Looking for the best full-time MBA programs in Singapore? Here’s your ultimate guide! Now you can compare the city-state’s best MBA programs head-to-head and get the inside scoop from Admissions Directors, MBA alumni and more from Singapore’s best MBA programs.

• 5 REASONS TO GET YOUR MBA IN SINGAPORE
• WORKING IN SINGAPORE AND POST-MBA CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
• TOP FULL-TIME MBA PROGRAMS IN SINGAPORE
• APPLICATION TIPS FROM SINGAPORE MBA ADMISSIONS DIRECTORS
• WHAT’S IT REALLY LIKE AT TOP SINGAPORE MBA PROGRAMS? (STUDENT OPINIONS)
• HEAD TO HEAD – INSEAD MBA VS. NUS MBA VS. NANYANG MBA VS. SMU MBA
• GET EARLY INDICATION OF FIT FROM NUS MBA

5 Reasons to Get Your MBA in Singapore

1. One of the best places in the world to do business – home to 7000+ MNCs, many of whom have chosen Singapore for their Asia Pacific headquarters. Perennially ranked as one of the easiest places in the world to conduct business.

2. A highly developed, modern, cosmopolitan city (40% of the population are foreigners), and long-time conduit between East and West, the island city-state benefits from a multi-cultural society of Chinese, Malays, Indians, Eurasians and expatriates. The national language is English, making it a convenient place for foreigners to get situated in Asia.

3. Singapore is a rapidly growing wealth management center, ranking 6th largest in the world by a 2015 ranking from Deloitte.

4. Singapore has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world – and is one of the easier countries for foreigners to gain employment. Non-residents are taxed a flat rate of 15%.

5. The downside of Singapore’s economic growth is that living costs have also risen, and it is now one of the world’s top 5 most expensive cities.

Working in Singapore and Post-MBA Career Opportunities

• Visa – from NUS: “The duration for students to remain in Singapore to continue their job search is at the discretion of the Singapore Immigration Authority. The duration may range from a few months, up to a maximum of one year.”
• Taxes – Low income taxes at 15% for non-residents. The highest tax bracket for residents is capped at 20%.
• School reputations
  • Insead is the highest ranked MBA program in Singapore and has a reputation for being one of the top non-US MBA programs (along with London Business School). Insead was established in 1957.
  • National University of Singapore (NUS) has the biggest brand for a local Singaporean university, ranking 12th internationally by QS (for 2015/16). It is Singapore’s oldest university and is considered one of the best universities in Asia.
  • Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was ranked 13th internationally (2015/16) by QS. NTU has a strong reputation for engineering and accounting, and also has an outstanding reputation in China.
  • Singapore Management University (SMU) is a business and management focused university modeled after Wharton that opened in 2000. It’s known for producing competitive graduates with strong soft skills and has strong ties with Singapore’s business community. Unlike Insead, NUS, and NTU, SMU has yet to be ranked by the Financial Times or Economist, but is well-known in Singapore.
• Geography – Insead places many grads in Europe and Asia Pacific but also in 55+ countries worldwide; Singapore schools (NUS, Nanyang, SMU) have the strongest reputation in Singapore, SouthEast Asia, China and India
• Industry – while Insead sends over 40% of graduates into consulting industry, the Singapore schools place most grads into financial services, consulting and technology industries
• Return on Investment – Insead, NUS and Nanyang rank 10, 38, and 39 respectively in Financial Times’ value for money rank

MBA Application Tips for Top Singapore Business Schools

• Singapore MBA programs are looking for diversity – applicants from Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa & Middle East are highly sought
• As all programs have a Asian focus, demonstrating interest in region is key; experience with Singapore or other Asian countries a plus
• Demonstrating well-researched and achievable post-MBA career plans is important as Singapore is one of the world’s most open labor markets.

Top Full-Time MBA Programs in Singapore 

Insead, NUS and Nanyang’s MBA programs are the top-ranked MBA programs in Singapore, consistently placing in the top 40 in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking. SMU’s MBA program started in 2008 and has yet to be ranked by the Financial Times.

Insead MBA 

• One of world’s most global MBA programs with over 90 nationalities; one of the few MBA programs to place a sizeable percentage of graduates in Western Europe (34%), Asia (28%), North America (12%) and Middle East/Africa (10%)
• 10-month general management MBA program with 2 intakes (Jan, Sep), 3 campuses (France, Singapore, Abu Dhabi) and over 1,000 students/year
• Sends over 40% of graduates into consulting industry & function; hundreds work for McKinsey, Bain and BCG
• Consistently ranked top 5 worldwide by Financial Times – was ranked #1 for first time in Financial Times 2016 ranking

NUS MBA

• 12 or 17-month options with 100 students/intake
• Specializations in Finance, Marketing, Strategy, Real Estate, Healthcare Management
• Strong exchange possibilities with 60+ partners and numerous dual degree linkages with top universities in China, Asia, and France
• Consistently ranked top 35 worldwide by Financial Times
• Singapore’s oldest and most well-known university

Nanyang MBA 

• Recently changed to 12-month format with tracks in Banking & Finance, Strategy & Innovation, General Management
• At 55,000 SGD and with a 1-year program, it’s the most affordable top MBA in Singapore and focused on graduate ROI
• More project focused: students required to take less courses (9 core, 4 electives) but must complete 1 leadership module, 1 business study mission and 1 strategy project
• Strongest reputation in Singapore, China, and India, and for accounting and finance
• Nanyang Business School was the first business school in Singapore to attain accreditations from EQUIS and AACSB, and has been the top-ranked Singapore MBA program (Economist) since 2004

SMU MBA 

• Singapore’s national university focused on business & management; modeled after Wharton, it’s located in the city center and has established strong relationships with Singapore’s business community
• 12-month general management MBA with 60 Full-time students per year
• An up & coming university – SMU undergrads are among Singapore’s highest paid, and the university has opened a dazzling amount of business related Masters programs the last few years
• MBA program started in 2008 and has yet to be ranked by Financial Times or Economist

Application Tips from Singapore B-School Admissions Directors 

"We are looking for candidates with good career trajectory; so at least two years of work experience even though the average would be five years of work experience. If you come in with two or three years of work experience, it’s best that there is a strong case supporting you. Either you’re a young team leader or you’re a young entrepreneur or you have an extremely high GMAT score with good academic qualifications."

Chua Nan Sze, Marie Antonie, Director of Graduate Studies, NUS Business School

"Round 1 is "batch" mode which means we look at all the applications we receive then make a decision about who we're going to interview. We'll rank them accordingly and shortlist them for interviews. Round 2 is also "batch" but with a rolling twist. When we are doing Round 1 admissions we are selecting people we are able to make offers to. So in a sense we are building the class around Round 1 admits. When you apply in Round 2 we more or less know the people we need. For Round 2 applicants you need to be at the same or better caliber than Round 1 applicants. Round 2 becomes faster because we are benchmarking you already. That's why if you apply in Round 2 you'll get an earlier interview."

Nick Soriano, Former Director of MBA Marketing & Admissions, Nanyang Technological University

"We’d like to find people who have a good work profile, that have shown a good solid career progression that they’re starting to manage people or they’re managing people and they’re responsible for significant decisions within their firm. The reason that you want those type of people is they add a great deal to your discussion. They’re people that once they start managing people their career is going to go in a direction in which they're going to have great impact. So, we’re looking for people that have shown that early ability to manage and to lead and to handle bigger decision within organizations."

Dr. Philip Zerrillo, Dean of Postgraduate Professional Programs, Singapore Management University

The school is looking at the quality of your work experience and looking to understand if you’re someone who is a high performer. The best predictor of future performance is past performance. They are not just looking at have you managed teams or have you had some fantastic leadership achievement. They are looking at have you delivered really good results? Have you delivered something that was beyond what was expected? Have you taken initiative? How well are you regarded by your colleagues? This will come through in the recommendations."

Caroline Diarte Edwards, Director, Fortuna Admissions & Former Director of Admissions for INSEAD

What’s It Really Like At Top Singapore MBA Programs?

(click to get in-depth interviews with each school’s MBA Ambassador)

Join our Ambassador’s Forum to get the inside scoop from Singapore MBA students and recent alumni.

"NUS is very strong in finance, technology and consulting. There are more opportunities of course but I see a lot of companies from these industries in our job portal. If you are interested in entrepreneurship you will find a good chance to develop your idea in the university lab that functions like an accelerator. NUS is focused in Singapore and many opportunities are here. Nevertheless, it is well known in all Asia and with student initiative shouldn't be hard to find opportunities overseas. I am not very sure about opportunities in US and Europe because I haven't look there much, but having an exchange program in those continents will definitely be helpful for that end."

Francisco Bonomi, NUS MBA 2016

“There’s a lot more than classwork. We work a lot in groups and we do assignments together, we help each other out. That’s something very significant about the program.”

Laura Melina Loeven, Nanyang MBA 2016

"Career switchers should target the January intake, unless they're looking to get into consulting. Then both intakes are fine."

Viet Le Quoc, Insead MBA 2013

Next Steps

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Head to Head – Insead MBA vs. NUS MBA vs. Nanyang MBA vs. SMU MBA

last updated June 1, 2016

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