The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) is a public autonomous university in Singapore that teaches design, artificial intelligence and technology together. It was established in 2009.[1] In the QS World University Rankings 2027 it is 266th, up 253 places from 519th, and it entered the world’s top 300 for the first time.[2]
For students admitted in AY2026, international students who take the MOE Tuition Grant pay S$31,600 a year (S$30,200 for ASEAN students). Without the grant the fee is S$62,076 a year. All international amounts include 9% GST.[3] SUTD fixes the fee for each cohort for the normal course length.[3]
Key facts
| Official name | Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) |
| Location | 8 Somapah Road, Singapore 487372[4]; the permanent campus opened in January 2015[1] |
| Type | Public autonomous university[1] |
| Established | 24 July 2009 (Wikipedia, citing the SUTD annual report 2020/2021); SUTD’s own at-a-glance page counts “since our inception in 2010”[5][1] |
| Focus | Design, AI and technology in one interdisciplinary education and research experience[4] |
| Undergraduate pillars | Architecture and Sustainable Design; Design and Artificial Intelligence; Engineering Product Development; Engineering Systems and Design; Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Information Systems Technology and Design; Science, Mathematics and Technology[4] |
| Faculty | 95% hold a PhD; 50% are foreign nationals from as many as 26 countries (statistics as of 22 October 2024)[5] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 266th, up 253 places from 519th; first time in the top 300[2] |
| Tuition AY2026, international students with MOE Tuition Grant | S$31,600 a year (other nationalities) or S$30,200 (ASEAN), including 9% GST[3] |
| Tuition AY2026, international students without the grant | S$62,076 a year, including 9% GST[3] |
| Fee model | Cohort-based fixed fee; fees are paid for 8 academic terms, the normal course duration[3] |
| Tuition Grant process | Apply in the online admission application; if offered, accept with your place, register with MOE and sign the Tuition Grant Agreement with two sureties[6] |
| English proof | IELTS, TOEFL (internet-based only), SAT, PTE Academic, ACT or C1 Advanced, compulsory where English was not the medium of instruction; score minimums not listed on the page we read[7] |
| Official website | sutd.edu.sg |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About the Singapore University of Technology and Design
SUTD says it integrates design, AI and technology into one interdisciplinary education and research experience. Its vision is “Trailblazing a Better World by Design”.[4] Wikipedia gives 24 July 2009 as the date of establishment, citing the SUTD annual report 2020/2021, and notes an interim campus at the former ITE College Dover site from April 2012 to December 2014 and the permanent campus near Changi Business Park from January 2015.[1] SUTD’s at-a-glance page counts its achievements from its “inception in 2010”, so the start year differs between the two sources.[5]
The university’s own release on the 2027 QS ranking describes it as a niche university focused on technology and design, and says it announced in January 2025 a pivot to becoming the world’s first Design AI university.[2]
How is the Singapore University of Technology and Design ranked?
SUTD’s release of 18 June 2026 reports a rise of 253 places to 266th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, from 519th in the previous edition. It is SUTD’s first time in the top 300, and it is third among the Singapore institutions that QS evaluated. SUTD credits gains in citations per faculty and in employer reputation.[2]
Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the Singapore University of Technology and Design?
SUTD groups its undergraduate courses into pillars:[4]
- ASD: Architecture and Sustainable Design
- DAI: Design and Artificial Intelligence
- EPD: Engineering Product Development
- ESD: Engineering Systems and Design
- HASS: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
- ISTD: Information Systems Technology and Design
- SMT: Science, Mathematics and Technology
From AY2026 the first-year Freshmore curriculum is revamped, with AI woven into all three terms of the first year. The page also presents a degree programme called Supercharged Design and Artificial Intelligence for students interested in domains such as economics, business, finance, psychology, philosophy and human–AI interaction.[8] SUTD also offers early matriculation and an Integrated Learning Programme that reviews basic maths and science before the first-year terms.[8]
How much does the Singapore University of Technology and Design cost in AY2026?
| Period | Singapore Citizen | Singapore PR | International, ASEAN, with grant | International, other, with grant | International, without grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per academic year | S$13,500 | S$19,350 | S$30,200 | S$31,600 | S$62,076 |
| Per term | S$6,750 | S$9,675 | S$15,100 | S$15,800 | S$31,038 |
These are the tuition fees for new students admitted in AY2026. SUTD uses a cohort-based fixed fee model: a cohort’s fee stays the same for the normal course length, while fees for new cohorts can change every year. Students pay for 8 academic terms, the normal course duration.[3] Singapore Citizen and PR amounts exclude GST, which MOE subsidises; amounts for international students and for the non-subsidised fee include the 9% GST, which students pay.[3] All amounts assume you take up the Tuition Grant; students who do not sign the Tuition Grant Agreement or are not eligible pay the non-subsidised fee.[3]
Tuition Grant eligibility
You qualify if you have not previously taken a Tuition Grant or received a Singapore government sponsorship or scholarship for a qualification at an equal or higher level. Permanent Residents and international students apply as part of the online admission application. If offered, you accept the grant with your place, register on the MOE website (early September) and sign the Tuition Grant Agreement with two guarantors of any nationality aged 21 to under 65.[6] The page we read does not state the length of any work obligation; read the agreement before you sign.
Other costs
Compulsory miscellaneous fees come on top of tuition; SUTD lists them on its fees page. For rent and living costs, see our Study in Singapore guide.[3]
How do you apply to the Singapore University of Technology and Design?
SUTD accepts applications only through the SUTD Admissions System and only one electronic application per applicant.[9]
- Personal details: upload your passport particulars page if you are an international student.[9]
- Academic qualifications: transcripts and certificates from secondary and senior high school, plus optional supplementary results such as an English test.[9]
- Personal insight questions and up to two referees.[9]
- Achievements from the last four years, with supporting documents.[9]
- Scholarships and financial aid: indicate your household income and any scholarship or aid you want to apply for.[9]
- Tuition Grant: international students indicate their intention to apply for it.[9]
You should have completed at least 12 years of general education or taken the Year 12 national or international examination in the year of application. SUTD prefers students with strong Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry.[7] The application windows differ by qualification and change every year, so we give no dates; see SUTD’s undergraduate admissions page.[8]
Which English proof do you need?
Submitting IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, Pearson Test of English Academic, ACT or C1 Advanced is compulsory if your qualification does not use English as the medium of instruction. The page lists, among others, the Indonesian Ijazah SMA, the Myanmar Matriculation Examination, the PRC Gao Kao, the Malaysian UEC and STPM and the Vietnam National High School Graduation Examination.[7]
Only scores from the two years before the application are considered, and only internet-based TOEFL scores are accepted.[7] The page does not give minimum scores for these tests, so ask SUTD Admissions for the current thresholds before you book a test.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does SUTD cost for international students?
For students admitted in AY2026, S$31,600 a year with the MOE Tuition Grant (S$30,200 for ASEAN students) and S$62,076 without it, including 9% GST.[3]
What happens if I do not take the Tuition Grant?
Students who do not sign the Tuition Grant Agreement or are not eligible pay the non-subsidised fee, S$62,076 a year for the AY2026 cohort.[3]
How is SUTD ranked?
266th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up 253 places and in the top 300 for the first time.[2]
Do I need an English test for SUTD?
Yes, if your qualification does not use English as the medium of instruction. IELTS, TOEFL (internet-based), SAT, PTE Academic, ACT and C1 Advanced are accepted; the scores must be from the last two years.[7]
How do I apply to SUTD?
Use the SUTD Admissions System and submit one application. It asks for transcripts, personal insight answers, up to two referees and your achievements.[9]
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
- Republic Polytechnic
- Singapore Institute of Technology
- Singapore Management University
- Singapore Polytechnic
- Singapore University of Social Sciences
- Temasek Polytechnic
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: Singapore University of Technology and Design (establishment date, campus history and MIT collaboration; the article carries a promotional-content banner)
[2] SUTD: SUTD rises 253 places to rank 266th globally in QS World University Rankings 2027 (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (media release of 18 Jun 2026)
[3] SUTD: Tuition fees and tuition grant (page without a date; cohort AY2026; footer 2011–2026)
[4] SUTD: About (page without a date; footer 2011–2026)
[5] SUTD: At a glance (statistics as of 22 Oct 2024)
[6] SUTD: Tuition Grant eligibility (page without a date)
[7] SUTD: Admission requirements, international qualifications (page without a date)
[8] SUTD: Undergraduate admissions (page without a date; refers to the 2026 application windows and AY2026 changes)
[9] SUTD: Application guide (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.