Student Accommodation in Singapore

Student Accommodation is an important requirement for students living away from home. There is a wide variety of accommodation available in Singapore to match every pocket.

Students should make prior arrangements for accommodation before their arrival into Singapore. Temporary accommodation can be arranged before you leave home, giving you time to plan your living arrangements when you arrive.

Most educational institutions have an International Student Office specializing in the needs of international students. The staffs at these centres offer advice on accommodation procedures, contacts for private rental offers, room-mate matching services, handy tips about renting student homes, as well as help in selecting an accommodation type which best suit students' needs.

For useful tips about renting accommodation, please Click Here.

Below are some types of accommodation generally available to international students in Singapore.

Halls of Residence and Hostels

First-year international students are normally given priority when they apply for on-campus accommodation. Rooms can be single or shared. Meal packages are available at extra charges. Halls of Residence provide amenities such as television rooms, reading rooms, laundry rooms, computer rooms, kitchenettes and so on. Welfare services and bonding activities are also organized for its residents.

Room rates range from S$140 - S$440 a month depending on the number of students sharing the room.

Boarding Schools

Boarding schools are normally open to Secondary and Junior College students aged between 13 and 19 years. Selection is normally preceded by an interview of both the parents and the students. Boarding services include lodging, meals, laundry services, 24-hour security, pastoral guidance, tuition, supervision, sports & recreational facilities. A spirit of camaraderie often exists in boarding schools due to the bonding and friendships that are forged among boarders. Rates range from S$8,000 to S$15,000 per academic year.

Private Hostels

Private hostels are run by educational institutions or independent agencies. Options of single or sharing are normally available.

Home Stays

Some households in Singapore open up their homes and offer full boarding for international students. The cost for Home Stay ranges from S$500 to S$1,000 per month.

Public and Private Apartments/Houses

Students may want to consider renting a room or apartment or house directly from the owners of public or private housing. Students are expected to pay at least one month advance rent and one month security deposit.

Normally, the International Student Service Centre of the educational institution provides housing agents' contacts and matching services to help students find quality accommodation.

The classified advertisements in the local newspapers are a good source for a listing of apartments and rooms for rent. Alternatively, you may also contact the JTC Corporation or search for lists of HDB flats, private apartments and landed properties for rent from the Singapore Institute of Surveyors & Valuers' (S.I.S.V.) website. From the website, you can choose the option Property Listing - HDB Flats/Private Apartment/Landed Properties to view the list of various accommodation options available for renting.

Hotels in Singapore

Those pursuing a short-term course like an executive training programme, will have a wide range of hotels to choose from. Hotel rates depend on location and class of hotels.

For a listing of hotels and their price range, click here.

Serviced Apartments in Singapore

For those who are staying for a slightly longer period or accompanied by family members, serviced apartments are the next best option. Serviced apartments offer all the comforts of home with the housekeeping convenience of a hotel.

Traveling in Singapore

Transportation in Singapore is mainly roadways connecting every part of the country. Besides roadways, railways are another major mode of traveling in Singapore. Mass Rapid Transit runs through every length and width of the country whereas, Light Rail Transit runs within a few neighboring areas. Ferry boat services connect the main island of Singapore with the other islands.

Public Transport comprises of the buses, rail and taxis. To control the excessive private transportation, this is an initiative implemented by the Government of Singapore. More than half of the population in Singapore prefers the public transportation to private ones.

Eat-Outs in Singapore

Besides shopping, eating is the next favorite activity of the locals in Singapore. The diversified cuisine is one of the major reasons that attract tourists to the vibrant city. The food in Singapore is a blend of Indian, Chinese and Malay cuisine. The wide range of food items is the showcase of diversified ethnicities that binds the city together.