Raffles College of Higher Education, Singapore: Design & Business Programs Guide for International Students

Raffles College of Higher Education is a private education institution in Singapore that specialises in design and business education. It is part of the Raffles Education Network, which operates 16 colleges and universities in 14 cities across 9 countries, and it describes its approach as personalised, boutique, and hands-on. It teaches foundation programs, diplomas, advanced diplomas, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees in fields such as fashion design, fashion marketing, interior design, product design, visual communication, animation, digital media, entrepreneurship, business administration, and psychology. This guide covers exactly what Raffles College of Higher Education Singapore international students need to know: the programs, the quality certification, what to verify about who awards each qualification, costs to ask about, campus life, and the limits on work and post-study rights in Singapore.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: Raffles College of Higher Education, a private education institution in Singapore
• Network: part of the Raffles Education Network, with 16 colleges and universities in 14 cities across 9 countries
• Program levels: Foundation, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Bachelor's, and Master's
• Fields: fashion design, fashion marketing and management, interior design, product design, visual communication design, animation, digital media, interactive media, entrepreneurship, business administration, and psychology
• Example degree: BA (Hons) International Fashion Business (top-up)
• Quality certification: approved for registration by Singapore's private education regulator and certified under the EduTrust scheme
• Insurance: international students must buy medical insurance under the EduTrust scheme
• Fees: I could not confirm published tuition figures

Rankings and reputation

Raffles College is a private education institution, not a university, so it does not appear in QS or Times Higher Education tables. Its reputation rests on its design-focused teaching, its network, and its industry links in creative fields. Its EduTrust certification is a useful signal that the institution meets Singapore's standards for management, student protection, and fee handling, but it does not certify the quality of a degree awarded by a partner university.

Academics and how qualifications work

Raffles College offers a ladder of qualifications, from foundation and diploma to advanced diploma, bachelor's, and master's level, and students often move up through the levels. Some degrees are top-up programs, which means you enter after completing a diploma and finish the degree in a shorter time. The most important question for any Raffles degree is who awards it. In Raffles' network, degrees are commonly delivered with partner universities, and the search results I found did not confirm the awarding partner for each Singapore program, so ask for the awarding institution, the qualification's official title, and how it is recognised, before you pay.

Admissions and international eligibility

The college does not publish an acceptance rate, and requirements vary by level. Diploma applicants generally need secondary school completion and English proficiency, and creative programs often ask for a portfolio or an interview. Degree top-up applicants need a relevant diploma. 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 the college which test and score it accepts for your program
• Ask the awarding university for its own English requirement before relying on a pathway

Application checklist

Applicants submit certified transcripts, English evidence, passport details, and where required a portfolio. The application form for international students is on the college's website, and the institution then applies for the Student's Pass on your behalf. All international students must purchase medical insurance under the EduTrust scheme.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

I could not find current published tuition figures for Raffles College's Singapore programs, and fees vary by level and field. Ask for a written schedule that shows the full program cost, the deposit, the refund terms under the EduTrust rules, any studio or materials costs, and any annual increases. Design programs often involve extra costs for software, equipment, and materials, so ask what is included. I could not confirm scholarships.

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

Raffles College is a small, city-based institution focused on creative and business education, with studios and workshops rather than a large residential campus. Its network offers an inter-school transfer scheme that lets students study at other Raffles colleges and universities in different countries, which can broaden cultural experience but may change fees, credits, and visa requirements, so ask how transfers work in practice.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Graduates of design and business programs may work in fashion, interior and product design, media, marketing, and entrepreneurship, and portfolio quality often matters more than the certificate. Ask the college about internships, industry partners, and graduate outcomes.

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 the college 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 degree in another country, post-study rights will come from that country and qualification.

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 studio-based teaching, with regular critiques and project deadlines. Design students should start building their portfolio from the first term, since it drives both further study and job applications.

A realistic budget

Because I could not confirm fees, obtain a written total for your whole route, including any top-up year or overseas study, then add Singapore living costs, insurance, materials, and pass fees. Ask what happens to fees if you transfer to another Raffles campus or a partner university.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• Which institution awards my qualification, and what is its exact title?
• What is the total program fee, and what is refundable under EduTrust rules?
• Am I allowed to work in Singapore on my Student's Pass?
• What English scores are needed for the college and for the awarding university?
• What materials and equipment costs are extra?
• How does the inter-school transfer scheme work, and what does it cost?

Who Raffles College suits best

Raffles College suits students who want a design or creative-business qualification in a small, studio-based college in Singapore and who verify the awarding partner and the recognition of their qualification. It may suit less well students who need a degree awarded directly by a well-known university, students who need to work while studying, or those who want a research-focused education.

Verifying your qualification before you pay

Before paying, ask for the awarding body's name in writing, check that it is a recognised university or awarding institution in its home country, and confirm how your qualification is treated in the country where you plan to work or study next. A qualification listed on the Singapore regulator's website as a registered course is not necessarily a degree, so read the level and the awarding body carefully.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your program and level, and ask who awards it.
2. Check the English requirement and prepare a portfolio 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, passport copies, and portfolio pieces early, and keep written confirmation of fees, refund terms, and the awarding partner.

Signs of a well-run private college

Private colleges range widely in quality, and a few checks can help you judge a provider. It should show its regulator registration and EduTrust certificate clearly, name the awarding body for each qualification, give fee and refund terms in a contract you can read before paying, and be willing to put answers in writing. It should also be open about graduate outcomes and be able to connect you with current students or alumni. If answers are vague or delayed, treat that as information about how the institution may behave later.

• Check the college's registration and EduTrust status on the Singapore regulator's public listing
• Ask how many students in the last cohort completed the program and progressed to degrees
• Ask for sample portfolios or graduate work so you can judge the teaching outcomes
• Ask what the college does if a program closes or a partner ends its agreement

Frequently asked questions