Why Singapore scholarships matter for IGCSE, A Level & IB students

Singapore is one of the most popular destinations for IGCSE, International A Level and IBDP students from South East Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. Tuition fees are high by regional standards, but there are several prestigious undergraduate scholarships that can significantly reduce the total cost.

Below, we outline the most popular scholarships, what they typically cover, eligibility criteria, competition levels, how to apply, and key timelines. Always double‑check details on the official university websites because amounts, criteria and deadlines can change each year.

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1. NUS ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship

Most popular university scholarship for:
High‑achieving ASEAN (non‑Singaporean) students applying to full‑time undergraduate degrees at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

What % of fees does it cover?

• Typically covers full tuition fees (after any MOE tuition grant).
• Often includes a living allowance and sometimes accommodation subsidy.

Eligibility criteria

• Must be a citizen of an ASEAN country (excluding Singapore).
• Strong grades at A Levels / IB / equivalent (usually A/A* profile or IB 38+).
• Excellent co‑curricular record, leadership and community involvement.
• Good command of English (meeting NUS entry requirements).

How many students obtain it? What are the odds?

• Only a small percentage of admitted ASEAN students receive this award.
• Competition is very strong; think in terms of single‑digit % of top applicants.

How to apply

• You apply for NUS admission first (A Levels / IB / equivalent).
• In the online application, indicate that you want to be considered for NUS scholarships and complete the scholarship section.
• You may need to submit essays, achievement records and sometimes attend interviews.

Deadlines & application window

• NUS undergraduate applications for international students typically open around October–November for the following August intake.
• Scholarship consideration follows the same application window; some shortlisted candidates are invited to interviews between February and April.

Duration of scholarship

• Usually covers the normal length of the degree (3–4 years), subject to maintaining a required CAP/GPA and good conduct.

Other important notes

• Many awards are bond‑free, but some may expect participation in leadership programmes or service activities.
• Scholarship holders are expected to maintain strong academic performance every semester.

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2. NUS Global Merit / University Scholarships (Non‑ASEAN & High Achievers)

Most popular for:
Top global applicants (including from the Middle East and South Asia) without ASEAN citizenship who are admitted to NUS.

Coverage

• Can range from partial fee waivers to full tuition plus a living allowance.
• The exact value depends on the specific scheme (e.g. NUS Global Merit Scholarship vs NUS Merit Scholarship).

Eligibility

• Outstanding academic record at A Level / IB / equivalent.
• Strong co‑curricular profile, leadership and service.
• Meeting NUS course entry requirements (often very competitive for programmes like Medicine, Law, Computing).

Selection odds

• Highly competitive; offered to a small subset of top admitted students across all nationalities.

How to apply

• Indicate interest in NUS Scholarships within the main undergraduate application.
• Provide essays / personal statements, activity records, and possibly referee reports.
• Shortlisted students are invited to scholarship interviews.

Deadlines & duration

• Same general application window as NUS degrees (roughly Oct–Mar for August entry).
• Typically valid for the full duration of study, subject to annual renewal.

Extra points

• Some awards may require students to participate in special programmes (leadership tracks, overseas exposure, community projects).

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3. NTU Nanyang Scholarship & NTU ASEAN Scholarship

Most popular for:
High‑achieving international students (including ASEAN, South Asian and Middle Eastern applicants) applying to Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

What the scholarships usually cover

• Nanyang Scholarship (global):
  • Full tuition fees (after any tuition grant)
  • Annual living allowance
  • Sometimes a computer allowance and accommodation subsidy
• NTU ASEAN Scholarship:
  • Full tuition fees for ASEAN citizens (excluding Singapore)
  • Sometimes partial living support

Eligibility

• Strong academic results at A Levels / IB / equivalent (think AAA at A Level or IB 38+ as a guide).
• Strong co‑curricular achievements and leadership.
• Good English proficiency.

How many & odds

• NTU does not publish exact numbers, but these are flagship, highly selective awards.
• Assume very competitive odds (only a small proportion of admitted students).

How to apply

• Submit the NTU undergraduate application first.
• Complete the separate scholarship application form in the portal and upload:
  • Scholarship essay(s)
  • Records of awards and leadership roles
  • Referee details
• Shortlisted applicants are invited to interviews.

Deadlines & timeline

• NTU international applications typically close between December and March (depending on qualification).
• Scholarship applications usually have similar or slightly earlier deadlines – always check the NTU scholarship pages.

Duration

• Normally for the full programme length (3–4 years) with annual renewal based on performance.

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4. SMU Global Impact Scholarship & Other SMU Awards

Most popular for:
Students targeting Singapore Management University (SMU) in Business, Law, Computing, Social Sciences or Economics.

Coverage

• SMU Global Impact Scholarship may include:
  • Full tuition fees
  • Living allowance
  • Funding for global exposure (exchange, study missions)
  • Support for internships or social impact projects
• SMU also offers Merit, ASEAN and School‑based scholarships that provide partial to full tuition fee coverage.

Eligibility

• Excellent academic record in A Levels / IB / equivalent.
• Strong evidence of leadership, community service and holistic achievements.
• Good fit with SMU’s interactive, seminar‑style learning.

Selection & odds

• Very competitive; the Global Impact Scholarship is offered to a small group of top applicants across the whole cohort.

How to apply

• Apply for SMU admission and tick the box to be considered for scholarships.
• Submit:
  • Co‑curricular achievements
  • Short essays or personal statements
  • Sometimes video introductions or extra questions
• Shortlisted candidates go through interviews or assessment activities.

Deadlines & duration

• Application window usually runs from October to March/April for the following academic year.
• Scholarships typically last for the standard degree duration, renewed annually.

Other notes

• Some awards may bond scholars to work in Singapore or specific sectors, while others are bond‑free.
  Always read bond conditions carefully.

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5. Government Tuition Grant & Other Institutional Bursaries

While not always branded as “scholarships”, many families in South East Asia, South Asia and the Middle East rely on:

• The Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) Tuition Grant for international students.
• Need‑based bursaries and university financial aid at NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD and other institutions.

Coverage

• Tuition Grant reduces non‑subsidised fees to the “subsidised international rate”, which can cut costs significantly.
• Bursaries can offer partial fee coverage or living support, especially for students from lower‑income households.

Eligibility

• Tuition Grant: open to most international students, but usually comes with a service obligation bond (e.g. working in Singapore for a set number of years after graduation).
• Bursaries: based on household income, sometimes combined with academic performance.

How to apply, deadlines & duration

• Tuition Grant: applied for after you accept an offer, usually during matriculation/registration.
• Bursaries: applied through each university’s financial aid portal, often with April–June deadlines.
• Duration: typically for one academic year at a time, renewable if you still meet criteria.

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Practical tips for IGCSE, A Level & IB students in the region

• Start research 18–24 months early. Scholarship applications often need predicted grades, references and extra essays on top of university applications.
• Build a balanced list. Combine full‑ride “reach” scholarships with more realistic partial awards and need‑based aid.
• Track deadlines carefully. Singapore universities and scholarships can close earlier than UK or local options, especially for international curricula.
• Highlight regional context. If you are based in South East Asia, South Asia or the Middle East, emphasise international school experience, mobility and leadership across cultures.
• Be honest about odds. Full scholarships are extremely competitive; many students instead combine MOE Tuition Grant + partial scholarships + family contribution.

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How Tutopiya can help with Singapore scholarship applications

Tutopiya supports students across IGCSE, International A Levels and IBDP who are aiming for Singapore scholarships by:

• Raising subject grades in high‑stakes years (IGCSE, AS, A2, IB Year 1 & 2).
• Providing support for admissions tests (where required) and academic writing for scholarship essays.
• Helping students and families compare Singapore with alternative options in the UK, Europe, Australia and Asia.

If you’d like personalised guidance, you can book a free trial lesson or speak to our advisors through the Tutopiya learning portal.