Move to Singapore for Free: The Ultimate Guide to Fully Funded Scholarships and Research Fellowships

Singapore is globally recognized as an economic powerhouse, a technological innovation hub, and home to some of the world's top-ranked higher education institutions. However, navigating the cost of living in this premier city-state can be daunting for international students.

Fortunately, the Singapore government, alongside its autonomous elite universities, invests millions annually into attracting exceptional global talent. By leveraging fully funded government scholarships, university fellowships, and private sector awards, it is entirely possible to move to Singapore and complete your undergraduate or postgraduate degree with zero tuition costs and comprehensive allowance coverage.

This guide outlines the most prestigious funding tracks available for international candidates, detailing eligibility thresholds, financial coverage, and strategic blueprints for application success.

The Strategic Advantage of Higher Education in Singapore

When you study in Singapore, you are entering an elite educational ecosystem. Institutions like the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) consistently rank within the top 15 globally.

Beyond structural academic quality, Singapore serves as a global corporate headquarters for major multinational tech, finance, and engineering firms, providing student visa holders with direct pathways to high-paying international careers upon graduation.

1. Top Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships

If you are looking to enter a Bachelor's degree program directly out of high school or an equivalent pre-university track, these four highly competitive options provide massive financial coverage.

ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship (AUS)

The ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship is tailored specifically for citizens or permanent residents of ASEAN member countries (excluding Singapore). It targets incoming freshmen enrolling at top-tier institutions including NUS, NTU, and Singapore Management University (SMU).

• Financial Coverage: Covers 100% of subsidised tuition fees. Includes an annual living allowance of SGD 5,800, a yearly accommodation allowance of SGD 3,000, and a one-time laptop allowance of SGD 1,750.

• The Catch / Service Obligation: Recipients must take up the MOE Tuition Grant Scheme. Under this framework, international scholars are legally obligated to work for a Singapore-registered company for three years immediately following graduation.

Science and Technology Undergraduate Scholarship

Offered directly by NUS and NTU, this track is open to outstanding applicants from all Asian countries or regions (excluding Singapore). It is restricted to students pursuing full-time computing, engineering, or science-based programs.

• Financial Coverage: 100% full coverage of subsidized undergraduate tuition fees and compulsory miscellaneous fees. It provides an annual living allowance of SGD 6,000, an annual accommodation allowance, a settling-in allowance of SGD 200, and a computer allowance of SGD 1,750.

• Service Obligation: Due to the specialized nature of the tech sector, this scholarship carries a strict six-year bond requiring the graduate to work inside a Singapore-registered company.

Dr Goh Keng Swee (GKS) Scholarship

The Dr Goh Keng Swee Scholarship is a highly prestigious private-sector award administered by the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS). It selects only 3 to 4 exceptional individuals annually from 15 specific Asia-Pacific economies (including India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and others) to pursue undergraduate tracks at NUS.

• Financial Coverage: Full tuition and compulsory fees, return economy airfare, an annual maintenance allowance of SGD 6,500, and a localized hostel allowance.

• Service Obligation: Requires a three-year bond working for an approved company in Singapore or a Singapore-based company situated in your home country.

Nanyang Scholarship (NTU)

The Nanyang Scholarship is NTU’s flagship freshman award. It recognizes international students displaying elite academic records, strong leadership qualities, and exceptional co-curricular track records.

• Financial Coverage: Complete coverage of subsidized tuition fees, a living allowance of SGD 6,500 per academic year, an accommodation allowance pegged to campus housing rates, a computer allowance of SGD 1,750, and a dedicated travel grant for overseas study programs.

• Academic Maintenance: Scholars must maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.5 out of 5.0 to secure renewal each semester.

2. Elite Graduate & PhD Research Fellowships

For postgraduate scholars looking to complete a PhD or advanced master's level research, Singapore offers some of the highest-paying stipends in the global academic market.

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                   ELITE GRADUATE & PHD RESEARCH TRACKS                        |
+---------------------+-------------------------------+--------------------------+
| Fellowship Name     | Eligible Disciplines          | Key Benefits             |
+---------------------+-------------------------------+--------------------------+
| SINGA Award         | Science, Tech & Engineering   | Tuition + SGD 2,700-3,200|
|                     |                               | Monthly Stipend          |
+---------------------+-------------------------------+--------------------------+
| NUS President's     | All Disciplines (PhD Level)   | Tuition + SGD 3,800-4,800|
| Fellowship          |                               | Monthly Stipend          |
+---------------------+-------------------------------+--------------------------+
| A*STAR Graduate     | Science & Engineering (PhD)   | Full Tuition + Highly    |
| Scholarship (AGS)   |                               | Competitive Stipend      |
+---------------------+-------------------------------+--------------------------+

Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)

The SINGA Award is an elite collaboration among the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), NUS, NTU, SUTD, and SMU. It brings international graduates with stellar academic results to Singapore for doctorate (PhD) studies in Biomedical Sciences, Physical Sciences, or Engineering.

• Financial Coverage: 100% tuition support for up to 4 years of PhD studies. It includes an initial monthly stipend of SGD 2,700 (which increases to SGD 3,200 after passing your PhD Qualifying Examination), a one-time settling-in allowance of SGD 1,000, and an airfare grant of up to SGD 1,500.

• Major Structural Benefit: Unlike the undergraduate tracks, SINGA is completely bond-free, meaning you are not legally obligated to remain in Singapore to work post-graduation unless you choose to.

NUS Research Scholarship / President’s Graduate Fellowship

Open to PhD candidates of all nationalities, this institutional fellowship rewards top-tier research profiles showing immense academic promise across any discipline.

• Financial Coverage: Full tuition fee waivers paired with an elite monthly stipend structure ranging from SGD 3,800 to SGD 4,800, depending on your residency status and progression milestones.

A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS)

The AGS track allows international scholars to complete their PhD research training dynamically at an autonomous Singaporean university while working directly alongside world-class scientists in A*STAR’s state-of-the-art research institutes. It covers full tuition fees and provides competitive monthly stipends and conference allowances.

Step-by-Step Admissions and Scholarship Pipeline

Securing a fully funded placement in Singapore requires navigating a strict dual-track application framework. You must secure academic admission to the university before or alongside the scholarship nomination phase.

Mandatory Application Documents Checklist

To ensure your application transitions smoothly through the initial screening software used by Singaporean universities, compile your paperwork cleanly using standard PDF formats:

• Valid Passport Information Page: Clear, colored scan showing full name and passport number.

• Certified High School or University Transcripts: Include your final graduation certificates. If your results are pending, submit your projected or mid-term transcripts.

• Personal Statement / Motivation Essay: Usually capped tightly around 250 to 500 words depending on the institution. Focus heavily on concrete achievements rather than generic fluff.

• Co-Curricular (CCA) Records: Official documentation showing leadership positions in clubs, competitive sports, national Olympiads, or volunteer bodies.

• English Language Test Scores: If your home country's medium of education is not English, submitting a high-percentile IELTS or TOEFL score is non-negotiable.

Crucial Disclaimer and Action Items for Applicants

While moving to Singapore through these tracks can be completely tuition-free, candidates must remain vigilant against online exploitation.

Important Safety Notice: All elite scholarships in Singapore—including ASEAN, SINGA, and GKS—are handled directly through official university or government ministry portals. They never utilize third-party agents, and you will never be asked to pay an advanced placement fee to clear a scholarship. Always verify eligibility parameters directly on the official university websites.