- SINGAPORE
Which International Schools Offer Scholarships In Singapore?
Unlocking Potential Without Breaking The Bank
Paying tuition fees for an international school in Singapore can be extremely costly; at best, it is a privilege, and at worst, it’s simply unattainable. Thankfully, a range of schools offer different scholarships to international students. While most international schools don’t run long-term scholarship programs, many announce scholarships individually. Little Steps has a round-up of all the schools that offer diverse scholarships yearly and has a track record of happy scholars. The application processes are detailed and often rigorous. Children who excel have the opportunity to receive financial aid, nurturing, recognition, and support to help them develop their excellence.
Want more? Click here for our list of more affordable international schools in Singapore
A scholarship is a financial aid awarded to gifted students for their education. Scholarships can range in generosity from partial to full tuition coverage. Generally, they are awarded based on criteria, including academic merit, diversity and inclusion, athletic skills, or financial needs. The recipient might have to meet specific criteria, such as maintaining grades or engaging in various activities.
International education in Singapore is highly regarded, offering internationally recognized qualifications, state-of-the-art facilities, and world-renowned curriculums delivered by multilingual educators. Students have access to music, art, and drama studios and a wide range of after-school programs, clubs, and sports. This holistic educational experience prepares them for exam success, fosters a lifelong love of learning, and sets them on a bright and prosperous future.
For families seeking elite primary and secondary education options in Singapore, Little Steps Asia has created a comprehensive guide to help navigate the diverse landscape of schools. This guide covers everything from award-winning preschools and local institutions to globally recognized schools.
Whether you’re new to the city, searching for the right school for the first time, or considering a switch, this guide is invaluable.
There is a growing selection of merit-based scholarships in Singapore, some of which can cover entire tuition fees. These scholarships are highly competitive and often involve rigorous application processes. While specific scholarships are exclusively available to Singaporean permanent residents, others are open to students of all nationalities and residency statuses.
Scholarships support underprivileged children in Singapore, allowing them to attend their chosen international school. Additionally, newer schools in Singapore, particularly those granted land or infrastructure by the Ministry of Education (MOE), are mandated to offer scholarships.
Qualification Criteria for Singapore Scholarships
Scholarships in Singapore are typically available to students between eight (Year 4) and 17 (Year 13). While many scholarships are open to international students, possessing a Singaporean Identity Card or Permanent Resident status may be a prerequisite. Most schools offer these scholarships to both new and returning students.
Covered Expenses
The extent of scholarship coverage varies, ranging from 10% to the entire tuition fee. However, it’s important to note that additional expenses such as uniforms, books, meals, building fund fees, and capital levies may still need to be borne by parents.
Application Guidelines
In Singapore, the usual application deadline for scholarships for the upcoming academic year is typically around March, with the school year starting in September. Each school sets its unique criteria for eligibility and application processes, so it’s advisable to check the respective school’s website for specific details. Meeting the application deadline is crucial to be considered for scholarships.
Scholarship Duration
Scholarships in Singapore can vary in duration. Some may cover two years, particularly for programs like the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, A Levels, or IGCSE. Others might extend throughout a student’s entire tenure at the school, but these are typically subject to yearly reviews.
Non-Academic Scholarships
Many schools in Singapore offer scholarships that recognize and reward exceptional talents in sports, music, and the arts. While academic excellence is important, schools often value sports, arts, leadership, and community involvement proficiency.
Scholarships Versus Bursaries
It’s important to distinguish between scholarships and bursaries. Scholarships are typically awarded based on merit, while bursaries are allocated on financial need. Some institutions in Singapore may offer bursaries or financial aid to parents who face challenges covering school fees.
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XCL World Academy
Personalized, Innovative, And High-Quality CurriculumXCL World Academy is committed to delivering a personalized, innovative, and high-quality curriculum that prepares tomorrow's leaders. The brand embodies excellence, boldness, and passion. The academy's educational approach is guided by five pillars—diversity and community, well-being and personalization, quality and academic excellence, innovation and "Shaping Next Now," and Leadership and sustainability. XCL World Academy offers a holistic international education encompassing three International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, extending beyond traditional subjects to embrace the arts, music, drama, design, innovative technologies, and sports.
The academy takes pride in recognizing exceptional talents through merit-based scholarships for new students applying to Grades 6 to Grade 11. The scholarships span various categories, including academics, specialization (arts, sports, academic achievements), and community service, offering recipients concessions ranging from 25 to 100 percent off annual tuition fees. Applicants must be new joiners to the school, ensuring equal opportunities for all individuals regardless of background. Academic Scholarship recipients demonstrate sustained excellence in academic performance, emphasizing the potential to achieve a high IB Diploma score.
Specialization Scholarship recipients excel in extracurricular competitions or activities in various fields. Community Service Scholarship recipients significantly contribute to community service, exceeding school requirements. All scholarship recipients must meet renewal criteria for continued eligibility.
XCL World Academy, 2 Yishun Street 42, Singapore, +65 6230 4230, admissions@xwa.edu.sg, https://www.xwa.edu.sg/
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One World International School
Creating A Multicultural CommunityOne World International School, OWIS, is a non-denominational school that embraces students from diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. The school offers an intimate and engaging learning environment where discussion, cooperation, and teamwork thrive within a caring and nurturing context. By striking a balance between personalizing education and fostering a community of interconnected learners, OWIS prepares students to become future leaders in the global economy. The school aims to help students become their best selves through a rigorous and customizable curriculum. This approach encourages critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and discussion, resulting in well-rounded students who excel academically and possess strong character traits. OWIS believes every child deserves access to a world-class education, and scholarships are available for eligible students who meet the criteria.
The school is committed to maintaining its scholarship program, nurturing a love of learning, and fostering the development of scholars who will make meaningful contributions to society. With a limited number of scholarships available, OWIS encourages early applications for both merit and means-based scholarships. OWIS is dedicated to creating a multicultural community where students can access world-class education and avail themselves of scholarship programs. These scholarships, available in limited numbers each year, aim to support students demonstrating academic excellence and provide financial assistance. The scholarships offered, including the OWIS Innovation, OWIS Active, and OWIS Creativity awards, cover a range of tuition fee percentages, from 6 to 60 percent.
One World International School, Nanyang Campus, 21 Jurong West Street 81, Singapore, Suntec Campus, 1 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore, +65 6914 6700, admissions@owis.org, https://owis.org/sg/
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Global Indian International School
Teachings Of Mahatma GandhiEstablished in 2002, the Global Indian International School is a leading international institution in Singapore, dedicated to delivering a skills-based education to students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. With campuses in Punggol and the East Coast, GIIS nurtures well-rounded individuals, equipping them with the confidence and preparedness to navigate future challenges. Explore the various scholarship opportunities at GIIS Singapore, a gateway to academic excellence and a promising future for your child.
GIIS Singapore offers a comprehensive range of international and Indian curricula, including the IB PYP (International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme), Cambridge IGCSE, IB Diploma Programme, CBSE, and the Global Montessori Programme for Kindergarten. This diverse educational landscape empowers students to select academic paths aligned with their interests and future aspirations.
The Global Indian International School in Singapore extends scholarships to international students from grades 1 to 12, covering diverse categories such as academia, sports, merit-cum-means, and scientific temperament. These scholarships operate within four three-month cycles annually under the auspices of the Global Schools Foundation, an umbrella organization committed to providing deserving students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds with opportunities for education, growth, and development.
Global Indian International School, SMART Campus, 27 Punggol Field Walk, East Coast Campus, 82 Cheviot Hill, Singapore, +65 6914 7100, admissions.sg@globalindianschool.org, https://singapore.globalindianschool.org/
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Dulwich College Singapore
Positively ContributingDulwich College, founded by Edward Alleyn in 1619 with royal approval, represents a rich historical legacy. Alleyn, renowned for his theatrical affiliations with Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and entrepreneurial spirit, established a London school dedicated to providing boys with sound learning, artistic pursuits, and good manners. Today, Dulwich College is an academically selective boys' school, attracting students from the top 15% of the UK's academic spectrum. Its reputation for robust academics, inspired teaching, and innovative education practices led Dulwich to pioneer the field, becoming the first British independent school to extend its practices and ethos to Asia.
Dulwich College (Singapore) proudly offers a range of scholarships designed to recognize and reward exceptional achievements. These scholarships allow deserving students to pursue their passions and excel in their chosen fields. With a commitment to equal opportunities, these scholarships are merit-based and means-tested, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds have access to a world-class education, irrespective of their financial circumstances. Dulwich College (Singapore) goes beyond academics, fostering well-rounded individuals with the skills and values needed for success in the global community. With a supportive and inspiring environment, the school empowers students to reach their full potential and emerge as leaders in their respective fields.
The Alleynian Scholarship Programme, a testament to their commitment, offers financial assistance for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, emphasizing merit and means-testing while encouraging contributions to the Dulwich community through service, action, and active participation in school life. Online applications featuring pertinent information and a 500-word personal statement provide aspiring scholars the opportunity to join this esteemed community.
Dulwich College Singapore, 71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, Singapore, +65 6890 1003, admissions.singapore@dulwich.org, https://singapore.dulwich.org/
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Chatsworth International School
Exceptional Education Amidst Singapore's Only RainforestThe scholarship program for International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme at Chatsworth International School was inaugurated in 2007. Since then, it has awarded over 75 diploma scholarships. Offering IB scholarships in Singapore, Chatsworth recognizes students for their exceptional academic performance and contributions to the broader Chatsworth community. Annually the school offers a limited number of scholarships for internal students and external applicants on a merit basis. The full scholarship is valued at SG$ 82,000 (based on a 2-year IB Diploma Programme). It will pay 100 percent of a student's school fees and provide the student with a new Macbook laptop. The partial scholarship is available only to current Chatsworth students and covers up to 25 percent of the school fees. Students outside Chatsworth who are in their Year 11 (Grade 10) are welcome to apply for the full Scholarship for the following academic year.
Chatsworth International School, 72 Bukit Tinggi Road, Singapore, +65 6463 3201, admissions.bt@chatsworth.com.sg, https://www.chatsworth.com.sg/
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United World College
Holistic Education And SustainabilityUWCSEA, established in 1971 as Singapore International School, has evolved into a K–12 international school with a diverse student body of over 5,600 students across two campuses. The institution is renowned for its holistic education, combining academics, activities, outdoor education, personal and social development, and service. This comprehensive approach encourages students to think critically, understand sustainable development, embrace cultural diversity, and address complex global issues. The curriculum is concept-based, focusing on developing transferable ideas rather than mere knowledge acquisition. UWCSEA's commitment to diversity enriches the learning experience, fostering deep understanding and respect for others.
Through the United World College (UWC) scholarship program, students can join a global community that fosters peace and sustainability. UWCSEA (United World College South East Asia) in Singapore is an integral part of this mission, embodying the UWC Movement's core values of compassion, responsibility, and tenacity. The UWC National Committee guides students through the scholarship application process, considering promise and financial need.
Full and partial scholarships are available to students through the UWC national committees worldwide rather than directly from the UWC schools or colleges. These scholarships are awarded based on potential and financial need, with the amount determined during application. Singaporean students, in particular, can pursue the two-year IB Diploma Programme at UWCs globally through unencumbered scholarships managed by the UWC Singapore national committee. Applicants from other nationalities can apply through their respective UWC national committees. Families interested in fee-paying student opportunities can also explore the UWC Global Selection Programme (GSP), which recruits students for residential boarding IB Diploma Programme courses across most UWC schools and colleges, excluding UWC Robert Bosch and UWCSEA.
United World College, Dover Campus, 1207 Dover Road, Singapore, +65 6305 5353 and East Campus, 1 Tampines Street 73, Singapore, +65 6774 2653, admissionsdover@uwcsea.edu.sg, admissionseast@uwcsea.edu.sg, https://www.uwcsea.edu.sg/admissions
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St. Joseph's Institution International
Cultivating A Love For LearningSJI International Schools, comprising the High School established in 2007 and the Elementary School in 2008, are integral parts of a rich Lasallian tradition in Singapore that traces back to 1852. These schools, driven by a team of devoted SJI Alumni, aim to provide students with life-changing educational experiences. Dedicated to cultivating a profound love for learning, nurturing curiosity, and fostering the pursuit of excellence, SJI International emphasizes holistic development. While welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and faiths, the school remains firmly rooted in Catholic values to "Learn, Inspire, and Serve," enabling students to learn and live as Lasallian individuals dedicated to serving others.
With a vibrant and talented cohort of 1,300 students spanning Grades 7 to 12, SJI International's High School offers academic programs leading to iGCSE or IB Diploma qualifications. Beyond academic excellence, the school strongly emphasizes nurturing diverse talents, exemplified by its commitment to a holistic education encompassing the arts, sports, music, drama, and service. The learning environment extends beyond classrooms, celebrating individuality and inspiring students to excel in their chosen paths.
SJI International's mission centers on enabling students to learn and live as Lasallian people for others, with a deep commitment to their well-being. Through its Scholarship Programme, the school seeks outstanding young leaders who demonstrate excellence, active participation in non-academic activities, positive personal qualities, and strong communication skills. These scholarships encompass merit-based opportunities for Singaporean citizens and permanent residents, means-tested scholarships for local students, and merit-based scholarships for current Grade 10 students enrolled at SJI International. Additionally, merit-based and means-tested scholarships are available for students across Asia pursuing the IB Diploma.
St. Joseph's Institution International, 490 Thomson Road, Singapore, +65 6871 5202, https://www.sji-international.com.sg/
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