The Education System in Singapore - Options of Expats Children
Singapore Education System
Education has always been one of the pillars of Singapore society.
As a nation whose only resource is its people, education in Singapore is taken very seriously. Singapore has a very strong education system. It is assuring to know that the quality of schooling here is among the best in the world. Singapore has many good schools with capable leaders and teachers. Students aim high to achieve good results and the schools prepare the next generation for the future. A future that bring many opportunities especially in Asia.
Among the key strengths of Singapore education system is the bilingual policy. The main medium of teaching in schools is English, but all students learn an official Mother Tongue Language.
Education has always been one of the pillars of Singapore society.
As a nation whose only resource is its people, education in Singapore is taken very seriously. Singapore has a very strong education system. It is assuring to know that the quality of schooling here is among the best in the world. Singapore has many good schools with capable leaders and teachers. Students aim high to achieve good results and the schools prepare the next generation for the future. A future that bring many opportunities especially in Asia.
Among the key strengths of Singapore education system is the bilingual policy. The main medium of teaching in schools is English, but all students learn an official Mother Tongue Language.
Education Options for Expats Children in Singapore
Foreign-System and Private Schools
While Singapore’s public school system is comprehensive and upholds high standards, expats can also choose to send their children to private or foreign-system schools.
There are more than 30 foreign-system (or international) schools in Singapore. Such schools may offer an education pathway and curriculum that are similar to those in your home country. This is especially beneficial if your children have been educated in a language other than English. Each school has its own admission criteria.
A list of International Schools in Singapore can be found here.
A recent development on the local school scene was the establishment of international schools by three of Singapore’s top schools -
While Singapore’s public school system is comprehensive and upholds high standards, expats can also choose to send their children to private or foreign-system schools.
There are more than 30 foreign-system (or international) schools in Singapore. Such schools may offer an education pathway and curriculum that are similar to those in your home country. This is especially beneficial if your children have been educated in a language other than English. Each school has its own admission criteria.
A list of International Schools in Singapore can be found here.
A recent development on the local school scene was the establishment of international schools by three of Singapore’s top schools -
- ACS International,
- Hwa Chong International and
- SJI International.
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Singapore Public Schools System
The above picture shows Singapore local school system. There are four levels of education.
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Pre-Schools and Kindergartens
Many parents in Singapore introduce their children to formal or partial education from a very young age. You will find a slew of centres catering to pre-school education, either by session or tied in with childcare services – often a necessity for households with two working parents.
Many parents in Singapore introduce their children to formal or partial education from a very young age. You will find a slew of centres catering to pre-school education, either by session or tied in with childcare services – often a necessity for households with two working parents.
Primary Level
For 7-12 years old.
6 years to complete.
All students follow a broad-based mainstream curriculum. Some schools offer niche programmes like sports or aesthetics.
Secondary Level
For 13-16 years old.
4-5 years to complete.
Students are placed into Express (4 years), Normal (5 years Academic), Normal (5 years Technical) course according to how they performed in PSLE. Students will sit for either GCE 'O' Level for express course or GCE 'N' Level for normal course.
Integrated Programme (4-6 years) combines the secondary and post secondary education without an intermediary national examination. Students will sit for the GCE 'A' Level examination.
Some school offer Specialized Programme (4-6 years) for talented students in sports, music, art, science, math. Students will sit for GCE 'O' Level and alternative qualifications.
Post Secondary Level
For 16-19 years old.
1-3 years to complete
ITE (1-2 years)
For students who have completed GCE 'O' or 'N' Level. ITE ensures graduates have the technical knowledge and skills that are relevant to the industry. Students who do well will be able to proceed to the polytechnics for diploma programmes. Qualified candidates may also subsequently progress to the universities.
Polytechnics (3 years)
Polytechnics seek to train students with relevant and specific skills for the workplace to give Singapore a competitive edge as we move into a knowledge-based economy. Polytechnic graduates with good grades have the opportunity to pursue tertiary education at the universities. There are currently 5 polytechnics in Singapore.
Junior College (2-3 years)
For students who are academically inclined and have the necessary GCE ‘O’ Level qualifications. JCs offer a 2-year junior college/3-year centralised institute pre-university course leading to the GCE ‘A’ Level examination.
The local school year consist of 4 10-week terms beginning on 2nd January of each year. There is a one-week vacation in March & September every year after the 1st and 3rd term. There is also a 4-weeks vacation at mid-year (June) and a 6-weeks vacation at year end (November).
English is the medium of education in Singapore but one of the unique competitive advantages of the nation’s education system is its bilingual policy. In addition to learning English, students study their mother tongue at school, namely Malay, Mandarin or Tamil. This reinforces Singapore’s cosmopolitan position in the heart of Asia and entrenches the students in their cultural heritage.
Singapore’s public schools are becoming increasingly popular with foreigners due to their high standards. Most primary schools, secondary schools and junior colleges accept international students. MOE conducts an annual admissions exercise during September/October for new international students who wish to join public schools.
Over the years, Singapore’s education system has grown in diversity and depth. Today, there is a wide variety of educational pathways available, to meet individual needs and talents. These include the Singapore Sports School, School of the Arts and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.
International students who wish to study in a Singapore public school need to apply for a Student’s Pass unless they hold a Dependant’s Pass or an Immigration Exemption Order.
Higher Education
For 20-23 years old.
3-4 years to complete.
For 7-12 years old.
6 years to complete.
All students follow a broad-based mainstream curriculum. Some schools offer niche programmes like sports or aesthetics.
Secondary Level
For 13-16 years old.
4-5 years to complete.
Students are placed into Express (4 years), Normal (5 years Academic), Normal (5 years Technical) course according to how they performed in PSLE. Students will sit for either GCE 'O' Level for express course or GCE 'N' Level for normal course.
Integrated Programme (4-6 years) combines the secondary and post secondary education without an intermediary national examination. Students will sit for the GCE 'A' Level examination.
Some school offer Specialized Programme (4-6 years) for talented students in sports, music, art, science, math. Students will sit for GCE 'O' Level and alternative qualifications.
Post Secondary Level
For 16-19 years old.
1-3 years to complete
ITE (1-2 years)
For students who have completed GCE 'O' or 'N' Level. ITE ensures graduates have the technical knowledge and skills that are relevant to the industry. Students who do well will be able to proceed to the polytechnics for diploma programmes. Qualified candidates may also subsequently progress to the universities.
Polytechnics (3 years)
Polytechnics seek to train students with relevant and specific skills for the workplace to give Singapore a competitive edge as we move into a knowledge-based economy. Polytechnic graduates with good grades have the opportunity to pursue tertiary education at the universities. There are currently 5 polytechnics in Singapore.
Junior College (2-3 years)
For students who are academically inclined and have the necessary GCE ‘O’ Level qualifications. JCs offer a 2-year junior college/3-year centralised institute pre-university course leading to the GCE ‘A’ Level examination.
The local school year consist of 4 10-week terms beginning on 2nd January of each year. There is a one-week vacation in March & September every year after the 1st and 3rd term. There is also a 4-weeks vacation at mid-year (June) and a 6-weeks vacation at year end (November).
English is the medium of education in Singapore but one of the unique competitive advantages of the nation’s education system is its bilingual policy. In addition to learning English, students study their mother tongue at school, namely Malay, Mandarin or Tamil. This reinforces Singapore’s cosmopolitan position in the heart of Asia and entrenches the students in their cultural heritage.
Singapore’s public schools are becoming increasingly popular with foreigners due to their high standards. Most primary schools, secondary schools and junior colleges accept international students. MOE conducts an annual admissions exercise during September/October for new international students who wish to join public schools.
Over the years, Singapore’s education system has grown in diversity and depth. Today, there is a wide variety of educational pathways available, to meet individual needs and talents. These include the Singapore Sports School, School of the Arts and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.
International students who wish to study in a Singapore public school need to apply for a Student’s Pass unless they hold a Dependant’s Pass or an Immigration Exemption Order.
Higher Education
For 20-23 years old.
3-4 years to complete.
Institutes of Higher Learning Singapore currently has four autonomous universities. They are the
A graduate medical school, Duke-NUS was also created through a partnership between Duke University School of Medicine and NUS to increase Singapore’s capacity to develop a vibrant biomedical hub.
Specialised institutions have also sprung up, both local and international. For instance, well-known business schools
In addition, polytechnics were also set up to train middle-level professionals, and the Institute of Technical Education was established as a post-secondary technical institution of excellence.
You may also choose to send your children to one of the over 300 private education institutions in Singapore. Private schools offer a large variety of courses, including language and professional programmes. When choosing a private school, do make sure it has proper accreditation. The CaseTrust for Education and Singapore Quality Class for Private Education Organisations are two hallmarks of quality implemented in Singapore.
- National University of Singapore (NUS),
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU),
- Singapore Management University (SMU), and
- Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).
- Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore,
A graduate medical school, Duke-NUS was also created through a partnership between Duke University School of Medicine and NUS to increase Singapore’s capacity to develop a vibrant biomedical hub.
Specialised institutions have also sprung up, both local and international. For instance, well-known business schools
- INSEAD,
- LASALLE College of the Arts and
- Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) provide specialised education in the arts, the
- Digipen Institute of Technology focuses on world-class technology education.
In addition, polytechnics were also set up to train middle-level professionals, and the Institute of Technical Education was established as a post-secondary technical institution of excellence.
You may also choose to send your children to one of the over 300 private education institutions in Singapore. Private schools offer a large variety of courses, including language and professional programmes. When choosing a private school, do make sure it has proper accreditation. The CaseTrust for Education and Singapore Quality Class for Private Education Organisations are two hallmarks of quality implemented in Singapore.
Special Needs Schools
Children with special needs obtain special education in Special Education (SPED) schools, run by Voluntary Welfare Organisations and funded by MOE and the National Council of Social Service, or other private and international schools.
SPED schools offer differentiated programmes for children who are unable to attend mainstream schooling. The curriculum aims to help these children become independent, self-sufficient and contributing members of society. Apart from classroom learning, the students also receive additional support from paramedical professionals.
Children with special needs obtain special education in Special Education (SPED) schools, run by Voluntary Welfare Organisations and funded by MOE and the National Council of Social Service, or other private and international schools.
SPED schools offer differentiated programmes for children who are unable to attend mainstream schooling. The curriculum aims to help these children become independent, self-sufficient and contributing members of society. Apart from classroom learning, the students also receive additional support from paramedical professionals.
