In this guide
Secondary fee range at a glance
Singapore is one of the most expensive international school markets in the world, and secondary is its costliest stage. Fees step up when a child enters secondary, then again at the IGCSE years and once more at the IB Diploma or A-level sixth form, where the smallest classes and the heaviest examination load sit. A family budgeting on the primary figure will be caught out, because the gap between lower primary and the final pre-university years can be SGD 10,000 a year or more at the same school. The bands below are 2026 estimates tied to our Singapore fees report, with secondary and sixth form pricing at the upper end of each whole school tier.
Secondary fee table by tier
| Tier | Annual secondary tuition (SGD) | Approx USD |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | SGD 48,000 - 65,000 | USD 36,000 - 49,000 |
| Upper-mid | SGD 35,000 - 48,000 | USD 26,500 - 36,000 |
| Mid | SGD 24,000 - 35,000 | USD 18,000 - 26,500 |
| Value / entry | SGD 14,000 - 24,000 | USD 10,500 - 18,000 |
Bands are 2026 estimates tied to our Singapore fees report. Secondary and sixth form tuition sits at the top of each tier; the IB Diploma years are usually the single most expensive.
Added and one-off costs
| Cost item | Typical range (SGD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registration / application | 3,000 - 5,000 | One-off, usually non-refundable |
| Acceptance deposit | 8,000 - 12,000 at premium schools | Sometimes refundable on departure |
| School bus | 1,500 - 3,000 per year | Distance based |
| Exam entries (IGCSE, IB, A-level) | Several hundred to low thousands per year | Concentrated in the senior years |
| Waitlist deposit | 2,000 - 5,000 | Often non-refundable at sought after schools |
What drives the cost
Three forces push Singapore secondary fees to the top of the global range. The first is the city itself: high property and salary costs in one of Asia's most expensive cities feed straight into tuition, and the most central campuses families relocate towards carry the highest fees. The second is the curriculum mix at senior level. Schools running the IB Diploma, A-levels or Advanced Placement carry small class sizes, specialist science and arts teaching, dedicated university and careers counselling and examination administration, all of which load onto the final years. The third is demand. Singapore attracts a large, mobile, high earning expatriate population, and the most sought after secondary places are tightly contested, which keeps pricing firm.
Underlying fee inflation in Singapore has run ahead of general inflation in recent years, so a secondary place that looks affordable in the first year of secondary should be modelled forward across the IGCSE and Diploma years rather than judged on the entry figure alone.
Compare secondary fees across cities
Put Singapore secondary fees next to other host cities and curricula side by side before you commit.
Hidden costs beyond tuition
Headline tuition is only part of the bill, and the extras grow in the senior years. Singapore families typically add 8 to 15% on top. The largest line items at secondary level are the registration or application fee of SGD 3,000 to 5,000, which is usually non-refundable, an acceptance deposit that can reach SGD 8,000 to 12,000 at premium schools, examination entries for IGCSE, A-level and the IB Diploma that cluster in the final years, residential and subject trips, devices and uniform. The school bus adds SGD 1,500 to 3,000 a year on a distance basis. At the most popular schools a non-refundable waitlist deposit of SGD 2,000 to 5,000 is also common simply to hold a place in the queue.
Compare secondary fees
Singapore secondary fees sit at the top of the Asian range alongside Hong Kong. Use our compare fees tool to put Singapore next to other host cities and curricula, then read the full Singapore school fees breakdown for the all stage picture and the all-in cost of a place.
FAQ
How much is secondary international school in Singapore? Secondary and sixth form international school fees in Singapore run from about SGD 24,000 a year at value schools to SGD 48,000 to 65,000 at the premium international schools, with the top secondary and pre-university years sitting at the upper end of each band. Most families also pay registration, an acceptance deposit, exam entry fees and transport on top.
Why are secondary fees higher than primary in Singapore? Secondary and sixth form tuition is consistently the most expensive stage because the IGCSE, IB Diploma and A-level years carry smaller classes, specialist teaching, laboratory and examination costs and university guidance. At most Singapore schools fees step up at the start of secondary and again at the IB Diploma or sixth form.
Which Singapore schools offer the IB Diploma and A-levels? Singapore is rich in pre-university options. The IB Diploma is offered by schools such as UWC South East Asia, Singapore American School, ACS International, GESS and SJI International, while Tanglin Trust School offers both A-levels and the IB Diploma. Several British style schools run IGCSE followed by A-levels.
Is the acceptance deposit refundable in Singapore? Usually only in part. Singapore schools commonly charge a registration or application fee of SGD 3,000 to 5,000 that is non-refundable, plus an acceptance deposit that may be SGD 8,000 to 12,000 at premium schools and is sometimes refundable on departure. Always confirm the refund terms in writing before paying.
What are the hidden costs of secondary school in Singapore? Beyond tuition, families typically add 8 to 15% for registration, the acceptance deposit, school bus of SGD 1,500 to 3,000 a year, IGCSE and IB examination entries, residential trips, devices and uniform. A non-refundable waitlist deposit of SGD 2,000 to 5,000 is also common at the most sought after schools.