Singapore has some of the most competitive universities in Asia, and there are a number of validated paths available for obtaining scholarships for Indian students—whether in the form of research fellowships such as SINGA, university merit scholarships offered at NUS, NTU, and SMU, or the MOE Tuition Grant, which reduces tuition costs by 50–70% for virtually all foreign students.

Most of the scholarships available are not completely funded, and the difference between the scholarship amount received and the cost of study n in Singapore may be worth a few lakh rupees. This guide discusses every available scholarships for overseas education in detail, along with the amounts and genuine information on the places where the gap arises for study abroad.

Types of scholarships available in Singapore

• Government funded scholarships: These are administered by national agencies such as A*STAR and are the closest thing Singapore has to true government scholarships to study abroad. They are prestigious, mostly fully funded, and concentrated at the doctoral level.
• University or institutional scholarships: Awarded directly by NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, and SIT at the time of admission. This is the most realistic category for Indian undergraduate and postgraduate applicants, though most awards are partial rather than full coverage.
• The MOE Tuition Grant: A government subsidy, not a scholarship, that cuts tuition by roughly 50 to 70 percent for almost every international student. Treat the Tuition Grant decision seriously. It comes with a three-year work bond for most programmes (five years for Dentistry, six for Medicine). Understand the commitment before you accept.

Top scholarships for international students in Singapore

The table below lists verified scholarships with confirmed relevance for the coming intake. Always confirm current deadlines directly on the official university or agency website before applying.

Note: For SINGA Scholarship its $2,700/month (rising to S$3,200 upon passing the qualifying examination)

SINGA: the flagship government scholarship for research and STEM

The Singapore International Graduate Award, known as SINGA, is the country's most prominent fully funded route and the one most relevant if you're searching for scholarships for masters degree abroad at the doctoral level. It is a joint program run by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research together with NUS, NTU, SUTD, SMU, and SIT.

SINGA covers full tuition for up to four years of PhD study, a monthly stipend of S$2,700 rising to S$3,200 after you clear the qualifying examination, a one time settling in allowance of S$1,000, and an airfare grant of up to S$1,500. It is open to applicants of any nationality, including Indian students, and does not require prior study in Singapore.

Research areas span Biomedical Sciences, Physical Science and Engineering, with SMU placements focused specifically on machine learning and artificial intelligence, a natural fit for anyone chasing STEM research scholarships in Singapore.

Fully funded scholarships in Singapore

Genuinely fully funded scholarships, covering tuition, stipend, and often travel, are rare in Singapore and concentrated almost entirely at the postgraduate research stage. The main ones open to Indian applicants are:

• Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)
• NUS and NTU PhD and Master's by Research Scholarships, funded through the university or individual faculty grants
• NUS Commonwealth Scholarship, for eligible master's research and PhD candidates

A critical point that needs to be highlighted here is the fact that the ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship, one of the more prominent full scholarship programs available for undergraduates, caters only to citizens from the member countries of ASEAN, not including India in its ambit. Indian students aspiring to undergraduate scholarships need to apply for the NUS Global Merit Scholarship, the Nanyang Scholarship, and the Dr Goh Keng Swee Scholarship, among others.

Best universities in Singapore offering scholarships to Indian students

Eligibility criteria for scholarships in Singapore

Requirements vary by award, but most Indian applicants will need to show:

• Strong academic transcripts, typically above 85 to 90 percent aggregate for undergraduate public university applicants, or a solid GPA for postgraduate programmes
• English proficiency, though many Singapore universities waive IELTS or TOEFL for applicants with an English medium academic background
• A well written Statement of Purpose tailored to the specific scholarship rather than a generic admissions essay
• Two to three Letters of Recommendation from academic or professional referees
• A research proposal for any PhD or research based master's application
• Leadership or co curricular record, weighed heavily for merit scholarships at NUS and NTU

How to apply for scholarships in Singapore: step by step

Singapore's scholarship system does not run through one central portal, most awards are administered directly by the university or funding agency, so timing and preparation matter more here than in many other countries.

• Research and shortlist early, roughly 10 to 14 months before your intended intake, since Singapore runs primarily on a single August admission cycle.
• Apply for admission first. Most university merit scholarships, including the Nanyang Scholarship and NUS Global Merit Scholarship, are considered automatically once you submit your admission application, no separate form is needed.
• Decide on the Tuition Grant early. Since it carries a three year work bond, weigh this decision before you accept any offer, not after.
• Prepare a scholarship specific SOP that speaks to the award's own criteria rather than reusing your general admissions essay.
• Line up strong referees and brief them on what the scholarship committee is actually evaluating.
• Submit at least two weeks before the deadline, since portals for NUS, NTU, and SMU tend to see technical delays in the final 72 hours.

Documents required for scholarship applications in Singapore

• Academic transcripts, attested, for all semesters or years
• Degree certificate or provisional certificate
• IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE score report, where required
• Scholarship specific Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation on official letterhead
• CV covering academic achievements, research output, and relevant work experience
• Research proposal, for PhD and research master's applications
• Passport copy
• Offer of admission, for scholarships that require it before consideration

Scholarship deadlines calendar for Singapore

Tips to increase your chances of getting a Singapore scholarship

• Apply in the first admission round. Universities allocate scholarship budgets as applications come in, early applicants get first consideration.
• Contact a potential supervisor before applying for research funding. For SINGA and university research scholarships, a supportive faculty email meaningfully strengthens your file.
• Treat the Tuition Grant decision seriously. It is the single biggest financial lever available to almost every applicant, understand the three year bond before you commit.
• Apply to more than one scholarship. There's no penalty for holding multiple applications open at once, provided you disclose any overlapping awards once you accept one.
• Budget beyond tuition. Even fully funded scholarships rarely cover every incidental cost, factor in health insurance and settling in expenses separately.

Can you combine scholarships with education loans?

Yes, and for most Indian families this combination is the only realistic way to fund the full cost of studying in Singapore. Consider a student who receives a partial merit Singapore scholarship for Indian students worth S$15,000 a year toward an NTU programme costing S$50,000 to S$70,000 annually in tuition and living expenses.

Education loans from Indian lenders are built for exactly this scenario, with a moratorium period during the course so there's no EMI due while you're still studying. The loan sanction letter also works as proof of financial capacity for your Singapore Student's Pass application, which makes sorting out the loan early a practical move rather than just a financial one.

How Nomad Credit helps with Singapore study abroad scholarships?

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Before you get to the loan stage, our scholarship finder tool helps you search across verified Singapore scholarships based on your course, academic profile, and funding needs, so you're not manually combing through university websites one by one.

Fund the gap with Nomad Credit study abroad consultants. Most scholarships in Singapore for international students are partial. Nomad Credit compares 20+ lenders to fund the remaining cost, tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and travel, with a moratorium during your course.