Education to Singapore

(Last updated: 10 Oct 2007)

Trends and opportunities

The market

Singapore has four polytechnics, each offering different disciplines for students:

• Singapore Polytechnic offers a wide variety of courses in business, computing, engineering, technology, marine studies, multimedia and optometry. Its emphasis is on practical hands-on training
• Ngee Ann Polytechnic trains individuals for employment in industry and commerce at certificate, diploma and advanced diploma levels
• Temasek Polytechnic has schools of business, design, engineering, applied science and IT and also has a particular focus on continuing education
• Nanyang Polytechnic operates from five campuses, with schools of engineering (especially electronics engineering), business management (including risk and insurance management, accounting, banking and financial management), health sciences (including nursing, occupational therapy, diagnostic radiology and radiation therapy)

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) functions as a post-secondary institution. ITE offers a wide range of courses at its 10 technical institutes. These include full-time training and apprenticeship programmes in technical skills and business studies. Skills upgrading for workers are also carried out under the Continuing Education and Training (CET) programmes. This includes the Basic Education for Skills Training (BEST) programme, which allow workers who do not have sufficient education to take up basic literacy and numeracy skills before they enrol for technical skills courses.

There are three universities in Singapore:

• National University of Singapore (NUS) offers degree programmes in Arts and Social Sciences, Architecture, Building and Real Estate, Business Administration, Law, Science, Engineering, Medicine and Dentistry. Postgraduate studies are offered in all faculties.
  
  NUS has several advanced training and research institutes including: the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute of Microelectronics, Institute of Molecular Agrobiology, Institute of Engineering Science, Institute of Materials Research and Engineering and Kent Ridge Digital Labs.
  
  
• Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has six schools: Accountancy and Business, Applied Science, Civil and Structural Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical and Production Engineering, and Communication Studies.
  
  NTU offers a wide range of graduate programs, leading to Masters and Doctor of Philosophy degrees and postgraduate diplomas. It has developed niche areas in research in emerging fields of microelectronics and biomedical engineering. Other areas include microprocessor research and advanced manufacturing processes.
  
  
• Singapore Management University (SMU). In addition to core courses, students are able to choose from a wider range of subjects such as IT, law, political science, music and interpersonal dynamics.
  
  Singapore’s universities are making concerted efforts to excel in both education and research, in line with Singapore’s vision to build a knowledge-based economy. These universities have forged international alliances to strengthen their academic excellence.

NUS and NTU have restructured their fees to offer uniformity for all courses (except medicine and dentistry) and to attract more foreign students. Foreign students make up over 10 per cent of undergraduates and the Ministry of Education plans to raise it to 20 per cent.

Foreign students pay only 10 per cent more than Singaporeans. The restructuring of foreign student fees is part of the overall Singapore Government strategy to attract gifted, foreign students to Singapore and to develop the country into a world-class university education centre.

The demand for places at overseas tertiary institutions remains high despite Singapore's attempts to increase its own capacity to supply its tertiary education needs. The quality of Singapore’s education program and qualifications recognition remain key issues. The greatest demand is in:

• Undergraduate studies in business, computer science, accounting, engineering, information technology and mass communication
• Matriculation programs or foundation year studies
• Upgrading diploma qualifications to degree status from polytechnic graduates

There are also specialised institutions that offer research and professional training, primarily industry-focused. These include:

• Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
• SEAMEO Regional Language Centre 
• Lasalle-SIA College of the Arts 
• Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts 
• Singapore College of Insurance 
• National Maritime Academy 
• Singapore Hotel Association Training and Educational Centre
• Singapore Institute of Management

In addition, there are 13 international schools catering to the expatriate community in Singapore.

The Singapore Economic Development Board plans to promote at least 10 internationally renowned institutions to Singapore by 2010. It is proposed that the 10 institutions will focus on post-graduate education and research in disciplines ranging from business and management, logistics/supply chain management, medicine, healthcare management and engineering.

Opportunities

Singapore is aiming to become a knowledge-based economy, and there is an increasing demand for workers with degrees, diplomas or post secondary education. There is also a strong emphasis on professional development and skills upgrades. Non-traditional delivery methods are gaining in popularity to suit modern lifestyles and technological developments.

Opportunities for Australian institutions include:

• providing industry-based training programmes
• developing corporate training centres
• providing onshore and offshore programs for full fee paying students

Tariffs, regulations and customs

There is a three per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) applied on all imports and on the supply of goods and services in Singapore.

The Ministry of Education does not have a list of accredited overseas universities. There is also no central authority in Singapore that assesses or grants recognition for degrees obtained from overseas universities. Recognition of professional degrees, such as those in engineering, medicine, law, and accountancy is granted by the respective professional bodies.

The Ministry of Education administers the registration of private schools in Singapore running academic classes leading to GCE examinations, commercial/business studies, computer education, languages and fine arts.

Local organisations engaging in activities, such as representing overseas educational institutions offering their programmes of study, have to obtain the Ministry of Education’s permission to do so on a programme-by-programme basis.

Industry standards

The Singapore education system focuses on the development of human resources to meet Singapore’s need for an educated and skilled workforce. It also facilitates the promotion of sound moral values to serve as cultural ballast in the face of rapid progress and change.

The desired education outcome for each child is well defined by the Ministry of Education. Every child in Singapore undergoes at least 10 years of general education comprising of six years of primary education and four years of secondary education. On completion of their secondary education, they may opt to do a two-year pre-university course at a junior college, a three-year pre-university course at a centralised institute, or a polytechnic course.

The areas of literacy, numeracy, bilingualism, physical and moral education, and creative and independent thinking are emphasised by the education system. The bilingual policy requires that each child be proficient in English, which is the language of commerce, technology and administration, and his/her native dialect.

The Ministry of Education covers in detail, the structure of each education level of a Singapore student.

Marketing your products and services

Market entry

Market entry and promotion strategies in Singapore vary according to specific education sectors. Common strategies include:

• participating in the ‘Study in Australia’ exhibition or other industry exhibitions
• targeting establishing partnerships with local institutions to jointly offer programmes
• appointing local agents
• regular visits to support agents
• individual institution seminars
• offering scholarships
• creating active alumni groups
• word of mouth promotions
• regular advertising in general and specialist articles

Austrade Singapore organises the annual ‘Study in Australia’ education exhibition. This is an effective promotion method for attracting full fee paying students. In addition, our Services Business Development Manager can tailor specific market entry strategies for individual Australian education exporters, in particular, for those providers who are seeking to diversify their exports into areas such as corporate training.

Links and industry contacts

Government, business and trade resources for Singapore

Ministry of Education - www.moe.edu.sg
Australian Chamber of Commerce- www.austcham.org.sg

Universities

National University of Singapore - www.nus.edu.sg
Nanyang Technological University - www.ntu.edu.sg/index_lo.htm
Singapore Management University - www.smu.edu.sg

Polytechnics

Singapore Polytechnic - www.sp.edu.sg/aboutsp_welcome.htm
Ngee Ann Polytechnic - www.np.edu.sg/home/about_np.html
Temasek Polytechnic - www.tp.edu.sg
Nanyang Polytechnic - www.nyp.edu.sg/welcome.html

Specialised institutions

Institute of Technical Education (ITE) - www.ite.edu.sg
Institute of Southeast Asian Studies - www.iseas.edu.sg
SEAMEO Regional Language Centre - www.rihed.seameo.org/Organization/organization.html
Lasalle-SIA College of the Arts - www.lasallesia.edu.sg
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts - www.nafa.edu.sg
Singapore College of Insurance - www.scicollege.org.sg
National Maritime Academy - www.sma.sp.edu.sg
Singapore Hotel And Tourism Education Centre (SHATEC) - www.sha.org.sg
Singapore Institute of Management - www.sim.edu.sg

Media

Business Times - www.business-times.asia1.com.sg/home
Asiaone - www.asia1.com.sg

Australian resources

Study in Australia – http://studyinaustralia.gov.au