By Winfred Quek · CEA R073319H · Published 26 October 2026
Facts verified: 26 October 2026 · Sources listed below
Students and staff at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) often look for a home outside campus. This page does not rank neighbourhoods or promise a rate for a room. It sets out the stations each university names, the HDB towns around them, published median rents for whole HDB flats in those towns, and the HDB rules for tenants on a Student Pass. For rooms and flats currently on offer, see Winfred's rental listings. For first time renters in general, start with first time renting in Singapore.
How each university says you reach campus
NUS lists three nearest MRT stations for its Kent Ridge campus: Kent Ridge (CC24), Clementi (EW23) and Buona Vista (EW21 and CC22). From each, it points you to a connecting bus or shuttle. NTU's convocation transport page names Pioneer MRT Station Exit B as the boarding point for its campus shuttle, and public bus services 179 and 199. Routes and timings change, so use the universities' own pages and apps for the latest, and test the trip at your usual class hours before you sign.
Source: NUS University Campus Infrastructure, Getting to NUS, checked 26 October 2026. https://uci.nus.edu.sg/campus-life/campus-services/transportation/getting-to-nus/ Source: NTU, Transportation and shuttle services, checked 26 October 2026. https://ntu.edu.sg/convocation/information-for-graduates/transportationThe HDB towns around the two campuses
HDB's rental dataset groups flats by town. Three towns are worth a look for these campuses. Clementi is the HDB town in the dataset with streets such as Clementi Avenue 3 and West Coast Road, and Clementi MRT is one of the stations NUS names. Queenstown in the dataset covers streets such as Ghim Moh Road, Holland Avenue, Dover Crescent and Commonwealth, and Buona Vista MRT is another station NUS names. Jurong West in the dataset includes Boon Lay Drive, Boon Lay Place and Boon Lay Avenue, on the NTU side of the island. These are town labels, not a distance claim. Check walking time to the exact station on a map for any flat you view.
Median rents for whole HDB flats, by town and flat type
The table uses HDB's Renting Out of Flats dataset on data.gov.sg for rent approval dates from October 2025 to September 2026. We worked out the median and the middle half of rents (25th to 75th percentile) for each town and flat type. We left out 1 and 2 room flats, and any combination with fewer than 30 approvals, which removes executive flats in Clementi and Queenstown.
| Town and flat type | Median monthly rent | Middle half | Approvals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clementi, 3 room | $3,000 | $2,800 to $3,200 | 750 |
| Clementi, 4 room | $4,000 | $3,500 to $4,300 | 427 |
| Clementi, 5 room | $4,200 | $3,900 to $4,600 | 132 |
| Queenstown, 3 room | $3,000 | $2,800 to $3,300 | 941 |
| Queenstown, 4 room | $4,150 | $3,800 to $4,400 | 433 |
| Queenstown, 5 room | $4,400 | $4,100 to $4,800 | 169 |
| Jurong West, 3 room | $2,700 | $2,400 to $2,900 | 505 |
| Jurong West, 4 room | $3,500 | $3,200 to $3,800 | 932 |
| Jurong West, 5 room | $3,700 | $3,400 to $4,000 | 937 |
| Jurong West, executive | $3,950 | $3,500 to $4,200 | 244 |
How to read it: these are rents for a whole flat, as declared by owners. The dataset page says rental data are indicative only, owner declared and not verified by HDB. A rent approval date is not the same as the month a student moves in. The figures are not room rates, and we do not give one, because the dataset has no room level data. The numbers describe what was approved in the past twelve months and say nothing about next year.
Illustrative split (assumed figures)
This is arithmetic, not a market claim. If four students shared a 4 room flat in Clementi at the median $4,000 and split the rent evenly, each share would be $1,000 a month before utilities, internet and any agent fee. If the flat rented at the top of the middle half, $4,300, each share would be $1,075. Your own figures will differ with the flat, the floor and the lease. Read the roommate agreement guide before several people sign one lease, because each tenant can be responsible for the whole rent.
If you hold a Student Pass: HDB tenant rules
HDB says people who may rent an HDB flat or bedroom include non citizens legally residing in Singapore who hold Employment Passes, S Passes, Work Permits, Student Passes, Dependant Passes or Long Term Social Visit Passes. The pass must have a validity of at least 6 months as at the date of application. Tourists are not allowed. HDB lets owners check a tenant's Student Pass online. The practical point for students is the pass end date: a pass expiring in less than 6 months at the application date does not meet the condition, so raise it with the owner early.
- Approval comes first. HDB approval is needed before the tenancy starts. Ask the owner for proof that the rental is approved or registered.
- Minimum period. At least 6 months per tenant per application. A shorter stay cannot be an HDB tenancy. For a private home, URA's minimum stay is three consecutive months.
- Maximum period. Up to 2 years if any tenant is a non Malaysian non citizen, which includes Student Pass holders, against 3 years where all tenants are Singaporeans or Malaysians.
- Quota for whole flats. If any tenant of a whole flat is a non Malaysian non citizen, HDB's non citizen quota of 8% at neighbourhood level and 11% at block level applies, and if it is reached only Singaporeans and Malaysians can rent in that neighbourhood or block. HDB says the quota does not apply to bedroom rentals.
- Headcount. The cap on tenants is 6 for a 3 room flat and 8 for a 4 room or bigger flat, with 6 for 4 room and bigger beyond 31 December 2028. See the HDB occupancy cap.
- Bedrooms. Owners of 3 room or bigger flats may rent out bedrooms, and the owner must stay in the flat.
Before you pay a deposit
- Ask who the registered owner is and whether HDB approval is in place or being applied for. See HDB and condo renting rules.
- Check your pass end date against the 6 month condition.
- Confirm headcount, tenancy dates and who is on the lease.
- Walk the real route to the station at the time you would travel.
- Read the deposit and fee terms, with the rental deposit cap guide and what to check at a viewing.
- If you want a pet or insurance, see renting with a pet and renter's insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Student Pass holder rent an HDB flat or bedroom?
HDB lists Student Pass holders among the non citizens who may rent, provided the pass has a validity of at least 6 months as at the date of application. Tourists are not allowed. The owner needs HDB approval before the tenancy starts.
Which HDB towns are near NUS and NTU?
In HDB's rental dataset, Clementi and Queenstown cover streets near stations that NUS names, and Jurong West covers the Boon Lay side near NTU. These are town labels, so check the walk or bus route to the exact station for each flat.
What are typical room rents near the universities?
We do not give one. HDB's dataset records rents for whole flats by town and flat type, not rooms. Median whole flat rents are in the table above, and current room listings are on the rent page.
Is there a minimum rental period for students?
For an HDB flat or bedroom the minimum is 6 months per tenant per application. For a private home URA's minimum stay is three consecutive months. Short stays under those periods do not fit the rules.
Looking for a place near campus?
Tell Winfred your campus, budget, pass type and move in date, and he will help you shortlist homes and check the HDB rules first. General information only.
Ask Winfred on WhatsApp Book a free 30 minute callWinfred Quek, CEA R073319H, Crestbrick Pte Ltd (L3010886H). General information as at 26 October 2026, not legal, financial, tax or property advice. Median rents were worked out from HDB's open dataset on data.gov.sg for rent approval dates October 2025 to September 2026, are owner declared, and may change. The split example uses assumed figures. This page makes no rent or price forecast.