How Much Do School Fees Cost in Singapore’s Schools? (2024)

Are you a parent with a schooling-age child? Are you wondering how much it would cost to send your child to school in Singapore? In this post, we dive into the school fees of primary, secondary, and junior colleges in Singapore, with fee breakdowns as well as information about how it will change in the coming years.

Generally, schools fees for education in Singapore’s public schools will be affected by two factors: the student’s citizenship status and the type of school (i.e. how the school is funded). Further, school fees can be broken down into the actual school fees and additional miscellaneous fees. Let’s take a look at these in more detail below.

Fee differentiation by nationality

Singapore is a world-recognised education hub, with consistently high math and language performances on worldwide proficiency rankings. It is a coveted place to study especially for students from around the region. But you may be surprised to learn that Singaporean students get to enjoy this renowned education system for a very low fee – sometimes practically free.

Singapore citizens: The government provides heavy subsidies on school fees, with school fees in government and government-aided schools ranging from absolutely nothing to $6.

Permanent Residents: School fees are higher than that of citizens, with fewer subsidies.

International students (ASEAN): They pay a higher rate than PRs but enjoy a lower rate than International students from the rest of the world.

International students (rest of the world): They pay the highest band of school fees, which can range from $1000 to $2000 per month.

Additionally, from 2024 to 2026, school fees for non-citizens are set to rise every year, with price hikes ranging from $20 to $140 annually.

Fee differentiation by school type

The school type determines how the school is run and funded, and affects the fee structure for students as well.

Government schools: Fees and curriculum are standardised. Some government schools have an autonomous status which means they offer a wider range of programmes for learning and student development.

Government-aided schools: These are set up by community organisations (e.g. cultural or religious groups), and follow the same fee structure as government schools. The curriculum is mostly standardised with the national syllabus, but may include some aspects that cater specifically to their respective communities (e.g. cultural or religious classes). Some government-aided schools also have autonomous status, which means they offer a wider range of programmes for learning and student development.

Independent schools: Independent schools may set their own curriculum and school fees, so their fees tend to be more expensive but they offer more unique programmes. (Currently, all the Independent schools are also Integrated Programme schools).

Fee structure in Singapore schools

The cost of education in Singapore for government and government-aided schools is typically split into two parts: school fees and miscellaneous fees.

School fees are set by MOE and go towards government revenue. These fees are different for Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents, and International Students.

Miscellaneous fees are set by MOE but go towards individual schools’ budgets and operating expenses. The same rate applies to all students, regardless of nationality.

Independent schools do not follow this fee structure and can set their own fees.

Below, let’s look at the average monthly school fees across Primary schools, Secondary schools, and Junior Colleges in Singapore. Please note that fees stated are may be subject to slight variations across different schools, and reflect the rates in 2024.

Primary school

Miscellaneous fees for primary school are set at $13 regardless of nationality. Singapore citizens do not need to pay school fees for primary school; they only need to pay the miscellaneous fees.

Secondary school

Government and government-aided schools

Miscellaneous fees for secondary school are set at $20 regardless of nationality.

Junior college

Government and government-aided school

Miscellaneous fees for junior college are set at $27 regardless of nationality.

Independent schools (Secondary and JC)

Independent schools may set their own fees and fee structure, and MOE currently only provides an estimate of the total monthly fees expected to be paid by a student at these schools. For more information on fees and fee structures in independent schools, it is best to enquire from the school directly.

Conclusion

If you are a Singapore citizen living in Singapore, you are blessed to be able to enjoy excellent education that costs almost nothing! This also means you can focus your budgeting on other aspects, like providing for your child’s Sec Math Tuition or other enrichment classes. If you are a foreigner intending to send your child for studies in a local school in Singapore, do note that you will have to plan ahead. Incoming students from overseas will need to take placements tests to determine which level they can enter, if granted a place in a local school.

Have questions about applying to Singapore schools? Future Academy provides education consulting services, including assistance with school applications as well as preparatory programmes for those seeking to apply to study here. Simply drop us an email with your request and we will be happy to assist you.

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