Best Singapore Scholarships in 2025
Singapore is a leading global education hub, known for its exceptional universities, multicultural environment, and focus on research and innovation. Studying in Singapore opens doors to high-quality education and global career opportunities, yet for many international students, affording it can be a concern. Fortunately, there are several prestigious scholarships available that make studying in Singapore achievable. This guide covers the top scholarships for 2025, eligibility requirements, benefits, and how Eclave can support you throughout your application journey.
1. Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)
- Overview: SINGA is a government-backed scholarship program aimed at international students pursuing Ph.D. programs in the fields of science, engineering, and technology. Offered by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in collaboration with Singapore’s leading universities, SINGA attracts students to join research-based Ph.D. programs in world-renowned institutions.
- Eligibility: Open to international graduates with a passion for research and an excellent academic record. Proficiency in English is required, and GRE scores may be requested by some programs.
- Application Process: Applications are accepted online via the SINGA portal, with deadlines in December and June. Applicants must submit academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a research proposal.
- Benefits: Full tuition fees, a monthly stipend of SGD 2,200 (increasing to SGD 2,700 after passing the qualifying exam), and support for travel expenses.
2. Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship (NPGS)
- Overview: NPGS is one of the most prestigious scholarships offered by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) for students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. program in any discipline. The scholarship supports outstanding students with a strong academic and research background.
- Eligibility: Open to top graduates with a passion for research. A first-class bachelor’s or equivalent degree is typically required.
- Application Process: Candidates must apply to a Ph.D. program at NTU and submit the scholarship application through the NTU Graduate Admissions portal. Applications are usually due in November for the following year’s intake.
- Benefits: Full tuition waiver, a monthly stipend of SGD 3,000, conference funding of up to SGD 4,000, and an annual grant of SGD 500 for professional development.
3. Lee Kong Chian Graduate Scholarship (National University of Singapore)
- Overview: Offered by the National University of Singapore (NUS), this scholarship is one of the most competitive scholarships in Singapore, supporting students across various Ph.D. programs.
- Eligibility: Open to students worldwide. Applicants should demonstrate academic excellence, strong leadership potential, and a commitment to community service.
- Application Process: Applications are submitted alongside a Ph.D. application to NUS. Candidates may need to provide a personal statement, references, and evidence of extracurricular involvement.
- Benefits: Full tuition fees, a monthly stipend of SGD 3,300, annual book allowance, conference funding, and travel allowances.
4. ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship (AUS)
- Overview: This scholarship is available to outstanding ASEAN students (excluding Singapore citizens) who wish to pursue undergraduate studies in Singapore at NUS, NTU, or Singapore Management University (SMU). The AUS recognizes the potential of young students from the ASEAN region.
- Eligibility: Open to ASEAN nationals (excluding Singapore). Applicants should have excellent academic records and demonstrate strong leadership qualities.
- Application Process: No separate application is required, as students are automatically considered based on their university application. Admission deadlines vary by institution but generally fall between December and February.
- Benefits: Full tuition fees and a living allowance of SGD 5,800 per academic year.
5. Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) Global Excellence Scholarship
- Overview: The Global Excellence Scholarship at SUTD is awarded to high-caliber international undergraduate students who show outstanding academic results and leadership potential.
- Eligibility: Open to all international students applying to an undergraduate program at SUTD, with excellent academic and extracurricular achievements.
- Application Process: Scholarship application is integrated with the undergraduate admission application to SUTD. Applicants are encouraged to submit strong academic results, a personal statement, and a record of extracurricular activities.
- Benefits: Covers full tuition fees and provides a one-time grant of SGD 1,000 for study-related expenses, with additional support for conference participation.
6. MOE Tuition Grant Scheme
- Overview: The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Singapore offers tuition grants to help reduce the cost of education for international students studying at Singaporean universities. Students who accept the grant commit to working in a Singapore-registered company for three years after graduation.
- Eligibility: Open to all international students. No additional academic qualifications are required beyond admission to a participating university.
- Application Process: Students apply for the grant upon receiving admission offers, typically in August or September. They must attend a briefing and sign an agreement to serve the work bond post-graduation.
- Benefits: The grant covers a significant portion of tuition fees, reducing costs by approximately 50% for most programs.
7. INSEAD-Syngenta MBA Scholarships for Developing Country Leaders
- Overview: INSEAD, one of the world’s top business schools with a campus in Singapore, offers this scholarship to MBA students from developing countries. The scholarship is aimed at students who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to making a positive impact in their home countries.
- Eligibility: Applicants should be from a developing country, have relevant work experience, and exhibit leadership potential.
- Application Process: Students apply through the INSEAD scholarship portal, submitting a personal essay, references, and evidence of leadership experience. Applications are typically open until December.
- Benefits: Provides €22,500 to €45,000 to cover part of the MBA tuition, based on the financial need and profile of the applicant.
8. Singapore Millennium Foundation Scholarship
- Overview: This scholarship, funded by the Temasek Foundation, supports international and local students in advanced research in areas like life sciences, engineering, and computer science.
- Eligibility: Open to both local and international students enrolled in a master’s or Ph.D. program. Candidates are expected to have a strong academic background and research potential.
- Application Process: Candidates are nominated by their respective universities, and applications are submitted through university channels.
- Benefits: Full tuition waiver and a research stipend to cover additional expenses related to the program.
9. SMART Graduate Fellowship (Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology)
- Overview: The SMART Fellowship is a prestigious program jointly run by Singapore’s universities and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), supporting Ph.D. students involved in collaborative research across disciplines like technology, biology, and environmental science.
- Eligibility: Open to international students interested in conducting research under the SMART program. Candidates should have a strong academic background and a demonstrated commitment to research.
- Application Process: Students apply through SMART’s application portal and must submit research proposals, letters of recommendation, and academic transcripts.
- Benefits: Covers full tuition fees, a monthly stipend, and opportunities to work on collaborative projects with leading MIT and Singapore researchers.
Conclusion: How Eclave Can Support Your Scholarship Journey in Singapore
Applying for scholarships in Singapore can be complex, with each program having unique requirements and timelines. At Eclave, we provide tailored support to guide you through every step of the scholarship application process. Our expert consultants help you select suitable scholarships, prepare compelling applications, and submit all required documents on time.
Whether you’re pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Singapore, Eclave is here to ensure you have the support you need to make your educational dreams a reality. Contact us today to begin your journey to a scholarship-supported education in Singapore!