Singapore’s government education system offers students diverse pathways for further education, essentially delivering the idea that “all roads lead to Rome”. In addition, Singapore hosts numerous international schools from around the world, boasting abundant educational resources. Coupled with low crime rates and a friendly accompanying-parent visa policy, Singapore has become a top overseas study destination for Chinese students and parents. Both government schools and international schools have their unique appeal and strengths. There is no absolute best option — only the most suitable one.

1. Admission Requirements

Government Schools: Overall, admission to government schools is relatively challenging for foreign students. Only students entering Primary 1 are exempt from entrance examinations. Parents need to submit an expression of interest to Singapore’s Ministry of Education roughly six months in the year before enrolment. Successful applicants will be randomly allocated to government primary schools with available vacancies.

Foreign students aged between Primary 2 to Primary 5 and Secondary 1 to Secondary 3 who wish to study in Singapore government schools must sit the AEIS (Admissions Exercise for International Students) or S-AEIS (Supplementary Admissions Exercise for International Students). The exam mainly assesses students’ English and Mathematics proficiency. Students with weak English foundations have a low chance of passing without systematic training.

Upon passing AEIS or S-AEIS, students will receive an offer and be assigned to a designated school. Important note: the school allocation result cannot be appealed, and re-selection of schools is not permitted.

International Schools: Admission applications for Singapore international schools depend on the student’s age, and requirements vary across institutions. Generally, applications for kindergarten are straightforward, and vacancies are usually available with complete documentation. However, top-tier popular international schools impose requirements on both students and family backgrounds, with long waiting lists.

For upper primary and secondary levels, admission standards for most international schools rise significantly. Schools typically administer their in-house assessments such as Aptis or CAT4. A student interview follows the test, which places high demands on the student’s communication skills.

2. Tuition Fees

Government Schools: According to 2023 data from Singapore’s Ministry of Education, non-ASEAN international students pay S$875 per month for government primary school, S$1,750 per month for government secondary school, and S$2,100 per month for junior college.

International Schools: Tuition fees for international schools are considerably higher, ranging from S$20,000 to S$50,000 per year, equivalent to around 200,000 RMB annually on average. Besides tuition, schools usually charge one-off registration fees, application fees, campus development fees and other levies.

3. Campus Culture

Government Schools: Most teachers and students at Singapore government schools are local citizens, and the Chinese-speaking environment is relatively welcoming. Singapore adopts bilingual education. Schools generally offer three mother tongue languages: Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Furthermore, government schools instil local values, emphasising civic responsibility education and racial harmony. Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) are extensive, covering sports, arts, languages and more, such as symphonic bands, choirs, Chinese orchestras, volleyball, dance and drama to foster all-round student development.

International Schools: International schools inherit the cultural and educational philosophies of their home countries. They usually offer the native language of their founding nation plus other languages including Chinese, French, Spanish and Japanese. In addition, international schools strictly control the nationality ratio of their student body to ensure cultural diversity. International schools generally have better hardware facilities and a wider variety of extracurricular activities than government schools.

4. Further Education Pathways

Government Schools: Singapore government primary and secondary schools follow the British Commonwealth GCE education system with bilingual instruction (mother tongue + English). Students in government schools will take several major national examinations: PSLE at the end of Primary 6, O-Level / N-Level and A-Level. GCE O-Level and A-Level results are recognised globally and can be used to apply for most overseas universities directly.

International Schools: Three main curriculum frameworks are adopted: IB, IGCSE and AP. Most international schools in Singapore deliver the IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme). Students at international schools do not take Singapore’s national examinations; most sit the IBDP. An IB diploma grants access to over 4,000 universities in more than 130 countries.

5. Accompanying Visa Policy

Singapore’s accompanying-parent visa policy is favourable. For students enrolled in either government or international schools, one family member (mother, maternal grandmother or paternal grandmother) may apply for an accompanying visa, which requires annual renewal.

If parents relocate to Singapore for employment and meet the salary criteria set by the Ministry of Manpower, they may apply for a Dependant Pass for their children.