Online School & Homeschool in Singapore

Live online Cambridge IGCSE, A-Level, Pearson Edexcel, IB Diploma and American AP for families in Singapore, taught in small groups by subject specialists in Singapore afternoons. Full-time online school for expatriate families who need a place now or continuity across postings, and IGCSE, A-Level or extra subjects alongside school for Singaporean families. For Singapore citizens of primary age, home schooling needs an MOE exemption, and we say so before anything else.

From USD 423/month. Small live classes, Cambridge / Pearson Edexcel / IB / American AP through to A-Level, in Singapore afternoons, fixed all year.

Where our Singapore families are

Smartious Singapore families live across the island: central Singapore (Bukit Timah, Tanglin, Holland Village and River Valley, the embassy belt and the main cluster of international schools), the east (East Coast, Katong, Tampines and Changi, with many aviation and logistics households), and the west and north (Clementi, one-north, Jurong and Woodlands, the research, engineering and cross-border side). The classes are the same live classes wherever you live.

Homeschool laws and regulation in Singapore

In Singapore the question that matters is citizenship. The Compulsory Education Act covers Singapore citizens; families who are not citizens are not covered by it. Here is what that means in practice, stated before we offer anything.

Singapore citizens: national primary school, or an MOE exemption

Under the Compulsory Education Act, Singapore citizens of compulsory school age (above 6 and under 15) must be enrolled in a national primary school. Home schooling a citizen child requires an exemption from the Ministry of Education, applied for through MOE's Compulsory Education Unit, and MOE sets the conditions, including the national benchmarks it expects the child to meet. Families considering this should read MOE's current guidance and apply before withdrawing a child.

Families who are not citizens

The Act covers Singapore citizens. Expatriate families on Employment Passes, Dependant's Passes and similar passes are not covered by it and can choose an international school, home education or a full-time online school. Permanent residents should confirm their own position with MOE.

What this means for Smartious

For expatriate children, Smartious can be the whole school: live classes, marked work, reports and exams. For Singapore citizens of primary age without an MOE exemption, we teach alongside school: IGCSE or A Level, a subject the school does not offer, or extra support. Smartious is not a school registered with MOE and does not claim to be.

Cambridge International is not the GCE

The Singapore-Cambridge GCE O and A Levels are national examinations run by SEAB. Our students sit Cambridge International IGCSE and AS & A Level, or Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and A Level, as private candidates. Universities in Singapore and abroad read both routes.

Where the qualifications lead

NUS, NTU and SMU admit applicants with international qualifications as well as GCE A Levels, setting their own requirements by course. UCAS, Australian, Canadian and US universities read the same qualifications, which is why families on postings value one curriculum across moves.

Why Singapore families choose Smartious

A place now

No waiting list: a placement assessment, then a timetable, whatever month you arrive.

One curriculum across postings

Before, during and after Singapore: the same programme, teachers and exam board.

The subject a timetable cannot run

Further Mathematics, a third science or Computer Science in live groups drawn from several countries.

Singapore afternoons

Classes between 2 PM and 6 PM SGT, the same time every week of the year.

Exams handled

Private-candidate entries planned early; a centre such as British Council Singapore confirmed for every sitting.

Honest about MOE

For citizen children of primary age, MOE's rules come first, and we say so before anything else.

Fees and admission

From USD 423/month for Primary, payable termly; varies by curriculum and level. One-to-one tuition: USD 15/hour.

Frequently asked questions

Is homeschooling legal in Singapore?

For Singapore citizens of compulsory school age (above 6 and under 15), home schooling needs an exemption from MOE, applied for through its Compulsory Education Unit; MOE sets the conditions. Families who are not citizens are not covered by the Compulsory Education Act. Permanent residents should confirm their position with MOE.

Can expatriate children study full time with an online school in Singapore?

Yes. Children who are not Singapore citizens are not covered by the Compulsory Education Act, so expatriate families can choose a full-time online school. With Smartious your child follows Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel, IB or the American curriculum in live small classes.

Can Singaporean children study with Smartious?

Yes, alongside school: IGCSE or A Level, a subject the school does not offer, or extra support. A citizen child of primary age studies with us full time only if MOE has granted a home-schooling exemption.

Where do students sit IGCSE and A-Level exams in Singapore?

As private candidates at a centre that accepts them, such as British Council Singapore. We plan entries early and confirm the centre; exam fees are set by and paid to the centre.

Is Cambridge IGCSE the same as the Singapore-Cambridge O Level?

No. The GCE O and A Levels are Singapore's national examinations, run by SEAB. IGCSE and Cambridge International AS & A Level are Cambridge's international qualifications. Universities in Singapore and abroad read both.

Do NUS, NTU and SMU accept international qualifications?

Yes. They admit applicants with international qualifications such as Cambridge International A Levels and the IB Diploma, and set their own subject and grade requirements for each course, so check the course you are aiming for.

What time are classes in Singapore?

In Singapore afternoons, usually between 2 PM and 6 PM SGT. Singapore is five hours ahead of Nairobi with no daylight saving on either side, so the times stay the same all year.

How much does online school cost in Singapore?

Smartious fees start from USD 423 a month for Primary, payable termly, and vary by curriculum and level. Exam entry fees are paid to the exam centre.

Guides for families in this country

What parents say

Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 130+ reviews. Read our Google reviews

“I have peace of mind as a Smartious Homeschool parent. No more traffic and early morning rush to school. Smartious are the most organized homeschool providers.” — Google reviewer, Google review

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