Survey Highlights
For over a decade, the BrightSparks Scholarship & Education Survey has provided an in-depth examination into student mindsets, priorities and sources of information and guidance. This year, too, the results of the survey provide a wellspring of insights as how GCE-A Level and International Baccalaureate (IB) students, as well as polytechnic students and graduates think and feel about the educational and employment landscape. With the survey findings as a basis, scholarship providers can better formulate marketing, communication and outreach efforts that connect deeply with their target audience.
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Intention to Pursue Further Studies
Similar to last year, students from all four cohorts showed a marked preference for local studies with the majority of respondents opting to stay in Singapore.
Intention to Apply for Scholarships
The majority of respondents have either applied or are intending to apply for scholarships.
Methods to Finance Further Education Locally
Like last year, most students intended to finance their education through scholarships, with parental and family support providing a second stream of finance.
Reasons For Not Applying For a Scholarship
Out of those who have no intentions to apply for scholarships, the majority of them cited that they did not want to be bonded. 25% of them are unaware or have little information about scholarships.
Scholarship Provider Rankings
Respondents were asked to select scholarship providers they had applied to or were intending to apply to. Based on those results, NUS remained the top preferred scholarship provider since 2019. NTU, Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and Agency for Science, Technology & Research (A*Star), SMU, Changi Airport Group (CAG) and MOH Holdings Pte Ltd (MOHH) all climbed in popularity as sought-after scholarship providers.
Acceptable Bond Duration
The majority of students found a three-to four-year bond acceptable for local scholarships. They also preferred a four to five-year bond for overseas scholarships.
Factors Important to a Scholarship Application
Similar to 2021 data, career opportunities, course of study, value of award, job security and bond period were the top 5 priorities for all groups. For top JC/IB Students, career opportunities took highest priority and the value of an award overtook job security upon graduation.
Preferred Sector to Work in (Top 10)
Similar to last year, Computer-Software, Government/Public Service and Banking & Financial Services were the top three industries among top JC/IB students.
Expected Starting Salary
There was a great increase in salary expectations among top JC/ IB students this year, with 27.2% expecting $5,001 and above. The majority of respondents generally consider a range between $3,000 to $4,000 as an acceptable median starting salary.
