singapore mangrove reserve overhead
Singapore, Singapore

Semester in Singapore

New for Spring 2025!

Study Program Part-Time Internship

Tentative Dates

-

17 weeks

Costs

Credit

12 - 18 semester hours

18 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Spend a semester studying abroad in Singapore, a dynamic city-state full of lush green spaces, beautiful natural attractions, and historical landmarks. Designed for students of all academic backgrounds, this program is the perfect fit for students who want to immerse themselves in Singaporean culture while actively participating in the local community and earning credits toward their degree.  

When class is in session, you’ll choose from a unique mix of courses you need to move forward in your studies, as well as courses with a local flavor, like Inclusive Identities in Singapore, Culture and Cuisine in Singapore, and Making of Modern Singapore, among others. Opt to take all your courses at CIEE or even combine two courses from Singapore Management University (SMU) with CIEE courses offered at the CIEE Singapore Center. You can even round out your academic journey with an immersive for-credit internship in English!

Outside the classroom, you’ll participate in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, including a series of off-the-beaten-path trips to cultural attractions to bring your studies to life. You’ll also have every opportunity to explore Singapore on your own time, appreciating the city-state's rich blend of Southeast Asia, blending Malay, Chinese, Arabic, and Indian cultures and religions, great climate, and excellent infrastructure. Take advantage of Singapore’s highly efficient and affordable public transport system, its many sites and attractions, and its clean, green environment firsthand.  

Unique Experiences

Be an explorer

by riding a bumboat to the rustic Pulau Ubin Island, biking the city's green spaces, and encountering wildlife like boars, macaques, and other local animals

Feast and be merry

at one of Singapore's Michelin-starred restaurants

Live in the dynamic gateway to Asia

and appreciate Singapore's ultramodern skyline against its rich cultural past

4

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: ENGLISH, MANDARIN, MALAY, AND TAMIL

64

ISLANDS AND ISLETS IN SINGAPORE’S TERRITORY

700 M

POPULATION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)

Experience
  • singapore bust on street
  • singapore students wearing ponchos on a boat
  • singapore fountain overhead

Your Destination

The island-state of Singapore lies one degree north of the equator in Southeast Asia. It blends Malay, Chinese, Arabic, Indian cultures and religions. Since gaining independence in 1965, Singapore has become a flourishing city-state that excels in trade and education and is considered a model to developing nations. Singapore is one of the most competitive economies in the world and a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Singapore is renowned for its world-class education system and cutting-edge research facilities. CIEE Singapore offers international college students a multitude of benefits, making it an attractive destination for higher education as Singapore boasts a diverse and multicultural environment, providing students with the opportunity to interact with peers from various cultural backgrounds. This exposure not only fosters global citizenship but also enhances cross-cultural communication skills, which are invaluable in today's interconnected world.  

Additionally, Singapore's strategic location in the heart of Asia serves as a gateway to the region, allowing students to explore neighboring countries and gain insights into different cultures and economies. The city-state's dynamic cultural scene offers many opportunities for exploration and discovery from savoring delectable cuisines at bustling hawker centers to immersing oneself in the rich tapestry of arts and entertainment, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Students can wander through the colorful streets of Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam, soaking in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Singapore's multicultural heritage. Moreover, Singapore's bustling nightlife scene ensures that there is never a dull moment, with an abundance of restaurants, clubs, and live music venues to suit every taste and preference.

Beyond its cultural offerings, Singapore's stunning natural landscapes provide ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. Despite being a bustling metropolis, Singapore is home to an impressive array of parks, gardens, and nature reserves, offering respite from the urban hustle and bustle. International students can unwind amidst lush greenery at the iconic Gardens by the Bay, take a leisurely stroll along the scenic Southern Ridges, or escape to the tranquil shores of Sentosa Island for a day of sun, sand, and sea. Whether it's exploring nature trails, picnicking in the park, or simply soaking up the tropical sunshine, Singapore offers international students a wealth of outdoor experiences to enjoy and appreciate.

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Singapore. 

singapore sentosa island cable car

Excursions & Activities

  • Art Jamming: Unleash your creativity with an art jamming session at one of Singapore's many studios, where you can channel your inner artist and express yourself through painting on canvas. Whether you're a seasoned painter or a complete novice, these guided sessions offer a fun and therapeutic outlet for artistic exploration, with all materials provided and no prior experience necessary. Get ready to unleash your imagination and create a masterpiece to take home as a unique souvenir of your time in Singapore. 
  • Sentosa Island: Escape to the sun-kissed shores of Sentosa Island, a tropical paradise boasting pristine beaches, thrilling attractions, and lush landscapes. From zip-lining at Mega Adventure Park to exploring the underwater world at S.E.A. Aquarium, there's no shortage of excitement and adventure to be had on this idyllic island retreat. 
  • Hawker Center Food Tour: Embark on a culinary journey through Singapore's vibrant hawker centers, where you can sample an eclectic array of mouthwatering dishes from various cultures. From savory laksa and fragrant chicken rice to crispy roti prata and tantalizing satay, these bustling food markets offer a feast for the senses, showcasing the city-state's rich culinary heritage. 
  • Marina Bay Sands Sky Park: Take in panoramic views of the Singapore skyline from the iconic Marina Bay Sands Sky Park, perched atop the towering hotel complex. Whether you're lounging by the infinity pool, sipping cocktails at the rooftop bar, or simply admiring the breathtaking vistas, this architectural marvel promises a memorable and Instagram-worthy experience. 
  • Gardens by the Bay: Immerse yourself in a futuristic garden oasis at Gardens by the Bay, where you can marvel at towering Super Trees, explore biodomes housing diverse ecosystems, and wander through lush gardens bursting with vibrant blooms. With mesmerizing light shows and captivating exhibits, this award-winning attraction offers a captivating blend of nature, art, and innovation. 
  • Cultural Heritage Trails: Embark on a journey through Singapore's rich cultural tapestry with guided heritage trails that explore the city-state's diverse neighborhoods and iconic landmarks. Whether you're exploring the historic streets of Chinatown, discovering the colorful murals of Kampong Glam, or delving into the colonial heritage of Bras Basah-Bugis, these immersive experiences offer fascinating insights into Singapore's multicultural heritage and storied past. 
singapore students at orientation

Academic Projects

Students interested in one of the following Academic Projects must submit additional materials as part of their course selection:   

  • For-Credit Internship: This optional part-time internship (in English) allows students the opportunity to have practical work experience in a company within a variety of industry sectors. In addition to the on-site business experience, students participating in an internship program have a weekly classroom component, which provides academic support to their practical experience. Students must apply for a Work Holiday Pass from the Ministry of Manpower for the internship option.  
  • For-Credit Directed Independent Research: This research opportunity is for qualified students who have demonstrated academic rigor and curiosity toward a particular research topic. Independent research topics will be approved by CIEE Singapore and the home institution. To be accepted into this course, students must submit a structured proposal with a topic of exploration, significance of research topic on how it relates to Singapore, methodology, a literature review, and a schedule of research milestones. 
  • For-Credit Service-Learning Project: This service-learning course combines a structured curriculum and extensive partnership with a local community-based organization to offer tangible community service. Students explore key community-based organizations: Examining their mission, vision and goals, and the place of the organization in the local community. Student community service includes direct engagement and a research-based action plan addressing a specific challenge or goal identified by a community-based organization.  

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Study Abroad Singapore: The Ultimate Guide

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

If you’re looking for an adventure in a lively, busy city packed with incredible natural landscapes, a unique modern culture, and amazing food, consider Singapore . Read on as we... keep reading

From CIEE

24 Hours in Singapore: A Global Intern's Guide to an Island City-State in Asia

By Global Internships at CIEE

When you are a Global Intern in Singapore, the possibilities are endless. From beautiful landscapes and lush green spaces by the water, historic landmarks, and fresh seafood galore, there is... keep reading

Housing
Academics

Academics

Singapore's strong emphasis on research and innovation provides students with opportunities to engage in groundbreaking research projects and collaborate with leading experts in their respective fields, enriching their academic experience and paving the way for future career advancements. CIEE has an active institutional agreement with Singapore Management University (SMU). This partnership allows CIEE students to take courses from most of the departments in which the schools offer courses in English. Singapore Management University (SMU) is a public university in Singapore, founded in 2000. SMU is the third-oldest autonomous university in the country, and it is triple accredited by AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA. SMU enrolls about 10,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in accountancy, business administration, business analytics, economics, financial services, information systems management, law, and the social sciences. The university is organized into 8 schools: the School of Accountancy, the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, the School of Economics, the School of Computing and Information Systems, the Yong Pung How School of Law, the School of Social Sciences, the College of Integrative Studies, and the College of Graduate Research Studies. 

GPA

Required GPA: 3.0 if taking courses at SMU.  
Required GPA if taking all courses at CIEE Center in Singapore: 2.5  

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.   

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Requirements

All Semester in Singapore students take courses for a total of 12-18 semester credits. Students enroll in 4-5 courses per semester choosing from:  

  • 0-2 courses at Singapore Management University  
  • Students not doing an internship during the semester must take 2 courses at SMU to fulfill the Student Visa Requirement. Students participating in a CIEE internship during the semester will be on a work-holiday visa and can choose to take 0 or 2 courses at SMU. There is a limit of 2 SMU courses per student. 
  • CIEE electives  
  • Students must take at least 2 CIEE courses during the semester.  

Program Credit

Total credit: 12-18 U.S. semester/18-27 quarter credits 

Course Credit

  • CIEE Courses: Typically, 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours 
  • CIEE Internship: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 100-120 internship placement hours 
  • CIEE Directed Independent Research: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 100-120 research hours 
  • CIEE Service-Learning Project: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 90 service hours 
  • Singapore Management University Courses: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 39 contact hours  

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Academic Culture

CIEE courses are scheduled Monday through Thursday. Students should expect to have daily homework assignments and continuous assessments. Most courses combine lectures with local field trips and excursions to help students gain a better understanding of the local culture.  Class attendance is mandatory, and absences affect final grades. Similar to classes at U.S. institutions, students should expect to spend an average of two hours of preparation and study for each hour in CIEE classes. To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel out of Singapore when classes are in session and plan trips for the long weekends.  

Class Format

In general, Singapore's pedagogical teaching approach is more student-centered, seen as the instructor leading the lectures at intervals and facilitating the course discussions. The presence of international students in local courses is highly valued by instructors as they see it as an opportunity to add foreign perspectives to the local audience. Classes at host institutions are typically scheduled Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM. Students are expected to attend at least 75% of the courses in face-to-face sessions.  

Students usually have daily homework assignments and readings informed by the instructor in the online platform for the course or via email. Most courses combine lectures with local field trips and guest speakers to help students gain a better understanding of the subject matter and local cultural relevance. Students are not required to buy books, as most of the bibliographical materials are provided by the course facilitator on the online platform and usually available in the host institution library. 

Grading

CIEE reports all final course grades to students’ home institutions using a U.S. letter grade equivalent scale of A-F. For CIEE-administered courses, students’ grades are based on attendance, class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi. Just as with CIEE courses, final grades for local institution courses are a compound of components of different nature, such as attendance, class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Primary assessments (assessments with more weight) are usually two or three partial written exams.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Courses

Course Information

Academic Projects

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

History, Philosophy, Religion

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Languages and Cultural Studies

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Social Sciences

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment

Course
Language
Semester Credit

The following list of courses constitutes a representative sample of course offerings through our partner university and is subject to change. Some courses are offered once a year, in either the spring or fall semester. Please see below for some examples of courses:

Courses subjected to changes by host institution

Accounting

  • Financial Accounting
  • Management Accounting
  • Corporate Reporting and Financial Analysis
  • Accounting Information Systems
  • Taxation
  • Financial Reporting and Analysis
  • Audit and Assurance
  • Accounting Thought and Governance

Arts & Cultural Management

  • Introduction to Event/Festival Management
  • Introduction to Visual Arts Management
  • Arts and Culture Study Mission
  • Dance, Culture and Society
  • The Art World: A Context for Framing Arts and Culture Management
  • Art in Southeast Asia

Computer Science

  • Statistical Thinking for Data Science
  • Computer Hardware and Embedded Systems
  • Data Structures and Algorithms
  • Design and Analysis of Algorithms
  • Collaborative Software Development
  • Interconnection of Cyber Physical Systems
  • Operating System Concepts with Android

Economics

  • Health Systems and Policy
  • Urban Economics and Policy
  • Economic Analysis of Multinational Firms
  • The Economics of Asymmetric Information
  • Urban Economics and Real Estate
  • Economic Aspects of Maritime Law

Global Asia

  • Southeast Asian Literature
  • Changing Public Policy in Singapore
  • Popular Culture in Asia
  • History of Southeast Asia
  • Overseas Project Experience (Managing Diversity in Asia)

Information Systems

  • Computing Fundamentals
  • Algorithms & Programming
  • Business Process Analysis & Solutioning
  • Interaction Design and Prototyping
  • Software Project Management

Management

  • Current Issues in Business, Culture, and Society
  • Introduction to Organisations
  • Airline Strategy
  • Introduction to Business Analytics
  • Leadership and Organisations
  • Management and Leadership: A Seminar with CEOs

Smart City Management & Technology

  • Programming for Smart City Solutions
  • Sensors and IoT Programming
  • Analytics Applications for Smart Living
  • Computational Social Science: Principles and Applications
  • Overseas Project Experience (SMT Technopreneurship in Asia)

Science and Technology

  • Environmental Science
  • Physics for Managers
  • From Gene, Cell to Final Products - Introduction to Life Sciences
  • Introduction to Physical Science
  • Science Exploration and Society

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant
  • Trailblazer Grant

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Spring 2025 17 weeks Start Date * End Date * Fees & Housing $26,950

*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $18,956**

Housing = $7,500***

Insurance = $194

Total Fees = $26,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $1,564

International Airfare = $1,500††

Local Transportation = $370

Books & Supplies = $210

Personal expenses = $220

Total Costs = $3,864

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable fee

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

Meals are not provided and there is no access to a kitchen.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Marc Teng

Center Director

Marc has over 15 years of experience in the education and travel sectors. He holds an MBA and a postgraduate diploma in education.

Djulianti Then

Student Life Coordinator  

Ms. Djulianti Then serves as a central figure in enhancing the overall student experience and fostering a nurturing and vibrant community at the CIEE Singapore center. Ever the instrumental matronly...

Sonia Ng

Academic Manager

Balancing administrative duties with a commitment to pedagogical excellence, Sonia was the Head of Department with the Ministry of Education of Singapore for 20 years before joining CIEE. At CIEE...

Request Info