NTU; NUS; SMU: Guide To Singapore University Hostel Fees And Requirements Needed To Secure Your Spot

Securing a university hostel is more than just finding a room to stay in while you’re studying. It’s about creating a home that to support your academic journey and foster a sense of community for the next few years. 

This makes the process of securing an accommodation at one of Singapore’s top universities —Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the National University of Singapore (NUS), and the Singapore Management University (SMU) — part of preparing for university life for many.

Each university offers a distinct campus environment, living arrangements, and differing costs, as well as different hostel applications process and requirements. 

Based on where you’ve decided to further your studies, you may be drawn to NTU’s lush and sprawling campus, NUS’s multifaceted residential options, or SMU’s urban-centric Prinsep Street Residences. 

Here’s what you need to know to secure your ideal hostel room in the university you’re studying in.

#1 Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

Source: Nanyang Technological University

One of Asia’s leading universities, NTU combines cutting-edge research with a vibrant academic community. Located in the western part of Singapore, NTU boasts a sprawling, eco-friendly campus often hailed as one of the most beautiful university grounds globally. 

Nestled amidst lush greenery and modern architecture, the campus spans over 200 hectares and is home to more than 33,000 students across diverse disciplines. The university is deeply committed to sustainability and innovation, with an iconic landmark like the Hive, which is a learning hub designed with green architecture.

For students looking to reside in a hostel here, there are 23 halls available. Fees for the academic year 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 are as follows:

This means students who want to live on campus have to pay an estimate of $6,492 to $9,420 per year. Over their 3-year course, this can cost up to $19,476 to $28,260 in total.

As all 23 halls are located conveniently within campus grounds, students can easily go for classes without much of a hassle. The 23 halls also share rooms of roughly the same layout.

The single en-suite room with air-con is the most expensive, and the double room without air-con being the cheapest (per resident). However, one aspect to note is that the layout of the double room changes to accommodate the air-con unit. Other common amenities also include a hall pantry, study room and common room.

As a plus, all residents can access a laundry room situated in every hall. Washing machines and dryers are available for use at $1 an hour. However, residents have to bring along their own detergent. 

You can apply for a spot through the Student Housing Portal (after ensuring that your NTU network account is activated). You would then need to pay a non-refundable $27.25 hall application fee directly to the university and the hall acceptance fee, which would be worth two months of your rental, will be required after accepting your offer. 

The application process open in June and placements are not granted on a first-come, first-served basis, with allocation results being typically released by mid-July. The university guarantees housing for student applicants on their first two years of studies but senior students thereafter must participate in hall and co-curricular activities on campus to be considered for housing in the following year. 

Financial assistance such as the NTU study loan and NTU administered bursary are also open for application but are subject to requirements.

Read Also: 11 Meaningful Jobs That JC Students Can Do While Waiting To Enter University

#2 National University Singapore (NUS)

Source: National University of Singapore

Singapore’s oldest and most prestigious university, NUS is a globally renowned university. Nestled in the southwestern part of Singapore, the university occupies a sprawling 150-hectare campus that is a microcosm of modern academia, featuring facilities such as state of the art research centres, laboratories, and spaces which encourage innovation and collaboration, all set against the backdrop of meticulously landscaped skyrise gardens and greenery. 

NUS offers a range of hostel accommodations to its students, which includes the Halls of Residence, Residential Colleges, Houses and Student Residences. Here’s how the halls are priced:

Halls of Residence:

Residential Colleges:

Houses: 

Student Residences:

These student accommodations are distinguished by the variety of facilities they offer. Halls of Residence, such as Eusoff Hall and Kent Ridge Hall, provide communal amenities including study rooms, lounges, and recreational spaces to foster a vibrant community life. 

Residential Colleges, like Tembusu College and Residential College 4, integrate academic and residential experiences by offering seminar rooms, faculty offices, and shared learning spaces within the living quarters to enhance the environment for education.

Houses such as Helix House, Light House, and Pioneer House provide single rooms with shared common areas, including communal lounges, pantries, and laundry facilities. However, this set of accommodation does not include compulsory meal plans, which offers residents greater independence in managing their daily routines.

Student Residences, exemplified by Prince George’s Park Residences and UTown Residences, would cater to students by offering facilities such as shared kitchens, laundry rooms, and common lounges, supporting a more independent lifestyle and to balance communal living with personal space.

With weekly rates ranging from a lower end of $96 per month to a higher one of $235 per month, staying on campus at NUS may set you back between $1,152 and $2,802 per year.  

The Helix house is the newest accommodation facility, while Sheares hall is the oldest. Convenience wise, all establishments are located within close proximity of the main campus. Students residing in Halls of Residence and Residential Colleges are also required to subscribe to meal plans (which are only available for these 2 options of accommodation), which cost between $621.30 and $1,147.77 extra on top of room fees per semester depending if payment is being made for semester 1 or 2 and type of residence. 

Meal plan rates for Halls of Residence:

Meal plan rates for Residential Colleges:

Each Residence has a 24-hour laundry room. Residents will need to bring their own detergent, or can purchase some at Pick & GO store (located within Prince George’s Park Residence). 

Applications for accommodation open annually with dates typically in a range of March 12 to December 12 of balloting system in place to ensure fairness.

Freshmen can apply for a spot after accepting their admission offer at the shared application portal with senior students and all fees are to be paid to the university directly with PayNow QR, Credit Card, Debit Card or AliPay.

As a plus, the university also has an application guide and a full rundown on hostel applications, should you need more information. Allocations are not on a first-come, first-served basis, and results are typically announced before the semester begins. 

The university also provides financial assistance programmes such as the Residential Programme Bursaries and NUS study loan to support students who may need it and are subjected to specific criteria to apply only if met as reflected on the website. 

#3 Singapore Management University (SMU)

Source: Singapore Management University (SMU)

Established in 2000, Singapore Management University (SMU) stands as a leading institute of education located in the heart of Singapore’s vibrant city centre. Unlike campus layouts like NUS and NTU, SMU’s facilities are integrated seamlessly into the bustling Bras Basah district, fostering a dynamic integration between academia and the commercial, cultural, and civic life surrounding it as a part of the central business district. 

This makes it easier for students to carry out their internships with companies and organisations in the area too. Since its founding, SMU has grown to include six schools, offering programmes that span business, law, social sciences, and technology, with a focus on entrepreneurship and global perspectives.

Accommodation at SMU is centred around the Prinsep Street Residences and CAMPUS by The Assembly Place, which are both clusters of urban housing designed to offer students both convenience and a community. 

Monthly fees for Prinsep Street Residences in the 2024 and 2025 academic years are as follows with rate per bed ranging from $599 to $873 per month, depending on when and how long you will be staying. 

Other fees include a flat room deposit fee of $650 and $18.35 of registration fees which is also fixed. There is also a separate utility charge (which is included in fees for NUS and NTU hostels and CAMPUS by The Assembly Place).

Prinsep Street Residences 

Small single room (air-con):

Large single room (air-con):

Twin room (air-con):

While the rates for CAMPUS by The Assembly Place range from $750 per month to $990 per month (which are inclusive of utility fees) and also dependant on the total duration of your stay. A registration fee of $223.45 must also be paid directly to SMU. There are 2 types of beds available as shown: 

Source: SMU

CAMPUS by The Assembly Place

Rates for Semester 1 & 2 Stay (01 Aug 2024 to 30 April 2025) or Full Academic Stay (01 Aug 2024 to 31 July 2025)

With monthly rates ranging from a lower end of $666 per month (with $262.66 for utilites) to a higher one of $990 per month, staying on campus at NUS may set you back between $11,143.92 and $11,880 per year.  

Prinsep Street Residences would be the newer establishment of the two and both accommodation options are located near SMU campus proximity for convenience. However, do note that both hostels do not include an option of laundry services for students. 

The application process can be done at Prinsep Street Residences registration website and CAMPUS by The Assembly Place’s portal. SMU also extends financial assistance such as the SMU study loan for students applicable. With its city-centre location, strong focus on industry connections, and business-centric learning environment, SMU would remain as a choice university for many alongside NUS and NTU.

Read Also: NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT & SUSS: Complete Guide For Local University Courses Fees And How Much Starting Salary You Will Earn As A Fresh Graduate

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