Frequently Asked Questions

Applications

1. How can I apply for exemptions?
2. Is there any age limitation?
3. Am I required to submit any English Proficiency Test?
   
   

Financial Matters

1. Are scholarships or bursaries available?
2. What financial assistance is available?
3. Are international students allowed to work part-time?
4. Living Expenses
   
   

Other Matters

1. Accommodation
2. How many international students does Temasek Polytechnic admit each academic year?
3. How do I apply for Student’s Pass to study in Singapore?
4. How can I obtain a copy of Temasek Polytechnic's prospectus?
   
   
   

Applications

1. How can I apply for exemptions?
   
   No exemptions will be given. All international students are admitted to the first year of study.
   
   
2. Is there any age limitation?
   
   The full-time diploma courses offered by the Polytechnics are targeted mainly at fresh school leavers from secondary schools or ITE. Admissions to the full-time diploma courses is highly competitive. Applicants meeting the requisite requirements are considered for admissions based on merit and subject to vacancy available.
   
   Mature students are encouraged to consider taking up part-time courses. If they are granted admissions to the full-time diploma courses, they are expected to be able to work with their younger classmates, generally in the age group of 17 -19 years old, in their course of study and particularly during group discussions/project work.
   
   
3. Am I required to submit any English Proficiency Test?
   
   Please refer to Country Requirement. Only applicants from the countries marked with (+) are required to produce photocopies of one of the following English Proficiency tests:
   
   A) GCSE - General Certificate of Secondary Education English Language with a minimum grade of C.
   
   B) IELTS - International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of band 5.0 or 5.5 (for business diplomas).
   
   C) TOEFL - Test of English As a Foreign Language with a minimum computer-based score of 173 or 213 (for business diplomas).
   
   Applicants who do not possess any of the EPT may send in their applications during the application period. They may submit the EPT scores to us not later than 3 months after the application has closed.  Please scan your EPT scores and send it by email attachment to isohotline@tp.edu.sg.
   
   Please note that the English tests must be taken within two years from the date of application.

^ back to top

Financial Matters

1. Are scholarships or bursaries available?
   
   Temasek Polytechnic does not offer any scholarships or bursaries for international students.
   
   
2. What financial assistance is available?
   
   
   • Tuition Grant (TG) Scheme -  This scheme was introduced by the Government to subsidise the high cost of tertiary education in Singapore.
     
     Upon acceptance by the polytechnic, all students are automatically offered the TG. However, you can choose to accept or decline the offer.
     
     In exchange for Government subsidy ($13,600) received under the TG scheme, all non-Singaporean students (including Singapore Permanent Residents), are required to sign a TG agreement in which you will be required to sign a bond with the Singapore Government to work for three years in Singapore upon completion of the course.
     
     
   • Tuition Fee Loan (TFL) - All tuition grant holders may apply for TFL to pay up to a maximum of 75% of the Tuition Fee through DBS Bank.
     
     
3. Are international students allowed to work part-time?
   
   Full time undergraduates of Polytechnics and Universities are allowed to work part-time of up to 16 hours per week during school term and work full time during vacation.  Part-time work must be done outside of school hours and co-curricular activities, and it must not affect your academic performance.
   
   Your family should have sufficient finances to support your three-year course of study and stay in Singapore. You are advised to make sure that you have sufficient funds to maintain a minimum standard of living. You may attempt to supplement your income through part-time work. However, this should not be relied upon as the only source of finance.
   
   
4. Living Expenses
   
   The following is a general guideline of estimated expenditure in Singapore dollars:
   
   Your living expenses are estimated to be between S$1,100 to S$1,700 per month. These costs are estimates, subject to variation according to individual lifestyles. It is important that you should be able to support yourself financially during your course of study and stay in Singapore.
   
   

^ back to top

Other Matters

1. Accommodation
   
   Currently, we do not offer hostel facility at the Temasek Polytechnic campus. International students have to arrange for their own accommodation.
   
   They may choose to rent a room from a local family or share an apartment with other students.
   
   The rate for renting a room from a landlord in a typical 3 room public flat may cost about S$500 and above per person or S$350 and above for twin-sharing. Rental rates for an apartment could range from S$1,800 to S$3,000. Rental charges vary depending on the location, type of housing and whether it is furnished or unfurnished.
   
   If you have friends living in Singapore, he may visit our office to look up the accommodation information posted by the landlords staying nearby the campus. Our office is located at Temasek Polytechnic, 21 Tampines Ave 1, Blk 30, Level 1, next to the TP Bookshop.
   
   Alternatively, you may seek the service of the local real estate agents.
   
   
2. How many international students does Temasek Polytechnic admit each academic year?
   
   The number of international students admitted to Temasek Polytechnic each academic year is set at 10% of the total intake. There is no quota for each of the course.
   
   
3. How do I apply for Student’s Pass to study in Singapore?
   
   You will receive the detail for application of Student’s Pass in your enrolment package after you have accepted the offer from Temasek Polytechnic.  For applicants who require a visa to enter Singapore, a visa will be incorporated in the In-Principle Approval letter issued by the Immigration Checkpoint Authority of Singapore.
   
   
4. How can I obtain a copy of Temasek Polytechnic's prospectus?
   
   Please forward your request in writing to the following address together with the required payment of S$10 (local address) or S$15 (overseas address) per copy :
   
   Coporate Communications Department
   Temasek Polytechnic
   21 Tampines Ave 1
   Singapore 529757
   
   Your payment should be made in a bankdraft made out in Singapore currency to be drawn at a Singapore bank, crossed and made payable to "Temasek Polytechnic". Non-transferable bankdrafts are not acceptable. Please do not send cash.
   
   You may also get the online version of the prospectus here.

^ back to top