Singapore Scholarships for International Students 2026 – Government and University Awards
Singapore Has World-Class Universities and It Is Actively Recruiting International Students With Scholarship Money
Singapore is a city-state of 5.8 million people with two universities that consistently rank in the top 15 in the world. It is the financial, logistics, and technology hub of Southeast Asia. English is an official language. Its safety record is exceptional. And its government has made a deliberate strategic investment in attracting international students, not just regionally but globally.
Most students from Africa, South Asia, and Latin America never consider Singapore when building their scholarship application lists. The focus tends to stay on the English-speaking major economies. That oversight leaves a genuinely competitive scholarship landscape far less crowded than it should be.
This guide covers the best Singapore scholarships for international students in 2026, from the flagship ASEAN Scholarship to NUS and NTU university awards, covering eligibility, financial packages, application processes, and the reality of student life in one of the world’s most efficient and vibrant cities.
Why Singapore Is Worth Serious Consideration as a Study Destination
Academic excellence at a global level: The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) are not regionally ranked institutions. NUS regularly places between 8th and 12th globally in the QS World University Rankings, making it one of the top ten universities in the world by most metrics. NTU sits in a similar range. These are genuine world-class institutions with research output and faculty quality that rivals Oxford, MIT, and ETH Zurich.
English as the working language: All instruction at Singapore’s major universities is in English. There are no language barriers equivalent to those in German, Japanese, or Chinese programmes.
Geographic location: Singapore’s position at the centre of Southeast Asia makes it a hub for professionals and academics from across the region. The networks you build at NUS or NTU connect you to one of the world’s most dynamic economic zones.
Post-graduation opportunities: Singapore has a strong demand for skilled graduates across technology, finance, healthcare, and research. International graduates from Singapore universities are actively recruited by the world’s leading employers who maintain significant regional presences there.
Safety and infrastructure: Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world. Its public transport, healthcare, housing, and urban infrastructure are among the best in Asia.
The ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship
The ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship is funded by the Singapore government and available to citizens of ASEAN member countries, which include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
For students from ASEAN countries, this scholarship provides:
- Full tuition fees at NUS, NTU, or Singapore Management University (SMU)
- Annual living allowance
- One-time settling-in allowance
- Subsidised accommodation in university halls
- Return economy airfare once per academic year
The ASEAN Scholarship is one of the most accessible fully funded undergraduate opportunities for Southeast Asian students and is considerably less competitive than equivalent awards at UK or US universities.
Singapore Government Scholarships for Non-ASEAN Students
For students from outside ASEAN, the Singapore government offers several scholarship pathways through different agencies and universities:
Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)
The Singapore International Graduate Award is a fully funded PhD scholarship for international students from any country. It is jointly administered by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), NUS, NTU, and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).
What SINGA covers:
- Full tuition fees at the host institution for the duration of the PhD
- Monthly stipend of SGD 2,000 per month during the candidacy period, increasing to SGD 2,500 after passing the qualifying examination
- One-time airfare grant
- One-time settling-in allowance
SINGA is one of the most important scholarships for international PhD students in STEM fields. Its focus is on science, engineering, biomedical sciences, and computational biology. Applications are accepted twice yearly.
A*STAR Graduate Scholarship
For PhD students interested in research at Singapore’s government research institutes rather than exclusively at universities, the A*STAR Graduate Scholarship provides full funding for PhD research conducted across A*STAR’s network of research institutes. It covers tuition, a monthly stipend, and a research allowance.
National University of Singapore (NUS) Scholarships
NUS is one of the most scholarship-active universities in Asia for international students. Its main scholarship categories for international applicants include:
NUS Research Scholarships
For master’s by research and PhD students, NUS offers Research Scholarships that cover full tuition fees and provide a monthly stipend of approximately SGD 2,000 to 3,200 depending on the research programme. International students are eligible and the scholarship is awarded through the graduate admissions process.
NUS Graduate Scholarships for ASEAN Nationals
For master’s and PhD students who are citizens of ASEAN countries, NUS offers specific scholarship packages as part of the government’s broader ASEAN scholarship framework.
NUS Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students
NUS offers merit-based scholarship categories for outstanding international undergraduate students admitted to its programmes. These include the NUS Science and Technology Undergraduate Scholarship and departmental merit awards at faculties including Engineering, Business, Law, and Computing.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Scholarships
NTU Research Scholarships
NTU offers Research Scholarships for international graduate students pursuing master’s by research or PhD programmes. Coverage is similar to NUS: full tuition plus a monthly stipend. NTU’s particular strengths in materials science, electrical engineering, environmental science, and business administration make it a strong destination for graduate researchers in these fields.
Nanyang Scholarship
The Nanyang Scholarship is NTU’s flagship undergraduate merit award. It covers full tuition fees and a monthly allowance and is available to outstanding international students admitted to NTU’s bachelor’s degree programmes.
CN Yang Scholars Programme
For exceptionally high-achieving undergraduate students, NTU’s CN Yang Scholars Programme combines a full scholarship with a specially designed interdisciplinary academic curriculum, research opportunities, and leadership development. Places are extremely limited and competition is intense.
Singapore Management University (SMU) Scholarships
SMU, Singapore’s business and social sciences university, offers the SMU Global Impact Scholarship Award (GISA) for outstanding international undergraduates. The award covers full tuition, annual living allowance, accommodation, return airfare, and a laptop allowance. It is one of the most comprehensive university scholarships offered by any business school in Asia.
How to Apply for Singapore Scholarships as an International Student
Identify Which Scholarship You Are Eligible For
Start by establishing your eligibility clearly. ASEAN scholarships are for ASEAN nationals only. SINGA is open to all nationalities for PhD research. University undergraduate scholarships have country-specific policies that vary. Check each scholarship’s official page for the current eligibility criteria.
Apply for University Admission First
Most NUS and NTU scholarship considerations are triggered automatically through the admission application. You apply for your degree programme, and the university scholarship office reviews your application for scholarship eligibility simultaneously. Submit your admission application to the right deadlines.
Prepare Strong Academic Documentation
Singapore’s top universities are genuinely selective. Academic performance matters significantly here. For NUS and NTU undergraduate admissions, competitive applicants typically have results in the top decile of their national examination cohorts. For graduate research scholarships, a strong academic record and ideally some research experience or publications are beneficial.
Write a Compelling Research Proposal for Graduate Awards
For SINGA, A*STAR, and graduate research scholarships, a focused and specific research proposal is essential. Identify a research problem within your field that aligns with the research interests of a specific NUS, NTU, or A*STAR research group, and write a proposal that demonstrates awareness of existing work and a credible methodology for advancing it.
Contact Potential Supervisors
For research degree scholarships, making contact with a specific faculty member whose research interests align with yours before submitting your formal application significantly improves your chances. A supervisor who wants you in their group will often advocate for your scholarship allocation within the faculty.
Living in Singapore as an International Student
Singapore is an exceptionally well-organised city and a safe, comfortable place to live. The practical realities of student life include:
Cost of living: Singapore is one of the most expensive cities in Asia. Without a scholarship covering accommodation and living costs, self-funding a Singapore education would be very challenging. Scholarship stipends are calculated to cover basic student living expenses and most scholarship students manage their finances comfortably.
Accommodation: Most Singapore universities have on-campus residential halls. Priority is typically given to scholarship holders and international students. Hall life in Singapore is an important part of the social experience and the scholarship networks you build there are professionally valuable.
Culture and diversity: Singapore is one of the world’s most multicultural cities. Chinese, Malay, Indian, and international communities live and work side by side. The food scene is extraordinary and globally celebrated.
Frequently Asked Questions About Singapore Scholarships 2026
Can students from Nigeria or Ghana apply for Singapore scholarships?
Yes. SINGA and NUS or NTU graduate research scholarships are open to applicants from any country, including Nigeria and Ghana. Undergraduate scholarships for non-ASEAN students are more limited but some exist, particularly at NUS and SMU.
Is it hard to get into NUS or NTU as an international student?
Both universities are highly selective globally. International applicants need strong academic records and in many cases competitive examination scores. For graduate research programmes, demonstrating research experience or potential is more important than grades alone.
How much does a Singapore scholarship stipend cover?
Monthly stipends for Singapore research scholarships range from SGD 2,000 to 3,200. Combined with subsidised accommodation and no tuition payments, this is generally sufficient to live comfortably as a student, though Singapore’s cost of living leaves little surplus for savings.
Does NUS or NTU offer scholarships for master’s coursework programmes?
Scholarships for taught master’s programmes at NUS and NTU are more limited than for research degrees. Check each school’s specific scholarship pages, as some faculties offer partial awards for outstanding international taught master’s students.
Singapore Does Not Need to Advertise. Its Rankings Speak for Themselves. Does Your Application?
A degree from NUS or NTU opens doors globally, not just regionally. The scholarship infrastructure that supports international students at these institutions is genuine and accessible to applicants who meet the academic requirements.
The pool of applicants from Africa, Latin America, and non-ASEAN Asia is smaller than for equivalent UK or US scholarships, which means well-prepared international candidates from these regions stand out.
