Kaplan Higher Education Academy (KHEA) Singapore: Diploma & Partner Degree Pathways Guide for International Students

Kaplan Higher Education Academy, or KHEA, is the full-time higher education arm of Kaplan in Singapore. Kaplan is a global education provider, and KHEA serves students from more than 55 countries and regions. It is not a university: it offers diplomas and degree programs delivered in partnership with universities from Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, so the qualification you receive and the university that awards it depend on the program you choose. This guide covers exactly what Kaplan Higher Education Academy Singapore international students need to know: the programs, the partner universities, quality certification, what to verify, cost questions, and the limits on work and post-study rights in Singapore.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: Kaplan Higher Education Academy, a private education institution in Singapore, part of Kaplan Inc.
• Students: from more than 55 countries and regions
• Partner universities: Murdoch University (Australia), University College Dublin (Ireland), Royal Holloway, University of London (UK), and Northumbria University (UK)
• Programs: more than 25 diplomas across 8 disciplines, providing entry to over 300 degrees
• Fields: accounting, banking and finance, business and management, communication and media, information technology, law, and nursing and allied health
• Nursing: a Northumbria University program had its first intake in January 2023
• Quality certification: registered with the Committee for Private Education and holding a 4-year EduTrust certification
• Fees: I could not confirm published tuition figures

Rankings and reputation

KHEA is a private education institution, not a university, so it does not appear in QS or Times Higher Education tables. Its standing rests on the Kaplan brand, its EduTrust certification, and its partner universities. EduTrust is a quality assurance scheme for private education institutions in Singapore, and a four-year certification is a strong sign of sound management and student protection. It does not judge the academic quality of a partner university's degree, so rank and check the awarding university separately.

Academics and how the pathways work

KHEA offers full-time diplomas that can lead into partner degrees, either by continuing in Singapore or by transferring to a partner campus abroad, depending on the program. Some degrees are franchise programs delivered on the Singapore campus with the partner university awarding the degree, as with the Northumbria University programs, and others involve transfers into the second or third year of a degree at a partner university. The route, the awarding university, the location of each year of study, and the credit granted differ by program, so ask for your exact route in writing.

Admissions and international eligibility

KHEA does not publish an acceptance rate. Diploma applicants generally need secondary school completion and English proficiency, and degree applicants need a suitable diploma or equivalent. After an offer, international students apply for a Singapore Student's Pass through the institution.

English language requirements

• English requirements were not stated on the pages I could read
• Diploma programs typically accept lower scores than degree programs, and partner universities set their own scores
• Ask KHEA which test and score it accepts for your program
• Ask the partner university for its own English requirement for progression

Application checklist

Applicants submit certified transcripts, English evidence, and passport details, and the institution applies for the Student's Pass on their behalf. International students in Singapore are generally required to hold medical insurance, so check what is included in the fee.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

I could not find published tuition figures for KHEA's diplomas or partner degrees, and fees vary by program, partner, and location of study. Ask for a written schedule that shows the full cost of your route, including any years abroad, the deposit, the refund terms under EduTrust rules, and annual increases. I could not confirm scholarships, so ask whether KHEA or its partners offer awards.

Estimated living costs in Singapore

• Singapore is among the most expensive cities in Asia for housing, though shared rooms and student accommodation reduce costs
• Student's Pass applicants may need to show they can afford their stay
• Public transport is efficient and relatively affordable
• Medical insurance is required for international students, so check what it covers
• Food from hawker centres is inexpensive compared with restaurants

Campus life and student support

KHEA is a city-based institution with a multicultural student body, so student life centres on the cohort and clubs rather than a large residential campus. Kaplan offers career and academic support, and students from more than 55 countries create a diverse classroom. Ask about student services, pastoral care, and facilities, and speak to current students if you can.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Kaplan describes over 450 academic and professional programs in fields such as artificial intelligence, fintech, healthcare, and business, and its diplomas aim at further study as well as employment. Ask for graduate outcome data, progression rates, and industry partners for your program.

Work rights in Singapore

Singapore's rules on work for Student's Pass holders at private institutions are strict, so do not plan to fund your studies through part-time work without confirming the current rules with KHEA and the Singapore authorities. A diploma or degree from a private institution does not by itself create a right to stay and work in Singapore, and employment passes depend on a job offer and eligibility criteria. If you continue to a partner university abroad, post-study rights will come from that country and qualification, for example the UK Graduate Route, Ireland's Stamp 1G, or Australia's Temporary Graduate visa, each of which has its own conditions.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

Check what the compulsory medical insurance covers, and whether it meets the requirements for your Student's Pass. Budget for pass fees, flights, and a housing deposit, and arrange accommodation before you arrive.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, settling into housing, and adjusting to a compressed, structured diploma timetable. Students who plan their partner degree route early, including grades needed for transfer, are better prepared.

A realistic budget

Because I could not confirm fees, obtain a written total for your whole route, including any years at the partner university, then add Singapore living costs, insurance, and pass fees. Compare that with completing a degree entirely at the partner university, since the cost and time of the two routes can differ.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• Which university awards my degree, and where do I study each year?
• What grades and English scores do I need to progress to the partner degree?
• What is the total cost of the whole route, and what is refundable under EduTrust rules?
• Am I allowed to work in Singapore on my Student's Pass?
• Which post-study work options apply to graduates of my route?
• How many students progressed to degrees in the last intake?

Who KHEA suits best

KHEA suits students who want a structured diploma-to-degree route with established partner universities and are comfortable verifying the awarding institution and progression terms. It may suit less well students who want a degree awarded directly by a Singapore university, students who need to work while studying, or those who want the certainty of direct entry to a university.

Direct entry or diploma pathway?

Direct entry to a partner university saves time and can be cheaper if you already meet the requirements, while a diploma pathway offers a lower first-step cost, a smaller class setting, and the chance to build English and study skills. Compare the total cost, the time to complete, and the certainty of progression.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your diploma or degree route and identify the awarding university.
2. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts and passport details.
4. Accept your offer and pay the deposit.
5. Complete the Student's Pass process and buy the required insurance.
6. Book housing and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Gather certified transcripts, English results, and passport copies early, and keep written confirmation of fees, refund terms, and progression conditions.

Verifying the awarding partner and your degree

With any diploma-to-degree pathway, the qualification you finally receive is awarded by a partner university, not by the private institution where you start. Before you pay, ask for the exact name of the awarding university, the title of the degree, the campus where each year is taught, and the credit you will receive for the diploma. Confirm with the partner university, not only with KHEA, that the transfer terms apply to your program and intake.

Also check how your qualification is regarded in the country where you plan to work or study next. A franchise degree taught in Singapore with a UK university awarding it is generally a UK degree, but the visa and post-study rules attach to the country where you study, so time in Singapore may not count toward the UK Graduate Route or Australian post-study visa in the way that time on the partner campus would.

• Ask for a written description of each year of your route, including where you will live
• Ask how many recent students completed the diploma and progressed to the partner degree
• Ask what happens to your fees if a partner ends its agreement during your studies
• Ask whether you can transfer to the partner campus in the first year and what that would cost

Signs of a well-run private institution

A well-run private institution shows its regulator registration and EduTrust certificate clearly, gives fee and refund terms in a contract you can read before paying, and is open about graduate outcomes. It should be willing to connect you with current students or alumni, and it should answer written questions promptly.

Frequently asked questions