By BrightStartSG Editorial
Last updated:
In 2026, government school fees for non-ASEAN international students are S$1,035/month for primary, S$2,190/month for secondary and S$2,540/month for pre-university, set by Singapore's Ministry of Education. Major international schools typically charge S$3,300–S$3,950/month in tuition. Full breakdown by residency status below.
Monthly fees in government and government-aided schools depend on the student's residency status. Fees for international students include GST; citizen and PR fees exclude GST (MOE subsidises it). A single-tier miscellaneous fee applies to all nationalities.
| Level | Singapore Citizen | Permanent Resident | Int'l (ASEAN) | Int'l (non-ASEAN) | Misc. fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | S$0 | S$330 | S$595 | S$1,035 | S$13 |
| Secondary | S$5 | S$680 | S$1,090 | S$2,190 | S$20 |
| Pre-University | S$6 | S$760 | S$1,290 | S$2,540 | S$27 |
All figures are monthly, in Singapore dollars. The miscellaneous fee shown excludes GST — international students pay GST on top (e.g. S$21.80 rather than S$20 at secondary level in 2026). Source: MOE school fees and the MOE 2024–2026 fee revision announcement.
MOE raised non-citizen fees each January from 2024 to 2026. For non-ASEAN international students, monthly fees rose about 5–7% per year:
| Level | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | S$935 | S$985 | S$1,035 |
| Secondary | S$1,910 | S$2,050 | S$2,190 |
| Pre-University | S$2,260 | S$2,400 | S$2,540 |
International schools set their own fees, typically S$3,300–S$3,950 per month in tuition (S$39,600–S$47,400 per year) for the major schools in our directory, rising with grade level. One-off application, enrolment and building levies come on top. Indicative monthly fees:
| School | Curriculum | Indicative monthly fee |
|---|---|---|
| German European School Singapore | German Curriculum, IB Programme | S$3,300 |
| Tanglin Trust School | British Curriculum, IGCSE | S$3,600 |
| United World College of South East Asia | IB Programme | S$3,700 |
| Canadian International School | IB Programme, Canadian Curriculum | S$3,800 |
| Singapore American School | American Curriculum, AP Courses | S$3,950 |
Indicative figures from our school directory; fees vary by grade and change yearly — always confirm with the school. Full details: international schools directory.
For a non-ASEAN international student, a government secondary school costs about S$26,280/year — roughly 35–45% less than a typical international school. The trade-offs: government schools require passing the AEIS admission test, teach the local curriculum leading to PSLE/O-Levels, and places are not guaranteed; international schools admit directly, offer IB/IGCSE/ AP pathways, and cost more. Neither is universally better — the right choice depends on your child's language readiness, timeline and curriculum goals.
In 2026, non-ASEAN international students in government and government-aided schools pay S$1,035/month for primary school, S$2,190/month for secondary school and S$2,540/month for pre-university, plus a miscellaneous fee of S$13–27/month. ASEAN nationals pay less: S$595, S$1,090 and S$1,290 respectively (source: MOE).
MOE charges lower fees for students from ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam; Timor-Leste joined ASEAN in 2025 — confirm its fee classification with MOE's fees checker) in recognition of Singapore's close regional ties. Students from China, India, Korea and all other non-ASEAN countries pay the higher international rate.
Yes, substantially. A non-ASEAN international student pays about S$12,420/year at a government primary school, while major international schools in Singapore typically charge S$39,600–S$47,400/year in tuition, before one-off entry fees and levies. Government schools also require passing the AEIS admission test; international schools admit directly.
Singapore citizens pay no monthly school fee at primary level, S$5/month at secondary level and S$6/month at pre-university, plus miscellaneous fees of S$13–27/month — general education is almost fully government-subsidised.
The announced MOE schedule runs to 2026 (fees rose each January from 2024 to 2026). MOE reviews fees regularly, so further adjustments after 2026 are possible; check the MOE fees page for the latest.
No. Independent schools (such as Raffles Institution and Hwa Chong Institution) set their own fees, which are higher than standard government-school rates. Check each school’s website.
School application checklists, the full 2026 fee tables, and an email when AEIS or P1 registration windows open. Free, for parents planning a move to Singapore. No spam.