The minimum age for applying to study abroad is 3 years old. Applicants must be at least 3 years old at the time of application, with no exceptions. The maximum age for applying to international schools is generally 16, although some schools do accept applicants who are 17-18 years old.

Typically, the older the applicant, the higher the grade they will be applying for, and the more rigorous the academic requirements will be. Consequently, the entrance exams tend to be more challenging for older applicants. Additionally, some international schools waive entrance exams for younger applicants, but the criteria can vary from school to school.

Most international schools have tuition fees set at a similar level, increasing gradually from lower to higher grades. Below is a rough reference standard:

• Grades 1-5: Approximately SGD 35,000 per year
• Grades 6-8: Approximately SGD 38,500 per year
• Grades 9-12: Approximately SGD 40,000 per year

Some international schools offer better value for money with fees around half of these standard rates, while maintaining comprehensive accreditation standards. In addition to basic tuition fees, each school may charge application fees, enrollment confirmation fees, facilities usage fees, and various other miscellaneous fees, each with its own specific criteria. Students entering international school preparatory classes due to insufficient English proficiency may need to pay additional semester fees. Some boarding schools may also charge specific dormitory-related fees.

In general, international school fees are clearly listed and publicly available on their respective official websites.

International schools are well-equipped with excellent campus facilities and uphold a commitment to quality education with comprehensive accreditation. When selecting a school, parents should primarily consider the following three points:

1. The higher the overall academic standing of the school, the more stringent the academic requirements for each grade level, resulting in higher admission difficulty.

2. As students get older, they apply for higher grade levels. Higher grades typically have higher academic requirements for admission.

3. The better the student’s English proficiency aligns with the school’s admission standards, the easier it will be to meet those requirements.

Therefore, when choosing and planning for a school, it is essential to first plan around the student’s English proficiency. If there is a significant gap between the student’s proficiency and the school’s requirements, the school may even reject the application outright.

The entire application process for international schools typically takes 4-6 months to complete. For top-tier international schools, the process may take longer due to high demand, resulting in a queue of applicants. In such cases, the entire application process could span 6-10 months. Occasionally, applicants who are fortunate and have all documents in order, meet all review criteria, and face less competition for available spots, may complete the process in as little as 2.5 months.