singapore • SGD

Singapore Tuition Calculator 2026

Free Singapore Tuition Fee Calculator for 2026. Estimate total education cost including CPF Education Scheme (CPFES), MOE Tuition Grant, PSEA, Edusave, books, accommodation, and tuition fee differences across NUS, NTU, SMU, SIT, SUTD, polytechnics and private colleges. Includes 9% GST and 3% education inflation.

Last revised 26 September 2026

By Team GlobalCalqulate · About our editorial standards

Institution & Program

Institution Type

Local universities and polytechnics are subsidised by MOE. Private institutions charge market rates.

Citizenship / Residency

Citizens pay the lowest tuition. PRs pay higher fees. International students pay the highest.

Program duration (years)

Diploma: 2-3 years. Degree: 3-4 years. Medicine/law: 4-5 years.

Annual tuition fee (SGD)

Current annual tuition fee. For local universities: citizens ~SGD 8,000-10,000, PR ~SGD 11,000-14,000, international ~SGD 17,000-24,000.

Financial Disclaimer: This estimates education costs from figures you supply and holds no official fee schedule. Confirm current tuition fees, grant eligibility and bond conditions directly with the institution and the Ministry of Education. Full disclaimer.

Sources & methodology

Formula:: Total course cost
Reference:: Ministry of Education
Content last updated:: September 2026
Scheduled re-verification:: September 2027

Calculation type: Exact calculation. Figures are taken from Ministry of Education — see sources below.

Formula & methodology

Formula used

Total course cost

Total = annual fee × years of study

The headline cost before any subsidy, based on the fee band for your residency status.

Cost after the Tuition Grant

Subsidised fee = full fee − MOE Tuition Grant

Citizens receive the largest subsidy, permanent residents less, and international students least — for the same course.

Cost with fee increases

Year n fee = year 1 fee × (1 + annual increase)^(n − 1)

Institutions review fees periodically, so a multi-year degree costs more than the first year multiplied by the number of years.

Variable definitions

Symbol	Meaning	Unit
Annual fee	Tuition fee per year. Set by the institution and varying by course and residency status.	SGD/year
Tuition Grant	MOE subsidy. Reduces fees at subsidised institutions. PRs and international students who accept it take on a service bond.	SGD
Years	Course duration. Normal duration of the programme.	years

Step-by-step calculation

1. Identify the correct fee band
Citizen, permanent resident and international student rates differ substantially for the same course.
2. Apply the Tuition Grant where taken
Accepting the grant as a PR or international student brings a bond obligation to work in Singapore after graduating.
3. Project fees across the course
Apply expected annual increases rather than assuming the first-year fee holds for the whole degree.
4. Add non-tuition costs
Miscellaneous fees, accommodation, materials and living costs are separate from tuition.

Limitations

Fee figures must come from the institution. This calculator holds no published fee schedule and cannot tell you the rate for a specific course or cohort.
Medicine, dentistry and some professional programmes cost far more than the general band, so an average figure misstates them badly.
The Tuition Grant bond commits PRs and international students to work for a Singapore-registered company for a set period; declining the grant means paying unsubsidised fees.
Miscellaneous student fees, accommodation, insurance and living costs are excluded unless entered.
Scholarships, bursaries and financial aid are not modelled and can change the net cost considerably.
The CPF Education Loan Scheme and other study loans are repayable with interest and are not included in the cost shown.

This page is educational. It applies a standard formula to the figures you enter and shows the arithmetic behind the result. It is an estimate, not an offer, a quotation or financial advice: real costs depend on the provider's pricing, fees and underwriting, and on circumstances this calculator does not collect.

Sources & references

School fees and financial assistance — Ministry of Education

Help & FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers to common questions to help you use this calculator confidently.

Do Singapore citizens, PRs and international students pay the same fees?

Tap to view the answer

No, and the differences are large. At the autonomous universities, citizens receive the MOE Tuition Grant and pay the lowest rate, permanent residents pay more, and international students more again — often several times the citizen fee for the same course.

What is the Tuition Grant and does it carry obligations?

Tap to view the answer

The MOE Tuition Grant subsidises fees at subsidised institutions. Citizens receive it without conditions, while PRs and international students who take it must sign a bond committing to work for a Singapore-registered company for a set period after graduating. Declining the grant means paying the unsubsidised fee.

Do fees differ by course?

Tap to view the answer

Substantially. Medicine and dentistry sit far above the general band, and law and some professional programmes above the norm. A single average figure across an institution will misstate the cost badly for those courses.

Can CPF be used to pay tuition fees?

Tap to view the answer

Yes. The CPF Education Loan Scheme lets you use Ordinary Account savings for approved full-time courses, for yourself or your children. It must be repaid in cash with interest after graduation, so it reduces retirement savings rather than being free money.

Should I plan for fees rising?

Tap to view the answer

Yes. Institutions review fees periodically and later cohorts generally pay more, so a multi-year degree costs more in total than today's annual fee multiplied by the number of years. Confirm the current schedule for your cohort with the institution.

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How to Use This Calculator

Select institution type and citizenship

Local universities are subsidised; private institutions charge market rates.

Enter program duration and annual fees

Use actual fees from the institution's website or estimated averages.

Add additional costs

Books, accommodation, living expenses, and GST if applicable.

Select funding options

CPF Education Scheme, MOE Tuition Grant, PSEA, and Edusave.

Review total education cost

See total cost breakdown and funding available.

Plan your savings

If there's a shortfall, see how much you need to save or borrow.

Understanding Your Results

Total Tuition Fees
Sum of annual tuition fees (with GST if applicable) over the program duration.
Total Additional Costs
Books, accommodation, and living expenses over the program duration.
Total Education Cost
Total tuition + additional costs. This is the full cost of education.
MOE Tuition Grant (if applicable)
Government subsidy that reduces tuition fees for citizens and PRs. International students may also apply with bond.
CPFES Withdrawal Available
Maximum CPF OA you can withdraw for tuition fees (subject to CPF rules and account balance).
PSEA & Edusave Funding
Available funds from PSEA and Edusave accounts.
Total Funding Available
Sum of all grants, subsidies, and withdrawals available.
Shortfall / Surplus
Total education cost minus total funding available. Positive = need to save or borrow.

Key Tips

✓
Local universities are heavily subsidised for citizens – fees are 2-3x higher for international students.
✓
Use CPFES only if necessary – CPF withdrawals must be repaid with 2.5% interest.
✓
MOE Tuition Grant for international students requires a 3-year work bond in Singapore.
✓
PSEA and Edusave accounts are non-repayable – use them first before CPF.
✓
Private universities charge GST at 9% – factor this into your budget.
✓
Budget 10-20% extra for miscellaneous costs (exams, field trips, graduation).
✓
Education inflation is 2-4% – fees will likely be higher by the time your child starts.
✓
Consider student loans (e.g., TFL, DBS/Friendship loan) if there's a shortfall.

Singapore Tuition & Education Cost Guide (2026)

Tuition fees at local universities

NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, and SIT have government-subsidised tuition. For 2026: Citizens SGD 8,000-10,000/year, PRs SGD 11,000-14,000/year, international students SGD 17,000-24,000/year depending on the program.

Polytechnic tuition fees

For 2026: Citizens SGD 2,500-3,500/year, PRs SGD 5,000-6,500/year, international SGD 9,000-12,000/year. Diplomas typically take 2-3 years.

Private university fees

Private institutions (e.g., SIM, MDIS, PSB Academy) charge market rates: SGD 12,000-30,000/year depending on program and university partner. GST at 9% applies.

International school fees

International schools (e.g., UWCSEA, Tanglin Trust, SAS) charge SGD 30,000-50,000/year. GST applies. Waiting lists are common.

CPF Education Scheme (CPFES)

Citizens and PRs can withdraw CPF OA for tuition fees at approved institutions. Withdrawal limit is the tuition fee amount. Repayment with 2.5% interest starts after course completion.

MOE Tuition Grant

Subsidises tuition for citizens and PRs automatically. International students can apply and sign a three-year employment bond to work in Singapore after graduation.

PSEA (Post-Secondary Education Account)

Government account with annual contributions from MOE. Can be used for approved courses. Balances roll over for up to 15 years after completing secondary education.

Edusave account

Annual government contributions to students' Edusave accounts. Can be used for approved enrichment and post-secondary courses.

Additional costs to budget for

Books and supplies: SGD 800-1,500/year. Accommodation: SGD 3,000-12,000/year. Living expenses: SGD 4,000-8,000/year. Transport: SGD 1,000-2,000/year. Health insurance: SGD 300-800/year.

Education inflation

Tuition fees in Singapore increase 2-4% annually. Use the inflation slider to project future costs. The calculator adjusts fees based on years until start.

Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes. Actual tuition fees, grants, and funding eligibility depend on the institution, program, and individual circumstances. Always verify fees with the institution and check CPF Board/IRAS for CPFES and grant rules.

Formula & methodology

Formula used

Total course cost

Total = annual fee × years of study

The headline cost before any subsidy, based on the fee band for your residency status.

Cost after the Tuition Grant

Subsidised fee = full fee − MOE Tuition Grant

Citizens receive the largest subsidy, permanent residents less, and international students least — for the same course.

Cost with fee increases

Year n fee = year 1 fee × (1 + annual increase)^(n − 1)

Institutions review fees periodically, so a multi-year degree costs more than the first year multiplied by the number of years.

Variable definitions

Symbol	Meaning	Unit
Annual fee	Tuition fee per year. Set by the institution and varying by course and residency status.	SGD/year
Tuition Grant	MOE subsidy. Reduces fees at subsidised institutions. PRs and international students who accept it take on a service bond.	SGD
Years	Course duration. Normal duration of the programme.	years

Step-by-step calculation

1. Identify the correct fee band
Citizen, permanent resident and international student rates differ substantially for the same course.
2. Apply the Tuition Grant where taken
Accepting the grant as a PR or international student brings a bond obligation to work in Singapore after graduating.
3. Project fees across the course
Apply expected annual increases rather than assuming the first-year fee holds for the whole degree.
4. Add non-tuition costs
Miscellaneous fees, accommodation, materials and living costs are separate from tuition.

Limitations

Fee figures must come from the institution. This calculator holds no published fee schedule and cannot tell you the rate for a specific course or cohort.
Medicine, dentistry and some professional programmes cost far more than the general band, so an average figure misstates them badly.
The Tuition Grant bond commits PRs and international students to work for a Singapore-registered company for a set period; declining the grant means paying unsubsidised fees.
Miscellaneous student fees, accommodation, insurance and living costs are excluded unless entered.
Scholarships, bursaries and financial aid are not modelled and can change the net cost considerably.
The CPF Education Loan Scheme and other study loans are repayable with interest and are not included in the cost shown.

Singapore Tuition & Education Cost Guide (2026)

Tuition fees at local universities

Polytechnic tuition fees

For 2026: Citizens SGD 2,500-3,500/year, PRs SGD 5,000-6,500/year, international SGD 9,000-12,000/year. Diplomas typically take 2-3 years.

Private university fees

Private institutions (e.g., SIM, MDIS, PSB Academy) charge market rates: SGD 12,000-30,000/year depending on program and university partner. GST at 9% applies.

International school fees

International schools (e.g., UWCSEA, Tanglin Trust, SAS) charge SGD 30,000-50,000/year. GST applies. Waiting lists are common.

CPF Education Scheme (CPFES)

Citizens and PRs can withdraw CPF OA for tuition fees at approved institutions. Withdrawal limit is the tuition fee amount. Repayment with 2.5% interest starts after course completion.

MOE Tuition Grant

Subsidises tuition for citizens and PRs automatically. International students can apply and sign a three-year employment bond to work in Singapore after graduation.

PSEA (Post-Secondary Education Account)

Government account with annual contributions from MOE. Can be used for approved courses. Balances roll over for up to 15 years after completing secondary education.

Edusave account

Annual government contributions to students' Edusave accounts. Can be used for approved enrichment and post-secondary courses.

Additional costs to budget for

Books and supplies: SGD 800-1,500/year. Accommodation: SGD 3,000-12,000/year. Living expenses: SGD 4,000-8,000/year. Transport: SGD 1,000-2,000/year. Health insurance: SGD 300-800/year.

Education inflation

Tuition fees in Singapore increase 2-4% annually. Use the inflation slider to project future costs. The calculator adjusts fees based on years until start.

Calculator inputs

Institution & Program

Additional Costs8 options

Funding & Grants7 options

Inflation & Timing2 options

Your results

Sources & methodology

Formula & methodology

Formula used

Total course cost

Cost after the Tuition Grant

Cost with fee increases

Variable definitions

Step-by-step calculation

Limitations

Sources & references

Do Singapore citizens, PRs and international students pay the same fees?

What is the Tuition Grant and does it carry obligations?

Do fees differ by course?

Can CPF be used to pay tuition fees?

Should I plan for fees rising?

Related calculators

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Calculator inputs

Institution & Program

Additional Costs8 options

Funding & Grants7 options

Inflation & Timing2 options

Your results

Sources & methodology

How to Use This Calculator

Example: local university in 10 years, citizen, 4-year course

Understanding Your Results

Key Tips

Singapore Tuition & Education Cost Guide (2026)

Tuition fees at local universities

Polytechnic tuition fees

Private university fees

International school fees

CPF Education Scheme (CPFES)

MOE Tuition Grant

PSEA (Post-Secondary Education Account)

Edusave account

Additional costs to budget for

Education inflation

Disclaimer

Formula & methodology

Formula used

Total course cost

Cost after the Tuition Grant

Cost with fee increases

Variable definitions

Step-by-step calculation

Limitations

Sources & references

How to Use This Calculator

Example: local university in 10 years, citizen, 4-year course

Understanding Your Results

Key Tips

Singapore Tuition & Education Cost Guide (2026)

Tuition fees at local universities

Polytechnic tuition fees

Private university fees

International school fees

CPF Education Scheme (CPFES)

MOE Tuition Grant

PSEA (Post-Secondary Education Account)

Edusave account

Additional costs to budget for

Education inflation

Disclaimer