Guide to Applying to Singapore Management University as an International Student for an Undergraduate Degree
Singapore Management University (SMU), a premier public research university located in the Downtown area of Singapore, and its SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business is ranked 58 worldwide. Its state-of-the-art campus was established in the year 2000 and is known for its interactive seminar-style teaching pedagogy that rivals top American universities. The university has an optimal student-to-faculty ratio of 27:1, with 100+ full-time faculty from elite universities like Harvard, Oxford, Cornell, INSEAD, Yale, etc. 90% of its graduates are employed within six months of graduation with an average annual salary of S$110,000 (US$ 80,000) per year. Around 65% of students in its classrooms are international students with an average of 5-7 of experience. The average acceptance rate for an undergraduate course at Singapore Management University is 49%.
English Proficiency Test Requirements:
The primary language of instruction at Singapore Management University is English. Thus, international students from non-English-speaking countries or from institutions whereby the language of instruction is not English are obliged to satisfy SMU’s English language proficiency requirement.
- 93 and above (>22 reading & >22 writing) on the TOEFL iBT.
- 583 and above (>5.5 TWE & >50 reading) on the TOEFL PBT.
- 7.0 and above (>7.0 reading & >6.5 writing) on the IELTS Academic.
- 185 and above (>185 reading & >176 writing) on the C1 Advanced.
*Requirements are a bit different for law programs.
ACT/SAT Requirements:
Applicants with international qualifications (including UK A-Levels) must submit their standardized test scores via Applicant’s Self Service or through the testing agencies. The stated scores are minimally sufficient to make a competitive application. However, meeting those requirements doesn’t assure an interview call. But, in general, the higher your scores, the better your chances.
| Test | Score Range | Average Score Required |
| ACT | 1-36 | 29 |
| SAT | 400-1600 | 1,350 |
Tuition Fee and Cost of Living:
Paying tuition at the Singapore Management University can be hefty. But, if you choose to apply for Tuition Grant, your fees will be slashed by half, and you will be paying a government-subsidized tuition fee. Living expenses aren’t that high, but it depends on your lifestyle. These estimates are subject to change, so make sure to check the exact figures from the university’s website.
| Annual Cost | In Singaporean Dollars | In Indian Rupees |
| Tuition Fee | S$ 46,045 | ₹ 2,525,409.44 |
| Living Expenses | S$ 9,000 | ₹ 493,618.96 |
| Total | S$ 55,045 | ₹ 3,019,028.39 |
The conversion from SGD to INR has been made with S$ 1 = ₹ 54.85. The cost may vary with the varying exchange rate.
Application Portal:
Applicants must submit their online application via Singapore Management University’s own admission portal. The application fee costs around S$ 15 (₹ 823.13). The applicants interested in Tuition Grants can submit their details via the online application itself as there’s no separate application for scholarships.
Portal Link:
Personal Statement:
Your personal statement is an epoch-making attribute to your application, based upon which the admissions committee determines whether you are a perfect fit for the program or not. In that, along with your cause, you must mention your achievements and contributions to society. However, that’s not it! You must wrap it up within 300 words and answer a few Quick Takes as mentioned below:
Quick Takes:
- What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? (Maximum 50 words)
- What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? (Maximum 50 words)
- What are your future plans or career interests? We are aware that many future plans will change, but this is just another way for us to get to know you as an individual.
College Application Deadlines:
The following are the deadlines for freshmen applying to Singapore Management University:
| Event | Date |
| Application Opening Date | 16th October |
| Application Closing Date | 19th March |
| Notification of Application Outcome | February – July |
All the deadlines end at 11:59 P.M. Singapore Standard Time.
Conclusion:
The School of Accountancy and the Lee Kong Chian School of Business are the cynosures of the Singapore National University and ranked 11 among specialist universities in the 2021 QS World University Rankings. It’s one of the seven universities in Asia with the AACSB Accreditation for its business and accountancy programs. The acceptance rate for Singapore Management University is 49%, which implies it’s slightly selective. Take that with a grain of salt, as you would still need a stellar profile to get admitted. Navigating through the admission process as an international applicant can be an intimidating task. Receiving guidance from a student studying there is a privilege only a few ever receive, and that makes a striking difference.
For that, check out our platform UniRely. Here we connect you with our expert student mentors studying at Singapore National University, who will guide you with all aspects of your application. You could also leverage a lot of free tools available on our website like Uni List, Sample Uni Essays, Uni Videos, Uni Deadlines, Uni Comparision. So, Hurry Up! Sign Up Today!
Paras Bhandari
You covered all crucial points! Keep it up.
Berny
Among the top Universities in Singapore which also have the honour of being recognized as being among the best in Asia are the National University of Singapore NUS, Singapore Management University SMU and the Nanyang Technological University NTU. As an example, the National University of Singapore which is considered to be among the top tier Universities in Asia, not to mention the world, and which offers various courses in fields such as Medicine, Music, Business, Dentistry, etc.