Textbooks in Singapore are notoriously expensive. A single new tertiary-level textbook can cost between S$80 and S$200, and primary/secondary school textbooks, though cheaper, still add up quickly across multiple subjects. Buying used textbooks is a practical alternative that can save students and parents 30% to 70% off the original retail price. This guide covers the main channels for buying used textbooks in Singapore, from online marketplaces to physical bookshops and campus sales, along with practical tips for getting the best deals.

Why Buy Used Textbooks in Singapore?

The cost of education in Singapore is rising. According to the Ministry of Education, the average monthly household expenditure on education (including textbooks) increased by nearly 10% between 2015 and 2020. For families with multiple school-going children, the total cost of new textbooks can reach S$300 to S$600 per year for primary school, and even more for secondary and junior college levels. Used textbooks typically sell for 30% to 50% of the original cover price, sometimes even lower if the edition is older or the condition is well-used. Beyond savings, buying used textbooks is also environmentally friendly: it reduces paper waste and extends the life of books that might otherwise be discarded.

Key Channels for Buying Used Textbooks

1. Online Marketplaces

The largest selection of used textbooks in Singapore is found online. The most popular platforms are Carousell, Shopee, and Facebook Marketplace.

  • Carousell, Singapore’s leading peer-to-peer marketplace. Search for textbook titles, filter by subject, level, and price. Many sellers bundle textbooks by school level (e.g., “Secondary 1 Express package, 8 books for S$40”). Typical prices: S$5, S$15 per used textbook for secondary level, S$10, S$40 for tertiary textbooks. Carousell also has a “Buy & Sell Textbooks” category dedicated to textbooks. Buyer protection is minimal, check seller ratings (aim for 4.5 stars and above) and read reviews.
  • Shopee, Many individual sellers and small bookstores list used textbooks on Shopee. Prices are comparable to Carousell. Shopee offers buyer protection via Shopee Guarantee, and occasional voucher discounts (e.g., S$1 off with min. S$10 spend). Search “used textbook” plus subject name.
  • Facebook Marketplace, Often has listings from parents clearing out old textbooks. You can join local groups like “Singapore Textbook Exchange” or “Buy & Sell School Textbooks Singapore.” Prices vary widely, some give away textbooks for free if you collect, others sell at S$5, S$10 each. Communication is direct with sellers; meet-ups are common.

When buying online, always confirm the edition and condition via photos. Ask about highlighting, writing, torn pages, or missing covers. If the textbook comes with access codes or workbooks, verify they are unused.

2. Physical Secondhand Bookshops

Several brick-and-mortar stores in Singapore specialise in secondhand textbooks. Visiting in person lets you inspect the physical condition before buying.

  • BooksPlus (multiple locations, including Bras Basah Complex, Jurong East, and Tampines). They stock used textbooks for all levels: primary, secondary, junior college, polytechnic, and university. Prices: S$8, S$20 for secondary textbooks, S$12, S$35 for tertiary textbooks. They accept trade-ins and offer credit towards purchases. Their Bras Basah branch is near the National Library and several schools, making it convenient.
  • Popular Bookstore, While primarily a retailer of new books, many Popular outlets have a secondhand textbook corner. Not all branches participate; the larger ones (e.g., Popular at Clementi, Bras Basah, and Tiong Bahru) tend to have a small selection. Prices are often around 50% of new retail price. Selection is limited, so call ahead.
  • Independent used bookshops, Smaller shops like Basheer Graphic Books (Bras Basah Complex) sometimes have used textbooks, especially for art and design subjects. Their stock changes fast.
  • Church and charity thrift shops, Some Salvation Army and MINDS shops occasionally receive donated textbooks. Selection is unpredictable but can yield bargains (S$2, S$8 per book). Check outlets in Toa Payoh, Geylang, and Tampines.

For a broader overview of secondhand bookshops in Singapore, see our article Best Secondhand Bookshops in Singapore.

3. School Book Shops & Campus Sales

Many schools in Singapore host used textbook sales at the start of the academic year (December to January for primary/secondary, July to August for polytechnics and universities). These are often organised by parent volunteer groups (PVG) or student clubs.

  • Primary & Secondary schools, During the “school booklist” period, many schools set up a secondhand textbook corner in the canteen or hall. Prices are set by the school or parent volunteers, typically S$3, S$8 per book. The selection is specific to that school’s booklist, so you are guaranteed the correct edition and subject. Check the school’s website or Facebook page for dates. Raffles Institution, Hwa Chong Institution, Nanyang Girls’ High, and Dunman High School are known to have well-organised used textbook sales.
  • Polytechnics & Universities, NUS, NTU, SMU, SIT, and polytechnics like NP and SP have student-run textbook exchange events, usually in the first two weeks of the semester. For example, NUS has the “NUS Textbook Exchange” Facebook group and an annual physical sale organised by the NUS Students’ Union. NTU runs a similar “NTU Used Textbook Sale” at the beginning of each semester. Prices are often S$10, S$40 per textbook. You must bring your student card to enter.

Campus sales offer the dual advantage of low prices and the assurance that the edition matches the course requirements. However, they are time-bound and may require queueing.

4. Social Media Groups & Forums

In addition to Facebook Marketplace, specialised groups on Facebook and Telegram are active for textbook exchange.

  • Facebook groups, Search “Singapore Textbook Exchange” (has about 15,000 members), “NUS Textbook Exchange” (10,000+ members), and “Polytechnic Textbook Exchange Singapore.” Members post items for sale or trade, often with photos. Rules: posts must include price, condition, meet-up location. Common meet-up spots: MRT stations like Bishan, City Hall, and Dhoby Ghaut. Bargaining is acceptable, but keep it polite.
  • Telegram channels, Some universities have dedicated Telegram groups for textbook sales. For example, “NUS Textbook Bazaar” and “NTU Textbook Exchange” have daily postings during semester start. Telegram groups allow instant notifications when a textbook you need is listed.
  • Reddit, Subreddits like r/askSingapore and r/NTU have occasional textbook sale threads. Not as active as Facebook groups, but worth checking for rare titles.

5. Library Rental as an Alternative

If you only need a textbook for a few weeks or months, borrowing from the National Library Board (NLB) or your school library is free. The NLB network has some textbooks, mostly for secondary and junior college subjects. University libraries (e.g., NUS Central Library, NTU Lee Wee Nam Library) have many textbooks on reserve, you can borrow them for 2 hours or 1 day. This is especially useful for reference-heavy courses. For a full comparison of buying vs borrowing, see The Complete Guide to Buying and Borrowing Books in Singapore.

How to Find the Exact Textbook You Need

Before you start shopping, make sure you have the correct ISBN (International Standard Book Number). Most booklists include the ISBN. If not, check the school’s bookshop website or contact the subject teacher. Using the wrong edition can mean missing chapters, different exercise sets, or outdated content.

  1. Check your school’s booklist or syllabus, Look for the required textbook title, author, edition number, and ISBN. Write them down.
  2. Search on multiple platforms, Use Carousell, Shopee, Facebook Marketplace, and the physical bookshops listed above. Do not restrict yourself to one channel.
  3. Set price alerts or save searches, Carousell allows you to save a search term and get notifications when new items are listed. Do this for your specific ISBN or title.
  4. Buy in bundles, Many sellers bundle multiple textbooks together (e.g., “Sec 4 Combined Science set, 4 books for S$25”). This often works out cheaper than buying individually, but only buy bundles that match your exact needs.
  5. Ask about condition, Request clear photos of the cover, spine, table of contents, and a sample page to see highlighting. Ask if any pages are missing or loose. For workbooks, ask if there are any filled-in answers.
  6. Arrange meet-up or delivery, Most sellers in Singapore prefer meet-ups at MRT stations. Common locations: Bishan, City Hall, Clementi, Jurong East, Tampines, and Dhoby Ghaut. If you are not comfortable meeting, check if the seller offers mail or courier (SingPost rates are S$2, S$5 for a single textbook within Singapore).

Price Ranges & What to Expect

Prices for used textbooks vary by level, subject, and condition. The table below gives typical ranges as of mid-2025.

  • Primary school textbooks: S$3, S$10 each, or S$15, S$40 for a full set (6-8 books). Some parents give away free if you collect.
  • Secondary school textbooks: S$5, S$15 each. Bundles: S$20, S$60 for a set of 5-8 books.
  • Junior College / Millennia Institute textbooks: S$8, S$25 each. H2/H3 subject books can be S$15, S$35.
  • Polytechnic textbooks: S$10, S$30 each. Engineering and business textbooks tend to be higher.
  • University textbooks: S$20, S$80 each. Science, law, and medical textbooks can go up to S$120 even when used. First-year common modules (e.g., “Calculus” by James Stewart) are often available for S$30, S$50.
  • International school textbooks: S$15, S$40 each. Often harder to find used because of different curricula (IB, IGCSE). Try Carousell and Facebook groups specific to international school parents.

Tips for Getting the Best Deals

  1. Buy early but not too early, The best selection is in early December (for January semester) or late June (for August semester). Buy too early and you might miss the edition confirmation; buy too late and the popular titles are snapped up. Aim for 2-4 weeks before the term starts.
  2. Negotiate politely, Many sellers expect some negotiation, especially on bundles. Offering a fair price (e.g., S$2, S$5 off a S$20 book) is common. Avoid lowballing.
  3. Check for updated editions, Some courses switch editions every 2-3 years. The previous edition is often still acceptable, but confirm with your teacher. If the changes are minimal, you can save a lot.
  4. Swap with classmates, After the semester, many students want to offload their textbooks. Organise a WhatsApp or Telegram group to trade among your peers. You might get a textbook for free or for a token price.
  5. Use student discounts at bookshops, Even when buying used from a bookshop like BooksPlus, show your student card for an extra 5%, 10% off (varies by store).
  6. Consider international editions, Some textbooks have cheaper international editions (e.g., Pearson International Edition) that are identical in content. These can be found on Carousell for 40%, 60% less than the local edition. Be cautious: some international editions have different ISBNs and may not be accepted for course reference.

Risks & Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Outdated or wrong edition, Always verify the ISBN. A bargain is no good if the content is wrong. Edition mismatches are the most common complaint in online sales.
  • Missing pages or damaged spine, Check the book thoroughly before paying. Meet-up allows you to flip through every page. For mail orders, ask for a video walkthrough.
  • Scams, On Carousell and Facebook, be wary of sellers who ask for full payment before you have seen the book. Use the platform’s payment system (e.g., Carousell Protection) or pay on collection. If a deal seems too good (S$5 for a S$200 medical textbook), it might be a scam or stolen copy.
  • Access codes and online components, Many modern textbooks come with online access codes (for Pearson MyLab, McGraw-Hill Connect, etc.). Used textbooks often have an expired or already-used code. If you need the access code, you may have to buy it separately from the publisher, costs S$40, S$100 for a single code. In that case, buying a used textbook plus a code may cost as much as a new textbook that includes the code. Factor this into your decision.
  • Limited supply for niche subjects, Very specialised textbooks (e.g., neuroscience, advanced programming languages, rare language texts) are scarce secondhand. You may need to buy new or borrow from the library. Check the NLB catalogue or university library first.

Where to Sell Your Used Textbooks

If you have textbooks you no longer need, you can sell them to offset the cost of buying new ones. Good places to sell include Carousell (fastest, wide audience), BooksPlus (trade-in for store credit), and school-based sales. Some schools allow you to donate textbooks to the school library for future students. If you want to clear space quickly, consider selling as a bundle at a low price. For a broader guide on buying and selling books, see The Complete Guide to Buying and Borrowing Books in Singapore and Where to Buy New Books in Singapore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to photocopy textbooks instead of buying used?

Under Singapore copyright law, photocopying an entire textbook without permission is infringement. You are allowed to copy small portions (e.g., a chapter) for personal study. Using a library copy to avoid buying is legal as long as you do not reproduce the whole book.

Can I return a used textbook if it is the wrong edition?

It depends on the seller. Carousell and Shopee sellers typically accept returns only if the item is not as described. Some bookshops (e.g., BooksPlus) allow exchanges within 7 days with receipt. Always ask before buying.

What if I cannot find a used copy anywhere?

Try the NLB or school library for a loan. If you must buy new, check the book’s price on Amazon.sg or Book Depository (free shipping to Singapore), sometimes new copies from overseas are cheaper than local retail. Alternatively, consider buying a digital copy (eBook) for immediate access.

Final Thoughts

Buying used textbooks in Singapore is a smart financial move that can save hundreds of dollars each year. The ecosystem is robust: from Carousell and Shopee to physical stores like BooksPlus and campus sales, there is a channel for every budget and timeline. The key is to plan ahead, confirm the ISBN, and inspect the book’s condition before paying. With careful searching, you can get a nearly-new textbook at a fraction of the original cost. For more tips on book buying and reading habits in Singapore, browse our related articles below.

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