As one of the four Asian Tigers, Singapore has a developed economy and high-quality education, making it a popular destination for studying abroad in Asia.Common sense to pay attention to when studying in Singapore in 2023Safety tips for studying in Singapore, ,Top 10 common sense questions about studying in Singapore, ,Legal knowledge in SingaporeThe problem.

Common sense to pay attention to when studying in Singapore in 2023

Common sense to pay attention to when studying in Singapore in 2023

1. Start date and cost of studying in Singapore

Universities in Singapore are different from those in China. The admission for public universities in Singapore is in August, while that for private universities in Singapore is in February and September.

Although the cost of living in Singapore is relatively high, it is still relatively low compared to Western countries where students study abroad. The prices of basic necessities such as food and clothing are very reasonable.

The average monthly living expenses for international students in Singapore are between S$750 and S$1,000 (RMB 3,700 to RMB 5,000), depending on individual lifestyle and courses.

2. Class attendance rate of studying in Singapore

For international students, the Singapore Immigration Department attaches great importance to student attendance. The attendance rate of classes must reach 90% or above, otherwise the visa renewal will be rejected. If the student is warned more than twice, he or she will be in danger of being deported.

Anyone who takes leave or returns to their home country for more than 60 days must reapply to the Singapore Immigration Department after the student visa expires and cannot apply for an extension.

3. Singapore’s punishment

Singapore is one of the developed countries with the heaviest penalties. Spitting, spitting gum, smoking indoors, taking drugs, etc. will be severely punished. Not only that, even downloading pirated games or songs will be fined.

In order to combat piracy and support genuine products, the Singapore government has strict regulations on all games, songs, movies, etc. downloaded from the Internet. If discovered, a fine of no less than S$500 will be imposed depending on the severity of the circumstances.

It is also illegal to use the Internet for free in Singapore. If you do this, you will face a three-year prison sentence because it is considered hacking in Singapore. Previously, a Singaporean teenager was sentenced to 18 months of probation for using the Internet for free.

4. When applying for sick leave, only sick leave notes issued by Western doctors are recognized

In Singapore, if you are sick and need to see a doctor and take a leave, please take the initiative to hand in a sick note to the school on the first day after the sick leave ends! Schools in Singapore only want sick notes issued by Western doctors! If you must take a leave! Be sure to find a Western medicine clinic!

If an accident occurs in Singapore and you need to be hospitalized, students will be provided with compulsory tuition insurance. According to the regulations, when you are hospitalized for more than one hour (each school has different requirements), you can apply to the school to reimburse a certain percentage of the hospitalization expenses.

More importantly, don’t apply for a “fake sick note”! Once any fraud is discovered in Singapore, the consequences will be very serious!

5. No Illegal Work

Singapore has very strict regulations regarding part-time work for international students on a student visa.

Only full-time students studying at certain government-designated institutions with an ICA-approved student pass and a student pass that has not expired can work in Singapore (mainly public schools).

Work during class time is limited to 16 hours per week, and students at private universities are generally not allowed to work off-campus. International students are not allowed to work illegally, and if they are found, they are in danger of being directly deported back to China.

6. Apply for a phone card

While living in a new country, you will inevitably need to contact your family and friends in China, so you need to have a certain understanding of the local communication conditions.

Singapore's communications industry is very developed, with three major operators: Singtel, Starhub and MobileOne (M1). Their SIM cards can be divided into prepaid cards and package cards.

Generally speaking, phone cards of various denominations can be purchased at local post offices, 7-11 convenience stores, and phone card dealers.

Since real-name registration is required for all transactions in Singapore, you must bring your passport when purchasing a phone card. It is recommended that you choose Singtel's prepaid card because there is no monthly fee and you can save as much as you use.

In addition, Singtel has developed an app specifically for prepaid cards called "Singtel Prepaid hi! App", where you can check rates, prepay phone bills, buy data, etc. The most convenient way to buy prepaid cards is to buy them directly at 7-11 convenience stores or near the currency exchange office opposite the airport.

7. Currency Exchange

Many international students who have just arrived in Singapore usually have to deal with currency exchange. If you want to exchange Singapore dollars at the following places, you may have a better value for money.

The first thing that must be recommended is the famous Chinatown. Many students choose to exchange money here. There are many money exchange shops (Money Changer) on the first and second floors of Pearl's Plaza. Although many of them are privately owned, it is said that the same amount of money can be exchanged more here than in a bank.

Secondly, there are corresponding currency exchange centers in many large shopping malls, where you can exchange money directly while shopping. Especially the currency exchange center in the Arcade of Raffles Place, you can often see long queues.

8. Taking public transportation

Public transportation is available everywhere in Singapore. You can pay for the fare with cash or EZ-link Card. You can also enjoy certain price discounts when using EZ-link Card. The monthly transportation fee for students is about S$100.

According to Lisicheng Study Abroad, Singapore's buses and subways are charged in sections. When students use EZ-Link cards, they need to punch in and record the fees when getting on and off the bus, or when entering and exiting the subway station.

The bus routes cover the entire island, but there is no stop announcement service. You need to press the bell when you stop, so please pay special attention to this!

Further reading: Food, clothing, housing and transportation issues for studying in Singapore

1. Accommodation

Before going to study in Singapore, you must first solve the accommodation problem, otherwise you will have no place to stay after arriving in Singapore. One option is to live in the apartments provided by Singaporean schools for foreign students. These apartments are generally larger and are filled with many students from abroad who come to Singapore to study. Some are for two or three people, but the cost is generally very expensive, because it not only includes accommodation, but also food expenses, as well as students' haircuts, medical care, etc. Another option is to rent a house from the Singaporean government, or a private apartment. These are generally cheaper, but the conditions are generally not very good. There are various housing prices, and the prices are also very cheap. This fee only includes the cost of accommodation, and nothing else is included.

2. Diet

Students who live in student dormitories don’t have to worry about eating, as the school has solved the problem for them. Those who rent houses need to solve it by themselves. There are many delicious foods in Singapore, and the streets are full of various restaurants, hotels and snacks. If you want to eat Chinese food, you can also find it here. If you think eating out is too expensive, you can go to the supermarket to buy some fresh vegetables and meat and cook your own meals. Many students have learned to cook after returning from studying abroad.

3. Transportation

Singapore's transportation is very complete, with all kinds of transportation. If you are not traveling far, you can take the bus or subway. The subway is open very late, until 1 a.m. Taxis are also available 24 hours a day. Singapore's laws are very strict, so you don't have to worry about taking a taxi very late, but don't go out very late either.

4. Clothes

The weather in Singapore is relatively warm, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius throughout the year. You can prepare a few more T-shirts and coats when packing clothes. You don't need to bring thick clothes in winter, and you won't be able to wear them even if you bring them. If you come back from Singapore in winter when it's very cold, you may need to wear them on the way home. You will definitely buy clothes here when you arrive in Singapore. The clothes here are very cheap, and when they are on sale, many clothes are very cheap.

Further reading: Living expenses for studying in Singapore

1. Food

Singapore's multiculturalism makes it a gathering place for all kinds of food. You can see the cultural diversity of Singapore from the various local food options, including Chinese, Western, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Malay, etc. It really makes people feel that Singapore's food is so rich and colorful. Schools and colleges generally have canteens and restaurants. Generally speaking, students spend about 300-400 SGD per month on meals.

2. Shopping

During holidays or on Sundays, it is inevitable to go shopping. As Asia's shopping center and tourist paradise, Singapore has a wide variety of shopping malls. Buying school supplies, beloved gifts or daily necessities is an indispensable consumption. Chinatown, Little India, Orchard Road, Geylang Serai, Clarke Quay Flea Market, etc. are all good places to go on Sundays. Shopping with a few friends is also one of the necessary leisure activities. In short, the cost depends on your life plan.

3. Communications

Singapore has developed telecommunications, with a household telephone penetration rate of 100%. Public telephone systems are available in all districts, and telephone charges are low. International long-distance calls are charged at 0.5-1 SGD per minute. Using an IP phone card to call China is even cheaper, ranging from 0.18-0.25 SGD per minute. Mobile phone text messages are charged at 1 SGD per message, and the price is even cheaper if there are related business promotions. The total monthly expenditure is generally between 30-100 SGD.

4. Transportation

Singapore has fast transportation and few traffic jams. The subway runs throughout the island, which is safe, comfortable, punctual, fast, and inexpensive. Bus routes are also spread across the island, which is safe and convenient. There are more than 10,000 taxis in Singapore to serve those in need, and the call service is available 24 hours a day. Students attending government schools can enjoy transportation discounts. The average student transportation fee is about SGD 80/month.

Common sense to pay attention to when studying in Singapore in 2020

Summary of common sense to pay attention to when studying in Singapore in 2023

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