This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data
Last Published: 6/13/2019

Overview
Singapore is home to the top two universities in Asia: The Nanyang Technological University is the top university in Asia while National University of Singapore is second according to the latest Quacquarelli Symonds' (QS) annual ranking of global universities. Both universities are also among the top 20 in the world according to the QS rankings. The OECD’s Program for International Student Assessment ranks Singapore’s public schools as among the best worldwide. Singapore emphasizes, supports, and values higher education as well as human resource development and skills upgrading. Many government agencies and private sector companies also offer full scholarships for top students to pursue their undergraduate and graduate studies in foreign universities such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. An increasing number of adult workers are also upgrading their skills to be more knowledgeable in a globalized and digital economy.   
 

 2012201320142015201620172018
Number of visas issued to Singaporeans3,1093,2533,0383,1172,8462,7472,853
% increase / decrease from previous year8.14.6-6.62.6-8.7-3.53.9
Total visas issued including foreign students4,9945,0924,7844,8564,4394,3834,366
% increase / decrease from previous year7.32.0-6.01.5-8.6-1.3-0.4

Data Sources: U.S. Embassy – Consular Office
 
Leading Sub-Sectors
There are currently close to 5,000 Singaporeans (excluding exchange students) pursuing tertiary (university) education in the U.S.; two-thirds are undergraduates and a third are graduate students.
U.S. universities and colleges will find a receptive market in Singapore, provided they are willing to invest in long-term branding and marketing with accredited programs in disciplines that offer strong career growth and high-income potential. Apart from the traditional disciplines such as engineering and life sciences, the following degree courses are becoming increasingly important and are expected to see increased demand from Singaporean and third-country students studying in Singapore.

•              Cybersecurity
•              Media and Animation
•              Hospitality and Tourism
•              Sports Science and Medicine
•              Business Analytics and Digital Economy

Opportunities
The Singapore education system is well known for its quality, resulting in a strong demand from students in the region to study here.  U.S universities, in addition to recruiting full-time students (both local and overseas) to study in the United States, may consider offering their external degree and executive education programs in Singapore to Singaporeans, as well as international executives working in the region.  However, simply having proper recognition and/or accreditation in the foreign institution’s own country is only a starting point for approval for a foreign institution seeking to offer programs or courses in Singapore.

In addition to meeting Singapore’s standards, “national ranking” appears to be a key criterion for approval. The Council for Private Education was set up to regulate this new Private Education Bill that was passed in November 2009. As of 2015, they completed the evaluation of all existing private education institutions (PEIs) and foreign degree programs offered in Singapore.  According to industry sources, the number of PEIs has been reduced to a quarter of what it used to be.

U.S. universities and colleges should also consider the large number of foreign students studying at the high school and polytechnic levels in Singapore, especially since 50,000 foreign students (mainly from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, India, and South Korea) study in Singapore. These foreign students would have passed the necessary background checks and have a reasonably good command of English after studying in Singapore.
 
Resources
U.S. University Fairs
Education USA Study Fairs
Linden U.S. University Fairs
AEO Student Recruitment Fairs
 
Singapore Government Offices
Council for Private Education
Ministry of Education
 

U.S. Commercial Service Contacts
Jayacely Joseph
Commercial Assistant
Jayacely.Joseph@trade.gov
(65) 6476-9415

Chan Y K
Commercial Specialist
yiukei.chan@trade.gov
(65) 6476-9037

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.