MBA in Singapore – Best Colleges, Fees, Eligibility & Scope

Singapore is one of the leading financial hubs of Southeast Asia, and its competitive economy makes the country one of the most sought-after education destinations globally. World-class education, job opportunities, top-notch infrastructure, excellent healthcare, and international diversity attract students worldwide to pursue higher education in Singapore. 

With some top-ranked business schools offering Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs, Singapore is one of the most preferred destinations for business administration aspirants. Singapore houses some of the top-tiered business schools, including the NUS (National University of Singapore), Asia’s best university, as per the 2021 QS World University Rankings. 

A highly competitive and well-developed economy and abundant job opportunities are some reasons why many students from all across the globe apply for MBA in Singapore.

Read More: Student Visa for Singapore

Why Study MBA in Singapore?

If you are looking at overseas options to study MBA, given below are some reasons why Singapore could be the right fit:  

1. A launchpad for startups: 

Singapore is ranked fifth on the Global Innovation Index. It offers a prime opportunity to those looking to start their ventures. The availability of specializations like innovation and entrepreneurship and programs that support new ideas makes the city-state a launchpad for startups. 

2. Host to Multinational Companies: 

Singapore hosts regional offices of several MNCs that, in turn, offer rich employment opportunities. 

3. Unique Multicural Experience: 

Singapore is one of the best Student Cities globally due to its high-quality education, affordability, and safety. Students from over 120 countries ensure a valuable intercultural experience. 

4. World-Class Institutes: 

MBA colleges in Singapore are known for providing top-notch curricula and excellent learning and employment opportunities.

5. Types of Management Programs in Singapore

MBA types in Singapore include Executive MBA, Double Master’s, Professional MBA, MSc in Accountancy, MSc in Analytics,  MSc in Finance, MSc in Sustainable and Green Finance, MSc in Supply Chain Management, MSc in Communication Management, and others.

MBA in Singapore – Best Universities

Students usually apply for a full-time or executive MBA in Singapore. Many reputed universities offer MBA programs, although they have varying eligibility criteria and fee structures. 

Here are university/college-wise eligibility criteria for applicants.

1. National University of Singapore (NUS)

QS World University Ranking by Subject 2022: #1 in Singapore and #13 Globally

Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree 
• At least two years of full-time work experience. 
• Good scores in GRE/GMAT. EA (Executive Assessment) is allowed for those with 7+ years of work experience
• TOEFL (Minimum 100) or IELTS (Minimum 6.5) scores are needed if a student’s undergraduate course was not taught in English

2. SMU (Singapore Management University) 

QS World University Ranking by Subject 2022: #3 in Singapore and #36 Globally

 Eligibility

• University degree 
• At least two years of full-time work experience 
• Admission test (SMU Admissions Test/GRE/GMAT) results 
• TOEFL scores are needed for students who did not study their undergraduate courses in English

Source: MiM Essay 

3. Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

QS World University Ranking by Subject 2022: #2 in Singapore and #20 Globally

 Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Minimum two years of working experience 
• GRE/GMAT scores 
• TOEFL (above 100) or IELTS (above 6.5) scores if the student did not study their undergraduate course in English 

International Universities with Campuses in Singapore 

1. INSEAD (Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires)

Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution 
• GMAT scores- above the 70-75th percentile in verbal and quantitative sections and six or more in Integrated Reasoning
• GRE scores are also accepted (80%+ in verbal and quantitative sections are recommended) 
• 2-10 years of work experience 
• Fluency in English 

2. LSBF (London School of Business and Finance) Singapore

Eligibility 

• Bachelor’s degree with at least two classifications 
• Assessment of professional qualifications 
• Two years of work experience in a professional or managerial capacity 
• Those who have not studied before in English will need IELTS 6.0 or equivalent 
• The minimum age for applying is 21 years 

3. James Cook University, Singapore

Eligibility

• AQF Level 7/Bachelor’s degree + two years of experience in a managerial role 
• AQF Level 8 Honors Degree or Graduate Certificate in Business Administration or four years of managerial business experience 
• Students from non-English speaking countries will need TOEFL 86, IELTS 6.5, or PTE Academic 58 
• Completion of the ELPP (English Language Preparatory Program) at James Cook University 

4. ESSEC Asia-Pacific

Eligibility

• At least 25 years of age when applying 
• A minimum of three years of professional experience 
• Foreign or global work experience 
• Bachelor’s degree 
• GRE/GMAT scores 
• Advanced English levels 

5. Rutgers, Singapore 

Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university 
• Diploma holders with business experience can also apply 
• 8-10 years of work experience 
• At least 28 years of age at the time of applying 
• International experience and written/oral English proficiency 
• GRE/GMAT scores are not needed 

Read More: Cost of Studying Abroad for Indian Students

Fee Structure of MBA Courses in Singapore

The cost of an MBA in Singapore will vary from one institution to another. Here is a table to help you: 

Pre-Departure Expense for MBA in Singapore

The pre-arrival cost for MBA in Singapore ranges from ₹90,000 to 1.5 lakh. This includes visa processing and issuance fees, standardized exam application charges, and one-way airfare. 

This doesn’t include bank statements that you need to prove that you can fund your studies in Singapore. The statement must show that you have finds to manage your tuition fees and living expenses.

Read More: Education Loan for study abroad

Course Duration of MBA in Singapore

Now that you know about the MBA in Singapore costs, you can view the average tenures for courses here. 

Read More: Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for MBA

Best Executive MBA in Singapore 

Executive MBA programs are for those at the senior level in their careers who wish to pursue MBA alongside their profession. 

Let us look at the best Executive MBA programs in Singapore:

1. NUS EMBA

Duration: 15 months, with 6 two-week segments

Highlight: Offers immersion into seven APAC countries. 

2. Lee Kong Chian School of Business EMBA (SMU)

Duration: 12 months 

Highlight: Stresses on globalizing Asian businesses and Asianising international businesses.

3. Nanyang Executive MBA

Duration: 10 weeks

Highlight: Explores how technologies such as automation, AI, and robotics have disrupted businesses.

MBA in Singapore Deadlines

There are usually two intakes for MBA in Singapore:

1. July Intake: The applications generally open in November, and the admission process closes in May of the following year. 
2. January Intake: The final applications close by October end.

Note that the NUS MBA starts every August, for which the applications open in October, and the admissions process closes in March of the following year.

MBA in Singapore for Indian Students – Eligibility Criteria

There are various eligibility criteria that students need to keep in mind. These include the following: 

• Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree from recognized institutions or universities with an excellent academic track record. 
• At least a 2.8 CGPA is needed at graduation. 
• Work experience of two years (minimum). 
• Many universities accept TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE Academic, GMAT, and GRE scores. The language proficiency tests are for those who have not studied their undergraduate courses in English. 
• 85-90 for the TOEFL online test, with 22-24 in the writing section. 
• Minimum scores of 580 and 237 in paper and computer-based tests, respectively. 
• IELTS scores of 6.5 and more are needed. 6.0 is required in all sections, namely writing, listening, reading, and speaking.
• Some universities may ask for responses to essay questions. Guidelines with respect to them are given on the university’s official page. 

Note that admission to top universities in Singapore is highly competitive and may require aspirants to meet additional requirements.

Documents Required for MBA in Singapore Applications 

There are many documents that you will require for MBA applications in Singapore. You will have to initially send scanned copies and present the original documents at the time of admission. 

Here is a list: 

• Receipt of application fee payment. 
• Student Pass (applicable for non-Singapore citizens). 
• Passport.
• Previous academic records.
• Tuition grant or financial aid application. 
• Documents for co-curricular activities, awards, and recognition. 
• Medical reports. 
• GMAT/GRE/TOEFL/IELTS scores, depending upon specific criteria. 
• Passport-sized photographs. 
• Study loan and other financial documents. 
• Essays/Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation, and Resume as per university guidelines. 
• Scholarship Essay if needed. 

Read More: MBA in India or Abroad

MBA in Singapore Application Procedure

The application process may differ across universities. However, there are some general steps that you have to follow. These include: 

• Download the application form from the official website of your chosen college/university. 
• Fill up the form after noting all instructions. 
• Submit all necessary documents with the application. 
• Pay the application fees through credit/debit card and other payment methods.  
• After submission, interviews will take place either on-call or via digital platforms. 
• Get your student visa beforehand. Once you receive the admission letter, you can quickly join your course without any delays.

Singapore Visa Process for Students 

Students can apply for their visas by following the below-given simple steps: 

• Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) submit your visa application on Student’s Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) website. IHL then gives you your reference number. You can take your application forward from there. 
• Access SOLAR to submit e-Form 16 and Form V36. Before logging in, you must have your passport number, its expiration date, SOLAR registration receipt, address and contact details in Singapore, email address, and a passport-sized photograph.
• Review the form and pay the application processing fee of SGD 30. 

Note that your student visa application for Singapore is usually processed within 10 days from the date of submission.

MBA in Singapore with Scholarships

While MBA in Singapore is decently affordable, living costs and other miscellaneous costs can make the program expensive. To reduce the cost significantly, applicants can explore the following scholarship options: 

1. ADB – Japan Scholarship for Developing Countries

Students from developing countries pursuing postgraduate courses in business, management, economics, or technology can avail of the benefits of the grant. Tuition fees, monthly living allowance, study material, medical insurance, and travel expenses are all covered under it. 

2. Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship

The grant is offered to Indian nationals interested in pursuing a master’s from an international university. The program offers full and partial scholarships as interest-free loans to meritorious students. 

3. INSEAD-Syngenta MBA Scholarships for Developing Country Leaders

MBA students at INSEAD of both France and Singapore campuses can benefit from the scholarship. An amount of €22,500 per year is granted under it. 

Students can also apply for scholarships at specific business schools in Singapore to pursue the course.

MBA in Singapore Scope

Before we move to understand prospects after completing MBA in Singapore, let us get information on top hiring companies: 

• Google
• Meta 
• Accenture 
• Apple 
• Capgemini 
• Uber 
• Gartner 
• IBM
• PwC
• EY
• Cisco Systems
• HP Inc. 
• Morgan Mckinley 

Career prospects after pursuing the course from the best MBA Colleges in Singapore: 

Study Abroad with upGrad Abroad 

upGrad Abroad offers flexible study solutions to help aspirants achieve their foreign education dreams through collaborations with the top international universities. You can pursue courses with us and save one-fifth on your education cost while getting the same PSWP benefit and more. To know more, get in touch with our counsellors now. Here are some popular MBA courses offered by upGrad Abroad:

MBA from IU Germany

The 18-month-long course is offered part online and part on-campus at IU. 

Some benefits of the program include 

• 11 specializations to choose from – Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Management, Engineering Management, E-Sports Management, Finance & Accounting, Healthcare Management, Human Resource Management, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and many more. 
• Get an option of a Dual Degree from London South Bank University
• No IELTS is required to study in Germany for upGrad learners

MBA from University Canada West

The course facilitated by upGrad Abroad is offered in collaboration with IMT Ghaziabad and University Canada West. 

Some benefits of the program include 

• Certificate from IMT, Ghaziabad, and a Master’s Degree from UCW
• Career Essential Soft Skills Program
• IELTS Prep Provided by upGrad