Accommodation is an important service for students living away from home. There is a wide variety of accommodation types in Singapore to suit different budgets and needs.
Students should make prior arrangements for accommodation before arrival in Singapore. Temporary accommodation can be arranged before you leave home, giving you time to plan your living arrangements when you arrive.
Most educational institutions have an International Student Office specialising in the needs of international students. The staff at these centres offer advice on accommodation procedures, contacts for private rental offers, room-mate matching services, handy tips about renting student homes, as well as help in selecting an accommodation type which best suit students' needs. For handy tips about renting accomodation, please click here.
Below are some types of accommodation available to international students.
Halls of Residence and Hostels First-year international students are normally given priority when they apply for on-campus accommodation. Rooms can be single or shared. Meal packages are available at extra charges. Halls of Residence provide amenities such as television rooms, reading rooms, laundry rooms, computer rooms, kitchenettes and so on. Welfare services and bonding activities are also organised for its residents.
Rooms rates for respective Halls of Residence and Hostels can be found on the websites of respective schools.
Boarding Schools Boarding schools are normally open to Secondary and Junior College students aged between 13 and 19 years. Selection is normally preceded by an interview of both the parents and the students. Boarding services include lodging, meals, laundry services, 24-hour security, pastoral guidance, tuition, supervision, sports & recreational facilities. A spirit of camaraderie often exists in boarding schools due to the bonding and friendships that are forged among boarders.
Private Hostels Private hostels are run by educational institutions or independent agencies. Options of single or sharing are normally available.
For more information and listing of Boarding Schools, School Hostels and Private Hostels, please refer to the respective school websites or contact the school administrators for further details.
Homestays Some households in Singapore open up their homes and offer full boarding to international students. Homestay programme seeks to provide a conducive environment where the student gets to enjoy a homely environment, receive attentive care and emotional support from the guardians in the absence of his / her parents.
Hotels Those pursuing a short-term course like an executive training programme, will have a wide range of hotels to choose from. Hotel rates depend on location and class of hotels.
For a listing of hotels and their price range, click here.
Serviced Apartments For those who are staying for a slightly longer period or accompanied by family members, serviced apartments are the next best option. Serviced apartments offer all the comforts of home with the housekeeping convenience of a hotel.
For a list of serviced apartments in Singapore, click here.
