living expenses are about RMB 3,500.
Q: Are there any other expenses?
A: In addition to the above expenses, there will be 30 to 50 SGD for books and stationery, 26 to 60 SGD for public transport and student preferential cards, and 60 to 100 SGD for other personal expenses.
Q: Do I need a guardian?
A: Yes, the prison personnel mainly play a liaison role. The guardian must live with the student.
Q: How do I know if my child is eligible for a university or polytechnic in Singapore?
A: You can inquire at the admission office of the school you plan to enroll in, and the staff there will assess the applicant’s academic qualifications and give appropriate advice. In some cases, applicants may be required to take a transition course, sit an entrance exam, or an aptitude test.
Q: Can an international student hold a temporary job while studying at a local university or polytechnic after obtaining a student passport?
Answer: The Singapore government stipulates that all students studying in private colleges and universities are prohibited from working part-time, while those who study in government colleges and universities can work part-time. Generally, colleges stipulate that after completing a semester of courses, students can apply for part-time work and part-time study at the school they are studying. Approved students can work part-time in their spare time, no more than 16 hours per week. In addition, Singapore has a very large Chinese tutoring market. Many Chinese students choose to tutor Singaporeans in Chinese or teach and learn from each other in order to obtain some income or improve their language skills.