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Singapore Management University

Bras Basah, Singapore

  • Cost of LivingS$ 20,340
  • Tuition Fee FromS$ 21,400
  • Country Rank#4
  • Batch Strength-
  • Global Diversity-
  • Gender Ratio-

Overview

About

The Singapore Management University commonly known as SMU is a public autonomous university in Singapore. The university was established 22 years ago in 2000, and it is the only city campus in the whole of Singapore next to just a handful in the world. The university is modelled after The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and ranks  3rd in Asia and is considered among the best universities across the world. 

 

The university is organised into six schools providing a variety of courses both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It offers programmes in the areas of business administration, accountancy, economics, business analytics, information systems management, financial services, law, and the social sciences. The university’s six schools are listed below. 

 

  • The School of Accountancy
  • The Lee Kong Chian School of Business
  • The School of Economics
  • The School of Computing and Information Systems
  • The Yong Pung How School of Law
  • The School of the Social Sciences

 

The university is also the first university in Asia to be accredited Ashoka which is a global non-profit organisation supporting the top social entrepreneurs across the globe as a Changemaker Campus. In addition, it is also the first university in Singapore to be accredited as a research organisation by the Association for the Accreditation of the Human Research Protection Programmes Inc. Its Lee Kong Chian School of Business is not only among the youngest business schools in the world but it is also the only Singaporean business school to achieve the triple-crown accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA), and the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). 

 

The university houses over 10,000 students enrolled on its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Its student crowd comprises mainly students hailing from Singapore and its neighbouring countries but a good percentage also come from different countries across the world. Singapore Management University’s acceptance rate is 49% making it a fairly competitive university to get into. 

University Name Singapore Management University
Official Website https://www.smu.edu.sg/
Year of Establishment 2000
Average Living Cost S$ 20340
University Address Bras Basah - Singapore
Country Rank 3
University Type Public
For Study Abroad Counselling Click Here

Ranking

SMU is truly one of its kind having amassed a large number of awards and accolades in general and some pertaining to specific courses provided at the university. The university is ranked highly by several international metrics and is ranked as among the top 3 best universities in Asia and can be found in the top 500 universities in the world. The university’s business school is touted to be among the best in the world. The university is also widely acclaimed for its contributions to the world of research in the areas of economics and business. In 2016, it was ranked #4 in Asia and #64 in the world in the Tilburg University Top 100 Worldwide Economic Schools Research Ranking. It is also ranked in the 201 - 250 bracket by QS in terms of Graduate Employability Rankings in 2020. Some of Singapore Management University’s rankings as well as course-wise rankings are summarised below. 

 

  • 511 - 520 - QS World University Rankings (2021)
  • 81 - 90 - QS Top 50 Under 50 (2021)
  • #49 - Accounting 2022 (QS)
  • #36 - Business 2022 (QS)
  • #60 - Economics 2022 (QS)
  • #59 - MBA 2021 (Financial Times)
  • #95 - Law 2022 (QS)

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2023

#561 - 570

#725

2022

#511 - 520

#725

Facilities

The university has a one-of-its-kind city campus unlike none other in Singapore. The university has built a state-of-the-art university campus which ensures that its students have a unique and lively experience while enrolled at the university. The Singapore Management University facilities are ranked as some of the best not only in Asia but also across the globe. The campus is divided into eight blocks which comprise the following:

 

  • Lee Kong Chian School of Business
  • School of Accountancy
  • Li Ka Shing Library
  • School of Information Systems
  • School of Economics/School of Social Sciences
  • School of Law and Kwa Geok Choo Law Library
  • SMU Connexion
  • Administration Building

 

Some of the provisions by the university to aid in education and socialising among students at the campus include the following. 

 

  • Meetin, Function Rooms and Lounges
  • Auditoriums
  • SMU Halls
  • Arts and Culture Centre
  • Sports Hall
  • Gymnasium and Fitness Centre
  • Libraries
  • Basement Studio
  • Outdoor Events and Exhibitions

Notable Alumni

Pritam Singh
Pritam Singh
Leader of the Opposition of Singapore
Rebecca Lim
Rebecca Lim
Singaporean actress and television presenter
Jade Seah
Jade Seah
Singaporean model and host

Courses

Scholarship

Regardless of the programme you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by the Singapore Management University as well as other organisations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at the university through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:

 

  • Merit-based scholarships
  • Need-based scholarships
  • Country-specific scholarships
  • College-specific scholarships
  • Student-specific scholarships

Finances

Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the Singapore Management University. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!

Accommodation

There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the Singapore Management University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or in a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.

 

UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the institute, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.

Cost of Living

There’s no doubt that Singapore is among the most expensive places to live in the world. The capital city of the country finds itself on numerous most expensive cities to call home in the world lists. While it promises a global experience like no other, students are always advised to effectively take charge of their finances due to the high cost of living in Singapore. University life is always turbulent with students having to be responsible for their finances. It is always recommended that students learn to get their finances in order to not end up with any savings. Students are always advised to build a budget to help keep track of their daily, weekly and/or monthly expenses during university. It is always best to stay abreast of all the expenses one would incur upon studying abroad. Below mentioned are the average costs a student might incur while studying at the Singapore Management University. 

 

Particulars

Expenses (Per Month)

Off-Campus Accommodation

SGD 850

On-Campus Accommodation

SGD 4,148

Transportation

SGD 110

Food

SGD 540

Utilities

SGD 137

Entertainment

SGD 58

Groceries

SGD 137

Clothes

SGD 53

Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation

SGD 1775

Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation

SGD 5073

Singapore Management University Entry Requirements

Entry requirements essentially determine whether a candidate has what it takes to get a seat at their desired course of study in the university. It takes into account their previous academic qualifications, records and certifications along with their current test results and scores. While there are certain overarching requirements that span all courses such as academic performance, co-curricular involvement, critical thinking and strong communication skills, there are certain criteria that are specific to a particular course. The Singapore Management University entry requirements differ for undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. 

  • A recognised high school secondary certificate in the relevant subjects is required for admission to an undergraduate programme. The minimum score requirements vary from course to course but grades A, B and C are accepted. 
  • Additional standardised tests include SAT and ACT. The minimum score required is 1350 (SAT) or 29 (ACT) for undergraduate applicants. 
  • The accepted English language proficiency tests at the undergraduate postgraduate levels are TOEFL and IELTS. An overall band score of 7.0 is accepted in the case of IELTS. 
  • For postgraduate admissions, a recognised Bachelor’s degree in the relevant subject(s) is required. 
  • Some courses also require a minimum of 2 years of work experience in the field. 
  • Additional standardised tests are the postgraduate level are GATE, GRE and GMAT. 

 

Singapore Management University Fees

A wide variety of factors determine the tuition fees of an institute of higher education. Among the most obvious determinants is the course one wishes to study and the level at which they want to pursue the said course. Another significant factor that determined the tuition fees is whether the student is a home or international student. The fees for international students are higher compared to their home counterparts. Tuition fees are also just one component of the fee structure with the other components being personal expenses, travel allowance, books and supplies, non-refundable admission or application fees, and other miscellaneous membership fees. The fees differ for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the university. The Singapore Management University fees for some of their programmes for international students are listed below. 

Accountancy, Business Management, Science, Social Sciences: SGD 24,600

Law: SGD 27,150

 

Singapore Management University Placements

While the university does not have a placement cell for students studying undergraduate programmes at SMU, they do have career services for students pursuing postgraduate programmes at the university. Their career services include coaching and guidance by professionals and counsellors that help students land employment opportunities that match their interests, qualifications, short-term and long-term goals and aptitudes. The Singapore Management University placements also ensure that students can effectively engage with employers in a variety of industries and sectors. These networking exercises open up bright opportunities for students after graduation from SMU. Some of the average salary figures of students from the university in varied fields are listed as follows. 

  • Business Development: SGD 52,000
  • Financial Services: SGD 70,000
  • Project Management: SGD 64,000
  • Law: SGD 60,000
  • Information Technology and Software Development: SGD 50,000