Professional Guardian and Accommodation Costs
Planning guide for international families
This page gives estimated cost ranges to help parents plan for studying in Singapore when they are not relocating.
Professional local guardian services (under 18)
Guardian services can be priced monthly or yearly, depending on what’s included (basic emergency contact vs more active support).
Accommodation costs
A) Student dormitory / student hostel (common for ages 15–18)
Costs depend heavily on room type (shared vs single) and lease length.
Examples of monthly rates:
- ~S$750–S$1,650 / month (example student hostel listing)
- ~S$2,140–S$2,260 / month (example student residence rates depending on lease length)
Typical planning range: ~S$1,200–S$2,600 / month (most student dorm/hostel cases will fall somewhere in this band, but premium options can be higher.
B) Homestay packages (often preferred for younger students)
Homestays usually cost more because they may include meals + daily adult supervision, and sometimes include guardianship support:
Typical planning range: ~S$1,800–S$2,800 / month
C) Private housing (family-arranged)
If parents rent private housing (or a relative lives with the child), costs depend on the rental market and location. Budgeting is usually higher than dormitory because you may cover the whole unit plus utilities.
Typical planning range: ~S$2,000–S$4,000+ / month (housing only)
Simple monthly budget scenarios (quick estimates)
Scenario 1: Dormitory + guardian (most common for 15–18)
- Dormitory/hostel: ~S$1,200–S$2,600 / month
- Guardian: ~S$2000 / year
Estimated monthly total: ~S$1,400–S$2,800
Scenario 2: Homestay + guardian (common for younger students)
- Homestay: ~S$1,800–S$2,800 / month
- Guardian: included in some homestays
- Estimated monthly total: ~S$1,800–S$2,800
Scenario 3: Parent stays in Singapore and provides housing
- Private housing: ~S$2,000–S$4,000+ / month
- Living costs extra (food, transport, etc.)
Estimated monthly total: usually higher than dorm/homestay pathways
What parents should confirm before signing
Before committing to any guardian or accommodation provider, confirm:
- What “guardian” means (legal appointment vs emergency contact only)
- Emergency hours and response time
- Medical support scope (hospital visit support, consent process)
- Curfew and supervision rules (for dorm/homestay)
- Deposits, registration fees, and refund rules
- Distance to school and transport plan (you can use the 5 Steps Academy bus service)