Local universities are generally funded by the government. Established universities like National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) are internationally ranked as the 19th and  61st respectively in The Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) World Ranking in 2006. 

Another university, which started in 2000 as an experiment in diversity, is the Singapore Management University (SMU). Unlike the traditional tertiary institutions, SMU is based on the American education model offering a broad-based education. Admission to these local universities is highly competitive.

Useful information to help you make an informed decision: