In short, education in Singapore is a great opportunity to get an impeccable ticket to the future. In this country, the level of education corresponds to the British, while it is not so difficult for a foreigner to enter. The modern system is supplemented with the latest materials, information technology is actively used in the work process, and graduates of Singaporean universities find work in the best and largest corporations in the world.
general information
As mentioned briefly above, the education system in Singapore is fully consistent with the requirements and wishes of a modern person. The country first became a popular tourist destination, then began to actively develop the scientific sphere and aspects of education, so in recent years there have been significantly more applicants. Most often, foreign citizens come to learn Chinese, English. The third popular area is higher education.
All universities in Singapore offer an excellent academic base. The most advanced areas are international entrepreneurship, mathematics, and management. Attractive offers in the field of natural sciences. A foreign citizen can act only when he has the means to pay for tuition, while the cost is lower than the cost of education in England. This is especially attractive if you recall that the current educational system of the country completely copies the British.
Interesting to know
Choosing what kind of education in Singapore to get in order to secure an impeccable future, it is worth considering that a high level of quality is available to students at minimal cost. It is not necessary to go to a local university. The country has a huge number of branches of famous American universities, British and European educational institutions. The price tag for educational services in them is much less than in the country where the university is located, but the standards and program are the same. For a foreign student, such opportunities can save, having received an impeccable set of knowledge and an excellent diploma, with which a person will become a serious contender for the best positions in the most successful companies.
How is everything arranged?
When planning to come here for training, you first need to familiarize yourself with the current system. Primary education in Singapore has been practiced since the age of six. At the first stage of the school, children study until they reach the age of twelve. The next stage is the middle one, until reaching the age of 17. Primary education is compulsory for all, for which there is almost no need to pay. The price tag is standard - 13 US dollars. This amount is spent on the organizational aspects of the workflow. If you compare Singaporean entry-level educational institutions and domestic, you can see that there is a key difference. We have common standards that everyone is forced to obey, without exception, but in the Asian state, the individual level of development of a particular student comes to the fore.
A distinctive feature of education in Singapore in primary school is separation after the fourth grade. At the same time, they take into account the level of skills, possession of information by different students, as well as the inherent interests of the individual. The division into groups is carried out when assessing the intensity of education available for a particular child. In such groups, children study until the sixth grade, following which they pass the standard exam, which allows them to transfer to the next educational institution. The results of the exam determine the continuation of training, specialization and activity of the presentation of material.
Next level
The next feature of education in Singapore is a four-year high school. After completing this period, students must pass the exam. According to its results, successful graduates are given a certificate, which is the basis for university studies. If the results are average, then they will issue a document allowing them to go further to the secondary special educational institution. With certain exam results, the final paper will be a pass to the technical school. Level H indicates a satisfactory level of knowledge gained, the average is document O, and the best are given A.
Highest level
Higher education in Singapore is the step in obtaining education that most attracts foreign nationals. Local residents who received an O certificate on the basis of secondary education have the right to unlearn for a couple of years, receive additional training and pass an exam confirming the level of knowledge of A. The results of this exam will be the basis for admission to a higher institution. Those who do not want to spend several years can immediately apply to the technical institute. They study in it for a couple of years, after which they receive a confirmation diploma valid within the country.
Undergraduate studies at Singaporean institutions last for three years, and graduate studies for one year. The system, as you can see, is very close to English. But the cost is very different - for the year you need to pay about three thousand US dollars, while in England - at least nine thousand pounds. However, the rates in Singapore are highly dependent on the specialization and the chosen institution.
I want to learn!
To test the educational system in Singapore and its features, to become a member, you must comply with all the conditions for admission. A foreigner must first go through a preparatory program lasting three quarters of a year. During this time, graduates are preparing for entry. It is necessary to tighten the level of language proficiency, to master important academic subjects to the standard level accepted in the country. During the preparatory program, students are taught to write term papers, essays. Applicants are preparing to pass the international exam, confirming English proficiency. Another important discipline is critical thinking.
In order for a foreigner to study at a higher educational institution in Singapore, he must have a certificate of successful completion of the preparatory program, a certificate confirming that he has received a secondary education. The results of the international language exam must be more than six points. For those planning to study at the magistracy, the minimum border is 6.5 points.
Main advantages
If you can get a technical, higher, musical education in Singapore, do not miss this chance. Local educational institutions have programs in English, so almost any potential student who knows this international language can easily cope with the program. Among our compatriots there are not very many who can speak Chinese (the national language of the state) fluently, so the possibility of studying in English greatly expands the prospects. When choosing from countries where there are programs in English, Singapore always pay special attention due to the wide variety of offers and directions.
Education is high-quality, and diplomas and certificates are quoted all over the planet. Local higher education institutions traditionally occupy one of the first lines of international ratings. National University and Nanyang Technological University are especially appreciated. Both of them are included in the top twenty on the planet. At the same time, the cost of training in these institutions is much lower than that of most others included in the same rating.
Opportunities for the future: for everyone
If you become a member of the education system in Singapore, you can get an excellent level of knowledge that meets all modern standards. In this case, the student will have access to a huge variety of subjects. There are many programs, approaches, training options. Those who wish can study according to the standard scheme, receiving a bachelor’s diploma for three years, then achieving a master’s level for another year. If this is not attractive, you can choose an alternative "pass-through" option. Those who wish have the opportunity to reduce the training time by choosing the most intensive option. This is true if a person has limited means and wants to save. Studying intensively, you can defend a diploma in the shortest possible time and get a highly paid place in a prestigious company.
When planning your education in Singapore, you need to immediately determine for yourself your goals and opportunities. For example, while studying at a local university, while already having the first specialty, the second can be obtained not as an additional, but absolutely fully. You can get a double diploma if you simultaneously enter a state university and a private institution that cooperate with each other. If you wish, you can go to study in another institution for a semester as an exchange student.
Clear and accessible
Among the main advantages of obtaining an education in Singapore, it is worth noting the transparency of the enrollment process. Establish requirements for all comers in advance. A person can adequately assess his own level and form a preparatory program, which will be enough for him to be enrolled. Information regarding the admission procedure is presented on the personal websites of educational institutions. If you have any questions, you can contact the administration or representative of the university, who will certainly provide full detailed information, answer any questions. Customer focus is one of the important positive features of Singaporean educational institutions at all levels.
About the environment
When planning your studies in Singapore, you should not be afraid of a language barrier. Since the country is bilingual, an average of 75% of local residents are able to speak English. Consequently, the student does not expect any everyday difficulties of the applicant. Life in this country provides excellent opportunities for studying the base of Chinese, which is considered to be one of the most popular in the modern world.
There are two other official languages in Singapore - Tamil, Malay. Both are rare. If a person is able to speak such dialects, he has excellent job opportunities. Knowledge of these languages is considered a strong competitive advantage for those who wish to stay here to work after graduating in Singapore. Since the training period allows you to contact the speakers of these dialects, you can get an idea of the languages, understand how complex they are for a particular person, and learn to speak them if this seems like an important quality.
Are there any downsides?
It was not without drawbacks, but such training is in any country. In particular, there is no such great practice as provided by the Dutch educational programs, many English. Most courses include practice as an optional supplement, and some do not. An educational institution can offer an internship, while the student must submit an application to the company he likes in a timely manner. This needs to be done in six months, and sometimes even earlier, and the competition is very large.
Money or study?
Another disadvantage is the disapproval of off-campus labor. The laws allow part-time work, but most job offers are on campus. If a person tries to find a job on his own, there is a chance of disapproval from the institution of the chosen place. It is believed that a person should take advantage of all available knowledge gained in the learning process, while making money fades into the background. If the administrative staff considers that the selected job does not allow to improve their competence in the specialty in which the person is studying, there will be no approval, therefore, getting a job will not work.
Not so simple: problems of admission
Another subtle point is high competition. A limited number of places are allocated for foreign citizens, and there are usually more willing people than opportunities. Local citizens are also interested in higher education, and authorities are developing various measures to maintain domestic interest. This allows you to increase the number of high-level professionals among local residents.
It is impossible for a Russian citizen to attend training immediately after the school program. Previously, you need to go through additional preparatory educational stages. It also creates certain obstacles, making Singaporean universities accessible only to the elite.