If you have been waiting for the right time to travel to Singapore for your studies, there is no better time than now to start planning. Singapore has started to open its borders for everyone. Your chance to live independently as an international student abroad is finally here.
Studying in Singapore can be a fun and safe experience, however, there are many to-dos before you make your way to sunny Singapore. Read on to find out how you can prepare for your study abroad trip.
1. Apply for Student’s Pass
Once you are accepted by any educational institution to pursue full-time studies in Singapore, you will need to apply for a Student’s Pass. The requirements and procedures differ slightly depending on the type of educational institution you are enrolling. If you are enrolling to a private education institution (PEI), you will need to ensure that the institution is registered with the Committee for Private Education and has been awarded the EduTrust certification. This is because your Student’s Pass application will only be accepted if the PEI is EduTrust-certified.
PSB Academy is one of the first few PEIs to be awarded the EduTrust Certification and has successfully renewed till 13 May 2026. We offer an option to apply for the Student’s Pass on your behalf, which may take approximately 4 weeks. You may visit Singapore ICA website to learn more about the procedures, documents required, and how to apply online.
Do note that under Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower regulations, Student’s Pass holders studying in PEIs are not allowed to engage in any form of paid or unpaid employment or be in any business while on Student’s Pass.
2. Settle Your Accommodation
Aside from the pricing and room type, it is important to be properly informed of the facilities the accommodation provides, the location and the surroundings. You wouldn’t want to find a place far from campus that will add to your commuting time.
If you are unfamiliar with the country, we encourage you to work with the institution to find a suitable accommodation. At PSB Academy, we offer Student Hostels at two locations that are easily accessible via public transport – PSB Academy Student Hostel @ Pearl Hill and Bugis. As there is a strong demand for student accommodation where units are taken up very quickly, we advise students to start applying before arriving in Singapore.
3. Travel Requirements to Singapore
After you have settled your accommodation, the next step is booking your flight. But before that, you will need to meet the travel requirements. While Singapore has opened up its borders, we still have specific entry requirements for visitors coming to Singapore. Generally, unless you are fully vaccinated, you will not be allowed to enter Singapore unless in exceptional situations.
Aligned with Singapore’s direction in becoming a Covid-resilient nation, PSB Academy has also progressively welcomed fully vaccinated students back to campus. Please make sure Ensure you have checked off the travel requirements as below before arriving in Singapore:
Fully vaccinated visitors
- Obtain vaccination proof and upload vaccination certificate onto the Vaccination Check Portal
- Download the TraceTogether app and register your profile
- Submit SG Arrival Card and e-health declaration via the official and free e-service on the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website 3 days before departure
4. Pack For The Weather
With high temperatures and humidity all year round, Singapore’s weather can be brutal for people accustomed to colder climates. Rainfall is also abundant throughout the year, adding to the humidity. So, the rule of thumb is to ` keep your clothing choices light, with cooling and comfortable clothing.
You may also want to pack a couple of thin outerwear for air-conditioned spaces. Our campuses can be rather cold at times; hence it is recommended to bring your jackets along when you have lessons.
5. Familiarise Yourself with Life in Singapore
Known as a city where cultures come together, Singapore is a country with a multiracial, multicultural and multireligious heritage.
Since the 19th and 20th centuries, immigrants from China, India, and the Malay Archipelago flocked to the tiny island in search of a better life, forming the backbone of the city’s character. Singapore’s ethnicities predominantly comprise the Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian and Peranakan communities. In addition, Singapore is the most religiously diverse country in the world, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center study. All these make our sunny island vibrant and diverse.
It is vital that you research about the country prior to arriving. The last thing you want is to get a culture shock when you arrive. You can read up more about our Sunny Island at Visit Singapore.
6. Learn the Local Language
Even though the national language of Singapore is Malay, locals are mostly bilingual and can speak English, and either Mandarin, Malay or Tamil. This means that as long as you are fluent in one out of four of these languages, you will not face much difficulty communicating with locals in Singapore. If you don’t, you can always start learning common English phrases several months in advance. This is to ensure that you will be able to communicate with your Singaporean classmates and locals and complete basic tasks such as asking for directions or ordering food at hawker centres.
7. Getting Around Singapore
The public transport system in Singapore is interconnected, fuss-free and the most economical way to get around the city. Taking the Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) is probably the fastest way to get around the city, but you can also commute around via bus.
An EZ-link card is required in order to travel on public transport, and they can be purchased at any Transitlink Ticket Office. Alternatively, you can also use a foreign-issued Mastercard® and Visa contactless cards for payment. However, there will be admin fees applicable for these foreign-issued bank cards.
Knowing your way around will also help you plan your route to school. PSB Academy has two campuses and are easily accessible via public transport. The City Campus at Marina Square is close to Promenade, City Hall, and Esplanade MRT stations, while the STEM Campus at Jackson Square is easily accessible via Braddell and Toa Payoh MRT stations. You can also download the SMRTConnect app (Google Play/App Store) to aid in your route planning while getting real time bus and train arrival information.
8. Prepare for School
First day of school in a new environment can be nerve-wrecking. Familiarising yourself with the school, surroundings and even the online platforms that the school is using will definitely help to ease some nerves.
As PSB Academy has two campuses, it is important to take note of where your classes are held at. You wouldn’t want to be in the wrong campus and miss your class. If the course you have selected is STEM related, it’s most likely that your lessons will be held at Jackson Square campus in Toa Payoh.
Students will also be given an online student handbook prior or during the orientation day, where it contains all the necessary information such as the different student services, online accounts, platform access, programme delivery team, etc.
9. Build a Support Network
It’s natural that when you move to a new country, you may not know anyone living there. Making new friends, forming friendships and being part of a tight knit community will ensure your experience of studying abroad is a positive one. Take the right steps to connect with school mates so you can take on the challenges of school together.
PSB Academy offers a range of Student Clubs, such as its Music Club, Sports & Adventure Club, and Community Service Club, for you to select from based on your interests. We also have International Communities, such as the Indonesian Student Club or the South Asian Student Club, meant for international students to connect with others of the same nationality. Together, you can bond over a shared love of food back at home, significant holidays and familiar customs.
10. Ask for Help
Moving to a new country and starting at a new school can be a daunting experience. It means having to deal with an unfamiliar culture, navigate foreign neighbourhoods and streets and figure out the school’s system. To successfully integrate and thrive in a new country, getting a little help from those around you will go a long way.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to a staff, lecturer or fellow mates. This way, you will receive the guidance you need and any doubts you might have can be addressed. It can be difficult to step out of your comfort zone and put yourself out there, but once you overcome this barrier you will find that you’re on the right path to a rich and rewarding educational experience at PSB Academy.
Think you are ready to travel to Singapore for your studies? Check out PSB Academy’s wide range of courses available for international students now!
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