Quick answer: Foreign families in Singapore choose between government schools run by the Ministry of Education and international schools. Government schools are far cheaper, but fees depend on your child’s status: in 2026 a primary school place costs nothing for a citizen, S$330 a month for a PR, and S$1,035 a month for a non-ASEAN international student. Citizens and PRs enter through MOE’s own admission exercises; international students sit the AEIS test and placement is not guaranteed. International schools admit directly, start at any level, and cost considerably more.
For most families the education question decides everything else: where you live, how long you stay, and whether you apply for Singapore PR. The fee tables below show why.
How the system is structured
| Stage | Age | Length | Ends with |
| Preschool | 3 to 6 | 3 years | No national exam |
| Primary | 7 to 12 | 6 years | PSLE |
| Secondary | 13 to 16 or 17 | 4 to 5 years | O-Level or N-Level |
| Post-secondary | 17 onwards | 2 to 3 years | A-Level (junior college), polytechnic diploma, or ITE certificate |
| University | 19 onwards | 3 to 4 years | Degree |
The two tracks
| Government schools (MOE) | International schools | |
| Curriculum | Singapore national curriculum | IB, IGCSE, American, or a home-country curriculum |
| Language | English, plus a compulsory mother tongue | Usually English only |
| Entry for foreigners | AEIS or S-AEIS test, placement not guaranteed | Apply directly to the school |
| Entry timing | Start of the academic year in January, or April to May through S-AEIS | Often flexible through the year |
| Cost | S$330 to S$2,540 a month depending on status and level | Much higher, set by each school |
| Suits | Families staying long term, especially PRs | Short postings, mid-year arrivals, families who want a familiar curriculum |
Government school fees in 2026
Monthly fees in government and government-aided schools:
| Level | Singapore citizen | Singapore PR | ASEAN international student | Non-ASEAN international student |
| Primary | Free | S$330 | S$595 | S$1,035 |
| Secondary | S$5 | S$680 | S$1,090 | S$2,190 |
| Pre-university | S$6 | S$760 | S$1,290 | S$2,540 |
Miscellaneous fees are charged on top of this for every student: S$13 a month at primary, S$20 at secondary and S$27 at pre-university.
Source: MOE, revised school fees for non-citizens for 2024 to 2026.
What PR status is worth, per child
| Level | PR fee a year | Non-ASEAN international fee a year | Saving a year |
| Primary | S$3,960 | S$12,420 | S$8,460 |
| Secondary | S$8,160 | S$26,280 | S$18,120 |
| Pre-university | S$9,120 | S$30,480 | S$21,360 |
Figures are 12 months of the 2026 monthly rates, excluding miscellaneous fees.
A worked example. A family with two children, one entering primary and one entering secondary, pays about S$38,700 a year in school fees as non-ASEAN international students, against about S$12,120 a year as PRs. That is a difference of roughly S$26,500 a year, before you count anything else PR changes.
Note that fees have risen every year in this fee revision cycle, so budget for increases rather than today’s figures.
How your child gets a place
| Your child’s status | Route |
| Singapore citizen | MOE’s Primary 1 registration exercise, then the national progression |
| Singapore PR | MOE’s admission exercises, with citizens given priority at Primary 1 |
| International student, primary 2 to 5 or secondary 1 to 3 | AEIS, held around September for entry the following January |
| International student, mid-year entry at primary 2 to 4 or secondary 1 to 2 | S-AEIS, tests around end February or early March, start school in April or May |
| Any status | International schools, applying directly |
AEIS placement depends on test performance, vacancies and your declared residential area. You cannot choose the school. Our guide to AEIS covers the eligibility ages, fees and test dates.
International schools
International schools in Singapore are foreign system schools that set their own curriculum, calendar and fees.
| Point | What to know |
| Curricula | IB, IGCSE and A-Level, American, and various national systems |
| Admission | Direct to the school, usually with assessments and interviews |
| Timing | Many admit through the year, which helps families arriving mid-posting |
| Fees | Set by each school and published on its website. Expect application and enrolment fees on top of tuition |
| Waiting lists | Popular schools and year groups fill early, so apply well before you move |
| Student’s Pass | Still required for foreign children |
When comparing schools, look past the headline tuition: registration fees, enrolment or capital levies, bus, lunches, devices and trips add up, and most schools publish these separately.
The Student’s Pass
Any foreign child studying in Singapore needs a Student’s Pass issued by ICA.
| Item | Detail |
| Who applies | The school gives you the application number, then you apply through ICA’s SOLAR or SOLAR+ e-Service |
| When | Submit at least 2 months, and not more than 3 months, before the course starts |
| Documents | The school’s registration acknowledgement letter, passport details, personal and education history, financial support details, local address and a recent photograph |
| Fees | S$30 processing fee, S$60 on issuance, plus S$30 for a multiple-entry visa where the nationality requires one |
A Student’s Pass holder may only work in limited circumstances. See can a student pass holder work in Singapore.
Which track fits your family
| Your situation | Likely best fit |
| Posting of 2 to 3 years, children mid-way through a curriculum | International school |
| Planning to stay long term, children young | Government school, and apply for PR early |
| Already a PR, child arriving at primary age | Government school, fees at PR rates |
| Child arriving mid-year | International school, or S-AEIS if the level fits |
| Budget is the main constraint, and you have time to prepare | AEIS for a government school place |
| Child does not read and write English well yet | International school, or prepare before attempting AEIS |
Why families apply for PR at this point
The fee gap is only part of it.
| International student | Singapore PR | |
| Primary school fees a year | S$12,420 | S$3,960 |
| Secondary school fees a year | S$26,280 | S$8,160 |
| Admission route | AEIS, placement not guaranteed | MOE admission exercises |
| Status tied to | The parent’s work pass | The child’s own PR |
| If the parent changes job | The family’s passes must be re-arranged | PR is not tied to the employer |
| Housing | Private rental only | Can buy an HDB resale flat, and CPF housing grants apply to mixed households. See our guide to CPF housing grants |
Children can be included in a parent’s PR application. Our guides on PR eligibility and Singapore PR benefits set out the criteria, and getting PR after studying in Singapore covers students who grew up here. For the wider budget, see the cost of living as a PR.
How First Immigration can help
- Family PR applications, including children, so school fees drop to PR rates and your child’s status no longer depends on your pass.
- Timing advice around the school year, so the application lands before the fees you are trying to avoid.
- Student’s Pass questions for children already studying here.
- Citizenship when the family is eligible, through our Singapore citizenship application service.
Book a free assessment through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Singapore school fees for foreigners in 2026?
In government and government-aided schools, monthly fees are S$330 for a PR and S$1,035 for a non-ASEAN international student at primary, S$680 and S$2,190 at secondary, and S$760 and S$2,540 at pre-university. Miscellaneous fees are added for all students.
Do Singapore citizens pay school fees?
Citizens pay no monthly fee at primary, S$5 at secondary and S$6 at pre-university, plus miscellaneous fees.
How much cheaper is school for a PR than an international student?
About S$8,460 a year at primary, S$18,120 at secondary and S$21,360 at pre-university, comparing PR rates to non-ASEAN international student rates in 2026.
How does a foreign child get into a government school?
Through AEIS for entry the following January, or S-AEIS for mid-year entry. Placement depends on test performance, vacancies and your declared residential area, and is not guaranteed.
Can I choose which government school my child attends?
No. MOE places AEIS students based on performance, vacancies and the residential area you declare.
What does an international school cost in Singapore?
Fees are set by each school and published on its website, and they are considerably higher than government school fees. Factor in application, enrolment, transport and activity fees as well.
Does my child need a Student’s Pass?
Yes, if the child is a foreigner studying in Singapore. Apply through ICA’s SOLAR or SOLAR+ at least 2 months and no more than 3 months before the course starts.
Can my child be included in my PR application?
Yes, unmarried children under 21 can be included in a parent’s application.
Is mother tongue compulsory in government schools?
Yes, the national curriculum includes a mother tongue language, which is something families moving from abroad should plan for.
Which is better for a 3-year posting, government or international school?
For a short posting, an international school is usually the practical choice, because of curriculum continuity and flexible entry timing.
Official sources: MOE, Revised school fees for non-citizens in government and government-aided schools for 2024 to 2026; MOE, AEIS and S-AEIS; ICA, Student’s Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR and SOLAR+).
Disclaimer: Fees and admission rules are set by MOE and ICA and change regularly, and school fees have risen each year in the current revision cycle. Confirm the current figures with MOE, ICA and each school before making decisions.
