A young but very innovation-oriented and wealthy country, Singapore is an exceptional destination for your MBA studies. Located in Southeast Asia, Singapore is home to numerous well-known business schools that offer both MBA programs, including full-time and part-time options, as well as Executive MBA programs. And if you’re interested in doing an MBA concentration? Well, that’s not a problem. Most business schools in Singapore give students the opportunity to pursue an MBA concentration in areas like Finance, Healthcare Management, Marketing, Management, and many more. Being a significantly expensive country may make you worry about the costs when in fact you shouldn’t. Just like in many other countries, almost every university in Singapore offers options for grants, scholarships, and fellowship opportunities that can help you finance your studies. We have compiled a list of some of the best domestic and international MBA programs in Singapore to assist you on your journey to find the perfect MBA program.
MBA Programs on Offer in the Country
INSEAD (Singapore Campus)
INSEAD is one of the world’s leading and largest graduate business schools with locations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. Their Singapore campus is known to be one of the leading business universities in Asia. Also, the university is popular for its variety of master’s programs.
- Ranked number 4 on the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking (2020)
- 92% of graduate students are employed after 3 months of graduation
- Duration: 10 Months
- Class profile: 88 nationalities
- Work experience: An average of 5.6 years of average work experience
- Tuition fees: €89,000, scholarships available
- GMAT Range: 670-750
- Accepted tests: GMAT and GRE
- Accreditations: AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS
- Language: English
National University of Singapore
As Singapore’s flagship university, the National University of Singapore offers a unique experience in terms of the global approach to education that is focused on the Asian perspective. NUS is committed to quality education, influential research, and visionary enterprise. With an MBA curriculum that merges East and West, students will be able to integrate Western business models and concepts of leadership from an Asian point of view. As per the expansion of the international network, NUS offers some options as overseas student exchanges, student-led study trips, business case competitions, and other initiatives.
- Ranked number 15 on the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking (2020)
- Ranked number 1 MBA among Singapore universities (2020)
- Waivers are granted on an exceptional basis, typically to applicants with 10 years or more of work experience, a strong academic track record, and excellent interview scores.
- Duration: 17 months
- Class profile: 90% international students representing 28 nationalities.
- Work experience: A minimum of two years of full-time post-undergraduate work experience
- Tuition fees: SGD 65,000 (exclusive of GST) payable over 2 semesters
- Average GMAT score: 670
- Accepted tests: GMAT, GRE, and EA (for part-time MBA applicants with 7 or more years of work experience)
- Accreditations: AACSB, EQUIS
- Language: English
Nanyang Technological University
Most universities in Singapore have academic partnerships with overseas institutions. In the case of Nanyang Technological University, it offers its students exchange and summer programs with one of 60 partner universities worldwide from which we can mention the University of British Columbia, Kings College London, the University of Edinburgh, and Boston University.
To top it off, NTU is known for its dazzling campus which is considered one of the most beautiful campuses in the world.
- Ranked number 35 on the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking (2020)
- Duration (full-time MBA): 12 months, 3
trimesters - Class Profile: 80-100 students representing 20 countries,
- Work experience: 6 years
- Tuition fees: $62,000 SGD
- Average GMAT score: 660
- Accepted tests: GMAT and GRE
- Accreditations: EQUIS and AACSB
- Language: English
Singapore Management University: Lee Kong Chian School of Business
Singapore Management University is a dynamic Asian business school that offers several programs to its students: undergraduate, master’s (including MBA and EMBA), and doctoral programmes. It is also affiliated with a number of research centers such as the Institute of Service Excellence and the Centre for Marketing Excellence. Besides the updated curriculum, internships, and job placement opportunities, SMU provides interactive seminar-style pedagogy, modeled after the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, so students can strengthen their communication and presentation skills.
- Ranked number 63 on the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking (2020)
- Duration: 15 months, with the possibility to complete in 10 months (Jan Intake)
- Class profile: 65% International Students (Full-time & Part-time)
- Work experience: An average of 5-7 years of work experience.
- Tuition fees: $67,410 SGD (Inclusive of GST)
- Average GMAT score: 660
- Accepted tests: GMAT, GRE, SMU Admissions Test (accepted for Part-time intake)
- Accreditations: AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA
- Language: English
Where to take the GMAT in Singapore?
There are two GMAT Test Centers in Singapore:
NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd
NTUC Trade Union House
73 Bras Basah Road
Level 3, Room 3J
Singapore 189556
Pearson Professional Centers-Singapore
51 Cuppage Road
#05-02/03/04
Singapore 229469
Life in Singapore
Besides being the home of some universities that are among the best in the world, Singapore has a reputation for being a safe, clean, and multicultural country. The cost of living, as mentioned before, is significantly high. As per the weather, it is hot year-round; so if you’re a fan of hot weather, Singapore is your destination. Also, the unique blend of Western and Asian cultures makes this country an amazing place to live in, especially if you’re a foreigner.
If you want to know more about how life in Singapore is, then you can check one of our client’s testimonials where she shares her first-hand experience.
If you are looking for private one-on-one GMAT tutoring with a 770+ scoring tutor in Singapore, Apex is here to help you. We are able to accommodate you both in-person and online, based on your needs and preferences. Click here to find out more.
Contributor: Uerda Muca