The National University of Singapore (NUS), consistently ranked among the world’s top 10 universities, is known for its academic excellence and global research impact.
In 2025, NUS was ranked 8th globally by QS World University Rankings and attracted over 40,000 students from more than 100 countries. However, alongside its prestige comes a significant financial commitment.
Tuition fees at NUS vary widely depending on the program, residency status, and choice of modules, with some specialized courses like MBA and Medicine costing substantially more than standard programs.
Additionally, students need to budget for living expenses in Singapore, one of Asia’s most expensive cities. This guide breaks down National University of Singapore fees, additional charges, scholarships, and living costs to help you plan your education budget for 2025 effectively.
What Are the Tuition Fees for Different Programs at NUS?
NUS employs a transparent cohort-based tuition approach, where fees are established for every intake cohort and persist throughout a student's candidacy, but removes the anxiety of annual adjustments.
Fees are also calculated on a semester-wide basis. Therefore, annual fees are divided by semesters. Additional charges are also levied such as other fees for students that cover a lot of services, including healthcare charges, transport fees on campus, and IT networks.
How much does it cost to study undergraduate and postgraduate programs at NUS in 2025?
Undergraduate general programs (e.g. Business, Computing, Engineering, Humanities & Sciences): approximately SGD 8,250-9,650/year, for a total for a 4-year course of SGD 33,000-38,600.
Here is a table showing program type with their pay per year:
Program Type
SGD per Year
Approx. INR per Year
General Undergraduate
8,250–9,650
₹5.1 Lakh – ₹6.0 Lakh
Medicine / Dentistry (undergrad)
32,200
₹20 Lakh
Note- INR conversions are approximate and may vary based on the currency exchange rates.
Postgraduate fees vary widely by program and are often higher. The official admissions pages currently do not list postgraduate fees; check faculty-specific portals for exact numbers.
What are the tuition fees for medicine, and other premium courses at NUS?
The tuition fees for MBA, Medicine and other premium courses at NUS are as follows:
Medicine/Dentistry: SGD 32,200/year, translating to approximately ₹20 Lakh/year. Over a typical 5-year medicine course, that’s around SGD 161,000, or ₹99.8 Lakh.
Programs like MSc in Management or Finance may range between INR 37 L to 48 L/year (₹37 L = SGD 60–80k) based on current conversion
Note- These are indicative; refer to program-specific pages for exact amounts.
How does the modular credit system impact the total tuition fee?
Undergraduate tuition is not charged per module but per semester, regardless of module load up to the standard workload of 20 units.
If students complete fewer modules in standard semesters, they still pay the full semester fee. However, during Special Terms, tuition may be pro-rated per module taken.
NUS provides a systematic and straightforward mechanism for fee payments, in a manner that combines timely notification, flexible modes of installment, and specific policies around refunds. Students are notified via email as well as the EduRec portal about the payment deadlines.
NUS offers automated deductions through GIRO, and each educational year might offer student plans through financial aid schemes, allowing students to have many ways to satisfy their tuition obligation.
What are the tuition payment timelines and methods at NUS?
Students receive an email at least two weeks before the fee deadline, prompting them to view their Student Bill online via the Education Records System (EduRec).
Due Dates for AY2025/2026 (Semester 1):
Payment Mode
Due Date
Non-GIRO
9 Sept 2025
GIRO
1 Oct 2025
(GIRO applications must be submitted by late August/September depending on the bank).
GIRO applications must be submitted by late August/September depending on the bank.
Payment Methods Available:
GIRO: A bank deduction method that, once set up, automatically deducts fees including Tuition, Miscellaneous Student Fees, and Hostel Fees from the linked account.
Non-GIRO: Can be handled via direct payment methods on the portal (e.g., e-payments).
Financial Aid Schemes (scholarships, bursaries, loans) are applied in a set sequence to offset payable fees.
Can students pay fees in installments or get a refund if they defer or withdraw?
Payment Plans:
National University of Singapore Fees provides no installment plans other than the arrangement through GIRO. After students have completed the process to set up GIRO, the deductible fees will occur in one batch for each semester, at the set date.
The GIRO process allows students to slightly defer their fee payments, to some extent, until after they are deducted.
Students withdrawing or terminated after Instructional Week 2 of the semester are liable for full fee semester, and typically the University will not offer refunds on us withdrawing or terminating.
Refunds in General:
NO refunds are provided this refers to partial refunds or cash refunds for any fees paid such as an overpayment made by SkillsFuture Credit.
To deal with any balances left over from fees paid, the university will roll over into fees due the following semester. If a student requests a refund and it is their last term, the balance can be refunded.
Are There Any Scholarships or Financial Aid Options Available?
National University of Singapore Fees has a robust suite of scholarships, bursaries, and financial aid schemes to support local and international students with tuition and living costs.
Funding exists through university awards, Government Grants, and external donors, each with different eligibility and conditions.
What scholarships and grants are available for Indian and international students?
National University of Singapore has a few highly regarded undergraduate scholarships for international students who wish to study at NUS:
NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship
Coverage: Full subsidised tuition (under MOE Grant), S$5,800/year for living, S$1,750 one-time computer allowance, and S$5,000/year accommodation.
Conditions: Scholarship recipients must take the MOE Tuition Grant. This comes with a 3-year bond to work in Singapore, with 5-6 years of service if studying Medicine or Dentistry.
ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship (including for some Indian nationals in variant programs)
Coverage: Full subsidised tuition, plus living, computer, and accommodation allowances.
Science & Technology Undergraduate Scholarship
For those applying to Computing, Engineering, or Science programs. Benefits include full subsidised tuition, living allowance (~S$6,000), computer allowance, settling-in grant, and lodging support.
In addition, government and external scholarships are also accessible to Indian students, including:
Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) for PhD research, covers full tuition, stipend, airfare, and settling-in expenses.
Goh Keng Swee Scholarship offering full tuition, living cost support, airfare, and settling aid.
Does NUS offer full funding or only partial fee support through assistantships or aid?
Full tuition as well as living, computing, and accommodation costs, are often covered by Undergraduate Scholarships. Scholarships are excellent value packages, but usually come with bonding requirements.
Financial aid packages (for non-scholarship recipients) are also available, particularly for international students identified as being a financially needy student. The offerings may include:
MOE Study Loan, NUS Donated Bursaries, Student Assistance Loan, Resi College or Hall Bursaries
The financial aid may cover partial tuition, living subsidies, accommodation, or overseas program involvement.
What Are the Admission-Related Charges Beyond Tuition?
Along with the tuition, as they prepare to apply and once they have applied, NUS applicants and admitted students need to identify important fees such as non‐refundable application fees, mandatory tuition deposits, and the ongoing miscellaneous administrative costs that will be incurred upon enrollment.
Doing so will help navigate the admissions experience in a transparent and informed way.
How much is the tuition deposit and application fee for NUS programs?
Application Fee (Undergraduate Applicants):
Most applicants will need to pay a non‐refundable application fee of S$10. Students who are considered to be International Students with international qualifications will need to pay S$20 (including GST).
Application fee payments can only be made electronically using various electronic payment methods (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, AliPay or PayNow) and can't be made using debit cards or in any ways not listed above. Refunds are not permitted for any overall payment or multiple payment amounts made.
Acceptance / Tuition Deposit (Graduate Program Example ‐ MSc Finance):
For example, upon acceptance into specific graduate programs, such as the MSc in Finance, students will be required to pay an acceptance fee of S$10,900, which is offset to the total payment amounts owed for the program.
In addition, the MSc in Management students must pay the acceptance fee (S$10,900 accepted towards fees) upon admission.
These figures illustrate that while application fees remain modest, acceptance fees (tuition deposits) for graduate courses are substantial and directly reduce the remaining fee balance.
Are there any hidden or additional administrative fees students should know about?
National University of Singapore Fees charges miscellaneous student fees to all registered students, these cover vital services such as student healthcare, cultural and recreational programs, IT infrastructure, and shuttle bus services. These are billed every semester, in addition to tuition.
GST Considerations:
Some graduate program acceptance fees and tuition are explicitly inclusive of GST (typically at 9%), ensuring clarity on exact payable amounts, for example, the MSc in Finance and MSc in Management fees are both GST-inclusive.
No additional “hidden” charges are listed on official National University of Singapore pages, but applicants should anticipate the recurring miscellaneous student fees once registered, beyond tuition and deposits.
What Is the Cost of Living for NUS Students in Singapore?
Planning for your time at National University of Singapore involves more than just tuition, living expenses in Singapore can add up, especially for international students. Here is a breakdown of typical monthly and annual costs based on official university data, along with peer insights for a more grounded perspective.
What are the average monthly living expenses for international students at NUS?
Let us understand the average monthly living expenses for international students at NUS:
Category
Cost (SGD)
Cost (INR)
Undergraduates – On-Campus (Annual)
S$5,400
₹3,34,800
Undergraduates – Other Expenses (Annual)
S$6,000
₹3,72,000
Undergraduates – Total Annual Estimate
S$11,400
₹7,06,800
Graduates – On-Campus Accommodation (Monthly)
S$900–1,800
₹55,800–₹1,11,600
Graduates – Public Housing (Monthly)
S$700–1,000
₹43,400–₹62,000
Graduates – Private Rentals (Monthly)
S$1,000–2,000
₹62,000–₹1,24,000
Meals (Monthly)
S$300–800
₹18,600–₹49,600
Transport (Monthly)
S$80–200
₹4,960–₹12,400
Healthcare per GP Visit
S$52–112
₹3,224–₹6,944
Personal Costs (Monthly)
S$200–350
₹12,400–₹21,700
Mobile & Broadband (Monthly)
S$98–280
₹6,076–₹17,360
Graduates – Recommended Annual Budget
S$19,500+
₹12,09,000+
Note- INR conversions are approximate and may vary based on the currency exchange rates.
How do on-campus and off-campus accommodation costs compare?
Here are the comparison of on-campus and off-campus accommodation costs in monthly basis:
Accommodation Type
Monthly Cost
On-Campus (Single Room)
S$325 – S$605
On-Campus (Double Room)
S$215
Off-Campus (Market Rates)
Varies (market-dependent)
What daily or miscellaneous expenses should students plan for in Singapore?
Here are the official estimates of the daily or miscellaneous expenses students should plan for in Singapore:
Books & Supplies: S$100–200/month
Food (University Canteens): S$250–350/month
Transport (with concession passes): S$95/month; without concession, S$150–200
Peer Insights from NUS Students:
“For me, clothing & toiletries are around $50–80 a month… majority of my expenses is on food”
“If you’re on budget … I’d say $500 is sufficiently comfortable (if you don’t cook).”
How Do NUS Fees Compare to Other Top Global Universities?
The National University of Singapore Fees (NUS) compares well globally and, with generally lower prices, it is therefore a good balance of quality and value.
NUS often compares favorably to whether you're using institutions in the USA or UK or using common local comparisons, like NTU or SMU.
If you compare the National University of Singapore, the tuition and the reputation, and graduate employment outcomes, NUS is often in the favourable value range when comparing costs.
Is studying at NUS more cost-effective than in the USA, UK, or Ivy League schools?
When comparing tuition levels to normal international tuition fees, you would pay:
In the USA, tuition rates on average range between US$11,260 at in-state public universities to US$41,540 at private universities, generally higher than that of the NUS.
In the UK, equating handling losses from Brexit and looking at 2025, tuition for domestic students would be capped at approximately £9,535 (SGD 17,000+), and considering living expenses and outlays.
In contrast, at NUS, you're getting an internationally recognised/awarded education (QS#8 in 2025) where tuition levels are lower than most universities or institutions by a higher value, particularly with scholarships, or under MOE subsidy announcements.
So overall by factoring in what you receive at NUS the USA and UK will give you prestige and potential contacts (e.g. Ivy League networks), but NUS still has an elite academic knowledge program, and that is worth considering for cost, especially with awarding direct scholarships to even direct government or university subsidy awards.
How does NUS compare with NTU and Singapore Management University in terms of value?
Tuition comparability: NUS and NTU maintain similar tuition ranges, while SMU often charges slightly more, especially in business or law disciplines.
Rankings: NUS leads in global standings (QS #8), followed by NTU (QS #15), and SMU trailing significantly in global rank.
Financial aid advantages: NUS offers robust financial support and scholarships. One student noted receiving full tuition, free accommodation, stipend, and grant opportunities reportedly less extensive at NTU.
University
Approx. Annual Tuition (SGD & INR)
Notes
NUS
8,250–9,650 SGD (~₹5.12–5.98 lakh) general undergrad; up to 24,200 SGD (₹15.00 lakh) med/dent
High global ranking (#8 QS 2025), strong financial aid offerings
NTU
8,250–9,450 SGD (~₹5.12–5.85 lakh) general; up to 31,500 SGD (₹19.53 lakh) medicine
Similar cost structure; notable engineering reputation
SMU
Around 11,500 SGD (₹7.13 lakh) undergrad; possibly 10,000–28,000 SGD (₹6.20–17.36 lakh) depending on program
Higher fees, strong business/law focus
How Are Fee Waivers or Special Discounts Handled at NUS?
NUS has a system to provide fee waivers and concessions, which is small and based on financial need or specific agreements, or does these exist according to national policy.
Singapore citizens, PRs, and international students have access to different types of support, but there are real differences in eligibility, and specifics of support available to each.
In most cases, tuition waivers are not automatic students will however need to seek tuition fee waivers as per the frameworks by some dedicated schemes or programs.
Are there any tuition waivers or discounts for low-income or exchange students?
NUS has specific tuition support grants for students from low-income, in the form of getting your fees subsidized e.g. MOE Tuition Grant (this only applies to Singapore citizens and PRS and eligible international students, once they sign a service obligation, usually the case in most NUS agreements).
In addition, the Faculty/Department may also give need-based bursaries etc. or donor-supported award schemes that will assist in partially waiving their own tuition fees.
Exchange students coming under formal partnerships with universities do not pay tuition to NUS, instead they will usually continue to pay fees to their own home institution under the tuition framework/service agreement, if this is included in the university agreement.
International students who are not part of an exchange agreement will usually be able to apply for competitive scholarships, as well.
Do national service obligations affect tuition for Singaporean students?
For male Singapore citizens, National Service (NS) obligations can influence tuition timelines and payment schedules. Students who defer university enrollment due to NS may have their tuition grant eligibility and fee structures preserved based on the cohort year they were first admitted.
However, any change in program or significant delay beyond approved NS deferment may lead to updated tuition rates upon enrollment.
While NS itself does not reduce tuition costs, it ensures students do not face fee increases during their deferment period, provided they follow NUS and MOE policies.
Conclusion
Studying at the National University of Singapore offers world-class education with a cost structure that is generally more affordable than many top universities in the USA, UK, and Australia.
While tuition fees vary by program, NUS provides substantial value through its academic reputation, global ranking, and financial aid options.
Living costs in Singapore are relatively high, but with careful budgeting especially by choosing on-campus housing students can manage expenses effectively.
Understanding all components of the cost, from tuition deposits to daily living expenses, helps future students plan their finances with confidence and make the most of their NUS experience.
Planning to study in Singapore but confused where to start from? Book a free 1:1 counselling session with our experts today!
FAQs
Different fees for local and international students?
Yes. NUS tuition fees are usually lower for Singapore citizens and permanent residents than for international students. NUS's different fees are consistent with Singapore's public universities and provide subsidies for local students.
Do exchange students pay full tuition at NUS?
Most exchange students who come from partner institutions pay no tuition fees at NUS, as they're still paying tuition to their home institution. They may have to pay for living expenses, an administrative fee and some course fees in Singapore.
Does NUS have any fee protection or guarantees against increases in fees?
No, NUS tuition fees are subject to change from year-to-year and the university does not guarantee that a student's fees will stay the same throughout their course. Therefore, students may want to consider including some sort of increase in their budgeting.
Are laboratory based programs charged separately at NUS?
Yes. Programs in engineering, science, and medicine may have extra lab or materials fees to cover the cost of special equipment, consumables, and facilities. The exact fees can be viewed in the detailed program fee structure on the NUS site.
Can international students work part-time to help pay for living expenses at NUS?
Yes. International students authorized to study in Singapore with a Student Pass can work for up to 16 hours a week during terms and full-time during holidays, with no additional work permit needed. International students, like local students, can work to help offset living costs, but earning income as an international undergraduate student is unlikely to offset tuition fees.
Is a meal plan included in accommodation fees at NUS?
Not always. Although some residential colleges will offer meals bundled with accommodation fees, most halls or hostels will only include an accommodation fee. Most students will have to pay for meals separately at campus canteens or they can prepare their meals in shared kitchens.
Does NUS alumni get any discount for postgraduate studies?
Yes. Sometimes former NUS students will be offered a tuition fee concession or an application fee waiver for particular postgraduate courses by NUS. The amount of the fee concession varies depending on the department and the academic year so it's best to check with the faculty prior to submitting your application.
Is insurance costs included in NUS fees?
Basic medical insurance is usually included in the compulsory miscellaneous fees for full-time students. Most insurance covers hospitalization, outpatient expenses, and personal accidents - although students may need to pay for additional insurance to receive further benefit coverage.
Do NUS fees include textbooks and study materials?
No. Textbooks, software licenses, and other study materials are not included in tuition. Depending on the program, these can add a few hundred Singapore dollars annually. Students can reduce costs by purchasing second-hand books or using the library.
Is there a penalty for late payment of NUS tuition fees?
Yes. Late payment may incur an administrative penalty, and continued non-payment could result in restrictions on course registration or access to academic transcripts. NUS advises students to meet all payment deadlines to avoid disruptions.
Are there any special fee structures for joint-degree or double-degree programs?
Yes. Joint-degree and double-degree programs may have a unique fee structure, especially if they involve partner universities overseas. Students may need to pay tuition to both institutions or follow an agreed-upon cost-sharing arrangement.
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