1956
Long-established institution
MDIS states that it was founded in 1956 and is one of Singapore’s oldest not-for-profit professional institutes for lifelong learning.
MDIS SINGAPORE
MDIS Singapore Pathway Guide
This page is organised only from publicly available information on the MDIS website. It helps families compare MDIS by academic level, partner university, discipline, hostel option, Student’s Pass requirement and budget items.
MDIS POSITIONING
Why families may compare MDIS
MDIS is often compared for its longer history, wide range of disciplines, campus facilities and on-campus hostel. For international families, the decision should combine subject direction, accommodation, awarding university and full budget planning.
70+
Broad programme range
MDIS states that it offers more than 70 industry-relevant tertiary programmes with university partners from the UK and the US.
Campus + Hostel
Campus and on-campus residence
The Stirling Road campus includes teaching spaces, labs, studios, a nursing lab, hostel, gym, cafeteria and other facilities.
Disciplines
Wide discipline coverage
MDIS lists business, engineering, fashion, healthcare and nursing, IT, life sciences, media, safety and environmental management, tourism and hospitality.
Pathway
Start with the right entry level
Families should compare preparatory, foundation/diploma, bachelor’s and postgraduate pathways before selecting a course.
EduStation
Turning school information into a pathway
We help families narrow down options based on academic background, English level, target discipline, accommodation, budget and intake timing.
EDUSTATION PATHWAY VIEW
EduStation pathway view: helping students start at the right level
MDIS covers many disciplines and levels. Families should first identify whether the student should begin with preparatory courses, Foundation/Diploma, Bachelor’s or Master’s level.
| Lower secondary / high school transition | Compare GCE O-Level / A-Level, Cambridge IGCSE, AEIS preparatory courses and International Foundation Diploma options. |
| After high school / national exam | Compare International Foundation Diploma, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Higher Diploma or direct degree entry based on grades and English level. |
| Engineering / IT / Life Sciences | MDIS has engineering workshops/labs, computer labs and life sciences labs; these should be reviewed together with course requirements. |
| Accommodation planning | MDIS Residences @ Stirling can be included when families plan campus life and accommodation budget. |
| Master’s direction | Compare MBA, Education, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, Fintech, Cyber Security, Healthcare Management, Tourism and Hospitality and related options. |
ACADEMIC LEVELS
Academic levels: from preparatory courses to degrees and postgraduate study
| Preparatory Courses | GCE O-Level, A-Level, Cambridge IGCSE and AEIS preparatory courses. |
| International Foundation Diploma | MDIS lists IFD options in Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Fashion Design and Marketing, Information Technology, Management Studies, Mass Communications, Psychology, STEAM tracks and Travel/Tourism/Hospitality. |
| Diploma / Advanced Diploma / Higher Diploma | These pathways may support degree progression or professional specialisation. Course duration, entry requirements and awarding body should be checked by course page. |
| Bachelor / Degree | MDIS degree pages list accounting and financial management, business and management, business and marketing, fashion, media, engineering, AI and computer science, biomedical sciences, cyber security and more. |
| Postgraduate / Master / Doctorate | MDIS master’s pages list MBA, Education, Business Analytics, Cyber Security, Digital Marketing, Fintech, Health Psychology and Clinical Skills, Healthcare Management, International Business Management, Project Management, Tourism and Hospitality and more. |
PARTNER UNIVERSITIES
Partner universities and awarding bodies
MDIS states that its programmes are offered in collaboration with universities from the UK and the US. For each application, families should check the exact course title, awarding university, mode, duration, entry requirements and fees.
University of Sunderland, UKTeesside University, UKEdinburgh Napier University, UKAbertay University, UKRobert Gordon University, UKUniversity of Central Oklahoma, USA
DISCIPLINES
Disciplines to compare
Accounting, Banking and FinanceBusiness, Management and MarketingEducation and Social SciencesEngineeringFashion and DesignHealthcare and NursingInformation TechnologyLife SciencesMedia and CommunicationsSafety and Environmental ManagementTourism and HospitalityPreparatory Courses
FEES
Fees and budget items
| Registration fee | International student application documents should be accompanied by a registration fee of SGD 490.50 inclusive of 9% GST. |
| Late instalment charge | MDIS refund/payment policy page lists a late instalment administrative charge of S$109.00 inclusive of 9% GST. |
| Hostel budget | The hostel page lists monthly rates for single, double, quad and suite rooms, inclusive of 9% GST. |
| Student’s Pass collection | The Student’s Pass page lists SGD 90 ICA-related payment at collection: S$30 multiple-entry visa + S$60 issuance fee, excluding Malaysia and Brunei students. |
| Replacement Student’s Pass | Replacement fee for lost Student’s Pass card: S$100 for first loss; S$300 for second and subsequent losses. |
APPLICATION
International student application documents
| Photo | 1 recent passport-size photograph against white background. |
| ICA e-Form 16 | For online student visa application. |
| Passport | Passport pages showing particulars and document validity; MDIS indicates at least 1 year validity. |
| Birth certificate | Birth certificate / affidavit. |
| Academic documents | Certified / notarised education results, certificates and transcripts with detailed results. |
| English evidence | Proof of English medium study / first placement test / IELTS / TOEFL. |
| Financial ability | Bank statement, fixed deposit or savings account. MDIS gives RMB150,000 as PRC example for visa-required countries. |
| Study plan | For master’s programmes: letter indicating interest to study with MDIS, study plan or statement of purpose. |
| Submission timing | MDIS states that applicants are required to submit documents at least two months before course commencement. |
STUDENT PASS
Student’s Pass, collection and address update
| Who needs it | International students who wish to study full-time in Singapore are required to apply for a Student’s Pass. |
| Processing time | MDIS states that ICA general processing time is approximately four weeks after receiving a duly completed application; some applications may take longer. |
| Collection documents | IPA letter, passport/travel document with valid Visit Pass, photograph, original birth certificate if applicable and original educational qualifications if applicable. |
| Medical report | ICA Medical Report Form and laboratory report need to be uploaded to the ICA system before collection. |
| Cancellation | Foreign students are required to surrender Student Pass cards to MDIS for cancellation within 7 days of cessation or termination of study. |
| Address update | International students must report change of Singapore address within 14 days. |
EDUTRUST / PROTECTION
EduTrust, student contract, FPS and medical insurance
| Private Education Act / EduTrust | MDIS has a Private Education Act & EduTrust Certification Scheme page explaining that PEIs must comply with regulatory requirements. |
| Standard PEI-Student Contract | All students are required to sign the Standard PEI-Student Contract before making course fee payment. The contract covers course details, full fee disclosure, FPS, dispute resolution and refund policy. |
| Fee Protection Scheme | MDIS states FPS is a prerequisite for EduTrust certification and that MDIS Pte Ltd has appointed Liberty Insurance as FPS provider. |
| Medical Insurance | MDIS states it has a group medical insurance scheme by EQ Insurance Company Ltd, with basic annual coverage up to S$20,000 per student. |
| EduTrust validity check | The current MDIS text page does not display the EduTrust certificate start and end dates. Before application, check the latest official certificate, offer and student contract. |
REFUND
Refund timeline and written notice
| More than 60 days before course commencement | 75% refund of aggregate amount of fees paid as per MDIS-Student Contract. |
| Before but not more than 60 days before commencement | 25% refund. |
| After but not more than 7 days after commencement | 10% refund. |
| More than 7 days but not more than 14 days after commencement | 5% refund. |
| More than 14 days after commencement | 0% refund. |
| Cooling-off period | Seven working days applicable for maximum refund from the date the contract was signed. |
| Refund processing | All refunds shall be made within seven working days from receipt of the student’s request. |
CAMPUS SUPPORT
Campus facilities, hostel and career support
| Campus facilities | The Stirling Road campus lists 66 lecture rooms, 6 lecture theatres, 5 computer labs, 4 engineering workshops/labs, 4 life sciences labs, 3 media studios, nursing lab, psychology lab, auditorium, library, gym, dance studio, food court and more. |
| MDIS Residences @ Stirling | The hostel page lists single, double, quad and suite room options. Hostel application is made after receiving admission approval to MDIS. |
| Under 18 hostel note | The hostel page states that an applicant under 18 must have a local guardian. |
| Career Assistance Unit | CAU supports job-related training, job search channels, career fair and resume forwarding to partnering employment agencies. The internship programme note on the page is for local students only. |
EDUSTATION CHECKLIST
What EduStation checks with families
- Whether the student should start from preparatory, foundation/diploma, bachelor’s or master’s level
- Whether the target discipline is currently offered on the MDIS website
- Which partner university awards the qualification
- Whether hostel budget should include MDIS Residences @ Stirling or another accommodation plan
- Whether Student’s Pass, financial proof, English evidence, translation/notarisation and submission timing are prepared
- Whether the budget covers tuition, registration fee, FPS, medical insurance, hostel and living arrangements
Source basis: publicly available information on the MDIS website. Before application, use the latest course page, offer, student contract and fee schedule as final reference.