Scholarships for international students in Singapore: MOE ASEAN, NUS, NTU and SUTD

Which countries and school years MOE’s ASEAN Scholarship covers, the international scholarships NUS lists, what NTU’s and SUTD’s ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarships pay and require, how a student from China should judge eligibility, and why the Tuition Grant is not a scholarship.

Verified 2026-11-03 Changes often

Tuition in Singapore can be reduced three ways: the Tuition Grant, a school’s own scholarships, and MOE’s ASEAN Scholarship. They apply to different people. The two things most often misunderstood: the ASEAN Scholarship is for students from ASEAN countries, and the Tuition Grant is not a scholarship. This follows the official pages of MOE and NTU as of 3 November 2026.

Who this is for

Students from ASEAN countries: look at MOE’s ASEAN Scholarship (secondary school and pre-university) and the ASEAN undergraduate scholarships of universities such as NTU.
Students of other nationalities, including China: neither applies. Look at each school’s own scholarships. Open to Chinese citizens: the NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship (all countries except Singapore), the NUS Science & Technology Undergraduate Scholarship (Asian citizens), the ABS – Goh Keng Swee Scholarship (a list that includes China) and SMU’s Science & Technology Undergraduate Scholarship (PRC citizens named). NTU’s page groups its awards as merit-based, need-based and talent-based, with a scholarship window that follows the admissions window. This article did not check every award against Chinese nationality, so read the school page.
Parents often ask for a "full scholarship". The official pages do not guarantee that anyone will receive one, and NTU’s process includes selection and interviews.

Key facts

Item	What it is	Source
MOE ASEAN Scholarship	For students from 9 ASEAN countries joining selected secondary schools or junior colleges at set entry years; 2026 applications are closed	MOE, updated 16 May 2026
NTU ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship: who	ASEAN citizens or permanent residents (Singapore excluded) taking a full-time first degree, except the Renaissance Engineering Programme; holders of GCE A-Level, a Singapore polytechnic diploma, NUS High School Diploma, IB Diploma or Year 12 equivalents	NTU
NTU: amounts	Subsidised tuition after the Tuition Grant covered in full; living allowance S$5,800 and accommodation allowance S$3,000 per academic year; one-off computer allowance S$1,750	NTU
NTU: conditions	Keep a CGPA of at least 3.5 out of 5.0 (reviewed each semester); no other scholarship, bursary or university loan without approval; take part in the Community Involvement Programme; repayment if you end it early	NTU
Three NTU awards open to all nationalities	NTU President Award, CN Yang Scholars Programme Scholarship, NBS Global Leaders Programme Scholarship; see the notes below	NTU
Tuition Grant	Available to international students; 3-year bond after graduation	MOE, updated 23 Jun 2026

Steps

Confirm nationality and school year. MOE’s ASEAN Scholarship has country-specific entry years and application months; apply only in the window for your country.
For NTU, submit the admission application first, then the scholarship application. NTU notes that scholarship applications must be in before the admission outcome is known.
Prepare a personal essay of up to 250 words and a referee’s appraisal submitted online by a teacher who is not a relative. NTU asks the teacher to submit within 7 days and preferably no later than 2 weeks.
Interviews for A-Level, polytechnic, NUS High and IB applicants run from March to May, and shortlisted applicants are emailed by mid-May. For Year 12 equivalents, interviews take place within 2 months of the programme offer, and shortlisted applicants are emailed within a month of the offer.
Once awarded, keep the grade requirement and do not stack other scholarships.

Costs and timing

NUS (AY2026/2027 brochure): scholarships open to international students are the NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship (exceptional international students of all countries except Singapore); the NUS College International Scholarship (non-Singapore citizens applying to NUS College); the Science & Technology Undergraduate Scholarship (citizens of an Asian country or region, taking Computing, Engineering excluding Infrastructure and Project Management, or Science excluding Environmental Studies and Pharmacy); the Association of Banks in Singapore – Goh Keng Swee Scholarship (citizens of Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand or Vietnam); and the ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship. NUS says eligible applicants to undergraduate admission are considered automatically and shortlisted applicants are notified separately. Of these, the International Undergraduate, Science & Technology and Goh Keng Swee scholarships are described in the bullets below; the NUS College International Scholarship is described further below.
Three NTU awards open to all nationalities (NTU’s pages for each):
- NTU President Award: full-time undergraduate degree, outstanding results, co-curricular record and leadership potential. A one-off S$10,000 study allowance; a fully subsidised four-year guarantee of an NTU hostel place; mentoring and development opportunities. No bond apart from the Tuition Grant’s three years; a CGPA of at least 3.5 out of 5.0; applicants needing more help may also receive a one-off S$10,000 overseas travel allowance, tuition coverage through bursaries and an annual S$10,000 study allowance.
- CN Yang Scholars Programme Scholarship: for freshmen on the CN Yang Scholars Programme (science and engineering). Subsidised tuition after the Tuition Grant in full; a living allowance of S$6,500 per academic year; an accommodation allowance of up to S$2,000 a year for those living in NTU hostels; a travel grant of up to S$8,000 for an overseas programme (new cohorts from AY2025); a one-off S$2,000 computer allowance. No bond apart from the Tuition Grant’s three years; a CGPA of at least 3.5.
- NBS Global Leaders Programme Scholarship: for freshmen in a four-year Business or Accountancy programme at Nanyang Business School. Subsidised tuition after the Tuition Grant in full; a living allowance of S$6,500 per academic year; an accommodation allowance of up to S$2,000 a year for those in hostels. This article did not read its other conditions.
NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship: open to citizens of all countries except Singapore with outstanding high school results, an outstanding co-curricular record and strong leadership potential, applying to a full-time undergraduate degree; transfer applicants from local or overseas universities are not eligible. Subsidised tuition after the Tuition Grant is covered in full, with a living allowance of S$5,800 and an accommodation allowance of S$5,000 a year and a one-off S$1,750 computer allowance. The scholarship itself has no bond, but the recipient must take the Tuition Grant, so PRs and international students work three years for a Singapore-registered company after graduation; Dentistry and Medicine recipients also owe a Ministry of Health bond of five and six years. A GPA of at least 3.5 (or top 80% of the cohort for Dentistry, Law and Medicine) is needed each semester, and leaving early means repaying what was paid. All eligible applicants to NUS undergraduate admission are considered; interviews run January to July and outcomes come by mid-July. NUS may award none.
NUS Science & Technology Undergraduate Scholarship: for citizens of an Asian country or region (Singapore excluded) taking Computing, Engineering (excluding Infrastructure and Project Management) or Science (excluding Environmental Studies and Pharmacy); transfer applicants are not eligible. Subsidised tuition after the Tuition Grant in full; a living allowance of S$6,000 a year; a one-off S$1,750 computer allowance and S$200 settling-in allowance; an accommodation allowance equal to the lowest double-room rate on campus; and a travel allowance for the journey to Singapore and, after the programme, home (subject to proof of employment). Recipients serve a six-year bond with a Singapore-registered company after graduation and must take the Tuition Grant. A GPA of at least 3.5 is needed each semester, and at least 75% of graduation credits must be earned in Singapore.
ABS – Goh Keng Swee Scholarship (administered by NUS from 2026): for citizens of Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand or Vietnam; Singapore citizens and PRs are not eligible; full-time undergraduate degrees except Dentistry, Medicine and Music; transfer applicants are not eligible. Subsidised tuition after the Tuition Grant in full; S$6,000 living and S$5,000 accommodation allowance a year; a one-off S$1,750 computer allowance and S$200 settling-in allowance; a S$400 travel allowance. The recipient must take the Tuition Grant (3-year bond), and a GPA of at least 3.5 is needed each semester.
NUS cost guidance (same brochure): about S$6,000 for living expenses and S$5,750 for accommodation over a 35-week study period, which NUS calls conservative; after the Tuition Grant, the remaining tuition ranges from about S$8,300 to S$87,800 a year depending on nationality and programme; non-citizens serve a three-year bond.
SUTD ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship: for ASEAN citizens or permanent residents (Singapore excluded) in full-time MOE-subsidised degree programmes. It covers subsidised tuition after the Tuition Grant for the normal duration (up to four years), a living allowance of S$5,800 and an accommodation allowance of S$3,000 per academic year, and a one-off S$1,750 computer allowance. It has no bond of its own, but the recipient must take the Tuition Grant. The recipient must pass all subjects in Term 1 and then keep a CGPA of 3.5 out of 5.0; early termination or breach means liquidated damages. Applications are made with the admission application, and awards are competitive; SUTD may award none. SUTD’s international list has several more, which this article did not read one by one.
SUTD Rainmaker (International) Scholarship: open to Singapore PRs and international students applying to an SUTD undergraduate degree (so students from China qualify), with outstanding GCE A-Level, polytechnic diploma, NUS High, IB Diploma or Year 12 equivalent results, leadership potential and an excellent co-curricular or community record. It covers subsidised tuition after the Tuition Grant for up to four years, an annual allowance of S$10,000 (S$5,000 per term), and a travel award of up to S$5,000 for approved overseas programmes. It has no bond of its own, but the recipient must take the Tuition Grant, so that scheme’s bond applies. Performance is reviewed each term and at least 20 hours of service to the university are required.
SUTD Trailblazers (International) Scholarship: same eligibility as Rainmaker (International); it covers subsidised tuition after the Tuition Grant for up to four years, and the page lists no living allowance. No bond of its own; the Tuition Grant must be taken.
NUS ASEAN Undergraduate Merit Scholarship (NUS terms and conditions, June 2026): subsidised tuition after the Tuition Grant in full; S$5,800 living allowance and S$3,000 accommodation allowance a year; a one-off S$1,750 computer allowance; an overseas-programme allowance of S$2,500 (under 3 months) or S$5,000 (3 months or more), capped at S$5,000 for the whole degree. The scholar must take the Tuition Grant, so its bond applies. Ending early means refunding what was paid plus 10% compounded interest, and at least 75% of graduation units must be earned in Singapore. The document does not state eligibility; see the brochure above.
A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS) for PhD study, open to all nationalities: up to 4 years with full tuition, a monthly allowance, book, computer, conference and thesis allowances, and support for up to 12 months of overseas attachment. Monthly rate on the STEM track: S$4,500 for citizens, S$4,100 for PRs and S$3,600 for international students; specialised tracks (semiconductor, quantum, computing) S$6,200, S$5,600 and S$5,000. International applicants must be finishing or hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s at a Singapore autonomous university with at least Second-Class (Upper) Honours. Non-PR foreigners work three years for a Singapore-based company. Windows: 15 December to 1 February and 1 June to 10 August; another line on the same page says 1 November to 1 February, so confirm with A*STAR.
SMU Science & Technology Undergraduate Scholarship: for citizens of India, China (PRC), Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan who are first-year full-time students in Information Systems, Computer Science or Software Engineering at the School of Computing and Information Systems. Subsidised tuition after the Tuition Grant in full; a living allowance of S$6,000 a year; a one-off S$1,750 computer allowance and S$200 settling-in allowance; an accommodation allowance equal to the lowest double-room rate on campus; and a travel allowance. Recipients serve a six-year bond with a Singapore-registered company after graduation and must take the Tuition Grant. A CGPA of at least 3.4 out of 4.0 is reviewed each term. Applicants tick the scholarship section of the admission application; there is no separate form.
SMU ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship: for ASEAN citizens (Singapore excluded). Subsidised tuition after the Tuition Grant in full; a living allowance of S$5,800 and an accommodation allowance of S$3,000 a year; a one-off S$1,750 computer allowance. The scholarship has no bond of its own, but the Tuition Grant’s 3-year bond applies, and a CGPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 is required. SMU’s list for international students also has donor scholarships by nationality, which this article did not read one by one.
SMU Lee Kong Chian Scholars’ Programme: open to first-year full-time students of any nationality, up to 60 awards, for applicants with leadership and communication skills and a substantial co-curricular or community record. Scholars take a double degree, or a second major from the Lee Kong Chian School of Business next to a single degree (the exact combinations are on the page). It waives subsidised tuition for the regular semesters for up to four years, adds an S$16,000 Global Opportunities grant (exchange, overseas community service, case competitions and conference presentations), an S$5,000 annual living allowance and an S$1,800 one-off computer allowance. It has no bond of its own, but non-Singaporeans sign a Tuition Grant agreement and work for Singapore-based companies for three years after graduating. Applicants tick the scholarship section of the admission application, write a personal essay (referee letters optional) and, if shortlisted, attend a panel interview.
NUS College International Scholarship (NUS College page): open only to NUS College international and PR students. It covers subsidised tuition after the Tuition Grant, with S$5,800 a year as a living allowance, S$3,000 a year for accommodation and a one-off S$1,750 computer allowance. Application is by invitation only.
For the Tuition Grant figures and the bond see Universities and higher education in Singapore and What studying in Singapore costs.

Common mistakes

Comparing amounts and ignoring the bond: the NUS and SMU Science & Technology scholarships carry six years; the NUS International Undergraduate and Goh Keng Swee scholarships carry only the Tuition Grant’s three.
Treating the Tuition Grant as a scholarship: it carries a 3-year bond.
Assuming the ASEAN Scholarship is open to everyone: it is for students from the nine countries MOE lists.
Missing the window: MOE’s application months differ by country and 2026 is closed; NTU’s scholarship window is the same as its admission window.
Assuming a scholarship guarantees admission: the scholarship application is separate from the admission decision.

Next steps

Total costs: What studying in Singapore costs.
University routes: Universities and higher education in Singapore.
Estimate a budget with the cost tool.
Confirm amounts and dates on MOE’s and each school’s page.

FAQ

Can a student from China apply for MOE’s ASEAN Scholarship?

MOE’s page lists Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam. China is not among them. The scholarship is for students from ASEAN countries, so students of other nationalities should look at each school’s own scholarships.

Which school years does the ASEAN Scholarship cover?

MOE sets this by country. Brunei and Malaysia: Secondary 1, Secondary 3 or Pre-university 1. Indonesia: Secondary 1 or 3. Thailand: Secondary 3 or Pre-university 1. Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam: Secondary 3. Application months differ by country, and the page shows applications for all countries as closed for 2026.

What does NTU’s ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship pay?

NTU’s page lists full coverage of subsidised tuition (after the Tuition Grant), a living allowance of S$5,800 and an accommodation allowance of S$3,000 per academic year, and a one-off computer allowance of S$1,750, for up to the normal programme duration while performance and conduct stay good.

Does the scholarship carry a bond?

NTU’s page says no bond is attached to the scholarship apart from the three-year bond that applies to all Singapore PRs and international students under the Tuition Grant Scheme.

What does the NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship pay, and can students from China apply?

Yes. NUS’s page says it is open to citizens of all countries except Singapore, with outstanding high school results, a co-curricular record and leadership potential; transfer applicants are not eligible. It covers subsidised tuition after the Tuition Grant in full, a living allowance of S$5,800 and an accommodation allowance of S$5,000 a year, and a one-off S$1,750 computer allowance. The recipient must take the Tuition Grant, so its 3-year bond applies, and a GPA of at least 3.5 is needed each semester. Eligible applicants to NUS undergraduate admission are considered automatically; interviews run January to July with outcomes by mid-July.

What should a student from China watch for in the NUS and SMU science and technology scholarships?

Both the NUS and the SMU Science & Technology Undergraduate Scholarships require a six-year bond with a Singapore-registered company after graduation, twice the three-year Tuition Grant bond that is the only bond on the NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship. SMU’s version is limited to citizens of India, China (PRC), Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan in Information Systems, Computer Science or Software Engineering. Read the bond and the repayment terms before signing.

Which NUS scholarships are open to international students?

NUS’s AY2026/2027 brochure lists the NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship (exceptional international students of all countries except Singapore), the NUS College International Scholarship (non-Singapore citizens applying to NUS College), the Science & Technology Undergraduate Scholarship (citizens of an Asian country or region taking Computing, Engineering or Science), the Association of Banks in Singapore – Goh Keng Swee Scholarship (a list of countries that includes China) and the ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship. It says eligible applicants to NUS undergraduate programmes are considered automatically and shortlisted applicants are told separately. The amounts are in the body of this article.

Is there a scholarship for international PhD students?

A*STAR’s Graduate Scholarship (AGS) page says it is open to all nationalities. International applicants must have completed, or be on track to complete, a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at a Singapore autonomous university, with at least Second-Class (Upper) Honours, and meet that university’s PhD admission criteria. It supports up to 4 years with full tuition and a monthly allowance; the international rate is S$3,600 a month on the STEM track and S$5,000 on specialised tracks. Non-PR foreigners work three years for a Singapore-based company after graduating.

Which SUTD scholarships are open to international students?

SUTD’s scholarship page lists 18 under “For international students”, including the SUTD Rainmaker (International), Trailblazers (International) and ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship. The Rainmaker (International) and Trailblazers (International) scholarships are open to PRs and international students and are described in the body of this article; the others were not read.

Is the Tuition Grant a scholarship?

No. MOE’s Tuition Grant helps with the fees of selected full-time diploma and undergraduate courses, international students can receive it, and recipients serve a 3-year bond after graduation. Scholarships are awarded separately by schools or governments.

Sources

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