The Best MBA Programs in Singapore – Head to Head (2022)
Looking for the best full-time MBA programs in Singapore? Here’s your ultimate guide! 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. All on one page!
last updated November 2021
Why Singapore for your MBA?
Five reasons to get your MBA in Singapore:
1. Singapore is home to 7000+ MNCs, many of whom have chosen Singapore as their Asia Pacific headquarters. Singapore is perennially ranked as one of the world’s easiest places to conduct business.
2. A highly developed, modern, cosmopolitan city (35% of the population are non-residents), 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. Deloitte ranked Singapore as the world’s 2nd best wealth management centre (2021); Singapore is the 5th largest wealth management centre by international market volume.
4. Singapore has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world (2.2%), and is one of the easier countries for foreigners to gain employment.
5. The downside of Singapore’s economic growth is that living costs have also risen, and it is now the 7th most expensive city in the world.
Top Full-Time MBA Programs in Singapore
Insead MBA
- Consistently ranked top 5 worldwide by the Financial Times, Insead has a reputation for being one of the best MBA programs outside the US (along with London Business School). Insead was established in 1957.
- One of world’s most global MBA programs with over 100 nationalities; one of the few MBA programs to place a sizeable percentage of graduates in Western Europe (38%), Asia (25%), Middle East/Africa (10%), North America (7%) and South America (7%)
- 10-month general management MBA program with 2 intakes (January, August), 3 campuses (France, Singapore, Abu Dhabi) and over 1,000 students/year
- Sends over 45% of graduates into consulting industry & function; hundreds work for McKinsey, Bain and BCG
- Insead’s MBA was ranked #1 worldwide by the Financial Times (2021)
NUS MBA
- National University of Singapore (NUS) has the biggest brand for a local Singaporean university, ranking 11th internationally by QS (2022). It is Singapore’s oldest university and is considered one of the best universities in Asia
- 17-month program with 100-120 students/intake
- Specializations in Analytics & Operations, Consulting, Digital Business, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Real Estate, Strategy & Organization, Healthcare Management
- Strong exchange possibilities with 60+ partners and numerous dual degree linkages with top universities in China, Asia, and France
- Consistently ranked top 20 worldwide by Financial Times
Nanyang MBA
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU or Nanyang) was ranked 12th internationally by QS (2022), making NUS and NTU the top two ranked universities in Asia. NTU has a strong reputation for engineering and accounting, and also has an outstanding reputation in China
- Recently changed to 12-month format with 6 specialization tracks in Banking & Finance, Strategy & Innovation, Marketing Management, Human Capital Management, Business Analytics, Sustainability and General Management
- At 65,000 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 live consulting project
- 80-100 students per year, and consistently ranked top 40 worldwide
SMU MBA
- Singapore Management University (SMU) is a business and management focused university modeled after Wharton that opened in 2000. Located in the city center, it’s known for producing competitive graduates with strong soft skills and has strong ties with Singapore’s business community.
- 12-month general management MBA with 60 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
- SMU’s MBA program is not even 15 years old, but has ranked as high as #43 in the Financial Times (2019), and the Lee Kong Chian School of Business has already been triple accredited by AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA
Insider Interviews with Singapore MBA Admissions Directors
Listen to our in-depth interviews about what makes each MBA program unique and what you can do to give yourself the best chance of getting in:
Touch MBA’s Admissions Advice
- Singapore MBA programs are looking for diversity – applicants from South East Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa & Middle East are highly sought
- As NUS, Nanyang and SMU MBA programs have a Asian focus, demonstrating interest in region is key; experience with Singapore or other Asian countries a plus
- Demonstrating international experience and cross-cultural adaptability is essential to gain a spot at Insead
- Demonstrating well-researched and achievable post-MBA career plans is important as Singapore is one of the world’s most open labor markets
Get free school selection help and an expert profile review from Touch MBA
Plus, get feedback from from NUS MBA’s admissions team before you apply. Thank you NUS for supporting Touch MBA’s mission to make expert MBA guidance accessible to applicants worldwide.
What’s it Really Like at Top Singapore MBA Programs?
MBA students & alumni share their experience:
Post-MBA Careers in Singapore
- Visas – from NUS: “The duration for international 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 – Non-resident individuals are taxed at a flat rate of 22%, except that Singapore employment income is taxed at a flat rate of 15% or at resident rates with personal reliefs, whichever yields a higher tax.
- Industry – while Insead sends over 40% of graduates into consulting, the Singapore schools place most grads into financial services, consulting and technology industries
- Geography – Insead places many grads in Europe and Asia Pacific but also in 60 countries worldwide; Singapore schools (NUS, Nanyang, SMU) have the strongest reputation and placements in Singapore, SouthEast Asia, China and India
- Return on Investment – Insead, NUS, Nanyang and SMU rank 7, 23, 27 and 31, respectively in Financial Times’ value for money rank (2021), reflecting Singapore MBA programs’ great ROI.
Head-to-Head: Insead vs NUS vs Nanyang vs SMU
Comparison table best viewed on desktop or laptop. Last updated November 2021.
| Insead | NUS | Nanyang | SMU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degrees Offered | MBA MBA+John Hopkins SAIS MA Int’l Affairs MBA+Columbia MA Education Leadership MBA+Yale MA in Advanced Management | The NUS MBA (12 or 17 mo.) NUS-Peking MBA (24 mo.) NUS-HEC MBA (24 mo.) NUS MBA-LKY MPP (24 mo.) NUS MBA - Yale SOM (24 mo.) | The Nanyang MBA (12 or 18 mo.) Nanyang–Essec MBA (24 mo.) Nanyang–St. Gallen MBA (24 mo.) Nanyang–Waseda (14 mo.) | The SMU MBA (10 or 15 mo.) |
| Class Size | 1,000 | 100-120 | 80-100 | 60-80 |
| GMAT (avg) | 701 | 670 | 670 | 640 |
| Age (avg) | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 |
| Work Exp (avg) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5-6 |
| Class Makeup (no. nationalities) | 85 | 24 | 15 | 15 |
| Start Date | January; August | July/August | End July | January |
| Length | 10 months | 17 months (with option to fast-track 12 mo.) | 12 months (with option to extend to 18 mo.) | 12 months |
| RANKINGS | ||||
| Financial Times 2021 (2020, 2019) | 1 (4, 3) | 14 (15, 17) | 37 (35, 30) | 58 (63, 43) |
| Economist 2021 (2019, 2018) | NR (22, 19) | 43 (60, 73) | 38 (73, 68) | NR (NR, NR) |
| Bloomberg Businessweek 2021-22 | 4 in Europe | 3 in Asia-Pacific | NR | NR |
| ADMISSIONS | ||||
| Requirements | Bachelor’s degree GMAT (above 70-75th percentile in verbal & quant rec’d, IR 6 or above rec'd) or GRE (above 80th percentile in verbal & quant rec’d) Fluent English and Practical knowledge of 1 other language Rec’d min 2 years workexp TOEFL (105), IELTS (7.5), PTS (72) | Bachelor’s Degree GMAT or GRE Min 2 years workexp TOEFL (100), IELTS (6.5) | Bachelor’s Degree Competitive GMAT or GRE Min 2 years workexp TOEFL (100), IELTS (6.5) | Bachelor’s Degree GMAT or GRE Min 2 years workexp TOEFL, IELTS |
| Deadlines | For Jan Intake Rd 1: Mar 1 Rd 2: Apr 19 Rd 3: Jun 14 Rd 4: Jul 26 For Aug Intake Rd 1: Sep 7 Rd 2: Nov 2 Rd 3: Jan 6 Rd 4: Feb 22 | NUS MBA Rd 1: Oct 28 Rd 2: Jan 17 Rd 3: Mar 31 NUS – LKY December 31 NUS – HEC March 31 NUS – Peking March 31 NUS - Yale SOM Coming Soon | Rd 1: Nov 1 Rd 2: Jan 15 Rd 3: Mar 31 | Rd 1: Mar 15 Rd 2: Jul 15 Rd 3: Oct 30 |
| Application Fee | 250€ | 100 SGD | 100 SGD | 100 SGD |
| Tuition | 91,225 - 92,575€ | 76,000 SGD (excludes 7% GST) | 65,000 SGD (excludes 7% GST) | 67,410 SGD (includes GST) |
| Est Living Costs | 2,800€/month (France) 2,777€/month (Singapore) | Not available | 1200-1500 SGD/month | Not available |
| Application Materials | Online application Resume 4 essays 2 recommendations Academic transcripts GMAT or GRE TOEFL/IELTS/TOEIC/PTE score report (if applicable) | Online application Resume 2 essays 2 recommendations Academic transcripts GMAT or GRE TOEFL/ IELTS score report (if applicable) Financial Support Documents | Online application Resume 4 essays 2 recommendations Academic transcripts GMAT or GRE TOEFL/ IELTS score report (if applicable) Financial Support Documents | Online Application Resume 2 essays 2 recommendations Academic transcripts GMAT or GRE TOEFL/IELTS score report (if applicable) |
| Exchange | Wharton, Kellogg, CEIBS | 60 partner schools worldwide in 26 countries | Exchange, whether in the form of a full-term exchange or a summer programme, is possible only after completing the 12-month programme. Nanyang is a member of PIM, comprised of 65 partner schools worldwide | 5 partner schools in 5 countries |
| Scholarship | 30% receive scholarships; average scholarship amount is 19,700€ 100+ scholarships available | 13 categories of scholarships available | Merit-based scholarships available, ranging from 10-20% of tuition, awarded for gender, industry and geographic diversity | 8 categories of scholarships; award amounts range from 5,000-25,000 SGD |
| Location | Time to City Centre: 15 min (taxi) 30 min (subway) | Time to City Centre: 20 min (taxi), 40 min (subway/bus) | Time to City Centre: 25 min (taxi), 60 min (subway/bus) | Time to City Centre: 0-5 min |
| PROGRAM | ||||
| Core Curriculum | CORE (14) Financial Accounting Financial Markets & Valuation Organizational Behavior I Prices & Markets Uncertainty, Data & Judgement Introduction to Strategy Corporate Financial Policy Managing Customer Value Organizational Behavior II Managerial Accounting Process & Operations Management Leadership Communication Foundations Business and Society Macroeconomics in the Global Economy | CORE (9) Corporate Strategy Financial Management Financial Accounting Managerial Economics Marketing Management Managerial Operations & Analytics Leading with Impact EXPERIENTIAL CORE (3): Launch Your Transformation MBA Survival Kit MBA Consulting Project | CORE (9) Accounting Finance Marketing Operations Strategic Management Technology & E-business Economics & Markets Analytics for Decision Making Corporate Governance & Ethics EXPERIENTIAL CORE (3): 1 leadership module 1 business study mission 1 strategy project | CORE (8) Corporate Finance Strategic Management Leading Digital Transformation Financial Accounting Managerial Economics Marketing Operations Management Organizational Behavior and Leadership |
| Electives | Choose 11 electives from more than 75 courses | Choose 9 electives from 50 academic and experiential electives | Choose 4 electives from 40 | Choose 10 electives from 30 |
| Concentrations | Analytics & Operations Consulting Digital Business Finance Real Estate Marketing Strategy & Organization Healthcare Management | Banking & Finance Strategy & Innovation General Management Marketing Management Human Capital Management | Sector Focuses in: Family Business and Entrepreneurship Finance Energy Technology |
|
| CAREERS | Class of 2020 | Class of 2019 | Class of 2019 | Class of 2019 |
| Placement w/in 3 months | 89% | not available 94% received at least one job offer | 98% | not available 80% accepted a job within 6 months |
| Average Salary (sign on bonus) | 103,800 USD (25,000) 188,000 USD, 3 years after graduation | 74,000 USD 161,000 USD, 3 years after graduation | Not available 134,000 USD, 3 years after graduation | Not available 121,000 USD, 3 years after graduation |
| Salary Increase, 3 years after graduation | 96% | 138%, | 126% | 115% |
| Top Geographies | 57 countries of employment 38% Northern/Western Europe 25% Asia Pacific 10% Africa/Middle East 10% Southern Europe 7% North America 7% South America | Not available | 53% Singapore 20% East Asia 12% South East Asia 6% India 5% Europe | 67% Singapore 8% Japan 5% China 5% Taiwan 5% India 5% South East Asia |
| Top Industries | 48% Consulting 23% Technology & Media 15% Corporate Services 14% Financial Services | Not available | 27% Technology 20% Consulting 16% Financial Services 10% Manufacturing 7% Consumer Products / Retail 6% Healthcare / Pharma | 21% Financial Services 19% Technology 10% Consulting 10% Manufacturing 10% Healthcare 5% Real Estate 5% Accounting |
| Top Functions | Not available | Not available | Not available | 26% Marketing & Sales 20% Finance & Accounting 18% Consulting 13% Operations / Supply Chain 10% General Management |
| Alumni | 30,000+ MBA alumni with 47 national chapters (173 countries); 63,000 Insead alumni | 40,000 NUS Business School Alumni | 50,000 Nanyang Business School Alumni in 90+ countries | Roughly 1,000 MBA alumni and 20,000 SMU alumni worldwide |
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