Fully Funded Scholarships in Singapore for International Students: How Thousands Secure a Free Education in 2026

Singapore consistently ranks among the world’s best places to study. Its universities (NUS and NTU regularly sit in the global top 15–20) offer rigorous programmes, strong industry links, and excellent post-study work options. The cost, however, can deter many talented international students. Fully funded scholarships in Singapore for international students change that equation by covering tuition, living expenses, and often travel.

These awards are competitive, yet hundreds of international students receive them every year. This guide explains the strongest fully funded options available for undergraduate and graduate study, what they actually cover, who qualifies, and how to strengthen your application.

Why Singapore Attracts Scholarship Applicants

Singapore’s education system is efficient, English-medium, and closely connected to major industries in technology, finance, biomedical sciences, and engineering. Graduates from NUS, NTU, SMU and SUTD are highly regarded by employers across Asia and beyond. Living costs are high, but a full scholarship removes the main barrier and often includes a stipend that covers basic living expenses.

Many of the best awards also come with research opportunities, conference funding, or automatic enrolment in honours or talent programmes. For students focused on STEM research, Singapore’s government-linked agencies such as A*STAR provide additional pathways that are rare elsewhere.

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Top Fully Funded Scholarships for Graduate Students

Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)

SINGA remains one of the most accessible fully funded PhD scholarships for international students. It is a collaboration between A*STAR and partner universities including NUS, NTU, SUTD, SMU and SIT.

What it covers (based on recent official and consistent secondary reporting):

Full tuition fees for up to four years of PhD study
Monthly stipend of approximately S$2,700, rising to S$3,200 after you pass the Qualifying Examination
One-time settling-in allowance of S$1,000
One-time airfare grant of up to S$1,500

Key eligibility points:

Open to international graduates (Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and those who have previously studied at a Singapore tertiary institution are generally not eligible)
Strong academic record in science, engineering, computing or related fields
Demonstrated interest in research
Good written and spoken English

SINGA is widely described as bond-free in recent student and institutional summaries, which is a major advantage compared with many government scholarships elsewhere. Applications are submitted through the A*STAR applicant portal (sms-applicant-app.a-star.edu.sg). Deadlines typically fall around 1 June (for January intake at selected partners) and 1 December (for August intake). Always confirm the latest dates and exact benefits on the current A*STAR scholarships pages, as the site structure has changed in recent years.

Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship (NPGS) at NTU

NTU’s premier PhD award offers a higher monthly stipend than many standard research scholarships.

Benefits for international students (effective rates reported for 2026):

Full annual tuition coverage
Monthly stipend of S$4,300
Overseas conference allowance of up to S$5,000 per financial year
Annual book allowance (S$500)
One-time IT allowance (S$1,500)
One-time thesis allowance (S$600)
Priority consideration for campus accommodation

The award is renewable up to four years subject to satisfactory progress. International recipients usually fulfil Graduate Assistantship Programme duties (teaching or lab supervision). There is no service bond. Selection is highly competitive and often involves nomination or strong indication of interest during the graduate application process. Check the official NTU graduate scholarships page for the latest application window.

Other Strong Graduate Options

NUS offers Research Scholarships and the President’s Graduate Fellowship that provide tuition coverage plus monthly stipends typically in the S$2,000–S$3,900 range depending on the award and stage of study. These are competitive and usually considered as part of the PhD or research Master’s admission process. Faculty-specific fellowships (for example in the Faculty of Science) can offer higher stipends for outstanding candidates.

Top Fully Funded or Near-Fully Funded Scholarships for Undergraduates

Undergraduate awards in Singapore are almost always tied to the Ministry of Education (MOE) Tuition Grant. Recipients receive heavily subsidised tuition and must generally work for a Singapore-registered company for three years after graduation. This is a condition of the Tuition Grant rather than a separate scholarship bond, but it is an important obligation to understand before accepting an award.

NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship

Open to citizens of all countries except Singapore.

Benefits:

100% coverage of subsidised undergraduate tuition fees (after the MOE Tuition Grant)
Annual living allowance of S$5,800
Annual accommodation allowance of S$5,000
One-time computer allowance of S$1,750

Applicants are considered automatically through their undergraduate admission application. Strong high-school results, leadership, and co-curricular achievements are essential. The scholarship is renewed each semester provided the student maintains a GPA of at least 3.5 (or equivalent cohort ranking for certain programmes) and good conduct. Official details are available on the NUS Office of Admissions scholarships pages for international freshmen.

Nanyang Global Scholarship at NTU

Open to all nationalities.

Benefits:

Full coverage of subsidised tuition fees (after Tuition Grant)
Living allowance of S$6,500 per academic year
Accommodation allowance of up to S$2,000 per year (for students living in NTU hostels)
One-time computer allowance of S$2,000
Travel grant of up to S$8,000 for an overseas programme (for recent cohorts)

Recipients are typically enrolled in NTU Honours College. Maintenance of a strong CGPA (commonly 3.5/5.0) is required. Like the NUS award, the MOE Tuition Grant’s three-year work obligation applies. Application is integrated with the undergraduate admissions process; additional materials such as a short essay and referee appraisal are often required.

ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarships and Science & Technology Awards

Students from ASEAN member countries (excluding Singapore) can apply for ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarships at NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT and SUSS. These generally cover subsidised tuition plus living and accommodation allowances (commonly S$5,800 living + accommodation support + one-time computer allowance).

Separate Science & Technology Undergraduate Scholarships target students from Asian countries pursuing computing, engineering or science programmes. Some of these carry a longer (six-year) bond with a Singapore-registered company. Check individual university pages for exact terms, as details vary slightly by institution.

How to Maximise Your Chances

Start early. Undergraduate applications for the following academic year typically close between October and March depending on your qualifications. Graduate deadlines are often earlier or rolling.
Build a clear research profile for PhD awards. Contact potential supervisors, highlight relevant projects or publications, and write a focused research statement.
Demonstrate leadership and impact. Universities look beyond grades. Strong co-curricular records, community involvement, or research experience strengthen applications.
Meet English and academic thresholds. Most awards expect strong results (often equivalent to first-class or high second-class honours) and fluent English.
Understand the bond or work obligation. Accept only if the post-graduation requirement aligns with your career plans.
Apply through official portals. Use the university admissions systems and the A*STAR applicant portal. Avoid third-party sites that claim to “guarantee” awards.

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Practical Next Steps and Official Resources

Begin by reviewing the official pages of the universities and agencies:

NUS scholarships for international freshmen: nus.edu.sg/oam/scholarships
NTU undergraduate scholarships: ntu.edu.sg/admissions/undergraduate/scholarships-and-awards
A*STAR scholarships and applicant portal: a-star.edu.sg/scholarships and sms-applicant-app.a-star.edu.sg
MOE Tuition Grant information (search the Ministry of Education website for the latest terms)

Also explore university-specific graduate school pages for NUS Research Scholarship and President’s Graduate Fellowship details, as these are updated annually.

Fully funded scholarships in Singapore for international students are real and attainable for strong candidates. The combination of full tuition coverage, living stipends, and access to world-class research facilities makes Singapore one of the most attractive destinations for students who prepare thoroughly and apply strategically. Review the latest official requirements, prepare a polished application that highlights both academic excellence and clear motivation, and you will significantly improve your odds of securing one of these competitive awards.

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