Studying in Southeast Asia: Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

Southeast Asia is growing fast and its universities are climbing the rankings. For a Tunisian student, three countries stand out: Singapore for academic excellence, and Thailand and Vietnam for English-taught international programmes at a much lower cost. Here is what you need to know to compare these destinations.

Singapore: excellence, at a high price

The universities

Singapore has some of the best universities in Asia:

• National University of Singapore (NUS);

• Nanyang Technological University (NTU);

• Singapore Management University (SMU);

• Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD);

• as well as private institutes and campuses of foreign universities.

Admission

It is very selective. Public universities assess your bac grades (and sometimes exams such as the SAT), your English level (IELTS, TOEFL), your activities and sometimes an interview. Applications for the August intake are generally made between the autumn and early spring.

Cost

Tuition fees and the cost of living are high. Public universities offer tuition fee support for international students, in exchange for a commitment to work in Singapore for a few years after graduation. Merit scholarships also exist and are very competitive.

The visa

Once admitted, the university registers you and you apply online for the Student's Pass with the immigration authority. The procedure is fast and well organised.

Thailand: international programmes and low cost

The universities

Several Thai universities offer English-taught international programmes: Chulalongkorn, Mahidol, Thammasat, Kasetsart, as well as international private universities such as Assumption. Their strengths: business, tourism and hospitality, engineering, sciences.

Admission

Based on your application file, with an English test and sometimes an exam or interview. Universities often have two intakes per year.

Cost

Fees for international programmes are moderate, and the cost of living is low, even in Bangkok, with affordable student housing.

The visa

You need an education visa issued on the basis of the admission letter, followed by regular renewals on site according to the rules in force.

Vietnam: a dynamic economy and a very low cost

The institutions

The English-taught offer is more limited but of good quality, with international campuses and universities partnered with foreign institutions, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. The flagship fields: business, IT, communication, design.

Cost

The cost of living is among the lowest in the region. Fees at international campuses are higher than at local universities, but remain lower than in Europe or Australia.

The visa

A student visa is issued on the basis of admission, with a temporary residence card for long programmes.

Comparison table

Points of caution

• The distance and the price of plane tickets.

• The tropical climate, hot and humid.

• Recognition of degrees for regulated professions in Tunisia.

• The variable quality of private institutions in Thailand and Vietnam: check their accreditation.

Other options in Asia

• Malaysia: British and Australian campuses at moderate prices.

• China with the CSC scholarship.

• Japan and Korea with the MEXT and GKS scholarships.

Typical timeline

• Singapore: main intake in August. Public university applications generally open in the autumn and close between winter and early spring. Results arrive in spring.

• Thailand: two main intakes (often in August and January). Applications several months before each intake.

• Vietnam: several intakes at the international campuses (often in February, June and October depending on the institution).

For all these destinations, allow at least 6 months between the start of your application and your departure.

Fields to prioritise

• Singapore: engineering, computer science, finance, business, life sciences. The public universities are among the best in Asia in these fields.

• Thailand: hospitality and tourism, international business, engineering, food science, public health.

• Vietnam: business, digital marketing, communication, design, IT.

Documents to prepare

• transcripts and bac diploma, translated into English and legalised;

• passport valid for the entire stay;

• English certificate (IELTS or TOEFL);

• SAT if the university requires it (common in Singapore);

• motivation letter and recommendation letters;

• financial documents;

• medical certificate depending on the country.

Budget: compare over one year

For a realistic comparison, calculate the cost over one year, including:

• tuition fees;

• housing (residence or flat-share);

• food, very cheap in Thailand and Vietnam;

• local transport;

• health insurance;

• plane tickets (often with a stopover in the Gulf or Europe).

In Singapore, housing weighs heavily; in Thailand and Vietnam, the living budget can be two to three times lower than in Western Europe.

Daily life

All three countries are welcoming to foreign students. Singapore is very safe and organised, with a large Malay Muslim community and halal food that is easy to find. In Thailand and Vietnam, halal food is available in the big cities but takes a little more searching. The tropical climate and the monsoon set the rhythm of the year.

Our support

Worldwide Studies helps you compare universities and programmes, prepare for tests (IELTS, SAT) and applications, and obtain your visa. See also IELTS in Tunisia.

👉 Fees and requirements vary by institution: talk to an advisor to choose the Asian destination that suits your project.