Republic Polytechnic (RP) was established in 2002 and describes itself as Singapore’s youngest polytechnic. Its website lists 40+ full-time courses across 7 schools.[1][2] The campus is in Woodlands.[3]
In AY2026 the subsidised tuition fee for international students who take the MOE Tuition Grant is S$12,400 a year for ASEAN students and S$13,600 for non-ASEAN students; with the supplementary fee the amounts are S$12,577.00 and S$13,777.00.[4] International students who receive the grant must serve a 3-year bond after graduation.[5] We could not confirm a current student number or a world ranking position.
Key facts
| Official name | Republic Polytechnic (RP) |
| Location | Woodlands, Singapore (9 Woodlands Avenue 9, Singapore 738964)[3] |
| Type | Polytechnic; listed under the Ministry of Education in the Singapore Government Directory. Awards diplomas, not degrees[3] |
| Founded | 2002; RP calls itself Singapore’s youngest polytechnic (Wikipedia: July or 1 August 2002, statutory board a month later)[1] |
| Schools and courses | 40+ full-time courses across 7 schools[2] |
| Fields of study | Applied Science, Business, Engineering, Hospitality, Infocomm, Sports and Health, Technology for the Arts, Media and Design[1] |
| Campus | 20 hectares in Woodlands; capacity of about 13,000 students (capacity, not enrolment)[6] |
| Students | No current enrolment figure confirmed[1] |
| World ranking | No QS World University Rankings 2027 position confirmed[1] |
| Tuition AY2026, international students with Tuition Grant | S$12,400 (ASEAN) or S$13,600 (non-ASEAN) a year; S$12,577.00 or S$13,777.00 with the supplementary fee[4] |
| Bond for international Tuition Grant recipients | 3 years after graduation[5] |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.0 overall and in each component, or TOEFL iBT 78, or RP’s English Entrance Test; some qualifications exempt[7] |
| Official website | rp.edu.sg |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About Republic Polytechnic
RP says it was established in 2002 and is Singapore’s youngest polytechnic.[1] Wikipedia gives July 2002 in its history section and 1 August 2002 in its infobox, and says RP became a statutory board a month later.[6] The Singapore Government Directory lists RP under the Ministry of Education at 9 Woodlands Avenue 9.[3]
The Woodlands campus covers 20 hectares; Wikipedia says it can cater for 13,000 students, which is a capacity and not an enrolment figure.[6] RP’s own pages give no current student number.[1][2]
How is Republic Polytechnic ranked?
We found no QS World University Rankings 2027 position for Republic Polytechnic in the sources we read. The position could not be confirmed, so we show none. Rankings differ by publisher and year, and rankings of universities do not map neatly onto diploma-level institutions. How we compile rankings.
RP’s website lists 60,000+ alumni, 2,000+ industry partners and a claimed 100% internship placement rate; these are RP’s own claims.[2]
What can you study at Republic Polytechnic?
RP’s home page lists 40+ full-time courses across 7 schools and 20 minor programmes, plus 800+ CET courses (continuing education and training).[2] Its About page names these fields of study:[1]
- Applied Science
- Business
- Engineering
- Hospitality
- Infocomm
- Sports and Health
- Technology for the Arts, Media and Design
See the course list on rp.edu.sg.
How much does Republic Polytechnic cost in 2026?
RP lists course fees per academic year for AY2026 with the MOE Tuition Grant, in Singapore dollars and including GST. For Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents the Government absorbs the GST on tuition; for international students tuition is subject to GST.[4]
| Student group | Subsidised tuition | Supplementary fee | Course fees per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Citizen, below 40 | S$3,100.00 | S$86.50 | S$3,186.50 |
| Singapore Citizen, 40 and above | S$2,100.00 | S$86.50 | S$2,186.50 |
| Permanent Resident | S$6,400.00 | S$116.50 | S$6,516.50 |
| International, ASEAN | S$12,400.00 | S$177.00 | S$12,577.00 |
| International, non-ASEAN | S$13,600.00 | S$177.00 | S$13,777.00 |
The page shows that fees changed between cohorts: for AY2025 non-ASEAN international students paid S$12,400 tuition. All fees are subject to change by MOE.[4] The page gives no unsubsidised fee for students without the grant.
The Tuition Grant and the bond
MOE says the Tuition Grant supports selected full-time diploma and undergraduate studies at polytechnics and other institutions, and that Permanent Residents and international students who receive it must serve a 3-year bond after graduation.[8][5] In its 2026 letter to international students, MOE says the number of grants for them is limited and awarded competitively on merit; if the application fails or you do not apply, you pay the full tuition fee.[9] For living costs, see our Study in Singapore guide and the Singapore overview.
How do you apply to Republic Polytechnic as an international student?
International applicants apply for full-time diplomas through RP’s Direct Admissions Exercise (DAE). Admission is based on academic merit, entrance test results where required, and course vacancies; meeting the minimum entry requirements (MER) does not guarantee a place. You can list up to 3 course choices but receive one offer.[7]
- Qualification: you need an international qualification equivalent to the Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level and must meet the MER for your country or qualification.[7]
- Entrance tests: the five polytechnics jointly run harmonised tests in English, Mathematics and/or Science for shortlisted applicants.[7]
- After an offer: you accept the course in the Online Enrolment System, complete the medical check-up and the Student’s Pass application with the immigration authority, and declare your Tuition Grant status.[10]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year; see the admission page for the current windows.
Which English level do you need?
You show English proficiency with IELTS or TOEFL results, or with an English Entrance Test.[7] RP lists these criteria:[7]
- IELTS: at least 6 in each of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, and an overall band of 6.
- TOEFL iBT: at least 78 on the 0–120 scale (or band 4.0 on the new 1–6 scale) for all components and overall.
- Scores must be from the last two years.
Exempt are applicants with some qualifications, among them the IB, IGCSE (English as a first language), Malaysia UEC/SPM, Brunei GCE O-Level and certain Year 12 diplomas from the USA, Australia, New Zealand or Canada with at least 70% in English.[7]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are Republic Polytechnic fees for international students?
In AY2026, with the MOE Tuition Grant: tuition of S$12,400 (ASEAN) or S$13,600 (non-ASEAN), and course fees of S$12,577.00 or S$13,777.00 a year including the supplementary fee.[4]
Is Republic Polytechnic a university?
Do international students have to work in Singapore after studying at RP?
If you receive the MOE Tuition Grant, yes: international recipients must serve a 3-year bond after graduation.[5]
Which English test does Republic Polytechnic accept?
IELTS (6 overall and in each component), TOEFL iBT (78) or RP’s English Entrance Test; some qualifications are exempt.[7]
How is Republic Polytechnic ranked worldwide?
We found no world ranking position for it, and no QS 2027 position could be confirmed.[1]
More about studying in Singapore
- Singapore: best universities
- Study in Singapore: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Singapore
- INSEAD Singapore Campus
- James Cook University Singapore
- LASALLE College of the Arts
- Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)
- Nanyang Polytechnic
- Nanyang Technological University
- National University of Singapore
- Ngee Ann Polytechnic
- Singapore Institute of Technology
- Singapore Management University
- Singapore Polytechnic
- Singapore University of Social Sciences
- Singapore University of Technology and Design
- Temasek Polytechnic
Sources
[1] Republic Polytechnic: About us (page updated 8 Jul 2026 (the footer says 5 Nov 2026))
[2] Republic Polytechnic: Home page (page without a date; figures are RP’s own)
[3] Singapore Government Directory: Republic Polytechnic (page updated 23 Aug 2023)
[4] Republic Polytechnic: Course fees (page updated 27 Feb 2026 (the footer says 5 Nov 2026))
[5] Ministry of Education Singapore: Tuition Grant Scheme, bond matters (page updated 23 Jun 2026)
[6] Wikipedia: Republic Polytechnic (secondary source for founding detail, status and campus; founding date differs inside the article)
[7] Republic Polytechnic: Admission with other qualifications (international) (page updated 17 Sep 2026 (the footer says 5 Nov 2026))
[8] Ministry of Education Singapore: Tuition Grant Scheme (page updated 23 Jun 2026)
[9] Ministry of Education Singapore: Tuition Grant Scheme for International Students, AY2026 (letter) (letter dated 12 Jan 2026)
[10] Republic Polytechnic: Enrolment guide for international students (page updated 28 Aug 2026 (the footer says 5 Nov 2026))
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.