The Singapore Ministry of Education announced that they will continue to make more spots available for students whose plans to study overseas are disrupted by the pandemic. They will consider this beyond the planned 40% participation rate for Singaporean applicants.

The Ministry has increased the cohort participation rate past the 40% for the past two years of the pandemic in order to support Singaporean students with increased places at Singapore institutions. The cohort participation rate for the last two years has been 42%.

The Minister of Education has stressed on the government’s new approach in planning for university places. He said that instead of considering a cohort participation rate (the proportion of a cohort going to university), the new approach prefers the term ‘lifelong cohort participation rate’ as Singapore citizens start going back to institutions for additional and increased knowledge and qualifications at any age.

Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/singapore-universities-may-boost-places-due-to-covid-19-disruptions

British Council’s comment:

The Singapore Ministry of Education’s announcement is in line with their approach to facilitating students with increased opportunities at home during the pandemic. For the last two years, the six autonomous universities at Singapore have increased places and accommodated larger cohorts than planned. In addition, several initiatives focussing on enabling students with careers support, internships and  employability skills were introduced during the pandemic.

International coverage of global pandemic updates, along with concerns regarding the Covid-19 virus and all variants remain an important concern for students and parents as they make their final plans and choices for international studies. With the assurance of increased university places available at Singapore, along with opportunities for transnational education opportunities this is an important consideration that may influence student decisions and acceptances.