All of Singapore’s universities, including the five public universities and Singapore’s only private university UniSIM, have recently increased their student fees ranging from 0.6% to 8%. This rise is comparable to previous years, and is higher for permanent residents and foreigners.

For most undergraduate qualifications, the average increase is between 1% to 1.5%. UniSIM uses a module-based fee model, meaning all students will be affected by the increase, whereas the public universities will only apply the increases to the next starting cohort. NUS will increase its dentistry, medicine, law and music fees by 5% to 8%.

University fees have increased across the board every year since 2010. Fresh law students can now expect to pay about $12,400 a year, a 6.4% increase, or $750 more, while music students will pay $11,950 a year, an 8% increase, or $900 more than last year.

The reasons for the increase in fees are cited as being due to the effects of inflation, the costs of improving the student experience, and increased operating costs.

This rise in fees might make UK transnational qualifications more attractive for those seeking value for money. It may also make some prospective students consider doing their degree in a foreign country like the UK. However, we don’t think the increase will sway a lot of students already looking at obtaining a degree at one of Singapore’s internationally acclaimed universities.

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