FAQs: International Students - SMU Undergraduate Admissions

For international students

What are the essential items/issues that I will need to note or arrange prior to my departure?

To facilitate a smooth administrative process in Singapore, please ensure that you have these items ready prior to your departure for Singapore:

A valid passport for international travel with a validity of at least six months.
A photocopy of the bio-data page of the passport
Student pass In-Principal-Approval (IPA) Letter
Form 16 – to be presented when collecting your student pass from ICA.
Pre-enrolment medical report.
SMU's Letter of Offer (printed copies from email are also acceptable)
All original academic transcripts and educational documents. International full-time undergraduates must bring along their original high school results and/or transcripts, SAT I report etc. for verification at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at SMU upon arrival into Singapore. Official translations of documents are required if they are not in English.
Other forms of personal identification, such as an identity card and birth certificate
Six passport-sized photographs done in your home country (size: 35mm x 43mm)
Letter or email confirming your accommodation plans in Singapore.

What do I have to note with regards visa-related matters?

SMU will arrange for a visa to be issued should you require one to enter Singapore. The student's pass in-principal approval (IPA) letter that you will receive will include a single-entry visa. Please ensure that you have received the IPA letter before you leave for Singapore.

Are there any medical tests that I have to undergo?

All students are required to undergo a compulsory medical examination with Raffles Medical Group (RMG) in Singapore prior to starting their studies at SMU. Please visit the matriculation website for more details.

What are the most pertinent things that I will need to settle upon arrival in Singapore?

· Complete the Disembarkation/ Embarkation card, which you will receive while on the plane. Copies are also available at the Immigration Checkpoint at the Singapore Changi Airport. You must present this with your passport and the original copy of your Student's Pass approval letter (application for those who require a visa to enter Singapore) to the Duty Officer at the Immigration Checkpoint upon your arrival in Singapore. Please retain the portion of the Disembarkation/ Embarkation card and your Student's Pass approval letter which will be returned to you, as these are required for the completion of your Student's Pass formalities at the Immigration Checkpoints Authority.

· Complete your medical examination. Remember to make a photocopy of your medical examination report for the ID verification exercise at SMU.

· Complete your Student's Pass formalities at the Immigration Checkpoints Authority (ICA) – please see Question on “How do I go about applying for my Student Pass?”

Required documents:

IPA Letter

Passport

Disembarkation/ Embarkation card

Form 16

Medical report from approved hospitals/clinics in Singapore

· Open a bank account.

· Finalise your Tuition Fee Loan application (if pending).

· Attend SMU Matriculation.

· Verify your original academic documents at:

Office of Undergraduates Admissions

SMU Administration Building, Level 3

For enquiries, you may contact us at:

Tel: (65) 6828 0980

Email: admissions@smu.edu.sg

How do I get to SMU?

SMU is located at the heart of the Central Business District and is very accessible via public transportation.

Address:

Singapore Management University

Administration Building,

81 Victoria Street,

Singapore 188065

By MRT – alight at Bras Basah Station (Circle Line)

By Bus – 7, 14, 16, 36, 111, 131, 162, 167, 171, 502, 518, 700, 700A

By Taxi - Taxi service in Singapore is easily available, convenient, and reasonably priced. If this is your first time in Singapore, you are strongly advised to take a taxi to your hostel from Changi Airport. Taxi bays are available at the Changi Airport arrival halls. Taxis are metered and fares start from S$3.20. A list of possible additional surcharges can be found posted in the taxis. For trips originating from the airport, there is a surcharge of between S$3 to S$5. Between midnight and 6 a.m., there is an additional surcharge of 50% of the fare shown on the meter. Tipping is not expected. Most taxi drivers are conversant in both English and Mandarin. If you are dissatisfied with the taxi service for whatever reasons, please note down the taxi number and time of boarding so that you can provide feedback to the respective Taxi Companies.

Will I be required to go through any form of pre-enrolment medical examination?

Yes, all SMU students are required to undergo a compulsory medical examination with Raffles Medical Group (RMG) in Singapore prior to commencing studies at SMU. You can check the matriculation website for the list of RMG clinics. It is strongly advised to check with the clinic beforehand as certain clinics with high crowd volume may take a few days to process the medical report.

Where would the nearest medical consultation clinic be in the campus vicinity should I require medical advice/treatment?

Medical facilities in Singapore are of a high standard and are readily available. A visit to a General Practitioner (GP) usually costs around S$30. However, SMU students will only need to pay S$5 for each doctor’s visit at The Clinic @ Campus located at Basement 1 of SMU.

Singapore's public hospitals accept patients without a doctor or specialist's referral. Vaccinations are required only if you come from a yellow-fever area. You do not need to worry about malaria here as Singapore is not within the malaria zone

I am concerned about medical insurance coverage. Where can I get myself insured adequately for the duration of my studies?

Being sick in Singapore can be very expensive. Specialist consultation, hospitalisation or surgery can be a financial burden for students. All SMU Undergraduates are covered under a Group Personal Accident Policy, and a Medical and Group Hospitalisation & Surgical Policy. Insurance premiums are payable annually. It is mandatory for all International Exchange Students to participate in this insurance scheme. The insurance fee is inclusive of other miscellaneous fees. Students will be instructed on the payment arrangements they are formally accepted to study at SMU. The fees are outlined below:

· Student Health Service Fee: approximately S$50 semester

· Insurance (Personal Accident): approximately S$2.70 semester

I will need to find local accommodation. Is there one that SMU provides or recommends?

First-year international students enjoy priority for places in SMU Residences@Prinsep, which is a 10-minute walk from campus. This hostel is highly sought-after by international students, and is located within close proximity to Little India, Bugis Junction and the National Library.

The hostel provides apartment-style living with a living and dining area, bathroom, 2 single rooms and 2 double rooms. In total, there are 48 individual apartments which accommodate a total capacity of 250 students.

What do I have to look out for in renting a private accommodation?

If you prefer to rent a private apartment, you can engage the services of property agents to help you with such arrangements. Please note that you would need to pay an agent fee if you engage their services. These are some of the things to look out for:

Rent
This includes the rental amount of the unit, rental deposit, security deposit, administrative charges, agent fees for service rendered, etc.

Location
Check whether the apartment or hostel is conveniently located and if public transport, grocery stores, food outlets or banks are easily accessible.

Period of lease
The lease of a unit is normally for a year. Landlords of private apartments usually ask for up to three months' rent as deposit. However, short term lease is available but usually at a higher rental.

Others
The cost of accommodation depends on several factors such as the locality, type of premises, size, furnishings provided, recreational facilities available, period of lease. Housing in Singapore is generally expensive, especially within the city.

Please note that the contract or tenancy agreement is solely between the student and hostel management or owner. Beware of scams:

Make sure you visit the room or apartment for rent, and ensure that you thoroughly understand the contract or tenancy agreement before you make any commitments
Never make any payment before that
If in doubt, consult your peers, senior students and friends

How do I go about applying for my student pass?

In accordance with the Immigration Act, any foreigner who is not a Singapore Permanent Resident and wishes to study at SMU is required to apply for a student's pass.

SMU will advise you by email on the student's pass application procedures. After receiving the email, please log on to the SOLAR system on the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website, with your assigned SOLAR application number and your personal particulars. Once you have logged on to the system, you may proceed to complete the student's pass application form (Form 16) and submit the application online to ICA for processing.

Please ensure that you read through the FAQs before you proceed to apply online. The FAQs are available at the ICA website.

We will keep in touch with you via email throughout the student's pass application process until you arrive safely in Singapore. Hence, please ensure that you check and clear your mailbox regularly.

Completion of Formality (COF)

All international students are also required to make an e-appointment with ICA for the Completion of Formality (COF). Once you have confirmed your travel dates, please log on to SOLAR or the ICA website to arrange an e-appointment date as there are limited slots. Please note that:

• For undergraduates, you must book a date before the ID verification period as you will need to submit your student's pass for verification

• For postgraduates, you must book a date before your respective graduate offices' stipulated student card collection date

• You are only allowed to cancel your appointment online once

How much should I budget for each month for my living expenses?

Singapore has one of the highest living standards in the South East Asia. Daily necessities and luxuries are readily available.

Below are estimations of how much is required during your stay in Singapore. They do not include tuition fees and travel expenses from your home country to Singapore.

An international student in Singapore spends, on average, about S$750 to S$2,000 a month on living expenses. This amount will, of course, vary depending on your lifestyle and course of study.

Item

Cost per month (S$)

Comments

Accommodation

$200 - $700

Rental varies with geographical area, type of accommodation, demand, facilities provided & the number of people sharing, etc

Utilities
(including water and electricity)

$40 - $100

Not applicable for hostel stay

Food

$300 - $450

Based on $10-$15 per day for 3 meals at a foodcourt.

Transportation

$50

Depends on the distance and mode of transport. Tip: Full-time students can enjoy concessionary travel on the MRT and public buses

Telecommunications

$50

Varies with usage and promotional packages subscribed for telephone services, mobile services and internet access services.

Books & Stationery

From $100/term

Booklink at the SMU concourse stocks almost all the required textbooks. Of course, second-hand textbooks are cheaper, and are quite readily available too!

Personal Expenses

$100 - $300

Varies with the individual. Could include expenses on clothes, toiletries, entertainment, haircut, miscellaneous.

Medical Insurance

As a SMU student, you are automatically entitled to SMU Medical Insurance Coverage scheme that covers your basic medical treatment and consultation.