Singapore University: The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) continuously dominate the discourse, yet there is no clear leader in the competitive Asian higher education scene.
According to Times Higher Education (THE) and the QS World University Rankings for 2025–2026, these two universities regularly switch ranks or tie for the top ranking in the area. Celebrated for its 120-year tradition and its domination in specialized subjects like the MBA, where it is ranked #1 in Asia, NUS has won the #8 spot internationally for 2026 and continues to be the top-ranked institution in Asia by QS.
NTU, which is presently rated #12 in the world, is still rapidly rising to become one of the top young institutions in the world. It is especially well-known for its technological prowess, holding prominent positions in engineering and technology, where it frequently surpasses colleagues in specialized fields like materials science and artificial intelligence (ranked second globally by U.S. News).
Although NUS is frequently praised for its wide range of offerings, including top-notch programs in the fields of law, medicine, and the arts, its strategic emphasis on innovation and sustainability has elevated it to the position of global leader in STEM.
Their rivalry fosters "dual-hub" excellence in Singapore, guaranteeing that students are enrolled in some of the best universities in the world whether they favor cutting-edge technology innovation at NTU or traditional academic reputation at NUS.
Singaporean University: Comparison at a Glance
The information demonstrates Singapore's fiercely competitive academic environment, where NUS and NTU continue to hold top positions in the world. With a nearly flawless Academic Reputation score, National University of Singapore (NUS), rated #8 in the world, uses its 120-year history to excel in broad areas like business and law. On the other hand, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), which is ranked #12 and the youngest in the world's top twelve, is a leader in high-tech innovation, especially in the fields of materials science and artificial intelligence. While NUS has the highest conventional prestige, NTU's quick rise is driven by its position as a leading center for data science, confirming Singapore's dual-powerhouse status in higher education on a worldwide scale.
| Feature | National University of Singapore (NUS) | Nanyang Technological University (NTU) |
| Global Rank (QS 2026) | #8 | #12 |
| Asia Rank (THE 2025) | #3 | #4 |
| Primary Strength | Comprehensive, Business (MBA), Law | Engineering, AI, Materials Science |
| Notable Metric | Top 10 worldwide for Academic Reputation | Top 5 globally for Data Science & AI |
Scholarships Offered By The National University of Singapore
For both undergraduate and graduate students, the National University of Singapore (NUS) provides a variety of esteemed, frequently completely funded scholarships. These prizes, which are mainly merit-based, are given to exceptional people who achieve academically and exhibit excellent leadership.
Undergraduate Scholarships (Freshmen)
The resident status of the applicant is usually used to classify undergraduate scholarships. The majority of major prizes include an annual living stipend in addition to covering all tuition costs.
| Scholarship Name | Target Audience | Key Benefits |
| NUS Global Merit Scholarship | Singapore Citizens | Full tuition, living & accommodation allowance, computer grant, and SEP allowance. |
| ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship | ASEAN Citizens (excl. Singapore) | Full tuition fees plus an annual living allowance of S$5,800. |
| Science & Technology (S&T) Scholarship | Asian Citizens (excl. Singapore) | Full tuition, S6,000livingallowance,S2,000 computer grant, and S$200 settling-in allowance. |
| NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship | All International Students | Full tuition coverage, living allowance, and accommodation allowance. |
Graduate Scholarships (Masters & PhD)
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President's Graduate Fellowship (PGF): The most esteemed prize for PhD applicants is the President's Graduate Fellowship (PGF). It offers extra research allowances in addition to a monthly stipend of S3,500–S4,000.
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NUS Research Scholarship: PhD and Master's (Research) students are eligible for the NUS Research Scholarship. After completing the Qualifying Examination, international PhD candidates' stipends increase from S2,200 to S2,700.
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SINGA (Singapore International Graduate Award): PhDs in science, engineering, and technology are fully funded by SINGA (Singapore International Graduate Award), a partnership between NUS, NTU, and A*STAR.
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MBA & Coursework Scholarships: MBA students can apply for certain merit-based grants from NUS Business School. Academic achievement and a scholarship essay are the criteria for selection.
Key Application & Scholarship Deadlines
| Study Level / Program | Application Category | Deadline / Closing Date | Notes for Applicants |
| Undergraduate | International Qualifications | 23 February 2026 | Most common deadline for non-IB international applicants (e.g., India Standard 12). |
| Undergraduate | IB Diploma | 23 February 2026 | For students taking the IB Diploma. |
| Graduate (Research) | PhD & Master's (Research) | 15 January 2026 | This is the standard deadline for most faculties (e.g., CDE) to be considered for research scholarships. |
| Graduate (Coursework) | Master of Science (MSc) | 28 February 2026 | Varies by specific program; many Science and Engineering MSc programs close on this date. |
| MBA (Full-Time) | Round 2 (Scholarship Priority) | 15 January 2026 | Critical: Must apply by this round to be considered for most MBA-specific scholarships. |
| MBA (Full-Time) | Round 3 (Final) | 31 March 2026 | Final cutoff for admission; scholarship availability is significantly reduced. |
| Special Award | SINGA Scholarship | 1 December 2025 | Early deadline for the Singapore International Graduate Award (PhD). |
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