Scholarships in Singapore for Indian & International Students: A Complete Guide

Singapore has emerged as one of the top destinations for international students seeking scholarships in Asia. The country offers a wide range of fully funded bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programmes with globally ranked universities such as NUS, NTU, and SMU.

For Indian students in particular, Singapore is attractive due to its English-medium education, strong job market, and generous research scholarships that cover tuition, stipends, and living expenses.

Singapore offers some of the best fully funded scholarships in Asia for international students, including PhD, master’s, and undergraduate scholarships.

The annual tuition fee for international students varies between SGD 17,000 and SGD 45,000 (approximately INR 10-27 lakh), so the scholarships are not only beneficial but, in many cases, even necessary. The good news? Most of these overseas education scholarships are not means-tested, but merit-based, meaning that students with strong academic records stand a real chance.

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Top 10 Scholarships in Singapore for International Students

Singapore is one of the most scholarship-rich study destinations in Asia. Whether you want to study masters in Singapore with scholarship-level funding or an equivalent in Asia, Singapore’s programmes are remarkably competitive.

If you’re also exploring scholarships for Indian students in Singapore, or study abroad Singapore scholarships, you’ll find Singapore compares very favourably, both in scholarship generosity and in quality of life.

Overview Table for Scholarships in Singapore

The table below gives you a quick snapshot of all the major scholarships covered in this guide, ideal if you’re comparing options and weighing up how to get scholarships to study abroad in Singapore.

Detailed Breakdown of the Top 10 Singapore Scholarships

Singapore scholarships are competitive, and landing one demands understanding the fine print. Here is a detailed breakdown of each programme to help you find the best study abroad scholarships in Singapore.

Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)

SINGA is one of the most prestigious overseas education scholarships available in Asia. It is a joint collaboration between A*STAR, NUS, NTU, and SMU, making it one of the most comprehensive PhD funding programmes in the region. For Indian students researching international scholarships for Indian students, SINGA is an exceptional option.

Eligibility:

Open to all nationalities. Requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Science or Engineering with a strong academic record. Must not have previously held a Singapore government scholarship.

Deadline:

Applications are reviewed in two windows: December – January and June each year.

Amount / Benefits:

Full tuition coverage + SGD 2,000/month stipend (rises to SGD 2,700 post-qualifying exam) + SGD 1,000 settling-in allowance + SGD 1,500 annual travel grant.

ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship (AUS)

Awarded by the Singapore government through the Ministry of Education, the ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship is one of the most well-known scholarship in Asia. It targets excellent students in the ASEAN states, but Indian students can also receive similar MOE scholarship programs.

Eligibility:

Open to citizens of a member country of ASEAN (except Singapore). Should have good pre-university performance in NUS, NTU, SMU, or SUTD.

Deadline:

Typically January to March each year, aligned with university admission cycles.

Amount / Benefits:

Full tuition + SGD 5,800 annual living allowance + SGD 3,000 per year on-campus accommodation + SGD 1,750 computer allowance.

NUS Graduate Scholarships for ASEAN Nationals

The National University of Singapore (NUS), which consistently ranks among the top 15 universities in the world, has dedicated graduate scholarships to students in the ASEAN countries even those undertaking master and doctoral degrees. This applies particularly to scholarships for Indian students who intend to take research-intensive programmes.

Eligibility:

Open to ASEAN nationals applying to full-time NUS graduate programmes. Requires First Class Honours or equivalent. PhD applicants must submit a research proposal.

Deadline:

Rolling admissions; most cycles open in August–September for January intake, and January–February for August intake.

Amount / Benefits:

Full tuition + monthly stipend of SGD 2,700 – 6,000 depending on department + conference funding support.

NTU Research Scholarship

Nanyang Technological University (NTU), ranked among the world’s top 20 universities, offers the NTU Research Scholarship to attract the finest research talent globally. This is a strong choice for those seeking a scholarship for MS in Singapore, with funded research experience but in Asia’s most innovative tech and engineering hub.

Eligibility:

Open to all nationalities. Requires a First Class Honours. Applicants must be admitted to a full-time NTU research degree programme.

Deadline:

Applications are accepted year-round, with major intakes in January and August.

Amount / Benefits:

Full tuition waiver + SGD 2,900/month (Master’s by Research) or SGD 3,000/month (PhD).

SMU Postgraduate Scholarships

Singapore Management University (SMU) is Asia’s answer to LSE or Wharton — a business and social sciences powerhouse. For students looking at a scholarship for MBA in Singapore or a scholarship for Masters in Singapore in business disciplines, SMU’s postgraduate scholarships offer the same. Indian students have been well represented among SMU’s international cohort.

Eligibility:

Open to all international students. Minimum GPA of 3.5/4.0 required. GMAT or GRE scores may be needed for business programmes.

Deadline:

Aligned with programme application deadlines; typically rolling from October to May.

Amount / Benefits:

Up to 100% tuition fee waiver + monthly living stipend for select awards.

A*STAR Graduate Scholarship

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Graduate Scholarship is widely regarded as Singapore’s most prestigious research funding award. This scholarship is as prestigious and impactful as an NSF Fellowship or a Fulbright to students serious about pursuing a career in biomedical sciences, data science, or upper-level engineering.

Eligibility:

Open to outstanding international candidates with a minimum Second Upper Class Honours degree. Must show a strong research background and commitment to working at A*STAR institutes.

Deadline:

Applications typically open in January and close in April.

Amount / Benefits:

Full tuition + SGD 2,500/month stipend + funded overseas research attachment at a global institution + conference travel support.

NTU Nanyang Scholarship

The NTU Nanyang Scholarship is one of NTU’s most prestigious undergraduate awards, designed to attract the brightest international students to one of Asia’s top-ranked universities. Open to all international students applying to full-time NTU undergraduate programmes.

Eligibility:

Applicants must have outstanding academic results at the pre-university level along with strong leadership and co-curricular achievements. English proficiency proof is required.

Deadline:

Applications open alongside NTU’s undergraduate admissions cycle, typically from October to February each year.

Amount / Benefits:

Full tuition fee coverage for the entire undergraduate programme + SGD 6,500 annual living allowance + SGD 2,000 hostel accommodation + one-time computer allowance of SGD 1,750 – 2,000.

NUS Undergraduate Scholarship (NON-ASEAN)

The NUS Undergraduate Scholarship for Non-ASEAN International Students is awarded by the National University of Singapore to attract top academic talent from outside the ASEAN region, making it a direct option for Indian students and other international applicants who do not qualify for the ASEAN-specific awards.

Eligibility:

Applicants must have exceptional pre-university academic results and a strong overall profile including leadership and extracurricular involvement. English proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent is required.

Deadline:

Applications are reviewed alongside NUS undergraduate admissions, typically from October to February each year.

Amount / Benefits:

Full tuition fee coverage for the duration of the undergraduate programme + SGD 6,000 annual living allowance + SGD 5,000 annual on-campus accommodation + one-time SGD 1,750 computer allowance.

SIT (Singapore Institute of Technology) Scholarships for International Students

Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) is a unique applied university with deep industry partnerships, offering degree programmes jointly with leading UK and Australian universities. For students who value hands-on, applied education, SIT’s international scholarships offer excellent value. SIT’s model will be quite relevant to those who wonder how to study in Singapore with scholarship in applied or professional programmes.

Eligibility:

Scholarships have different GPA requirements. Certain industry-sponsored awards are based on an internship or bond commitment.

Deadline:

Admissions are considered along with the applications; the primary window is between January and May.

Amount / Benefits:

Partial to full tuition coverage. Industry-partnered awards may include a paid internship. Living allowance supplements available for top awardees.

Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship (NPGS)

The Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship is NTU’s most elite PhD award, offered only to the very best doctoral candidates globally. NPGS is widely considered the gold standard for PhD funding in Singapore among Indian students with an excellent research track record.

Eligibility:

Open to all nationalities. Must have First Class Honours (top 5% of the undergraduate group). Experience in research published preferred. Should have been enrolled in full-time PhD programme at NTU.

Deadline:

Applications are accepted in January (for August intake) and July (for January intake).

Amount / Benefits:

Full tuition + SGD 4,300 – 5,300/month stipend + SGD 5,000 annual grant for conferences and overseas research visits.

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Found Your Singapore Scholarship – What’s Next?

Singapore gives you world-class universities, English-medium education, and some of the most generous scholarship programmes in Asia, all in one of the safest and most liveable cities in the world.

Whether you are an Indian student weighing international scholarships across multiple destinations, or exploring how to get scholarship to study abroad for the first time, Singapore deserves a serious place on your list.

If scholarships don’t cover everything, an education loan can bridge the gap. At Nomad Credit, our study abroad consultants are here to guide you through every step, from finding the right university and scholarship to securing an education loan that fits your needs.

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