Planning to send your kids to an international school in Singapore? From application fees to lunch at the canteen and even building maintenance, we take a look at how much it really costs to get started.
With annual tuition fees generally in the region of $17,000 to $50,000 and rising, choosing an international school in Singapore is not a decision to be taken lightly. But did you know that tuition alone might be just the tip of the iceberg? Even before the first day of school begins, there are a bucket load of costs to consider and budget for. Think application fees, enrolment or registration fees, transport costs, building maintenance costs, contributions to the parents’ association, extra-curricular activities, exams, and insurance. And that’s before your little person has even made it to the school gate…
Why location matters
Before you invest in an international school education in Singapore, it’s so important to make sure you choose the one that’s right for your family. To help you navigate your way through the decision-making process, we’d highly recommend narrowing down the potential list of schools by considering the ‘golden triangle’ of locations. Where do you live, where do you work, where are your ideal schools, and what is the distance you are comfortable travelling between these places? This will give you a diameter of school locations you can investigate. The further away your child’s school is from home, the higher the daily transport costs (and the harder it is for you to get to them on sick days or for school events).
Once you know the general school areas you are willing to consider, make your way to HoneyKids’ online school comparison tool. Here you’ll find comparisons of fees, curriculum, facilities and more, and learn about each school’s ethos to find the best fit for your kiddos. We’ve worked directly with schools and sought testimonials from parents to help cut down your research time. So make sure you bookmark our HoneyKids School Selector. It’s the must-have international school bible for every parent in Singapore, and we update the info twice a year!
The cost of international schools in Singapore
As you will discover, your initial annual investment could vary wildly. It all depends on which international schools you’re considering. It pays to check with your prospective schools to find out more about the potential fees AND savings.
1. Tuition fees
The biggest piece of the pie is the actual cost of tuition. Depending on the school you choose, the range of fees is very broad, anywhere from around $17,000 up to around $50,000. The average annual tuition fee in Singapore is $28,392 for kindergarten. Note that some schools have three semesters, others have four terms, and usually the tuition fees are paid in advance. Although the fees aren’t getting any lower, there are many international schools on the lower end of the price range. Some of those with higher fees might also include costs other schools keep separate, such as facility fees or school trips.
2. Application fees and other one-off or yearly charges
Application fees can be brutal. While submitting an application is free at some schools, this one-off payment can be up to $5,350 at others! Some application fees are partially refundable if you do not accept a place, however these are often non-refundable once the application is submitted.
There are no guarantees your child will even be offered a place, especially if there is a waiting list (some of which can take years!). Other costs in this category are facility fees or building maintenance costs, which are often paid every year, as well as a contribution to the Parent Association. Again, these vary wildly depending on the school, and it is important to be aware and include these costs in your family budget. Keep an eye out for school ‘Open Days’ with offers of discounted or waived registration fees. You’ll be saving a pretty penny!
3. Transport costs
Transport costs in Singapore are rising across the board, with the introduction of higher GST and a shortage of school bus drivers as a profession. Consider that waving goodbye to your child on the school bus could set you back as little as $1,100 yearly, or as much as $8,500.
Depending on the age of your child, number of kids, and distance from your school to home, public transport is an excellent option for many families. Often schools are built close to MRT stations and bus stops, and it’s best to check the routes available and time it would take before you sign up. Even if you have a car, the cost of petrol, ERP tolls during peak hours, and the time cost of sitting in peak traffic are all considerations.
4. Uniforms
Attending an international school in Singapore is often like attending a private school in your home country, which means uniforms are an essential part of the school kit. With blazers that can cost upwards of $100, a smart formal uniform as well as a PE uniform, house shirt, and school-branded swim kit all required, just one set of uniform for one child can cost close to $300. And you’ll need to buy multiple shirts, unless you can wash-and-dry daily!
5. School canteen and lunch options
The school lunch options have definitely improved drastically since our time spent at school! Being more mindful of healthy choices and allergens, international schools in Singapore often outsource the canteen to an external provider for chef-quality meals that will also carry a hefty price tag. From our calculations and discussions with the schools, rocking up to the school canteen daily can cost anywhere from $900 to $1,800 per year. Best to get creative with some home-made lunchbox ideas to save some dollars on the in-school dining!
6. Co-curricular Activities (CCAs), school excursions and exams
There are excellent opportunities for the kids to excel in sports, dance and drama, technology studies and languages as extra-curricular activities, however participation in these classes often incurs additional fees on a termly basis. As the kiddos get older, many of the schools encourage participation in school camps, with some even arranging costly overseas trips. Other costs that might crop up include fees for technology, books, resources and exams. Then there’s insurance and learning support too. Some even charge for studying English as a Second Language.
Our top tips for saving money at international schools and things to note:
- Some fees are a one-off, so while you have to cough up for the first year, it won’t be applicable from the second year onwards.
- Sibling discounts are sometimes offered to families who have more than one child attending the school. Bonus!
- Some schools allow you to pay in instalments, while others ask for full payment upfront.
- School fees increase as your child moves up an age group. Do check with the schools if you plan to send your child to school in Singapore for an extended period of time.
You get the idea. International schools in Singapore are expensive (and, by the way, local schools are VERY tough for non-Singaporeans to get into). But it’s costly for good reason. The facilities are top notch, teaching staff are among the best, and your children will benefit from their multi-cultural schooling foundations for the rest of their lives. It’s one of the most important investment decisions you’re going to make, so taking some time to thoroughly assess your options is a must. But don’t fret. The HoneyKids School Selector is your trusty companion, and with it you’ll be packing your kids off to an excellent international school in no time.
*Amounts published here are based on research conducted online in January 2024, based on a mainstream program for a new Primary Year 1 (age 6-7) student in Singapore. Fees sometimes vary across different campuses of the same school. All fee amounts should be verified directly with schools.