In August 2024, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) updated the list of recognised universities for the Qualifications attribute under the COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) framework. The direct consequence: if your degree-awarding institution is not on the list, the Qualifications attribute scores 10 points (under other degree-equivalent qualifications) rather than the top 20 — regardless of how demanding your programme actually was. This is not a general ranking; it is a regulatory screening line. The list is currently used only for scoring the COMPASS Qualifications attribute for passes such as the Employment Pass (EP). For EP applicants, the gap between 20 points and 10 (or 0) can decide outright whether an application clears the 40-point threshold. This article explains how MOM defines “Top 100”, which institutions the list covers, and what you can do if your alma mater is not on it.
How MOM defines “Top 100”
MOM does not maintain its own university ranking. The COMPASS Qualifications attribute relies on institutions in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings, together with other prestigious universities in Asia. Each application year, MOM takes the most recently published version of the QS World University Rankings. If an institution appears in the QS top 100, its graduates receive the top 20 points under the Qualifications attribute.
Operating rule: MOM uses the top 100 institutions of the QS World University Rankings as the benchmark. If an institution is not in the QS top 100 but holds other degree-equivalent qualifications, the degree holder scores 10 points; with no degree-equivalent qualification, 0 points. This binary structure means the list is narrow — around 200 institutions worldwide, not the 500-plus in each ranking’s full table.
When submitting an EP application, upload the degree certificate and transcript through the system. MOM cross-checks the institution name against its internal database. If your university is on the list, the system automatically awards 20 points. If not, the system defaults to 10 points, and you must provide additional proof of degree equivalence.
Two ranking sources: QS and Times Higher Education
MOM updates the list once a year. The version applicable to each application cycle is as published by MOM. This time lag means the list always trails the latest ranking by roughly a year.
The COMPASS Qualifications attribute scores based only on the QS World University Rankings top 100 and other prestigious Asian universities.
If your university drops out of the top 100
MOM’s list is static within each application year. If your university is on the list at the time of application but drops off the following year, an existing EP renewal is unaffected. But new applications or EP renewals after the list is updated are subject to the new list. This creates a risk: if your alma mater falls from 99th to 101st in the next QS edition, you will lose the 20-point bonus at your next renewal.
Plan your renewal timing. If your university sits on the margin (any ranking between 90th and 110th), consider submitting the renewal application before the next list update in August. Alternatively, if you hold a degree from a non-listed institution, you can compensate through other COMPASS attributes — salary, diversity or skills.
Complete list of COMPASS-recognised Top-100 universities, 2024–2025
MOM provides a downloadable PDF list and embeds it in the EP application system for checking. The list below is based on verification against the QS World University Rankings 2025 top 100 institutions.
United States (42)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Stanford University, California Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Yale University, Cornell University, Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Northwestern University, New York University, Duke University, University of California, San Diego, University of Washington, University of Texas at Austin, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Brown University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Southern California, Boston University, University of California, Davis, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Ohio State University, Purdue University, Michigan State University, Rice University, Dartmouth College, Washington University in St. Louis, Carnegie Mellon University, Vanderbilt University, University of Florida, University of Rochester, University of Maryland, College Park, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania State University
United Kingdom (18)
University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, King’s College London, University of Manchester, University of Bristol, University of Warwick, University of Glasgow, University of Birmingham, University of Southampton, University of Leeds, University of Sheffield, University of Nottingham, Queen Mary University of London, Durham University
China (Mainland) (8)
Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, University of Science and Technology of China, Nanjing University, Wuhan University
Hong Kong (5)
University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, City University of Hong Kong
Australia (7)
University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, Australian National University, Monash University, University of Queensland, University of Western Australia
Canada (7)
University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, McMaster University, Université de Montréal, University of Alberta, University of Waterloo
Europe (12)
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (Switzerland), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland), University of Zurich (Switzerland), Technical University of Munich (Germany), University of Munich (Germany), Heidelberg University (Germany), Karolinska Institute (Sweden), Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden), University of Copenhagen (Denmark), Technical University of Denmark (Denmark), Delft University of Technology (Netherlands), University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Singapore (2)
National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University
Japan (2)
University of Tokyo, Kyoto University
South Korea (2)
Seoul National University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Others (5)
University of São Paulo (Brazil), University of Buenos Aires (Argentina), University of Cape Town (South Africa), Tel Aviv University (Israel), Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel)
The list’s validity follows the application cycle announced by MOM, typically updated once a year.
Alternative strategies for graduates of non-listed institutions
If your degree-awarding institution is not in the top 100, the Qualifications attribute defaults to 10 points. This is not the end — you can close the gap through other COMPASS attributes.
Salary bonus
The COMPASS Salary attribute can yield up to 20 points. If your fixed monthly salary reaches or exceeds the industry age-based 90th percentile, the Salary attribute scores 20 points; at the 65th–90th percentile, 10 points; below the 65th percentile, 0 points. For graduates of non-listed institutions, securing 20 points on the Salary attribute can effectively offset the 10-point loss on Qualifications.
Diversity bonus
The COMPASS Diversity attribute is worth up to 20 points. If the applicant’s nationality makes up less than 5% of the applying firm, the Diversity attribute scores 20 points; 5–25%, 10 points; above 25%, 0 points. Applicants of Chinese nationality may face higher concentration in certain sectors (such as finance and technology), but if the firm is large with a diverse nationality mix, there is still a chance of scoring 10–20 points.
Skills bonus
The C5 Skills bonus is worth up to 20 points, applicable where the occupation is on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) and the candidate’s nationality makes up less than one-third of the firm’s PMET workforce. The SOL covers shortage occupations across sectors including finance, technology, healthcare and engineering. Graduates of non-listed institutions should first confirm whether their occupation is on the SOL.
Firm-level bonuses
The COMPASS Skills Bonus is worth up to 20 points, for applicants whose occupation is on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) and who meet the relevant conditions. The Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus is worth up to 10 points, for firms participating in MOM-recognised economic priority programmes. Both bonuses are triggered by the employer; the applicant cannot control them directly.
Cross-border tax and remittance considerations
Applicants from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan or Malaysia need to handle cross-border tax and fund-flow matters after the EP is approved.
Singapore tax residency
An EP holder who resides in Singapore for more than 183 days automatically becomes a Singapore tax resident. This means worldwide income must be declared to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), but tax already paid overseas can be claimed as a credit. Mainland Chinese applicants should note: under the China–Singapore tax treaty, tax paid in Singapore can be claimed as a credit in China, but the tax clearance certificate must be retained.
Cross-border remittance
Cross-border remittances must comply with Singapore’s anti-money-laundering rules. For large transfers, use bank telegraphic transfer (TT) and retain proof of fund source. It is advisable to remit through bank TT and avoid non-bank channels, so as not to trigger anti-money-laundering scrutiny.
CPF withdrawal and coordination with Chinese social insurance
The Central Provident Fund (CPF) is not compulsory for EP holders, but some employers may offer a voluntary contribution option. If you plan to return home later, note: voluntary CPF contributions can be withdrawn upon leaving Singapore, but a Final Withholding Tax applies. On Chinese social insurance, under the Social Insurance Law of the People’s Republic of China, contributions may be suspended during overseas work and topped up after returning, but you should confirm whether the make-up years count toward the pension calculation.
Dependant accompaniment and children’s education
An EP holder with a monthly salary of S$6,000 can apply for a Dependant’s Pass (DP) for a spouse and children under 21. At S$12,000, the holder can apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP+) for parents.
Education coordination for DP holders
Children of DP holders may enrol in local Singapore schools and international schools. Admission to public schools goes through the Ministry of Education (MOE) centralised allocation system; international schools are applied to directly. Families from mainland China should note: Singapore public schools use English as the medium of instruction, with Chinese as a second language. If the child was previously schooled in China, English intensive preparation before enrolment is advisable.
Healthcare and residence for LTVP+ holders
LTVP+ holders can buy private medical insurance in Singapore or join MediShield Life (subject to residence requirements). The LTVP+ validity is tied to the main work pass; it can be renewed on expiry, but the continuance of the family relationship with the EP holder must be proven.
Actionable recommendations
-
Check immediately whether your university is on the list: Use the EP Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) on the MOM website to pre-check the candidate’s overall EP eligibility. If not on the list, work out whether the combined score of other COMPASS attributes reaches 40 points.
-
Plan renewal timing for marginal-institution applicants: If your alma mater ranks near the QS top-100 edge, monitor MOM’s list updates and plan the renewal early.
-
Graduates of non-listed institutions: first confirm whether your occupation is on the SOL: Visit the Shortage Occupation List page on the MOM website and check your eligibility. If eligible, the 20 Skills points can offset the Qualifications loss.
-
Applicants from mainland China: prepare remittance documents in advance: Once the EP is approved, promptly gather proof of fund source such as payslips, tax slips and bank statements, for use in cross-border remittances.
-
Accompanying-dependant applicants: plan education coordination in parallel: While submitting the DP application, contact the Singapore MOE or a target international school to learn the admission process and English requirements, avoiding a gap when the child enrols.