Breakdown of Local and Foreign Students Enrolled in Singapore's Tertiary Institutes

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked the Minister for Education what is the current percentage of enrolled students and admitted students in each of our local Autonomous Universities, Yale-NUS College and Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine respectively who are Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and foreigners.

Mr Heng Swee Keat: The vast majority of University places have gone to Singaporeans. In AY2012, Singaporean students comprised 79%, while International Students and Permanent Residents comprised 16% and 5% of the Universities' intake respectively.

The AUs are also required to cap the intake of International Students at 2011 levels and the share of these students in the total intake will continue to fall as we expand University places for Singaporeans.

University places are planned for Singaporeans first and foremost. Some places are set aside for international students. They are considered for admission using more stringent admission criteria. We allow a percentage of international students as they add diversity and vibrancy to our University campuses, and provide more opportunities for Singaporean students to interact with individuals from other cultures and experiences. Such exposure to others from culturally different backgrounds helps prepare our University students for the global market place.