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. International schools typically charge S$2,400–S$3,200/month. 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. 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$2,400–S$3,200 per month (S$28,800–S$38,400 per year) for the major schools in our directory, varying by grade level. Indicative monthly fees:
| School | Curriculum | Indicative monthly fee |
|---|---|---|
| German European School Singapore | German Curriculum, IB Programme | S$2,400 |
| Canadian International School | IB Programme, Canadian Curriculum | S$2,600 |
| Singapore American School | American Curriculum, AP Courses | S$2,800 |
| Tanglin Trust School | British Curriculum, IGCSE | S$3,000 |
| United World College of South East Asia | IB Programme | S$3,200 |
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 25–40% 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) 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 international schools in Singapore typically charge S$28,800–S$38,400/year. 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.