Overview of cost of living in Singapore – (2) Education

The cost of living in Singapore is often perceived as so high, but what does it actually entail?

The cost of living in Singapore is often perceived as high, but what does it actually entail? Following the first article, this piece will focus on one of the most significant concerns for those considering a move to Singapore: education costs. It is essential to discuss education separately, as there are many factors to consider, including the various school types and the wide range of choices within each category.

I would like to clarify that my experience does not extend to sending children to university in Singapore, so there may be some limitations in that regard. However, I can provide valuable insights regarding kindergarten through secondary school.

1. Overview of School Types
   • In Singapore, schools can be broadly categorized into three types, all of which I have experience with (though my experience with local schools is limited to kindergarten):
     (1) Local Schools
     (2) International Schools
     
   • Pros and Cons
     (1) Local Schools
     Advantages: More affordable compared to international schools; generally good quality of education for the price.
     Disadvantages: Foreigners often face significantly higher fees (which can feel unfair); education tends to be rote-learning based; foreign students may have unpredictable admission chances due to limited spots.
     
     (2) International Schools
     Advantages: Strong emphasis on creativity in education; excellent for learning English.
     Disadvantages: High costs (tuition is not the only expense); poor value for money; cheaper international schools may not guarantee quality education.
     
     
2. Kindergarten
   • In terms of kindergarten, foreign students generally find it easier to gain admission, and there is less price discrimination compared to local kindergartens.
     
   • For local kindergartens, it is rare to encounter situations where there are no available spots. Prices vary based on location and facilities but typically range around 1,000 SGD per month for foreign students. Personally, from 2019 to 2021, I paid around 600-700 SGD for my second child’s enrollment. At that time, I found other franchise kindergartens charging between 1,500 and 2,000 SGD, which likely remains similar today.
     
   • For international kindergartens, monthly fees generally exceed 3,000 SGD (with popular institutions like SAS charging up to 45,000 SGD). It may seem questionable to pay such high fees for what is essentially a play school; however, gaining admission after waiting for elementary school is much more challenging. Thus, many parents feel compelled to enroll their children despite the costs, especially if their company provides support.
     
     
3. Elementary School
   • Starting from elementary school, assessing admission possibilities becomes crucial.
     
   • For local elementary schools, placements are filled by Singapore citizens first and then permanent residents before assigning any remaining spots to foreigners. This means foreigners have no real choice in school selection. Additionally, if a student needs to transfer mid-year, they must take the AEIS (Admissions Exercise for International Students) exam in English and Mathematics before being assigned a school based on their scores.
     
   • For foreign students attending local elementary schools, the costs are as follows:
     (1) application fee : approximately 50 SGD.
     (2) registration fee : around 500 SGD.
     (3) tuition : about 900 SGD per month.
     (4) facility fee : up to 400 SGD annually.
     
   • In contrast, international schools have historically allowed students with minimal English skills to enroll easily. However, most schools now require students to wait indefinitely before gaining admission at the elementary level. Therefore, families should apply well in advance once their relocation timeline is established.
     (1) application fee : non-refundable fees typically range from 1,000 to 2,000 SGD.
     (2) enrollment fee : after receiving admission approval, this fee varies by school but generally falls between 3,000 and 6,000 SGD (with SAS nearing 10,000 SGD).
     (3) school fee : tuition can include facility fees; cheaper options start around 25,000 SGD annually while more expensive ones can reach up to 50,000 SGD.
     (4) school bus : if walking or taking public transport isn’t feasible (as many international schools are located in outer areas), bus fees can add approximately 3,000 SGD annually.
     (5) ESL fee : if a child’s English proficiency hampers their learning progress, additional English instruction may be necessary at a cost of about 2,000-6,700 SGD per year.
     (6) others : Extracurricular activities (CCA) incur additional charges; field trips abroad can also add expenses not covered by tuition—my first child participated in a mock UN event in London that cost around 4,500 SGD. These types of events occur about once a year. Additionally, lunch costs around 7-8 SGD per meal if not bringing packed lunches.
     
     
4. Secondary School
   • The details regarding secondary schools are similar but with some differences:
     (1) For local schools, admission decisions depend on primary graduation exam scores; transferring mid-year requires passing the AEIS exam.
     (2) In international schools as well, if students do not progress from elementary school into higher grades within the same institution, they must apply and wait for admission while also passing entrance exams when offered a spot. The cost structure remains similar but tends to increase as students progress through grades—tuition often ranges from 40,000 to 50,000 SGD annually as students advance through secondary levels (even those previously considered affordable at lower grades tend to converge on similar pricing).
     

To summarize:

(1) Local Schools: If you agree with their educational philosophy and can gain admission, they offer relatively affordable and quality education.
(2) International Schools: If you can manage an annual budget of around 50 million KRW or more (whether personally or through company support), they provide excellent education overall (though they may appear overly focused on leisure).

There is so much information regarding education that I will save discussions about transportation costs and other expenses for future articles.

I hope this brief overview of educational methods and associated costs proves helpful!