| Updated On - Jul 19, 2024
Highlights
- Intakes: The universities in Singapore offer MBA admission in March, June, and September intakes.
- Rankings: Singapore has 3 of the top 50 universities for MBA (QS Global MBA Rankings, 2024), namely, NUS (=24), NTU (34), and SMU (=43).
- Course Types: You can pursue full-time MBA, part-time MBA, Global MBA and Executive MBA programs in the universities in Singapore.
- Top Employers: Some top business employers in Singapore are, Amazon, P&G, Apple, Google, DBS, Flex, Citigroup, Sea, SingTel, OCBC Bank, CapitaLand, and Accenture.
MBA in Singapore is a 1-2 year full-time graduate degree program. The program is available to Indian students with a bachelor’s degree in business or relevant field and a GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 (90%). You should also exhibit a GMAT score of 550 or equivalent GRE score to get into the top universities in Singapore for MBA program. The MBA institutes in Singapore also require 2 or more years of professional experience, with institutes like ESSEC Business School requiring managerial work experience for admission to the program.
The universities in Singapore are known for their affordability as compared to countries like USA or UK. Tuition fees for Master of Business Administration in Singapore varies between 23,000 and 151,476 SGD (14.32 and 94.37 lakhs INR). Indian students should also consider living expenses of 1,560 and 3,230 SGD (97,290 to 2.01 lakhs INR) per month.
The program is highly rewarding in terms of return on investment. MBA graduates in Singapore reportedly earn an average annual salary of 121,000 SGD (75.42 lakhs INR) per year. You can pursue professional roles like Business Analyst, Business Development Manager, Accounting Manager, General Manager.
Top Universities in Singapore for MBA
Singapore is home to several young yet globally ranked universities. Institutes like NUS even leaves behind Ivy League institutes like Cornell University. The best MBA programs in Singapore according to QS Global MBA Rankings 2024, and their respective application deadlines are as follows:
| University | Program | Application Deadline or Intakes |
|---|---|---|
| National University of Singapore (NUS) | Masters in Business Administration | October 27, 2024 | January 17, 2024 | March 31, 2024 |
| Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | Masters in Business Administration | November 1, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | March 31, 2025 |
| Singapore Management University (SMU) – Lee Kong Chian School of Business | Masters in Business Administration | October 31, 2024, March 15, 2025, July 15, 2025 | November 30, 2024 | February 28, 2025 | May 31, 2025 |
| SP Jain School of Global Management, Singapore | Global MBA | June 30, 2024 |
| INSEAD Asia Campus | Masters in Business Administration | August 6, 2024 | September 10, 2024, November 5, 2024, January 14, 2025, March 4, 2025 |
| Amity Global Institute | Masters in Business Administration | 3 months prior to chosen intake |
| ESSEC Business School | Executive MBA | October 22, 2024 |
| James Cook University, Singapore | Master of Business Administration | January, May, September intakes |
| Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) | Master of Business Administration | March, June, and September intakes |
Why Study MBA in Singapore?
Singapore is one of the primary business centres in Asia, hence, an ideal spot for students intending to pursue business professions. The universities in Singapore are famous for great emphasis on academics and also experiential learning opportunities. Check out the important factors making Singapore MBA a desirable degree:
- Affordability: The price point of MBA in the universities and b-schools in Singapore is almost half or lesser than the universities in USA, UK and few other top-ranked countries. This saves you from seeking high-end scholarships or heavy loans with high interest amount.
- Academic and Research Quality: The infrastructure in the Singapore MBA colleges are top-notch. Be it classrooms, auditoriums, and research facilities, Singapore offers one of the best educational opportunity to Indian students at an affordable rate as compared to USA, Canada or UK. The top business schools in Singapore are known for having some of the best faculties in the world. The research facilities in Singapore are brilliant with latest technologies used. The up-to-date curriculum provides necessary exposure and knowledge to reach heights in your career.
- Easy Visa Access: Getting a Singapore student visa is quite easy after securing an admission offer from a university in Singapore.
- Multicultural Environment: Singapore is a country, as well as a city-state. The multi-racial advanced city mostly has Indians, Chinese, Malay, Japanese, Korean, and European people studying or working across various sectors. When you will interact with people from different origins, it will add up to your personality development. You will learn how to interact with different types of people, and how to manage people by developing cultural understanding.
- Internship Opportunities: You can find several internship opportunities in Singapore by networking with people from around the world.
- Financial Hub: The financial hub status of Singapore is one of the premium reasons to choose this country over others. There are lots of banks and financial institutes in the city-state, along with technical institutes, ensuring abundance of jobs for qualified professionals.
Current students suggest, you can avoid the cultural barrier by interacting more with people.
MBA in Singapore Admission Requirements
Indian students require a bachelor’s degree in business for admission to MBA in Singapore. The universities in Singapore also require the following documents for admission to the program:
- GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 (90%) or above
- Transcripts
- 2+ years of work experience
- GRE or GMAT score
- English proficiency requirements
- Essay
- Resume
Strong interpersonal skills and international outlook might ease your way to secure admission to the program. Leadership experience, leadership potential, professional accomplishments, academic aptitude, and community impact can play pivotal role in the admission process.
Amity Global Institute requires you to be of 22+ years of age to enroll in this program.
Note: A GMAT score of 600-650 is considered competitive in the universities in Singapore.
The university-specific eligibility criteria for admission to MBA in Singapore are tabulated below:
| University | Program | Standardized Test Score Requirements | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| National University of Singapore | Masters in Business Administration | GRE or GMAT (No bar) | Minimum 2 years of full-time work experience |
| Nanyang Technological University | Masters in Business Administration | GMAT/GMAT Focus or GRE score | 3 years of work experience |
| Singapore Management University – Lee Kong Chian School of Business | Masters in Business Administration | GMAT or GRE score | 2 years post degree work experience |
| SP Jain School of Global Management, Singapore | Global MBA | GMAT or GRE score | 3 years of work experience | Essay | Personal interview |
| INSEAD Asia Campus | Masters in Business Administration | GMAT or GRE scores | International motivation | Leadership Potential | Work experience and quality of achievements | Letters of recommendation | Essays | CV |
| Amity Global Institute | Masters in Business Administration | GMAT: 550+ | 2 years of relevant work experience |
| ESSEC Business School | Executive MBA | GMAT score: 585 | GMAT focus edition: 615 | 7 years of work experience including 3 years of managerial experience | 2 LORs | International exposure, excellent work performance and strong leadership potential | Interview |
| James Cook University, Singapore | Master of Business Administration | No bar | 4 years full-time business experience |
| Management Development Institute of Singapore | Master of Business Administration | No bar (450+ GMAT score required for online program) | 2-5 years of work experience | Portfolio |
MBA in Singapore English Proficiency Requirements
The English proficiency test score requirement for Indian students in MBA universities in Singapore are as follows:
| University | English Proficiency Test Score Requirements |
|---|---|
| National University of Singapore | TOEFL iBT: 100 | IELTS: 7.0 |
| Nanyang Technological University | TOEFL iBT: 100 | IELTS: 6.5 |
| Singapore Management University – Lee Kong Chian School of Business | IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL iBT: 90 |
| SP Jain School of Global Management, Singapore | IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL iBT: 70 | PTE: 60 |
| INSEAD Asia Campus | IELTS: 7.5 | TOEFL iBT: 105 | PTE: 72 |
| Amity Global Institute | IELTS: 6.5 |
| ESSEC Business School | TOEIC: 830 |
| James Cook University, Singapore | IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL iBT: 86 | PTE: 58 |
| Management Development Institute of Singapore | IELTS: 6.0 | TOEFL iBT: 75 | PTE: 56 |
Singapore Student Visa Application Process
A student visa in Singapore is called student pass, and the universities are called Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL). To get a Singapore student visa, you need to register on the website of your selected university. The visa processing fee is 30 SGD (1,870 INR) and the visa issuance fee is 60 SGD (3,740 INR). The visa requirements are as follows:
- Invitation letter issued by a Singapore IHL
- Academic transcripts of all degrees, diplomas, and certificates pursued in India
- Test scores as required by the university: GMAT, GRE, IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
- Current and legible passport, valid for at least 3 months
- Completed all student visa application forms
- Form 16: Main application for student pass
- Form V36: Additional information on the applicant
- Original visa application fee payment receipt
- Bank statements showing availability of sufficient funds for education and stay in Singapore
- Bank loan sanction letter (if applying for a student loan), proof of investment(s)
- Documents showing your plan of paying all living expenses in Singapore.
A Singapore study visa gets processed within 10 business days. Students applying in July-August might face delay in visa processing due to rush.
MBA in Singapore for Indian Students Fees
The total tuition fees for MBA in Singapore for an Indian student ranges between 23,000 and 151,476 SGD (14.32 and 94.37 lakhs INR). The tuition fees across the top universities in Singapore offering MBA program are as follows:
| University | Total Tuition Fees (SGD) | Equivalent Tuition Fees for Indians (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Amity Global Institute | 23,000-41,000 | 14.32 to 25.54 lakhs |
| Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) | 28,122 | 17.51 lakhs |
| James Cook University, Singapore | 41,529 | 25.87 lakhs |
| SP Jain School of Global Management, Singapore | 56,524 | 35.21 lakhs |
| Singapore Management University – Lee Kong Chian School of Business | 70,850 | 44.13 lakhs |
| National University of Singapore | 76,000 | 47.34 lakhs |
| Nanyang Technological University | 81,750 | 50.92 lakhs |
| ESSEC Business School | 100,000 | 62.29 lakhs |
| INSEAD Asia Campus | August 2024: 145,621 | January 2025: 151,476 | August 2024: 90.72 lakhs | January 2025: 94.37 lakhs |
Cost of Living in Singapore
The average cost of living in Singapore ranges between 1,560 and 3,230 SGD (97,290 to 2.01 lakhs INR) per month. This cost includes housing, food, transportation, and entertainment. A breakdown of the average cost of living in Singapore for Indian students is provided below:
MBA in Singapore Scholarships
University provided scholarships for MBA in Singapore are rare and hard to achieve. Indian students should prepare to pay full tuition fees by themselves. Alternatively, you can make arrangement of funds through external scholarships or loans to cover your MBA tuition fees in Singapore. Some popular university provided scholarships in Singapore for MBA are tabulated below:
| Scholarship | Eligibility Criteria | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The NUS MBA Dean’s Award | Leadership, diverse backgrounds, personal and professional achievements | Full tuition fee waiver and 5,000 SGD |
| The NUS MBA Excellence & Achiever Awards | Outstanding candidates applying to full-time MBA | 20% or more of tuition fees |
| The NUS MBA Scholarship for Women | Women with outstanding leadership and commitment to women-led cause advancement | Academic performance, leadership capabilities, positive impact on business and society | Partial tuition fees |
| The NUS MBA Future Leaders Scholarship | Full-time students, competitive application & GRE scores, academic and professional achievements, leadership potential | 20% or more of tuition fees |
| INSEAD Antonio Borges Endowed Scholarship | Academic achievements, promise | Background, personal profile, work experience contributing to 'diversity' in MBA program | Up to 20,000 EUR (18,27,280 SGD) |
If you are unable to get university-provided scholarships, you can look for externally funded awards. Some popular scholarships in Singapore for Indian students, offered by external bodies are:
- JN Tata Endowment Scholarships: 1-10 lakhs
- SIA Youth Scholarship: Varies
- Singapore International Graduate Award: 2,700 to 3,200 SGD.
MBA in Singapore Jobs and Salaries
The average salary of MBA graduates in Singapore is 121,000 SGD (75.42 lakhs INR) per annum. The salary breakdown of MBA graduates in Singapore according to their chosen professions are as follows:
| Job Title | Average Monthly Salary (SGD) | Salary Equivalent for Indians (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Project Manager | 10,100 | 6,29,594 |
| Financial Analyst | 10,200 | 6,35,830 |
| Business Analyst | 10,200 | 6,35,831 |
| Business Development Manager | 12,000 | 7,48,036 |
| Accounting Manager | 12,600 | 7,85,448 |
| Human Resources Manager | 12,600 | 7,85,448 |
| General Manager | 13,500 | 8,41,603 |
| Sales Manager | 13,200 | 8,22,925 |
Top MBA colleges in Singapore organizes business workshops and seminars. The team projects assigned to students develops your managerial and leadership skills. However, scholarships are limited in Singapore, hence you need to manage your expenses on your own. You can look for externally-funded awards to reduce the tuition and living expenses while studying MBA in Singapore.
FAQs
Ques. Is Singapore good for MBA?
Ans. Yes, Singapore is home to 3 of the top 50 MBA universities in the world according to QS Global MBA Rankings, 2024. The academic and research qualities in the universities in Singapore are exceptional. However, employers might discriminate between a degree from Singapore, with other countries like USA, Canada, or UK. Even if the university in Singapore has better world rankings, employers might consider graduates of US or UK universities due to the countries’ reputation. However, if you are planning to settle in Singapore after graduation, an MBA degree from the Singapore Universities is a good choice.
Ques. How much does it cost to do MBA in Singapore?
Ans. The tuition fees for MBA in Singapore varies between 23,000-151,476 SGD (14.32-94.37 lakhs INR). Besides, you should also consider monthly living expenses between 1,560 and 3,230 SGD (97,290 to 2.01 lakhs INR).
Ques. Is GMAT required for MBA in Singapore?
Ans. Yes, GMAT score is one of the primary requirements for admission to MBA in Singapore. Although most of the universities in Singapore do not specify a minimum GMAT score for admission to the program, Indian students should try to achieve a GMAT score of 550 or above to increase their chances of admission. The universities alternatively accept equivalent GRE score.
Ques. How much do MBA graduates in Singapore earn?
Ans. MBA graduates in Singapore reportedly earn an average salary of 121,000 SGD (75.42 lakhs INR) per year. Graduates working as General Manager are among the highest earners, securing 13,500 SGD (8.41 lakhs INR) per month.
Ques. What are the top companies for MBA graduates in Singapore?
Ans. Some top employers hiring business graduates in Singapore are, Some top business employers in Singapore are, Amazon, P&G, Apple, Google, DBS, Flex, Citigroup, Sea, SingTel, OCBC Bank, CapitaLand, and Accenture.
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