What Raffles Institution does

Raffles Institution (RI) is Singapore's oldest school, founded in June 1823 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles as the Singapore Institution at Bras Basah Road, and is an independent school under the Singapore Ministry of Education. It delivers a six-year integrated educational programme — the Raffles Programme — covering Years 1-4 (secondary) and Years 5-6 (pre-university), culminating in GCE A-Level examinations, with 1,142 students sitting the 2025 A-Level cohort. The school operates from an 18-hectare Bishan campus with boarding facilities for up to 500 students, supporting both local and international intake.

The core product architecture spans a broad curriculum with structured enrichment tracks: Raffles Academy and Raffles Science Institute (sciences), Raffles Humanities Programme, E W Barker Institute of Sports (sports science), cross-cultural programmes (Bicultural Studies Programme China, Raffles Global Studies Programme, Regional Studies Programme), and community/leadership tracks (Community Education, Student Leadership, Peer Helpers Programme). Support services include the Raffles Guidance Centre (counselling), Higher Education Office (university admissions support for Singapore, UK, US, and global destinations), and the Old Rafflesians' Association (alumni network founded 1923). The technology layer is the Stamford digital learning platform (stamford.ri.edu.sg) and the Personal Learning Device Programme (PDLP); no AI/ML systems are referenced in disclosed materials.

The revenue model combines subsidized Singapore citizen tuition (S$335/month) with market-rate fees for Permanent Residents (S$1,015–1,095/month), ASEAN international students (S$1,950–1,967/month), and non-ASEAN international students (S$3,124–3,173/month), alongside ancillary income from boarding, a S$50 Year 3 application fee, and government funding as a state entity. Customer acquisition is via centralized MOE-managed admission exercises (DSA, JAE, Secondary 1 Posting) plus direct Year 3 admission and international pathways (AEIS, SPERS), with an event-driven Open House channel (Gryphon Galaxy) and a strong community-led alumni engagement layer. The institution is governed by a Board of Governors chaired by Bey Soo Khiang (Vice Chairman, Royal Golden Eagle), with senior industry directors from CapitaLand Investment, Temasek Trust, AIG, National Cancer Centre Singapore, and other major Singapore institutions.

Name

Raffles Institution

Legal name

Raffles Institution

Website

https://ri.edu.sg

Company type

Public

Founded year

1823

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Raffles Institution is Singapore's oldest school (founded 1823), an independent government school offering a six-year integrated Raffles Programme leading to GCE A-Level for high-ability students aged 13-18. It serves ~3,000+ students across secondary and pre-university years from an 18-hectare Bishan campus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondary and Pre-University Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Competitive Activities (Debate, Mock Trial, Academic Team, Robotics) (EDAJAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Quiz Bowl & Academic Team Competitions (EDAMAGAF), Research & Science Fair Competitions (Science Fairs, Research Symposiums) (EDAMAGAL), Summer Programs, Research & Extracurricular Planning for Admissions (EDANAEAL)

Keywords

• Secondary education
• Pre-university education
• Gce a-level preparation
• Boarding school services
• Integrated programme

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Monthly school fees charged by student category. Singapore Citizens pay S$335/month, Permanent Residents pay S$1,015-1,095/month, ASEAN International Students pay S$1,950-1,967/month, and non-ASEAN International Students pay S$3,124-3,173/month.
2. Application Fees: Year 3 admission application fee of S$50.00 payable via PayNow for shortlisted applicants sitting for admissions examination.
3. Financial Aid Programs: MOE ISB (Independent School Bursary) Scheme, Edusave Scholarships for Independent Schools (ESIS) up to $2,400 per annum, UPLIFT Scholarship of $1,200 per annum, and Raffles Scholarship ($500-$3,000 per academic year) for eligible students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Raffles Institution delivers a six-year integrated Raffles Programme combining secondary schooling (Years 1-4) and pre-university education (Years 5-6) leading to the GCE A-Level examinations, designed for high-ability male students aged 13-18. The school supplements the academic core with specialised enrichment tracks (sciences, humanities, sports science, cross-cultural studies), on-site boarding accommodation for 500 students, and student support services including university admissions guidance, counselling, and alumni engagement.

Product overview

Raffles Institution offers a comprehensive six-year integrated educational programme (The Raffles Programme) spanning Years 1-6, designed for high-ability students aged 13-18. The programme consists of two main components: the Year 1-4 secondary school curriculum and the Year 5-6 pre-university programme leading to GCE A-Level examinations. The institution provides enrichment programmes including Sciences (Raffles Academy, Raffles Science Institute), Raffles Humanities Programme, Cross Cultural Programmes (Bicultural Studies Programme China, Raffles Global Studies Programme, Regional Studies Programme), E W Barker Institute of Sports Science Research Programme, and Community & Leadership Programmes (Community Education, Leadership Development, Peer Helpers Programme). Additional services include RI Boarding facilities, Raffles Guidance Centre counselling, Higher Education Office university guidance, and alumni services including the Old Rafflesians' Association and Raffles Archives & Museum.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Raffles Programme A six-year integrated programme (Years 1-6) leading to the GCE A-Level examinations, designed for high-ability male students aged 13-18, combining secondary and pre-university education with enrichment activities.
• Raffles Academy An advanced Sciences enrichment programme offering opportunities for driven and able students with a strong aptitude for advanced mathematical and scientific inquiry.
• Raffles Science Institute A science enrichment programme offering research programmes, overseas attachments, exchange opportunities, camps and conferences for students to broaden their engagement with science.
• Raffles Humanities Programme A programme for MOE Humanities Scholars and Raffles Humanities students with a passion for inquiry and expression, featuring the Raffles Asia Programme for self-directed research journeys in humanities and social sciences.
• Bicultural Studies Programme (China) A cross-cultural programme where students deepen their understanding of China's history, culture and contemporary developments through lectures, immersion trips and local excursions.
• Raffles Global Studies Programme A cross-cultural programme where students engage with diverse topics, connect interests to authentic questions, and bridge theory with real-world insight through conversations with industry experts.
• Regional Studies Programme (RSP) A cross-cultural programme comprising weekly enrichment modules, local and overseas field trips, and exposure to regional music, food and languages including conversational Malay, Bahasa Indonesia and Thai.
• E W Barker Institute of Sports (EWBIS) Science Research Programme A sports science programme where students explore biomechanics, physiology, nutrition, psychology and performance analysis to understand how science enhances athletic performance and well-being.
• Community Education Programme A service-learning programme where students initiate service projects, partner with voluntary welfare organisations, and develop skills in assessing community needs, communication and collaboration.
• Student Leadership Programme A programme including the Students' Council, CCA Leaders, and Class Leaders that nurtures initiative, service and growth, where students take on responsibility for shaping a compassionate Rafflesian community.
• Peer Helpers Programme (PHP) A counselling team programme that trains students to support schoolmates with empathy, care and discretion, offering listening ear, peer support and encouraging friends to seek professional help when needed.
• Gap Day Enrichment Learning Menu A diverse range of enrichment modules offered on Wednesdays spanning Academic Application, New Skills, Personal Effectiveness, and Interest and Exposure domains.
• RI Boarding State-of-the-art boarding facilities with accommodation for up to 500 students, including four 4-storey blocks and one 13-storey block, with amenities such as meals, laundry, games room, and prep time.
• Raffles Guidance Centre Youth guidance counselling services providing social and emotional well-being support for students, working in partnership with staff and parents/guardians.
• Higher Education Office Guidance and support services for students and alumni applying to universities, including scholarships information, university application guides for Singapore, UK and US universities.

Quantifiable outcome

• RI recorded low cut-off points of 3 for science streams and 5 for arts tracks in 2026 Joint Admissions Exercise, lowest in recent years for HCI since 2015

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dunman High School: Singapore MOE independent school with a six-year IP and bilingual (English-Chinese) emphasis. Operates alongside RI in top-tier DSA/JAE admissions exercises and competes for the same cohort of high-ability Singaporean students.
• National Junior College: Long-established Singapore junior college offering the GCE A-Level programme through JAE/DSA-JC. Competes with the RI Year 5-6 segment for pre-university students and sits within the same MOE admission framework.
• NUS High School of Mathematics and Science: MOE Specialised Independent School offering a six-year Integrated Programme emphasising mathematics, science and research. Highly selective admissions and similar talent-development positioning make it a direct competitor for science-oriented high-ability students.
• Anglo-Chinese School (Independent): Top-tier Singapore MOE independent school with Integrated Programme, strong academic and CCA reputation, and a similar boarding and DSA/JAE admission profile. Competes head-to-head with RI for high-ability applicants across secondary and pre-university streams.
• Victoria Junior College: Premier Singapore junior college offering a two-year GCE A-Level programme. Competes directly with the RI Year 5-6 pre-university track for O-Level graduates via JAE and DSA-JC.
• Hwa Chong Institution: Elite Singapore MOE independent school operating a six-year Integrated Programme with comparable academic prestige and DSA/JAE admissions. Operates boarding and an array of talent development programmes, contesting directly with RI for top Singaporean students.
• Eunoia Junior College: Singapore MOE junior college formed via merger of several predecessor JCs. Competes with the RI Year 5-6 segment for O-Level graduates and offers similar A-Level preparation with distinct CCA strengths.

Regional players

• Tanglin Trust School: Premium international school in Singapore serving expatriate families through British A-Level/IB pathways. Competes with RI for international students seeking a premium Singapore-based secondary education with university placement focus.

Emerging players

• School of the Arts, Singapore (SOTA): Singapore MOE specialised independent school offering a six-year arts-integrated programme. Competes for a narrower set of creatively inclined high-ability students and overlaps with RI on DSA selection but with a distinct arts specialisation.

Broad incumbents

• Nord Anglia Education: Global operator of premium international schools (including campuses in Singapore). While a broad incumbent in premium K-12 education rather than a one-to-one operator, it competes with RI for international student enrolments and operates within the same Singapore premium education market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/becomingbishansg50
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/raffles-institution
• Instagraminstagram.com/raffles_institution
• Xx.com/rafflesinst

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Raffles Institution