22 Best Private Universities in Singapore for International Students
Singapore is one of the best countries for private universities in the world. The universities that are located here are well-ranked universities that provide great formal education with affordable tuition fees. The main attraction in Singapore is the fact that international students are welcomed not only by the universities but also by the general population.
Private institutions are a great way to reach your academic goals and get that well-deserved degree. To help you out, check out the list below if you’re looking to study in a private university in Singapore. Each university page provides you with specific details on tuition, admission, language requirements, available courses, and more. So, make sure to check the university pages! Let’s dig in!
Private Universities in Singapore
1. Management Development Institute of Singapore
Management Development Institute of Singapore is a private, non-profit educational institution that offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma programs. It collaborates with world-leading universities in the United States and the United Kingdom to maintain global academic standards and produce industry-ready graduates. Students at MDIS get to experience corporate-level training to gain professional skills and expand their employment prospects.
2. Duke-NUS Medical School
Duke-NUS Medical School was founded in 2005 through the collaborative efforts of Duke University and the National University of Singapore. The university aims to provide world-class education and training to aspiring medical practitioners in the country. Its technologically advanced facilities allow its students and faculty to conduct innovative research and experience immersive and hands-on clinical training.
3. London School of Business and Finance (Singapore)
London School of Business and Finance (Singapore) was established in 2011 as an extension of London School of Business and Finance, a world-renowned business school in the United Kingdom. LSBF Singapore is located in a vibrant economic hub that allows its students to gain exposure to real-world professional environments. Since its foundation, the university has received multiple awards and has earned its place as one of the leading institutions for business education in Asia.
4. Singapore Institute of Management
Singapore Institute of Management is among the most reputable business schools in Singapore and Asia. Innovation and research play important roles in learning business at this university, focusing on business trends, strategies, and challenges in modern society. Singapore Institute of Management aims to produce business professionals who can thrive in the fast-paced and usually stressful industry and can strategically develop and implement ways to improve it.
5. Kaplan Singapore
Kaplan Singapore is a leading institution in the country known for providing innovative, flexible, and internationally recognized academic programs in a wide range of fields. Through its strong network of universities from different parts of the world, students at Kaplan Singapore gain a holistic and exceptional experience and gain skills sought after by employers across the globe. The institution also has an impressive track record for its high graduate employability.
6. Amity Global Institute
Amity Global Institute is a proud member of the Amity Education Group, a network of global institutions committed to providing innovative and world-class education. Partnered with three of the most reputable universities in the United Kingdom, AGI strives to impart to its students the skills and expertise that meet the demands of today’s industries. AGI also takes pride in its esteemed faculty led by industry experts and seasoned academics.
7. ESSEC Asia-Pacific
ESSEC Asia-Pacific is a higher education institution established in 2005 and is located in Singapore. Aside from its campus in Singapore, there are also campuses in France and Morocco. Educational opportunities in this university are at Bachelor, Master, Doctoral, and Grand Ecole levels. The university is also committed to developing accessibility and disability in education.
8. Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts is an EduTrust-certificated higher education institute in Singapore. It is a specialized university that offers Diploma and Bachelor’s degree courses. These include disciplines in Fine Arts, Design, and Music. A variety of student events are also conducted, which include boating, restaurant visits, arts festivals, and more. Government financial schemes, university scholarships, and financial aid schemes are also available to help students in their finances.
9. MAD School
MAD School by Chatsworth Mediart Academy, or simply MAD School, is a higher education institution in Singapore that offers Certificate, Diploma, and Higher Diploma programs. Some of these programs include Advertising and Design, Communication Design, and Advertising Design. Aside from these programs, arts and design workshops are also conducted at MAD School.
10. DigiPen Institute of Technology Singapore
The DigiPen Institute of Technology Singapore is a private university that aims to prepare students for careers in the digital economy. It offers programs in the specialized fields of technology, arts, and video game development. The institute’s campus is equipped with top-notch facilities and spaces that inspire creativity, including art studios, production laboratories, and lecture theaters.
11. Intercultural Theatre Institute
Initially founded as the Theatre Training and Research Programme in 2000, this independent theatre school was renamed Intercultural Theatre Institute in 2011. It offers a three-year diploma training program in theatre and contemporary art. On one hand, the school’s vision is to create culturally and socially diverse leaders. On the other hand, its mission is to create competent, critically aware, socially engaged, and artistic professionals.
12. INSEAD Asia Campus
INSEAD, which stands for Institut Européen d’ Administration des Affaires, is a private Business school originally located in France. In 1999, the institution built a campus in Singapore, where students from Asia can pursue Business graduate degree programs offered by the main campus without needing to fly to Europe. Besides its Asia Campus, INSEAD has campuses in San Francisco and Abu Dhabi.
13. SP Jain School of Global Management
SP Jain School of Global Management is a business school that has campuses in Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, and Sydney. The Singapore campus offers Bachelor’s programs in Business Administration. Additionally, Master’s programs are also offered in the field of Global Business and Business Administration. Some programs are conducted through face-to-face sessions, through blended methods, or online learning. The university upholds its belief in providing innovative, critical, and principled education.
14. TUM Asia
TUM Asia was founded in 2002 and serves as the southeast Asian campus of the Technical University of Munich, a prestigious German university. As such, it offers programs in the fields of engineering at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Some of these programs are joint programs offered in partnership with other universities.
15. Sorbonne-Assas International Law School
The Sorbonne-Assas International Law School provides programs in the fields of business and international law. It is best known for its part-time LL.M. in International Business Law, which can be quickly completed in 9 months. Short programs and summer courses are also offered by the school for professionals who want to continue learning through case studies, lectures, and other exercises that don’t require a significant time commitment.
16. EHL Campus (Singapore)
EHL Campus (Singapore) offers short courses and a Bachelor’s program in International
Hospitality Management. It has a campus equipped with modern classrooms, meeting rooms, purpose halls, gardens, and training centers. Campus events called “Open Houses” are regularly conducted, where prospective students are introduced to the industry of business and hospitality.
17. Curtin Singapore
Founded in 2008, Curtin Singapore is a young and internationally recognized university. It offers Diploma, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate courses. The university has multiple faculties which handle Science and Engineering, Health Sciences, Business and Law, Humanities, and Education. Part of the university’s goal is to address issues concerning Singapore and the ASEAN region. Its service is guided by core values that include Integrity, Respect, Courage, Excellence, and Impact.
18. James Cook University Singapore
James Cook University Singapore is an institution run by James Cook University in Australia. Since its establishment in 2003, the university offers Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate courses for local and international students. These programs cover a variety of disciplines such as Accounting, Aquaculture, Commerce, Environmental Science, and Games Design.
19. Singapore Aviation Academy
Singapore Aviation Academy is an aviation school established in 1958 that offers Diploma, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree programs. It is the training arm of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and provides internationally-recognized programs in aviation. The academy aims to train the next generation of professionals who can answer to global aviation needs.
20. Aventis Graduate School
Aventis Graduate School, previously named Aventis School of Management, is a graduate school that specializes in Business, Management, and Economics courses. The school has a mission to provide flexible, affordable, and transformational education. It also considers developing core values as an important part of education and promotes values development in every program curriculum.
21. Jewellery Design and Management International School
Jewellery Design and Management International School uses its motto of “Creativity Inspired” to guide its teaching of certificate and diploma courses, which include Fine Jewellery Design, Precious Metal Arts, and Fashion Jewellery Arts. The school aims to train the next generation of professionals in the field of jewelry design and has built a campus with state-of-the-art facilities and top-quality equipment to aid in the students’ learning.
22. Orita Sinclair School of Design and Music
Having only served two decades in the education industry, Orita Sinclair School of Design and Music is one of the youngest universities in Singapore. The university states that its purpose is to provide bold and imaginative education in design and music. Four core values are reflected in its teaching practice: Empathy, Passion, Integrity, and Creativity. Only diploma programs and certificate courses are available at the university.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does Private Universities in Singapore Cost?
There are 22 private universities in Singapore, out of which, we have tuition fee of 13 private universities available.
As you plan your studies abroad, we hope that this article will help you in choosing a good private university.
We know that attending a private university can be expensive, given its benefits and added perks. But remember that public universities are always an option, too, as they're affordable and can provide you with the same high-quality education. With that, feel free to check out our list of public universities in Singapore to learn more about your options for your next academic destination.