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Masters Degrees, Graduate Studies and Professional Programs in Singapore

Masters Degrees, Graduate Studies and Professional Programs in Singapore by City:

Singapore

About Masters Degrees, Graduate Studies and Professional Programs in Singapore

Have you recently made the decision to enhance your education by pursuing some type of graduate study or professional training in your chosen field of interest?  Did you know that there are now a number of programs that allow students to pursue a portion of their graduate education via a study abroad program?  Study abroad graduate programs, such as those offered in the exotic country of Singapore, afford students the unique opportunity to pursue educational programs that are of particular interest to them, without having to take a bevy of general education courses.  Currently, there are many such programs available in Singapore, giving students an once-in-a-lifetime chance to combine an enlightening educational experience with a fun and interesting adventure in Southeast Asia.

Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an independent city-state and island country in Southeast Asia.  The country lies off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, approximately 85 miles (137 km) north of the equator.  Singapore’s territory encompasses the main Singapore Island, known as Pulau Ujong in Malay, as well as over 60 significantly smaller islets.  Singapore is separated from Peninsular Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to the north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the Singapore Strait to the south. The country is highly urbanized, and little of the original vegetation remains. This is mainly because the country's territory has been consistently expanded through land reclamation.

Singapore is one of the world's major commercial hubs, boasting the fourth-largest financial center and one of the five busiest ports on the globe. The nation’s globalized and diversified economy depends heavily on trade, especially in the manufacturing sector, which just last year represented nearly 30 percent of Singapore's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In terms of purchasing power parity, Singapore has the third-highest per capita income in the world.  It also places highly in international rankings with regard to education, healthcare, government transparency, and economic competitiveness.

The government of Singapore is organized as unitary multiparty parliamentary republic with a Westminster system of unicameral parliamentary government.  Of the just over five million people who live in Singapore, approximately two million, or 40 percent, are foreign-born.  While Singapore is indeed very diverse, ethnic Asians predominate in the country: 75 percent of the population is Chinese, with significant minorities of Malays, Indians, and Eurasians. There are four official languages in the country, including English, Malay, Chinese, and Tamil, and the country promotes multiculturalism through a range of official policies.

Master’s Degrees and Graduate Programs in Singapore
 
The higher education system in Singapore is overseen by the national Ministry of Education and implemented at the local level by faculty and administrators.  Like in most developed countries, Singapore has many different types of educational institutions, including junior colleges, universities, polytechnics, international schools, and institutes of technology.  Except for the junior colleges, which are all publicly funded, the institutions of higher learning in Singapore are both public and private.
 
Junior Colleges

There are approximately eighteen junior colleges scattered throughout Singapore, each designed to provide students with a more affordable alternative to university education.  Students in junior college can pursue either an academic track, earning credits that can later be transferred to a university of their choice; or a professional track, leading to certification in one of many different trades or career fields. Generally, junior colleges offer two-year study programs, with some of the more popular courses of study being humanities, arts, music and language.

Universities

The universities in Singapore provide undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate degrees as well as a large number of research programs.  In Singapore, there are two full-fledged public universities, the largest being the National University of Singapore; and two private universities, including Singapore Management University, the top business school in the nation. These universities offer courses in areas such as the sciences, engineering, law, arts, humanities, social sciences, medicine, technology and education.
 
Polytechnics
 
Unlike some of the polytechnics in the United States, the five polytechnics in Singapore do not offer the same type of degree programs as the universities.  These higher education institutes focus solely on practical training, offering diploma, certificate and degree programs in a variety of trades and fields.
 
International Schools
 
Singapore is home to a large number of foreign-born students.  As such, the country plays host to a number of international schools. These schools, which employ faculty from around the world, generally do not give admissions to native Singapore students, but rather save those enrollment spots for students hailing from other countries.  Here students can pursue both academic and professional programs, with the majority of instruction offered in English. 
 
Institutes of Technical Education (ITEs):

The ITEs in Singapore offer the latest in technological education by combining classroom instruction with practical hands-on experience.  Although designed for college-aged students and working adults, the ITEs also offer trainee classes to secondary students seeking to jumpstart their university education.  
Why Study Abroad in Singapore
 
Although Singapore may not be the first country that comes to mind when you think about study abroad programs, you might be pleasantly surprised by all that the country has to offer.  Singapore has several top-notch universities that consistently place high in international rankings.   Culturally, the country is extremely diverse, home to people from every corner of the globe.  This diversity makes it much easier for students to adjust to their new surroundings.  Best of all, when students get a break from their classroom studies, Singapore offers a number of fun and interesting sites and attractions to visit, many of which are in walking distance from the universities.  Some of the more popular destinations on the island include:
 
Singapore Discovery Center
 
The Singapore Discovery Center is the perfect destination for learning about the country’s past, present and future.  The center features an art gallery, science museum and outdoor play area for the kids, making it the perfect locale for a fun and relaxing getaway.  Hundreds of exhibits are on display here, including many interactive shows that make learning about Singapore even more entertaining.  Located on Upper Jurong Road, the Singapore Discovery Center is only a ten minute walk from Joo Koon MRT Station.

Red Dot Design Museum

One trip to Singapore’s Red Dot Design Museum will almost certainly cause you to view everyday objects in a different light.  With demonstrations that take the mystery out of innovations that make our life easier, including some fairly unusual gizmos and gadgets, it is easy to spend two hours plus at this entertaining venue.  Although the museum is rather small in size, the wide spectrum of design is large and varied; featuring everything from advertising posters and packaging to computers and household appliances.  The concept for the museum goes back to 1955, when the first awards were given out for product design. Given that Singapore is major manufacturing mecca and a hub for industrial creativity, it only made sense to host a permanent exhibition here.  The scarlet-painted museum, which stands out like a bright red tomato, is located just to the west of Singapore’s Chinatown.

Mount Faber
 
If natural beauty and scenery is your thing, you simply must check out Mount Faber, an attraction that offers one of the best panoramic views of Singapore.  Mount Faber is a hill-top park situated on the outskirts of the city, a region that makes for a great half-day study break and the perfect chance to relax and unwind amid the local flora.  Energetic visitors can easily walk to the 105-meter peak, while others may elect to take the cable car to the summit, either from the Sentosa or Harbor Front MRT station.  At the peak you will find a wide selection of dining options, ranging from dimly-lit romantic restaurants – perfect for that sunset date – to more group-friendly food outlets. With over 10 kilometers of winding paths, the park at Mount Faber is the ideal place to take in some fresh air and stroll amongst the lush greenery.