Today Singapore’s education system is considered the best in the world. The country consistently ranks at the top of the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a triennial test of 15-year-olds in dozens of countries, in the main three categories of math, reading and science. Singaporean pupils are roughly three years ahead of their American peers in math. Singapore does similarly well in exams of younger children, and the graduates of its best schools can be found scattered around the world’s finest universities.

To know more:

The Right Age (see table on the left)

International students are encouraged to seek admission to their age appropriate level. The Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) does not recommend admission to levels where international students will be more than two years older than their classmates.

Preparing to study in Singapore:

International students seeking admission to our mainstream schools in Singapore should note that English is the medium of instruction. International students are strongly encouraged to prepare themselves before taking the centralised test. They should be familiar with the English and Mathematics syllabuses of the level preceding the one they are applying for.

International students who are successfully admitted to our mainstream schools are strongly encouraged to prepare themselves in advance for a new school environment where English is the language of classroom instruction, and to familiarize themselves with the relevant curriculum for their level.

What is AEIS:

The Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS) is a centralised admissions exercise conducted by MOE around September or October each year for international students who wish to join our mainstream primary and secondary schools in January of the following year.

The AEIS consists of a centralised test on English and Mathematics that will assess the applicants’ English literacy, numeracy and reasoning abilities. Admission is not guaranteed, and is subject to the applicant’s performance in the test. If successful, placement will depend on available vacancies and the applicant’s declared residential area in Singapore.

International students seeking admission to our mainstream schools in Singapore should note that English is the medium of instruction and are strongly encouraged to prepare before sitting for the AEIS test. They should be familiar with the English and Mathematics syllabuses of the level preceding the one they are applying for.

Who is AEIS for:

International students [non-Singapore Citizens (SC) or non-Singapore Permanent Residents (SPR)] who do not have a place in our mainstream schools and who wish to seek admission to Primary 2–5 and Secondary 1–3 levels in January of the following academic year are eligible to take part in the AEIS.

What is S-AEIS:

The Supplementary Admissions Exercise for International Students (S-AEIS) is similar to the AEIS, and is intended for international students who are unable to make it for the AEIS in September or October. The S-AEIS is conducted by MOE around February or March each year for international students who wish to join our mainstream primary and secondary schools in April or May of the same academic year.

Who is S-AEIS for:

International students [non-Singapore Citizens (SC) or non-Singapore Permanent Residents (SPR)] who do not have a place in our mainstream schools and who wish to seek admission to Primary 2–4 and Secondary 1–2 levels in April or May of the academic year are eligible to take part in the S-AEIS.

Other MOE Requirements:

Student’s Pass:

In accordance with the Immigration Regulations, a foreigner who wishes to study in a Government / Government-aided / Independent School requires a Student’s Pass, unless he / she is a holder of a Dependant’s Pass (DP) or an Immigration Exemption Order (IEO).

Vaccination Requirements:

With effect from 1 February 2019, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has introduced diphtheria and measles vaccination requirements as a prerequisite for foreign-born children 12 years and under, applying for long-term immigration passes, such as Student’s Pass (STP), in Singapore. International students who are 12 years and under are required to fulfil the vaccination requirements and obtain a Verification of Vaccination Requirement (VR) document from the Health Promotion Board (HPB) before they can proceed with the online STP application.

Caregiver:

International students are required to provide their caregiver’s particulars to the school. The caregiver should be either:

1. A Singapore Citizen / Singapore Permanent Resident above 21 years old, or
2. The parent of the international student if the parent is working / staying in Singapore

It is a requirement for international students to have a caregiver when they are studying in our mainstream schools. The caregiver is responsible to account for the child under his/her care. The caregiver must be contactable by the school and any change in the caregiver must be reported to the school immediately.