Singapore is one of the best countries to get a business degree and if you are considering getting your MBA in Singapore, that is an awesome idea. This post provides helpful guidelines and tips to help you achieve your aim of getting an MBA from Singapore. Enjoy!
Singapore is fast becoming one of the top education hubs among international students. The sovereign island country houses some of the best higher institutions in Asia offering a wide range of innovative degree programs in all the study fields. The quality of academic teaching and research is one of the many things that attract students from all over the world to Singapore.
Some of the best programs offered in Singapore are business, medicine, creative arts, computing/IT, architecture, and engineering & science. This may be a good time to show you our post on the best art schools in Singapore and the free online courses in Singapore that covers varieties of the study area including computer science.
The education system in Singapore is competing with some of the world’s best and there are some things about the education system in Singapore you need to learn before applying for the MBA program or any program for that matter if you are an international student.
The MBA degree is one of the most sought-after degrees in Singapore and when it comes to most in-demand business degrees globally, the MBA is also top. This is a degree that prepares you to take up challenges in the business world and solve them efficiently. The program equips students with critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to be able to do this and take up leadership and managerial roles in an organization.
An MBA simply prepares you to become a leader in the business world, this involves a lot of experiential learning. Due to how in-demand the MBA is, some, if not all, universities or countries all over the world are offering an MBA and it has become so accessible these days that you can get an MBA degree online from the comfort of your home.
Examples are the online MBA in Australia and the cheap online MBA in Canada, there are some you can take online from one of the US states like the online MBA in Michigan and the online MBA in California. Some scholarships are set up to assist you with your MBA education since it is a really expensive degree.
You can find MBA scholarships in Canada, there are also some MBA scholarships in the UK, online MBA scholarships and for women, there MBA scholarships for women.
Back to the MBA in Singapore…
The MBA in Singapore holds both national and international recognition which makes it recognized by HRs and other business leaders and organizations anywhere in the world. Let us see how much an MBA cost in Singapore.
Cost of MBA in Singapore
The cost of an MBA in Singapore is between $65,000 to $140,000 depending on the university, MBA specialization, and residency status of the student with international students paying more. As I mentioned earlier, an MBA degree is expensive and it is even more expensive in Singapore because it is the top in Asia.
Do not get discouraged, there are scholarships in Singapore for international students that you can apply towards your MBA tuition to lower the cost and make you enjoy an affordable education. Now that you have an idea of the cost of an MBA in Singapore, let me walk you through the things you need to apply for MBA in Singapore.
Requirements for MBA in Singapore
It is typical for schools to set eligibility requirements and/or criteria for their degree program offerings. Through the requirements, students are evaluated and graded to be considered for admission and also for scholarships.
Here, I have given the general/basic requirements for MBA in Singapore. Note that grades may vary from school to school and residency status. The requirements for MBA in Singapore are:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum of 2.8 CGPA or higher
- GMAT or GRE scores (optional)
- At least, two years of professional working experience (varies by the university)
- English language proficiency tests for non-native English speakers (IELTS or TOEFL)
- Having strong communication skills is a plus
- Possess transcripts from previously attended institutions including high school
- Correctly filled application form
- Get your recommendation letters (school will state how many)
- Personal statement or essay
- Professional resume or CV
- Passport photos
These are mainly the requirements for MBA in Singapore, contact your host institutions to learn more about specific entry requirements.
How to Obtain an MBA in Singapore
There are certain steps you need to take to obtain an MBA in Singapore. I have outlined these steps here to make it easy for you to follow and earn your MBA in no time. It covers both international and domestic students.
· Select A School in Singapore for your MBA
You can agree with me that the first step to earning a degree of your choice is to search for schools that offer the degree and this is no different from obtaining an MBA in Singapore. You will need to search for universities or business schools in Singapore that are offering an MBA program then choose from the list of those schools that you find.
You do not need to start looking elsewhere to find a school for your MBA in Singapore, scroll farther below to see where I have given brief info about some of the top best schools in Singapore for MBA and from there, you can pick a school that best meets your interest.
If you are an international student, ensure that the school you select is admitting international students and if you also want to pick an MBA specialization to focus on, ensure that the school is providing it. So, that is on selecting a school in Singapore for your MBA, let us go to the next step.
· Meet MBA Program Requirements
Typically, universities and colleges set certain requirements and eligibility criteria for aspirants or applicants for all of their programs. With the aid of these requirements, the Admissions Board of that school uses them to evaluate the student and consider them for admission or not. The MBA in Singapore are no different, they all have their requirements and you MUST satisfy all of them to be accepted into the program.
The requirements for MBA I gave above are basic and vary from school to school. While some schools may require you to submit to GRE or GMAT schools others may not require it or make it optional. And while some schools may require you to have, at least, 2 years of work experience others may require up to 3-5 years of work experience. They are requirements and you need to meet them to get admission.
Keep reading to get the exact MBA program requirements in Singapore.
· Get Your Student Visa
This is for international students who want to get an MBA in Singapore. Before you enter the country to study for any degree, including the MBA, you need to get your student visa to be allowed entry into the country. To get your student visa, visit the Singapore embassy in your country.
There is an alternative to obtaining an MBA in Singapore without requiring a student visa or even going to Singapore, this alternative is to enroll in an online MBA in Singapore. This way, you get to earn an MBA from Singapore from the comfort of your home and still carry out other responsibilities like taking care of your home and going to work.
How do you do that? I have discussed the online MBA in Singapore further below and how you can enroll, keep reading to find out. And before you start thinking about it, the MBA you get on campus in Singapore is the same as the one you get online.
· Begin The Application Process
I am sure you read the “begin the application process” and thought it would be a daunting task, however, it is not. The application process is done online using your smartphone or computer and you can complete it in 10 minutes or less, it can only extend to a few days if you do not have all the necessary documents ready at the time of application.
The application process includes submitting all required documents, paying the application fee if required, and waiting for an acceptance letter or email. The acceptance letter or email means that you have been accepted into the MBA program in Singapore then you can go ahead to pay for the tuition.
· Begin Studies and Earn your MBA
After acceptance into an MBA in Singapore, there is nothing else to do but to begin your studies. There are usually degree program requirements that you need to meet to graduate. The MBA in Singapore takes 1-2 years to complete and upon completion, you get your MBA degree and explore new and bigger opportunities in the vast business world.
This is all it takes to earn an MBA in Singapore. It is not as “tasky” as you might have made it up in your head. Let me go ahead to show you the best schools in Singapore for MBA.
Best Schools in Singapore for MBA
The best schools for MBA in Singapore are:
1. Singapore Management University (SMU) MBA
SMU is a public university in Singapore, one of the best in the country and Asia as a whole with three accreditations from AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA. Triple accredited schools mean that they have shown exceptional excellence both in teaching and research.
The school offers a wide range of graduate and undergraduate degree programs but focuses more on business programs such as accountancy, business administration, economics, and finance.
SMU is organized into six schools and the MBA is offered by its Lee Kong Chian School of Business. The MBA takes 15 months to complete with the possibility to complete it in 10 months.
There are full-time and part-time study options available to international and domestic students. Applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5, submit GMAT or GRE, 2 recommendation letters, and an application fee of S$100.
There are a total of six intakes in a year, three full-time and three part-time. The tuition is S$69,550 and there are available scholarship options.
2. National University of Singapore MBA
As one of the best universities in Singapore and Asia, NUS offers one of the best MBAs in the world. the MBA was ranked 6th in the world by Forbes, 2nd in Asia by Poets & Quants, and 21st in the world by Financial Times. The MBA here is offered in two different formats; full-time and part-time which take 17 months and 24-30 months respectively to complete. The start date is in August, every year.
A bachelor’s degree with an average GPA of 3.1 and a GMAT or GRE score is required with a minimum of 2 years of work experience. The minimum score for TOEFL and IELTS are 100 and 6.5 respectively. The tuition fee for NUS MBA is S$76,000. Scholarships and grants are available to high-performing applicants.
3. INSEAD MBA
INSEAD MBA is recognized among the top MBA in Singapore and the world as a whole. It is ranked 3rd in the world by the Financial Times. There are two yearly intakes in January and August and take 10 months of full-time study to complete.
A GMAT or GRE is required and you need to score 105 for internet-based TOEFL or 7.5 for IELTS. It is also the most expensive MBA in Singapore with tuition at $103,000. International students are accepted.
4. ESSEC Business School Global MBA
At ESSEC Business School, you can earn one of the most recognized MBAs in Singapore and the world. The program is full-time and takes 12 months to complete. There is only one intake per year in September.
The average age is 30 years old and you need to have up to 6 years of professional work experience and take the GMAT to be considered for admission.
5. Nanyang Business School MBA
The Nanyang MBA is one of the best MBAs in Singapore designed to fuel your growth as a business leader. The MBA program takes 12-18 months to complete. There are three intakes in the year November, January, and March. You need to have a bachelor’s degree, at least 2 years of work experience, high GMAT or GRE score to be considered for admission.
If your undergraduate education was not English-taught then take the IELTS or TOEFL tests and get a score of 6.5 or 100 respectively.
These are the best schools in Singapore for MBA, follow the respective links to learn more about each of the MBA programs and apply to the one that suits you best.
Top Online MBA Programs in Singapore
If you do not want to travel to Singapore to earn an MBA there, you can do so from the comfort of your home. Online learning is flexible and self-paced, allowing you to still be able to carry out your other responsibilities while studying for your MBA.
The application process is done online just as you would if you want to study on-campus, the entry requirements are also the same but you need to have appropriate online learning tools to take your online classes, tests, and submit class works. Let us go on to see the online MBA in Singapore.
1. Singapore Business School (SBS) Online MBA
If you are looking for a flexible and affordable way to earn an MBA from one of the top business schools in Asia then you may want to consider the online MBA offered by the Singapore Business School. The online MBA at SBS consists of 120 credits that you can complete in a minimum of 4 months or a maximum of 24 months. You can start on any day that is convenient for you.
One of the perks of this program is that you can be accepted even with your basic education, that is, if you have only a high school diploma or an associate degree, you can apply for the program. GMAT or GRE and work experience are not required. The program is charged per credit at $490 with a scholarship and $2,999 without a scholarship. There is no application fee.
2. Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) Online MBA
MDIS in collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University is offering an online MBA to all working professionals. The program has three intakes annually in January, March, and September. It is 100% online and takes 21 months to complete. The MBA offers four specializations in Event Management, Health Management, Hospitality & Tourism Management, Leadership & Innovation, and Marketing.
If you are applying, you need to have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 2:2 and 2 years of work experience or 8 years of work experience if you are above 30 years old.
3. The Birmingham MBA in Singapore
The University of Birmingham has a campus in Singapore that offers both online and on-campus MBA programs. There are four start dates in the year January, March, July, and September. It takes 2-4 years to complete the program and the fee is $26,273.
To enter the program, hold an accredited bachelor’s degree in business or management with 2:1 and three years of relevant work experience or higher.
These are the top online MBA in Singapore, unfortunately, they are not much but they should serve well enough.
This wraps up the post on how to obtain MBA in Singapore and I hope will help you in making a good choice for your business career.
MBA in Singapore – FAQs
[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”Are international students accepted for MBA in Singapore?” answer-0=” Yes, the majority of the MBA programs in Singapore accept international students” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”Is Singapore good for MBA for Indian students?” answer-1=” MBA in Singapore is one of the best in the world, this makes it good for Indian students and every other student.” image-1=”” headline-2=”h3″ question-2=”What is the cost of an MBA in Singapore for Indian students?” answer-2=” The cost of an MBA in Singapore for Indian students is 21.3 Lakh” image-2=”” count=”3″ html=”true” css_class=””]