The Education System in Singapore

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT SINGAPORE

♦ Singapore is located to the south of Malaysia, surrounded by the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea.

♦ Capital: Singapore

♦ Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)

♦ Area: 721.5 km²

♦ Official Languages: Chinese, Malay, Indian, and English.

♦ Time zone: 1 hour ahead of Vietnam.

EDUCATION SYSTEM IN SINGAPORE

Educational Levels in Singapore

The Ministry of Education in Singapore directly manages public universities and provides consultation and management for private schools in Singapore.

From Primary to University, the government covers the financial costs. English is the primary language of instruction in public schools, with the exception of foreign language courses.

PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM

The primary school program in Singapore lasts for 6 years, with the first 4 years covering grades 1 to 4, and the last 2 years (grades 5 and 6) being orientation years.

The core subjects include English, native language, mathematics, and arts subjects like music, visual arts, handicrafts, physical education, and social studies. Science is introduced in grade 3. Students will take a placement test before entering the orientation program and complete the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) after grade 6.

SECONDARY SCHOOL SYSTEM

The secondary school program lasts 4-5 years with two systems: Special (Express) and Normal.

• The Special Express stream lasts 4 years and after completion, students take the GCE ‘O’ (General Certificate of Education – Ordinary Level).
• The Normal stream allows students to specialize in culture or technical subjects, and after completing 1 year, students can take the GCE ‘O’.

HIGH SCHOOL / PRE-UNIVERSITY

After passing the GCE ‘O’ exam, students can apply to pre-university programs that last 2 years, or enroll in a 3-year focused pre-university program. These schools teach and build a foundation for university programs. The curriculum includes two mandatory subjects: Advanced English (General Paper) and the native language, and prepares students for the GCE ‘A’ (Advanced Level) exam. After the 2-3 years, students will sit for the GCE ‘A’ exam.

UNDERGRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION

POLYTECHNIC SCHOOLS

The Polytechnic programs focus on practical training. Employers often prefer polytechnic graduates as they can integrate into the workforce immediately with practical skills and experience learned at school. These schools offer a variety of courses, including mechanical engineering, business, mass communication, design, telecommunications, optometry, maritime technology, nursing, early childhood education, and film, catering to various career paths.

INSTITUTE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION (ITE)

ITE provides post-secondary education programs for students who want to develop in industry sectors. It offers full-time programs, internships for recent high school graduates, and supplementary learning programs for working adults.

UNIVERSITIES AND POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION

Duration for programs:

• Bachelor’s degree: 3 years
• Master’s degree: 1.5 years
• Doctoral degree: 3 years

Universities in Singapore include public universities, institutes, and private schools. These institutions offer a variety of programs, certificates, English courses, and globally recognized degrees. Students can apply for many attractive scholarships.

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES IN SINGAPORE

International universities, partnered with top global institutions, have established themselves in Singapore, offering world-class education. Some notable international universities include:

• Georgia Institute of Technology (The Logistics Institute, Asia Pacific)
• Johns Hopkins University (Johns Hopkins Singapore)
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (Singapore MIT Alliance)
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• Stanford University (Singapore Stanford Partnership)
• Wharton School, Pennsylvania University (Wharton SMU Research Centre)
• Eindhoven University of Technology (Design Technology Institute)
• Munich University of Technology (German Institute of Science and Technology)

ENGLISH PROGRAMS

All courses in Singapore are taught in English, and the country has a well-developed system of English language centers with reasonable fees, attracting many international students. Universities and polytechnics offer English programs to help students improve their language skills to keep up with their academic studies.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

There are more than 300 private schools in Singapore, specializing in various fields such as information technology, business, arts, and languages. Some of the key features of private schools include:

• A variety of programs: certificates, bachelor’s degrees, postgraduate degrees
• Recognition of degrees: partnered with schools in the USA, Australia, Canada, etc.
• Facilities: small class sizes, advanced equipment
• Student services: continuous support

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

Singapore has a large number of permanent residents and offers educational systems from various countries. International schools provide education based on international frameworks and principles.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN SINGAPORE

The Singapore government, in collaboration with major organizations, offers various scholarships such as:

• ASEAN Scholarships
• A*Star Scholarships
• Ministry of Education Scholarships for Secondary and Pre-University levels

Additionally, students can receive direct scholarships from schools while studying in Singapore.

For more information on suitable study programs, contact OSI Vietnam for support: 0937.735.258 – 0937.735.259

CONTACT INFORMATION

OSI VIETNAM EDUCATION CONSULTING COMPANY

• Address: 44 Tân Canh, Phường 1, Quận Tân Bình, TP.HCM
• Phone: 0937.735.258 – 0937.735.259
• Email: osiedu@gmail.com / osiedu5@gmail.com