Introduction

Singapore has gained a worldwide reputation for creating a modern economy which is famous for its transparency and entrepreneurial capabilities. Singapore is a multi-religious nation with a population consisting of Buddhist, Taoist, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and other faiths. The country has four national languages but English has been adopted as the medium of communication in order to create a bridge across the cultural barriers. Singapore has always been seen as a garden city with a tropical climate of 27 degrees all year round.

Singapore also has one of the most advanced land transport systems which has become increasingly convenient since the introduction of the EZ Link card. This is a prepaid card. Commuters simply flash the card in front of a card reader and the cost of the trip will be automatically deducted from the card.

The cost of living in Singapore is competitive and can vary from $750 to $2000 per month, depending upon the lifestyle one keeps and the accommodation one avails of different types of accommodation are available for rent, right from houses in Government housing schemes to private residential buildings.

Estimation for the cost of living in Singapore as per following:

Particular Estimated Cost of Living in Singapore
Accommodation SGD 350 to SGD 1000 per month
Transportation SGD 125 to SGD 150 per month
Food and Beverage SGD 240 to SGD 400 per month
Other expenses(Mobile data plan, stationary and etc) SGD 10 to SGD 50 per month
Healthcare SGD 25 to SGD 400 per consultation

Singapore is an educational hub in Asia because of its numerous collaborations with top-class universities around the world. The education system in Singapore is already famous for producing high-caliber students. An increasing number of Asian students are opting to come to Singapore to study because of its close proximity and high-quality education. Singapore prides itself in its multicultural heritage and a sense of camaraderie despite its varied cultures and religions. Singapore is looking to a future increasingly marked by globalization and is steadily positioning itself as the region’s financial and educational hub.

Singapore is aiming to triple its number of international students from 50,000 to 150,000 in the next 10 to 15 years by encouraging a range of private, specialist and foreign educational institutions to establish themselves in the country.

While Singapore is already home to a number of foreign institution campuses offering graduate studies, the Economic Development Board (EDB) is hoping to encourage universities from the UK, USA or Australia to open a campus that will offer undergraduates courses, in competition with the three local universities.

About Singapore

Brief History

Singapore Founded by Sir Stamford Raffles as a British reading colony in the year 1819, Singapore gained independence on 9 August 1965 and went on to become one of the world’s most prosperous countries.

Climate

Singapore has a fairly warm and humid climate, temperature ranging from 30 – 36 degrees Celsius.

Population

Singapore population are around 5.31 million reported by the Singapore Department of Statistics and comprises of Chinese 74%; Malays 13%; Indians 9.2% and other ethnic groups 3.8% of the total population.

Language

The common languages used in Singapore are mainly English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. English is the main language being used.

Social Culture

People are expected to form queues to board buses, or to wait for service. It is impolite to push ahead of someone who is in the queue before you.

What to wear

In Singapore, loose and light summer clothing is recommended especially for outdoor activities. While in college do note that appropriate attired are required, long sleeves white shirt and black pants.

Law & Orders

Laws/ Crimes

Singapore has very strict laws for severe crimes and foreigners need to make themselves familiar with these laws. Consequences of breaking laws due to lack of knowledge can be tough as the Government treats its foreign residents no differently than locals.

It is very important to constantly update one’s knowledge of Singapore laws as to avoid accidental violations.

Drugs

Drug abuse is taken very seriously. The trafficking, manufacturing, importing or exporting of drugs carries a death penalty. Unauthorized consumption also carries a heavy penalty.

Please visit the website of the Central Narcotics Bureau at www.cnb.gov.sg for more information.

Cigarettes and Smoking

Smoking in prohibited in ICAS Training and Education College premises. The college is a smoke-free college.

People under the age of 18 years of age are not allowed to carry or purchase cigarettes. Smoking is not allowed in public buses, taxis, lifts, theatres, cinemas, government offices and in air-conditioned restaurants and shopping centres, bus shelters, interchanges, toilets and other sir-conditional places.

Littering

Singapore is a clean and green country and littering is prohibited. Dispose of anything can only be done at litter box. Offender of littering can be fined up to S$1000 or issued a CWO (Community Work Order) of up to 12 hours or both. Increased of fine for repeated offenders may be up to S$5000.

False Identification

It is an offence to show false identification to buy cigarettes, alcohol or enter age restricted premises. Purchase of alcohol, cigarettes or entering to club / discos are restricted to those over 18 / 21 years old.

Alcohol / Drunkenness

Purchase and consumption of alcohol must be of 18 years old and above. People found drunk in public places may be fined.

Vandalism

Vandalism is a serious offence. Vandalizing public or private property is punished by a caning and a fine or imprisonment.

Benefits of Studying in Singapore

Many students choose to study in Singapore because of the following benefits:

  • Students can obtain a foreign university degree which is recognized worldwide without having to travel to a western country
  • Singapore is safe city with low crime rate.
  • English is a common language in Singapore – a conducive environment for students to improve their standard of English
  • As many international companies are investing in China and Vietnam, there will be good opportunities for management professionals who are bilingual and familiar with both countries’ cultures.

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA)

Address:

ICA Building
4th Storey, 10 Kallang Road
Singapore 208718

http://www.ica.gov.sg

Transport service to ICA is:

MRT- Lavender MRT Station (Exit A)

Important Rules for International Students

  • Student holding student’s pass are not allowed to apply for other passes (eg: employment pass)
  • Student are not allowed to pursue another course with other school
  • Students are to meet ICA minimum attendance requirement, 90% of monthly attendance rate, when studying in Singapore.
  • Student are not allowed to engage in employment and other illegal activities
  • Should a student terminate his/her studies for whatever reason, he/she must surrender the student’s pass to immigration within 7 days
  • Students are not allowed to remain in Singapore once student’s pass expires.

(Usually for international student, a one-month social visit pass will be granted for them to settled their activities and make arrangement to leave Singapore.)

  • Students are to observe immigration regulations at all times.
  • Students are to bring along their latest original certificates to Singapore. (Eg: birth cert, transcript, education certificate, latest bank statement)
  • Students are to ensure their name on both passport and their birth certificate is identical.

For more information, please visit ICA website at: http://www.ica.gov.sg/

Completion of Student's Pass Formalities

Please proceed to Level 4 of Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Building.

Things to bring to ICA:

  • Passport
  • Medical Report
  • 1 Passport size photo IMM27I (small white)
  • Original copy of relevant document submitted to ICA earlier.
  • In-Principal Approval Letter (IPA) Issued by ICA. Please read the IPA letter carefully for other documents needed to bring to ICA.

Useful Telephone Numbers & Websites

Emergencies

Police 999
Fire/ Ambulance 995
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) 1800 221 4444

Emergency Contact 

ICAS Training Education College 6542 8851/65354187

Embassies/ Consulates/ High Commissions in Singapore

Name Address Website Email Telephone
Australian High Commission 25 Napier Road
Singapore 258507
http://www.australia.org.sg enquiries-sg@dfat.gov.au 6733 7441 (Australian Education International)
High Commission for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh 91 Bencoolen Street
#06-01 Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
http://www.bdhc.sg/ bdoot@singnet.com.sg 6337 0085 (Administration)
Royal Embassy of Cambodia 400 Orchard Road
#10-03/04 Orchard Towers
Singapore 238875
http://home.pacific.net.sg/~recambodia.sg camemb.sg@mfa.gov.kh 6341 9785
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China 150 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247969
http://www.chinaembassy.org.sg chinaemb_sg@mfa.gov.cn 6418 0252 (Protocol & Administration)
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia 7 Chatsworth Road
Singapore 249761
kemlu.go.id/singapore info@indonesianembassy.sg 6737 7422
High Commission of India 31 Grange Road, India House
Singapore 239702
http://www.hcisingapore.org hcoffice@hcisingapore.org 6737 6777
Embassy of Japan 16 Nassim Road
Singapore 258390
http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp jcc@sn.mofa.go.jp / infoculture@sn.mofa.go.jp 6235 8855
Embassy of the Republic of Korea 47 Scotts Road
#08-00 Goldbell Towers
Singapore 228233
http://sgp.mofat.go.kr info@koreaembassy.org.sg 6256 1188
High Commission of Malaysia 301 Jervois Road
Singapore 249077
http://www.kln.gov.my/web/sgp_singapore/home malspore@kln.gov.my 6235 0111
Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar 15 St. Martin’s Drive
Singapore 257996
http://www.myanmarembassy.sg/ ambassador@mesingapore.org.sg 6735 0209 (6 lines)
Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines 20 Nassim Road
Singapore 258395
http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg php@pacific.net.sg 6735 1294 (Administrative/ Cultural Section)
Royal Thai Embassy 370 Orchard Road
Singapore 238870
http://www.thaiembassy.sg thaisgp@singnet.com.sg 6737 2158, 6737 2476, 6737 2644, 6737 2475
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 10 Leedon Park
Singapore 267887
http://www.vietnamembassy-singapore.org/en/  NA 6462 5938

Visa Conditions for Student Pass Holders

Students must remain enrolled in a full-time registered course and must attend at least 90% of the scheduled course hours and not be absent from the course for 7 days consecutively.

Students must not engage in any form of activities that may contravene the conditions (including those stated in the Student’s Pass application form, In-Principle Approval letter and Student’s Pass card) in which a Student’s Pass is issued (e.g. illegal employment).

Upon the expiry of the student pass, students must not remain in Singapore after the expiry of the Student’s Pass and the organisation shall inform ICA of his/her means and date of departure.

Students only permitted to attend the course after release of the Student’s Pass has been given by ICA.

Students must not be registered as a student in any other education organisation/s or course/s other than that indicated in the Student’s Pass.

The student pass must be surrendered for cancellation within seven days from the date of cessation or termination of his/her studies or course/s.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Required Documents

In order for your application to be processed, please enclose the following:

  • Completed application form (This is available under ‘Application Forms’ download section)
  • Highest education qualification certificate if the original is not in English, translated copy will be required.
  • Testimonials from previous employers and or academic/professional testimonial, where applicable
  • Photocopy of passport
  • Recent passport size photographs with white background
  • Birth certificate
  • Financial Statement

Acceptance of application is subjected to submission of documents as stated above.

Applications are to be sent or through mail or submit in person to

ICASTEC Admin Office

Tel: +65 6535 4187/65428851

Each application received is considered on its own merits, taking into account educational, professional and personal experience (please refer to entry requirements section). applications should be submitted at least eight (8) weeks before the commencement date   upon receipt of application documents; you are required to pay  a non-refundable application fee of S$327.00 to ICASTEC.

ICASTEC accepts cheque, cashier’s order and bankdraft for application fee. All cheques, cashier’s order, bank draft are to be made in Singapore Dollars payable to ICAS Training & Education College (ICASTEC) Pte Ltd college account.

College Account

  • Account Name: ICAS Training and Education College (ICASTEC) Pte Ltd
  • Account No: 010-903128-6
  • Bank Code: 7171
  • Branch Code: 010
  • Swift Code: DBSSSGSG
  • Branch Name: DBS South Bridge
  • Address: DBS Bank Ltd, 12 Marina Boulevard, DBS Asia Central, Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3, Singapore 018982

Entry Requirements

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMMES:

  • Minimum Age:  16 years old for local, 18 years old for foreigner
  • Academic Level:  Secondary School education, High School or equivalent
  • Language Proficiency:  IELTS 3.5 or equivalent

DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES:

  • Minimum Age:  16 years old for local, or 18 years old for foreigner
  • Academic Level:  Completed secondary school, or any 5 Subjects pass with Grade 5 and above at GCE ‘N’ Level, or any 3 subjects pass with C6 and above at GCE ‘O’ Level, or equivalent Certificate
  • Language Proficiency:  A pass in English with grade 5 and above at GCE N Level, or Pass in English with grade C6 and above at GCE O Level, or IELTS 4.5 or equivalent
  • Work Experience (If Applicable):  Matured candidate who is above 18 years old with at least lower secondary school education and at least 2 years of working experiences

ADVANCED DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES:

  • Minimum Age:  16 years old for (local, or 18 years old for foreigner)
  • Academic Level:  Diploma in F&B, or Hospitality or equivalent
  • Language Proficiency:  A pass in English with Grade C6 and above at GCE O Level, or IELTS 5.5, or equivalent
  • Work Experience (If applicable):  Mature candidate who is above 18 years old with at least secondary school education and at least 5 years of relevant working experiences (with 1 year of experience in supervisory role)

Student Pass Applications

  • For international students, upon receipt of application forms and documents, and application fee, the school shall register online to apply for a student pass with the Immigrations and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for a student pass to study in Singapore

Application Outcome

  • All applicants will be informed in writing regarding the outcome of their application and electronic copy of the Letter of Acceptance to the email address provided.
  • You will need to sign and return the Letter of Acceptance to confirm your place.
  • Full payment of fees is to be made to ICASTEC account one month before course commencement upon receiving the Interim Principal of Approval (IPA).

Note: ICASTEC and our academic partners reserve the right to withdraw an offer of admission and cancel the enrolment of any person where such an offer was made on the basis of incomplete or inaccurate information supplied by the applicant.

For other information regarding student pass application you may contact us at:

Email:  enquiry@icastec.com

Alternatively, you may visit the ICA website at www.ica.gov.sg