15 Best Study Spots in Singapore, From Cafes to Libraries

It’s the beginning of the school term for many students in Singapore, which signifies the start of the mugging season — that’s slang for studying if you’re not aware. If you’re a student needing a fresh boost of motivation to settle into your study routine, or just looking for a conducive place to concentrate, consider this list of the best study spots in Singapore as your cheat sheet. At these specially picked spots, you can mug in peace without spending too much money, if at all!

Also read: 11 Best Coworking Spaces in Singapore to Boost Your Productivity

Best Singapore cafes for studying

Known for their good ambience and delectable food, cafes are a popular option when it comes to choosing good places to study in Singapore. Check out these lovely cafes in which you can have a vibey, productive study session!

1. City On A Hill

City On A Hill is one of the most affordable, conducive studying spots you can find in Singapore! Full-day entry is very reasonably priced at S$8 for students and S$15 for adults, plus it comes with a S$5 voucher you can redeem at the in-house cafe. Monthly paid membership is also available if you wish to study frequently at City On A Hill.

You’ll truly find value for your money here. Other than basic amenities like WiFi and charging points, there are also board games, nap pods, and project booths in which you can study with your friends. 

This place has received multiple glowing reviews for its impressive amenities, friendly staff and good food. Give it a try on your next study session!

Fun fact: City On A Hill is a non-profit organisation that supports disadvantaged and vulnerable communities, so your money will go towards a wonderful cause when you choose to study here.

Address: 9 King Albert Park, #B1-01 KAP Mall, Singapore
Opening hours: Mon to Sat, 9am to 7pm

2. Udders Ice Cream @ Upper Thomson

If you enjoy indulging in your sweet tooth while poring over textbooks and notes, then this is the place for you. Udders Ice Cream is a well-known homegrown cafe famous for its wide selection of unique ice cream flavours, such as Singapore Chendol and Snickers Mars Honeycomb Vanilla. They also whip up delicious waffles! A single scoop of ice cream starts from S$4.50, and beverages start from S$4. 

Udders Ice Cream opens till late across multiple outlets, so it’s a great place for some late-night studying. You can try the outlet at Upper Thomson, which has a large maximum seating capacity of 70. Take note, however, that the cafe can get noisy if it’s at full capacity!

Address: 246D Upper Thomson Road, Singapore
Opening hours: Mon to Thu, 12pm to 11pm; Fri, 12pm to 1am; Sat, 11am-1am; Sun, 11am to 11pm

3. Coffeesmith @ Northpoint

Coffeesmith is a Korean coffee chain known for its intense yet smooth coffee flavours made using high-quality Arabica coffee beans. All Coffeesmith outlets boast a cosy atmosphere and offer free WiFi and power sockets, making them perfect for studying. Moreover, there are three 24-hour outlets located conveniently at Orchard Gateway, Northpoint City and Westgate, making Coffeesmith one of the best 24-hour places to study in Singapore! 

Address: North Drive, #01-112 Northpoint Drive Northpoint City, Singapore
Opening hours: 24 hours

4. Starbucks @ Liat Towers

With over a hundred outlets islandwide, chances are you’ve come across a Starbucks cafe, and it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular study spots in Singapore. At Starbucks, you can study in a relaxing environment while enjoying a freshly prepared beverage. You can even keep working through hearty meals at Starbucks as there’s a good selection of sandwiches and pastries available. All outlets offer free WiFi and multiple charging points. Moreover, by collecting membership points, you can enjoy good rewards such as free drink upgrades! 

If you’re looking to study during the wee hours, Starbucks has 24-hour outlets at Liat Towers, Northpoint City, Jurong Point, and Changi Airport. We recommend the outlet at Liat Towers because of its cosy interior and spacious seating area. 

Address: 541 Orchard Rd, #01-01A Liat Towers, Singapore
Opening hours: 24 hours

Also read: 20 Most Beautiful Starbucks Branches Around the World

5. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf @ Waterway Point

Like Starbucks, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is a familiar household name for most people living in Singapore, offering more than 60 outlets islandwide. With free WiFi and numerous charging points, the environment is great for studying, either by yourself or in a group. You can choose from a fantastic selection of food and beverages — from coffee to tea, pastries to full meals, you have it all. 

If you’re a night owl, you’ll probably gravitate towards studying at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, because it has many accessible 24-hour outlets, including the ones at Waterway Point, Bugis+, Jurong Point, Singpost Centre, Northpoint City, Changi Airport Terminal 3, Changi Airport Terminal 4, JEWEL Changi Airport, and Downtown East! We’d personally recommend the 24-hour outlet at Waterway Point as it’s pretty new and exceptionally spacious. 

Address: 83 Punggol Central, #01-27 Waterway Point, Singapore 828761
Opening hours: 24 hours

6. The Book Cafe

If you consider yourself a bookworm, you’re gonna love The Book Cafe. From its plushy seats to its rows of bookshelves, the cosy and warm environment is designed to give you the perfect reading experience. Also, did we mention that people really like the wide selection of delicious food options on their menu, such as their signature traditional apple pie? The impeccable ambience and impressive food have made The Book Cafe one of the most popular places to study in Singapore, and we think you should definitely try it out!

Address: 20 Martin Rd, #01-02 Seng Kee Building, Singapore
Opening hours: Mon to Wed, 8.30am to 5.30pm; Thu to Sun, 8.30am to 8.30pm

Also read: Concept Cafes in Singapore Bibliophiles Would Love

7. Tiong Bahru Bakery @ Siglap

You might’ve heard before about the buttery, crispy Kouign Amann from Tiong Bahru Bakery. Indeed, the illustrious Tiong Bahru Bakery is celebrated for its mouth-watering pastries. While it might be better known as a lovely cafe for enjoying a meal with loved ones, it’s also a good place to study in Singapore! The warm, cosy environment, coupled with WiFi access and the fabulous range of food and beverages, will surely give you a boost of motivation to study. 

There are many accessible outlets islandwide, including Plaza Singapura, Centrepoint, VivoCity, Funan, JEM, and Waterway Point. To snag a seat more easily, we’d recommend the outlet at Siglap, which is situated in a residential neighbourhood and therefore slightly less crowded than the outlets in the malls. 

Address: 77 Upper E Coast Rd, #01-01 77@East Coast, Singapore
Opening hours: Mon to Sun, 7.30am to 8pm

8. Huggs Collective @ i12 Katong

Huggs Collective is another coffee chain that might be familiar to many. With its conducive environment for studying or working, and its selection of wallet-friendly snacks and beverages, Huggs Collective is easily one of the best study spots in Singapore.  The flagship outlet at Maxwell even boasts a cosy members-only lounge! At Huggs Collective, you’re bound to experience an energy boost while studying. 

Currently, there are 20 outlets islandwide, at convenient locations such as Lazada One, i12 Katong, Changi City Point, JEM, and Paya Lebar Quarter. But if you’re interested in a more cosy, low-key outlet, the one at i12 Katong is great as it’s relatively less crowded.

Address: 112 East Coast Road, #01-20, I12
Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 10am to 9pm; Sat to Sun, 9am to 9pm

Best places to study in Singapore libraries 

If you’re looking for free study spots in Singapore, public libraries are a great option. They not only provide a quiet, conducive environment for studying — entry, WiFi access and charging points are also completely free! Here are four public libraries in Singapore that we highly recommend.

9. National Library Building

As Singapore’s flagship national library, the National Library Building is an exquisite architectural masterpiece that uses environment-friendly technology. Full of study areas and comfortable little corners, the library is equipped with pretty much everything you’ll need to study effectively. Here, you can even enjoy a marvellous view of the Singapore skyline, which is sure to fuel your inspiration! The perfect studying environment and the beautiful view make the National Library Building one of the best free study places in Singapore. 

Address: 100 Victoria St, Singapore
Opening hours: Mon to Sun, 10am to 9pm

10. library@harbourfront

Before you take out your books to study in the library@harbourfront, you’re going to be absolutely dazzled by the stunning sea view here. With library@harbourfront overlooking the gorgeous Sentosa Harbour, it’s an understatement to say that your eyes will be blessed by the view from the library. The library is extremely popular amongst people of all ages — to secure a seat in the study areas, we’d recommend that you make an advanced booking online. Don’t miss out on one of the best study spots in Singapore!

Address: 1 HarbourFront Walk, #03-05 VivoCity, Singapore
Opening hours: Mon to Sun, 11am to 9pm

11. Punggol Regional Library

Designed to make visitors feel at home, Punggol Regional Library has made the headlines for its amenities that support the needs of people with disabilities. Furthermore, it’s Singapore’s largest public library! 

It’s really one of the best free study areas in Singapore, especially if you’re staying around the northeast region. Within its five storeys, there’s a study zone for quiet solo study, and there’s also a co-working zone if you’d like to have group discussions. 

Address: 1 Punggol Drive One, #01-12
Opening hours: Mon to Sun, 10am to 9pm

12. Tampines Regional Library

Students absolutely love Tampines Regional Library, which is located conveniently in Our Tampines Hub. The library is equipped with study lounges and reading terraces, making it one of the coolest places to study in Singapore. Lots of students vie for seats here, especially during the exam season — so make an advanced booking online or come early to secure a seat!

Address: Lobby H, 1 Tampines Walk, #02-01 Our Tampines Hub
Opening hours: Mon to Sun, 10am to 9pm

Other free study spots in Singapore

If you’re on a money-saving mission and want to try free study spots that aren’t public libraries, you’re gonna love these three free study places in Singapore!

13. Our Tampines Hub

Ask any east-side resident in Singapore, and they’ll tell you that Our Tampines Hub is one of the best free places to study in Singapore! The Hub is a well-ventilated, spacious building that houses tonnes of tables, chairs and benches. This makes Our Tampines Hub perfect for solo or group study. During exam season, you’ll likely see groups of students mugging at the benches in the Hub. 

Address: 1 Tampines Walk, Singapore
Opening hours: 24 hours

14. Pasir Ris Elias Community Club Study Room

Did you know that many community clubs in Singapore have amazing study rooms that you can use for free? Pasir Ris Elias Community Club is one of them. Its air-conditioned study room provides desks, chairs, and internet access, all of which you can access for free! The quiet and conducive environment makes the study room at Pasir Ris Elias Community Club one of the best free study places in Singapore. 

Address: 93, Pasir Ris Drive 3
Opening hours: Mon to Sun, 10am to 10pm

15. Changi Airport Terminal 3 Departure Hall

Comprising four terminals as well as the iconic JEWEL, Singapore’s famous Changi Airport has been chosen as the world’s best airport 12 times, and it’s easy to understand the hype over it. Apart from facilitating international travel, the airport is designed to provide a relaxing environment for people to study, work, or hang out. There are plenty of free sitting areas for you to study comfortably in air-conditioning, which are amazing study spots if you need to get readings done. Furthermore, the airport is open 24/7!

We think that some of the best free seats are in the Changi Airport Terminal 3 Departure Hall. Here, you’ll find rows and rows of really comfortable chairs and multiple charging stations for your devices. During the daytime, you’ll have an impressive view of sunlight streaming in through the glass window. Add Changi Airport Terminal 3 Departure Hall to your list of the best free study places in Singapore, particularly for travellers in transit! 

Address: 65 Airport Blvd., Singapore, Level 2
Opening hours: 24 hours

Also read: 12 Best Themed Cafes in Singapore Worth Exploring

So, we’ve recommended the best study spots in Singapore where you can mug comfortably without breaking the bank. All the very best for your studies!

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Featured image credit: Mathias Reding via Canva Pro