Singapore is one of the world’s most remarkable cities — and one of its most extraordinary academic ecosystems.
In just six decades, this small island nation of 5.9 million people has built two universities ranked among the world’s top 15 — NUS (National University of Singapore) and NTU (Nanyang Technological University) — along with SMU (Singapore Management University), SUTD (Singapore University of Technology and Design), and A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), one of Asia’s most productive research organizations.
Singapore’s scholarship programs match its academic ambition. The SINGA PhD scholarship. The ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship. The NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship. The Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship. These are genuinely world-class funding packages from institutions competing directly with MIT, Oxford, and ETH Zurich.
This guide covers Singapore’s top 10 scholarships for 2027-2028 — every coverage detail, eligibility requirement, and official application link.
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Why Study in Singapore in 2027?
Two world top-15 universities. NUS and NTU both sit in the world’s top 15 in multiple global ranking systems — the highest concentration of top-15 universities per capita of any country in the world. Academic quality is genuinely comparable to Oxford, MIT, and ETH Zurich.
English-medium education. All instruction in Singapore is in English — making it fully accessible to international students without additional language barriers.
Asia’s technology and finance hub. Singapore hosts the Asian headquarters of Google, Facebook, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and hundreds of other global companies. Post-graduation career opportunities are exceptional for students in technology, finance, engineering, and business.
Strategic location. Singapore’s position at the heart of Southeast Asia — with direct flight connections to 100+ cities — makes it a gateway to the entire Asia-Pacific region’s career markets.
Post-study work rights. Most scholarship recipients serve a service obligation (working in Singapore or for Singaporean entities for 3–5 years post-graduation) or can convert to Employment Passes — providing structured post-graduation pathways.
The Top 10 Singapore Scholarships 2027-2028
🏆 1. SINGA — Singapore International Graduate Award
Degree Level: PhD Coverage: Full Tuition + S$2,700–S$3,200/month + S$1,500 Airfare + S$1,000 Settling Eligibility: Joint A*STAR, NUS, NTU, SUTD program for international research talent
The Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) is Singapore’s most prestigious PhD scholarship for international researchers — administered jointly by A*STAR, NUS, NTU, and SUTD to attract the world’s top doctoral talent to Singapore’s research ecosystem.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees for the entire PhD program duration (4 years)
- Monthly stipend of S$2,700–S$3,200 (~$2,000–$2,370 USD) — increasing annually with academic progress
- S$1,500 one-time airfare grant upon arrival
- S$1,000 settling-in allowance for initial accommodation and setup costs
- Overseas research attachment support — funding for international research visits
Who can apply: International students from any country with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in science, engineering, computing, or related STEM fields. Must not be Singapore citizens or permanent residents.
SINGA’s unique structure: SINGA scholars conduct their PhD research at A*STAR research institutes under the supervision of both A*STAR researchers and NUS/NTU faculty — providing access to both world-class academic and industrial research environments simultaneously.
Multiple annual rounds: SINGA has multiple application rounds throughout the year — January, April, and September — making it one of the most accessible major research scholarships in terms of application timing.
Deadline: Three rounds annually — January, April, September
👉 Official Website: singa.a-star.edu.sg
🏆 2. ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship (MOE)
Degree Level: Bachelor’s Coverage: Full Tuition (after MOE Grant) + S$5,800 annual Living + Accommodation allowance Eligibility: Outstanding ASEAN citizens studying locally
The ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship — administered by Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) — is specifically designed for outstanding students from ASEAN member nations (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam) to pursue undergraduate degrees at Singapore’s publicly-funded universities.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees after the MOE Tuition Grant (which reduces international student fees to subsidized rates)
- Annual living allowance of S$5,800 (~$4,300 USD)
- Accommodation allowance — contribution toward student hostel costs
Service obligation: Recipients typically commit to working in Singapore or for Singapore-registered companies for 3 years post-graduation — a structured pathway into Singapore’s dynamic job market.
Who can apply: Outstanding ASEAN citizens (not Singapore citizens or permanent residents) applying for undergraduate programs at NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT, or SUSS.
Deadline: Typically February–April annually — check MOE scholarship portal
👉 Official Website: moe.gov.sg/financial-matters/awards-scholarships/scholarships-for-non-singaporeans
🏆 3. NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship
Degree Level: Bachelor’s Coverage: Full Tuition + S$5,800 annual Living + S$5,000 Accommodation + S$1,750 Computer Grant Eligibility: High-achieving non-Singaporean NUS programs
The NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship is the National University of Singapore’s flagship merit scholarship for outstanding non-Singaporean undergraduate students — one of the most financially comprehensive undergraduate scholarship packages in Asia.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees for the entire undergraduate program
- Annual living allowance of S$5,800 (~$4,300 USD)
- S$5,000 accommodation allowance — toward student hostel fees
- S$1,750 one-time computer grant — for purchasing academic computing equipment
Total estimated annual package value: Approximately S$35,000–S$45,000 including tuition waiver and all allowances — making this one of Asia’s most generous undergraduate scholarships.
Who can apply: Outstanding non-Singaporean international students applying to NUS undergraduate programs. Selection is based on exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and co-curricular accomplishments.
NUS’s global standing: NUS is consistently ranked #1 in Asia and among the world’s top 10–15 universities. An NUS undergraduate scholarship is one of the most valuable academic credentials available in Asia.
Deadline: Aligned with NUS admissions — typically January–March for August intake
👉 Official Website: nus.edu.sg/oam/scholarships/freshmen-scholarships/international-students
🏆 4. NTU Nanyang Scholarship
Degree Level: Bachelor’s Coverage: Full Tuition + S$6,500 annual Living + S$2,000 Accommodation + Computer Grant Eligibility: Premier merit-based international students with leadership potential
The NTU Nanyang Scholarship is Nanyang Technological University’s most prestigious undergraduate merit scholarship — named after the historical Chinese-language Nanyang University that preceded NTU and reflecting its tradition of academic excellence.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees for the full undergraduate program
- Annual living allowance of S$6,500 (~$4,820 USD) — slightly higher than NUS’s equivalent
- S$2,000 accommodation and computer grant
- Access to NTU’s extraordinary campus — Singapore’s largest and most technologically advanced
Who can apply: Outstanding international students applying to NTU undergraduate programs with exceptional academic records and demonstrated leadership potential. Selection considers academic achievement, leadership experience, and character.
NTU’s strengths: Engineering, computer science, business, materials science, and environmental science. NTU’s campus — nicknamed “the most beautiful in Asia” — includes the Hive learning hub, a unique collaborative learning environment.
Deadline: Aligned with NTU admissions — typically January–March for August intake
👉 Official Website: ntu.edu.sg/admissions/undergraduate/scholarships/nanyang-scholarship
🏆 5. A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS)
Degree Level: PhD Coverage: Full Tuition + S$2,700–S$3,200/month Living + Overseas research/conference travel Eligibility: PhD at A*STAR research institutes
The A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS) is A*STAR’s direct PhD scholarship program — separate from SINGA — funding doctoral researchers to conduct research exclusively within A*STAR’s network of research institutes in biomedical sciences, engineering, and physical sciences.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees (through host university affiliation — NUS, NTU, or overseas university)
- Monthly stipend of S$2,700–S$3,200 — identical to SINGA levels
- Overseas research attachment — funded visits to international research collaborators
- Conference travel funding — presenting research at international academic conferences
The A*STAR difference: AGS scholars are based primarily at A*STAR research institutes rather than university departments — providing access to Singapore’s most cutting-edge applied research infrastructure and direct connections to Singapore’s biomedical, semiconductor, and materials science industries.
Research focus areas: Biomedical sciences (IMCB, GIS, IMRE), engineering (IHPC, SIMTech, ARTC), and physical sciences (IMRE, IME). A*STAR’s industry partnerships — particularly with pharmaceutical companies, semiconductor manufacturers, and precision engineering firms — create exceptional career pathways.
Deadline: Multiple rounds annually — check A*STAR website for current cycle
👉 Official Website: a-star.edu.sg/Scholarships/for-graduate-studies/a-star-graduate-scholarship-singapore
🏆 6. Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship (NPGS)
Degree Level: PhD Coverage: Full Tuition + S$3,500–S$4,000/month Living + S$5,000 travel/thesis Eligibility: Outstanding international graduates for NTU PhD programs
The Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship (NPGS) is NTU’s most prestigious doctoral scholarship — reserved exclusively for the most exceptional international PhD candidates and providing one of Singapore’s highest monthly PhD stipends.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees for the entire PhD program at NTU
- Monthly stipend of S$3,500–S$4,000 (~$2,600–$2,970 USD) — among the highest PhD stipends in Asia
- S$5,000 annual travel and thesis allowance for conference attendance and research expenses
- Access to NTU’s extraordinary research facilities and faculty
Who can apply: Only the most academically exceptional international graduates — typically those with first-class honors degrees or equivalent top academic distinction from recognized universities, with demonstrated research potential through publications or strong research experience.
Why NPGS is elite: The S$3,500–S$4,000/month stipend significantly exceeds Singapore’s average single-person monthly expenses of approximately S$2,000–S$2,500 — allowing NPGS scholars to live comfortably while potentially saving a portion of their monthly allowance.
Deadline: Tied to NTU PhD admissions — typically November–January for August intake
👉 Official Website: ntu.edu.sg/admissions/graduate/scholarships/nanyang-presidents-graduate-scholarship
7. Dr Goh Keng Swee (GKS) Scholarship
Degree Level: Bachelor’s Coverage: Full Tuition + S$6,500 annual Living + Airfare + Hostel + Settling grant Eligibility: ABS-administered top Asia-Pacific students
The Dr Goh Keng Swee Scholarship — named after Singapore’s founding Finance Minister, one of the architects of Singapore’s extraordinary economic development — is administered by the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) for outstanding students from Asia-Pacific countries.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees for the undergraduate program
- Annual living allowance of S$6,500
- International airfare to and from Singapore
- Hostel accommodation — free or subsidized student hostel
- Settling-in grant for initial setup costs upon arrival
Who can apply: Outstanding students from Asia-Pacific countries applying to NUS or NTU undergraduate programs, with preference for students intending to pursue careers in banking and finance.
The banking connection: As an ABS-administered scholarship, GKS scholars benefit from connections to Singapore’s banking sector — a strategically valuable network for students interested in finance, fintech, and economics careers in Asia’s financial hub.
👉 Official Website: abs.org.sg/consumer-bankers/scholarships
8. Lee Kong Chian Scholars’ Programme (LKCSP)
Degree Level: Bachelor’s Coverage: Full Tuition (4 years) + Notebook Grant + Exchange + Study Mission sponsorship Eligibility: SMU’s premier flagship international undergraduates
The Lee Kong Chian Scholars’ Programme (LKCSP) is Singapore Management University’s (SMU) flagship international scholarship — named after legendary Singaporean-Chinese businessman Lee Kong Chian and designed to develop the next generation of Asian business leaders.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees for all 4 years of SMU undergraduate programs
- Notebook grant — for purchasing academic laptop/computing equipment
- International exchange sponsorship — funded semester abroad at a partner university
- Study mission sponsorship — organized learning journeys to major business centers in Asia and globally
Who can apply: Outstanding non-Singaporean international students applying to SMU’s undergraduate programs in business, accountancy, economics, law, information systems, or social sciences.
Why SMU: SMU is Southeast Asia’s leading business and social science university — with a unique interactive seminar-style teaching approach (small class sizes of 15–25, high student participation) that develops exceptional communication and leadership skills. SMU’s Wall Street-style downtown campus in Singapore’s civic district provides extraordinary access to Singapore’s financial district.
Deadline: Aligned with SMU admissions — typically January–March
👉 Official Website: smu.edu.sg/admissions/undergraduate/scholarships/lee-kong-chian-scholars-programme
9. Science and Technology Undergraduate Scholarship
Degree Level: Bachelor’s Coverage: Full Tuition + S$6,000 annual Living + Accommodation + Airfare Eligibility: Asian citizens in STEM and Computer Science
The Science and Technology Undergraduate Scholarship — administered by Singapore’s government for STEM students from Asian countries — provides comprehensive support specifically to attract outstanding Asian talent to Singapore’s universities in science, technology, engineering, and computer science.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees for STEM and Computer Science undergraduate programs
- Annual living allowance of S$6,000
- Accommodation allowance
- International airfare to Singapore
Who can apply: Citizens of Asian countries pursuing undergraduate studies in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or computer science at Singapore’s publicly-funded universities.
Deadline: Typically January–April — check Singapore government scholarship portal
👉 Official Website: scholarships.gov.sg
10. NUS/NTU Research Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD Coverage: Full Tuition + S$2,200–S$3,000/month Living Eligibility: University-funded graduate research degrees
The NUS and NTU Research Scholarships are the baseline university-funded research scholarships providing full tuition plus monthly stipends for graduate researchers at Singapore’s two flagship universities — accessible to all qualified international research degree applicants.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees for Research Master’s and PhD programs
- Monthly stipend of S$2,200–S$3,000 depending on degree level and university:
- Research Master’s: approximately S$2,200/month
- PhD: approximately S$2,700–S$3,000/month
Key distinction: Unlike SINGA and NPGS which are highly competitive prestige awards, NUS and NTU Research Scholarships are more accessible — available to all qualified international graduate research applicants admitted to participating programs.
How to apply: Applications for NUS/NTU Research Scholarships are submitted simultaneously with graduate program applications — scholarship consideration is typically automatic for admitted research students.
👉 NUS: nus.edu.sg/admissions/graduate/scholarships 👉 NTU: ntu.edu.sg/admissions/graduate/scholarships
Quick Reference — All 10 Singapore Scholarships
| # | Scholarship | Level | Monthly/Annual Coverage | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SINGA | PhD | S$2,700–S$3,200/mo + full tuition | Jan/Apr/Sep |
| 2 | ASEAN MOE | Bachelor’s | Full tuition + S$5,800/yr | Feb–Apr |
| 3 | NUS International | Bachelor’s | Full tuition + S$5,800/yr | Jan–Mar |
| 4 | NTU Nanyang | Bachelor’s | Full tuition + S$6,500/yr | Jan–Mar |
| 5 | A*STAR AGS | PhD | S$2,700–S$3,200/mo + full tuition | Multiple rounds |
| 6 | NPGS (NTU) | PhD | S$3,500–S$4,000/mo + full tuition | Nov–Jan |
| 7 | Dr Goh Keng Swee | Bachelor’s | Full tuition + S$6,500 + airfare | Check ABS |
| 8 | LKCSP (SMU) | Bachelor’s | Full tuition + exchange + mission | Jan–Mar |
| 9 | Science & Tech | Bachelor’s | Full tuition + S$6,000 + airfare | Jan–Apr |
| 10 | NUS/NTU Research | Masters/PhD | S$2,200–S$3,000/mo + tuition | With admission |
Health Insurance in Singapore — What International Students Need
Every international student in Singapore must have medical insurance. Singapore’s world-class healthcare system is largely private — costs without insurance are significant.
Medishield Life (for Singapore PR and citizens only) — not applicable to most international students.
Private international student insurance — best options:
AXA Singapore Student Insurance One of Singapore’s most widely used student insurance products. Comprehensive coverage including hospitalization, outpatient, and emergency. 👉 axa.com.sg
NTUC Income Student Insurance NTUC Income is Singapore’s largest cooperative insurer. Popular student plans with good outpatient coverage. 👉 income.com.sg
Great Eastern Student Insurance Comprehensive student plan widely used at NUS and NTU. 👉 greateasternlife.com
University health plans: Both NUS and NTU offer comprehensive student health plans as part of enrollment — typically included in your student fees or available at subsidized group rates.
SINGA and A*STAR AGS: Research scholarship recipients typically receive medical insurance as part of their employment-equivalent benefits — check your specific award letter for details.
Banking in Singapore — Set Up Before You Arrive
Singapore has a world-class banking system with excellent options for international students.
Wise — Best Pre-Arrival Option Singapore dollar account (SGD) openable from your home country. Your scholarship stipend can be directed here from day one. 👉 wise.com
DBS Bank — Singapore’s Largest Bank Most popular bank among NUS and NTU students. Digital banking through digibank app with English interface. Student account available. 👉 dbs.com.sg/personal/deposits/bank-accounts/student-account
OCBC Bank — Best Digital Features OCBC’s 360 Account and digital banking platform is highly regarded. Popular among Singapore’s international community. 👉 ocbc.com
Standard Chartered Singapore — Best for International Students Strong global connectivity with particularly good services for students from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and China. 👉 sc.com/sg
PayNow: Register for PayNow (Singapore’s instant bank transfer system linked to your phone number) immediately after opening your account — used universally for receiving scholarship disbursements and everyday payments.
Singapore Student Visa (Student’s Pass) — Financial Requirements
Non-Malaysian international students need a Student’s Pass from Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to study in Singapore.
Financial requirements:
- Evidence of sufficient funds for tuition and living costs
- Scholarship award letters from NUS, NTU, SMU, A*STAR, or MOE serve as comprehensive financial proof
Application process:
- Apply online through ICA’s Student’s Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) system
- Your institution will guide you through the process after admission
Processing time: Typically 4–6 weeks
Service obligation note: Most Singapore government and institutional scholarships include a service obligation (working in Singapore or for Singapore entities for 3–5 years after graduation). Understand and accept this commitment before accepting any Singapore scholarship award.
5 Tips to Maximize Your Singapore Scholarship Success
SINGA has three rounds annually — apply as early as possible. Unlike most scholarships with a single annual deadline, SINGA accepts applications in January, April, and September. Apply in the earliest round for which you are prepared — earlier applications have access to a larger pool of available supervisor positions.
Contact potential supervisors before applying to SINGA and A*STAR AGS. Most SINGA positions are linked to specific research projects — identifying and contacting potential supervisors before submitting your application significantly improves your success rate.
Pursue NUS/NTU Research Scholarships as your baseline. Even if SINGA and NPGS are your targets, apply for graduate program admission knowing that NUS/NTU Research Scholarships are awarded automatically to qualified admitted students — providing a funding backstop while you compete for more prestigious awards.
Understand the service obligation before applying. Singapore’s government scholarships (ASEAN, GKS, Science & Technology) typically include 3-year service obligations in Singapore. For students intending to work in Singapore post-graduation — which is an excellent career decision given Singapore’s job market — this is an advantage, not a constraint.
SMU’s LKCSP is significantly less competitive than NUS/NTU equivalents. For business, economics, and social science students, LKCSP at SMU represents an accessible pathway to Singapore’s business and finance ecosystem with a less competitive scholarship application compared to NUS and NTU equivalents.
Final Thoughts — Singapore Is Asia’s Greatest Academic Investment
Singapore in 2027 represents something genuinely unique: two top-15 global universities, one of Asia’s most productive research organizations (A*STAR), exceptional scholarship packages covering both tuition and living costs, and a post-graduation career market that is Asia’s most dynamic and internationally connected.
The SINGA PhD’s S$3,200/month stipend. The NTU Nanyang Scholarship’s full tuition plus S$6,500 annual allowance. The NPGS’s extraordinary S$3,500–S$4,000/month — one of Asia’s highest PhD stipends. The NUS International Scholarship’s comprehensive four-component package. The LKCSP’s exchange and global study mission.
Applications open year-round for SINGA. January–March for undergraduate scholarships. November–January for NPGS.
Study in Singapore. Choose your path. Your future begins here.
👉 SINGA Scholarship: singa.a-star.edu.sg 👉 NUS Scholarships: nus.edu.sg/admissions/scholarships 👉 NTU Scholarships: ntu.edu.sg/admissions/scholarships 👉 MOE Scholarships Singapore: moe.gov.sg/scholarships 👉 A*STAR Scholarships: a-star.edu.sg/scholarships
