STEP Application

Admission Requirements

Application is open to all who fulfil the following criteria:

  • Have outstanding academic results 
  • Demonstrate strong communication skills and leadership potential
  • Entrepreneurial, innovative, dynamic, resilient, energetic, risk-taking and responsive

How to apply

  • In the online application to SUTD, students should indicate their interest in STEP and complete two short-response questions on their motivation, entrepreneurial experience and interest.

  • Shortlisted candidates will be invited to have a conversation with SUTD faculty/leader about their application to the university and STEP. As part of the conversation, they will be given 30 minutes prior to the session to prepare a pitch based on a list of topics given. Thereafter, they will be invited to pitch their proposal to the faculty/leader.

  • Applicants who are not shortlisted for STEP will still be considered for the SUTD undergraduate (single degree) programme, and/or another special programme of their choice as per their indication in the application form.


Scholarships

Up to 30 attractive bond-free scholarships for each intake will be awarded to outstanding Singapore Citizens who are offered admission to STEP. The scholarships cover subsidised tuition fees and study-related expenses during the one year overseas immersion programme. 


Fees

Students admitted to STEP will pay the undergraduate tuition fees for the first 8 terms of the programme; and the Master programme tuition fee as at Year 5 for the remaining 2 terms of the programme.

The Master programme tuition fees are as follows:

Master Programme Tuition fees - AY2023

Tuition fees for new students admitted to the programme in AY2023 will be charged the prevailing Master programme fees as follows:

Tuition Fees Subsidised Fee Non-Subsidised Fee
(Inclusive of GST)
Singapore Citizens (SC)
Per academic year S$14,350 S$52,077
Per term S$7,175 S$26,038.50
Master Programme Tuition fees - AY2022

Tuition fees for existing students admitted to the programme in AY2022 are as follows:

Tuition Fees Subsidised Fee Non-Subsidised Fee
(Inclusive of GST)
Singapore Citizens (SC)
Admission Year AY2017
Per academic year
S$13,600 S$49,364
Admission Year AY2018
Per academic year
S$14,100 S$51,170
Admission Year AY2019
Per academic year
S$14,350 S$52,106
 
Tuition Fees Subsidised Fee Non-Subsidised Fee
(Inclusive of GST)
Singapore Citizens (SC)
Admission Year AY2017
Per term
S$6,800 S$24,682
Admission Year AY2018
Per term
S$7,050 S$25,585
Admission Year AY2019
Per term
S$7,175 S$26,053

Note: The tuition fees for STEP programme will be subject to annual revision in September.

Eligibility Guidelines for Ministry of Education (MOE) Subsidised Fee
The substantial tuition subsidy from the Government of Singapore comes in the form of a MOE Subsidy which is administered by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and is offered to all admitted students up to the normal programme duration. Students need not apply for the MOE Subsidy if they are eligible.

i) Students with a Higher Degree Qualification
Students who have previously enjoyed MOE subsidy in a graduate programme will not be eligible for MOE subsidy in another graduate programme at the same or lower level. Instead, such students will be required to pay the non-subsidised fees for the graduate programme that they now wish to undertake. For example, students who had previously enjoyed MOE subsidy in a Masters programme and had attained the Masters degree will not be eligible for subsidy in another programme at Masters degree or lower level. In addition, if they wish to upgrade in another discipline area where the programme has a combination of Masters and PhD candidature, they will not be eligible to enjoy MOE subsidy during the Masters candidature.

ii) Transferred or Re-admitted Students
Students who are transferred or re-admitted within SUTD or across Autonomous Universities* will be eligible to receive MOE subsidy up to the normal programme duration for the new programme less number of terms of MOE subsidy received for the previous programme.
* Autonomous Universities refer to Nanyang Technological University (NTU), National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), Singapore Management University (SMU), Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).

Please note the following for tuition fee payment:

  1. Students are required to pay tuition fees for 2 terms per academic year in September and January.

  2. For Singapore Citizen students paying subsidised fees, Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the tuition fees is subsidised by MOE. The fee amounts quoted here are exclusive of GST.

  3. International students and Singapore Permanent Resident students are to pay non-subsidised fees.

  4. For students paying non-subsidised fees, GST on the tuition fees is to be borne by students. The fees listed are inclusive of prevailing GST.

  5. The prevailing GST rate is 9% with effect from 1 Jan 2024.

  6. Citizenship changes which result in tuition fee rate changes will be effected in the term only if email notification (together with Singapore NRIC or collection slip) to Office of Student Administration is received no later than the end of Week 2 of the term. Notification received/issue date after Week 2 of the term will have the revised tuition fee effected only in the following term.

SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy for Singapore Citizen aged 40 years and above

Eligible Singapore Citizens (SC) students aged 40 years and above will pay tuition fees that are 60% lower than the standard subsidised tuition fees payable by other SC students who are below 40 years old. More information about the Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy.

Compulsory Miscellaneous Fees

In addition to tuition fees, students are required to pay the Compulsory Miscellaneous Fees (CMF), which are payable as long as they remain registered as students with the University. These compulsory annual miscellaneous fees are charged for registration to student council, students’ activities, insurance, sport facilities, IT facilities and academic related services. These fees are non-refundable.

The fees listed below are inclusive of prevailing Goods and Services Tax (GST). The prevailing GST rate is 9% with effect from 1 Jan 2024.

The Compulsory Miscellaneous Fees for AY2023 for all full-time students payable over two instalments in January and May are as follows:

Compulsory Miscellaneous Fees Singapore Citizens (SC)
and Singapore Permanent Residents (SPR)
 
(Inclusive of prevailing GST)
International Students
(IS)
 
(Inclusive of prevailing GST)
 
One-Time Enrolment Fee to Student Activities & Services (Student Council) S$10.00 S$10.00
Compulsory Miscellaneous Fee per term S$157.00 S$221.00

Insurance coverage will cease  

  • as at date of conferment for graduating students
  • as at leave approval date or leave start date (whichever is later) for students taking Term Leave of Absence (1 term or more)

More information on Insurance.
 
Note: The CMF may be subject to change annually in September.

Fee Billing and Payment Modes

Students will receive their bills at the commencement of each term and payment is due 30 days from the commencement of term. An email notification will be sent to the student's SUTD email account when the bill is ready. Students will be able to check their bills via the SUTD Student Portal.

Students are able to pay their bills via GIRO, DBS/POSB ATM, DBS/POSB internet banking and eNETS via the SUTD student portal.

Late Payment Penalties

Late payment fee of S$50.00 will be imposed on the student’s account and negative service indicator (NSI) will be activated for fees remain outstanding more than 30 calendar days from due date. Upon NSI activated, students will not be able to access MyPortal to view exam results, print transcripts or enrol for modules.

Refund Policy

Students who apply for leave of absence or leave SUTD, either through withdrawal of their own accord or end of candidature by SUTD, after two weeks from commencement of each academic year will be liable to pay fees for the entire term. Requests for refund will not be considered.

For billing related enquiries, please write to studentfinance@sutd.edu.sg or call +65 6303 6888.

Expenses for Overseas Programmes

Singapore Citizens who are admitted to the programme will receive the STEP scholarship, which will cover their overseas expenses.