# Government, private and international schools: how to choose

> The official differences between the three kinds of school in curriculum, admission, language, passes and fees, how an international school’s diploma relates to university entry, and what to ask before choosing.

- verified_at: 2026-10-31
- volatile: no
- page: https://edu.ik.sg/en/kb/international-vs-government-schools

Choosing starts with knowing which kind of school you are looking at. This only states differences that official pages support, as of 31 October 2026, and says so where there is no official single answer.

## The core differences

| Aspect | Government school | Private school | International school (Foreign System School) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum | Local curriculum, taught in English; students learn English and a Mother Tongue | Varies by school; courses such as diplomas and degrees must be registered with SWDA | International curriculum (MOE’s description) |
| Admission | Through MOE’s admission exercises, subject to vacancies; MOE assigns the school | Apply directly to the school | Apply directly to the school |
| Who it mainly serves | International students can apply, with limited places (Primary 1 registration gives priority to citizens and PRs) | We did not read an official statement | MOE says it primarily caters to expatriates’ children |
| Student’s Pass | Needed unless the child holds a valid Dependant’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass or Immigration Exemption Order | Depends on the type of school; see ICA’s pages | Needed; the school must be EduTrust-certified; the same passes exempt |
| Fees | Official monthly figures | Set by each school | Set by each school |

## Government schools

- MOE says mainstream schools use English as the language of classroom instruction, and the admission tests are in English.
- International students enter through the admission exercises: Primary 1 registration, or the AEIS and S-AEIS for Primary 2 to 5 and Secondary 1 to 3. Places depend on vacancies and MOE assigns the school. See [AEIS](/en/kb/aeis-overview).
- Age guideline: a child should be no more than 2 years older than the typical age for the level.
- Monthly fees differ by nationality and school type. International students’ fees include GST. Figures are in [Cost components](/en/kb/cost-components).

## Private schools

- The Private Education Act requires private schools to be registered with SWDA, and courses such as diplomas, degrees, full-time certificates and preparatory courses must be registered too.
- SWDA says it oversees registration but does not endorse courses. EduTrust is a quality assurance scheme covering academic processes, governance, quality management and student protection; it does not assess course content.
- Check registered schools, permitted courses and EduTrust-certified schools on the Training Provider Gateway (tpgateway.gov.sg).
- A school that does not subscribe to the course fee insurance schemes may not collect more than two months of fees in advance.

## International schools and Privately-Funded Schools

- MOE says international schools (private education institutions) primarily cater to expatriates’ children. A Singapore Citizen student may be admitted only if the school first gets MOE’s approval, which MOE considers case by case.
- Privately-Funded Schools offer international curricula at secondary and pre-university level while following the policies on bilingualism and National Education. MOE’s page says returning Singaporeans do not need MOE’s approval and apply directly to the school.
- ICA says students at Foreign System Schools and Privately-Funded Schools must apply for a Student’s Pass, and the school must be EduTrust-certified. Apply 2 to 3 months before the course; for a transfer, at least 4 weeks before the new course.

## An international school’s diploma and university

Whether a university accepts it depends on the qualification, the results and the programme. NTU’s international qualifications page lists the IB Diploma, the American High School Diploma/AP and UK A-Levels among accepted qualifications, and also states that:

- each programme has minimum subject requirements in a separate document;
- UK A-Level applicants need at least 4 subjects at A2 level in a single sitting, and subjects from separate sittings are not accepted;
- IB applicants must give NTU direct access to IBO transcripts;
- qualifications where English was not studied throughout also need an English test.

This is one university’s example; read each university’s own page. See [Universities in Singapore](/en/kb/universities-in-singapore).

## What to ask before choosing

1. Is the school and the course registered with SWDA, and is it EduTrust-certified? (Check tpgateway.gov.sg yourself.)
2. Who awards the certificate? Does the target university’s admissions page list this qualification, and with what subjects and grades?
3. Besides tuition, what one-off fees are there (application, registration, deposit, school bus, uniform)?
4. How much is collected in advance, and what is the refund rule?
5. If the child’s English is not strong enough, what support is offered, and are places limited?
6. Which pass is needed and who applies? See [Student’s Pass](/en/kb/student-pass-overview).

This is a general checklist, not about any particular school.

## Common mistakes

- Treating an international school as an easier route to university: universities assess the qualification and programme separately.
- Treating EduTrust as proof of course quality: the official guidance says it does not assess course content.
- Assuming you can pick a government school: schools are assigned.
- Ignoring the pass: all three kinds of school need you to check it, and Foreign System Schools must also be EduTrust-certified.

## Using the site’s tools

- Compare routes side by side in [Compare paths](/en/tools/compare).
- Enter the child’s situation in the [planner](/en/planner/primary) to see which route fits.

## Sources
- MOE: Studying in Singapore (updated 14 Jan 2026): https://www.moe.gov.sg/international-students/studying-in-singapore
- MOE: Admissions process for international students (updated 14 Jan 2026): https://www.moe.gov.sg/international-students/admission
- MOE: School fees (updated 16 Oct 2026): https://www.moe.gov.sg/financial-matters/fees
- MOE: Other schooling options for Returning Singaporeans (updated 9 Jul 2026): https://www.moe.gov.sg/returning-singaporeans/other-options
- ICA: Student’s Pass for Foreign System Schools and Privately-Funded Schools (updated 29 Oct 2026): https://www.ica.gov.sg/information-and-e-services/long-term-visit-and-study/student-s-pass/student%27s-pass-application-renewal/foreign-system-schools-and-privately-funded-schools
- SWDA: Guide for choosing a private education institution (updated 22 Jul 2026): https://www.swda.gov.sg/home/skills-career-resources/private-education-resources/guide-for-choosing-a-pei
- NTU: General admission requirements for international qualifications: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/admissions/undergraduate/admission-guide/international-qualifications
- MOE: Education Statistics Digest 2025 (October 2025): https://www.moe.gov.sg/api/media/a43c4537-f4b9-47c2-bfe5-d43125a94973/ESD-2025.pdf