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.
Click here to download a copy of the Student Accommodation Handbook.
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.
Room rates range from S$155 - S$800 a month depending on the number of students sharing the room.
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. Rates range from S$6,000 to S$15,000 per academic year.
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, click here.
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.The costs for homestay ranges from S$1000 to S$1,600 per month.
More information with regards to the Homestay Guardianship Programme can be found at the website of the following service providers:
Public and Private Apartments/Houses Students may want to consider renting a room or apartment or house directly from the owners of public or private housing. Students are expected to pay at least one month advance rent and one month security deposit.
Normally, the International Student Service Centre of the educational institution provides housing agents' contacts and matching services to help students find quality accommodation.
The classified advertisements in the local newspapers is a good source for a listing of apartments and rooms for rent. Alternatively, you may also search for lists of HDB flats, private apartments and landed properties for rent from the Singapore Institute of Surveyors & Valuers' (S.I.S.V.) website. From the website, you can choose the option Property Listing - HDB Flats/Private Apartment/Landed Properties to view the list of various accommodation options available for renting.
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.
