National University of Singapore Business School is one of the 17 faculties of the globally recognized National University of Singapore. It came into existence in 1965 and has been offering rigorous business education since then. The business school is accredited by AACSB and EQUIS and also consistently ranked at the top for quality of education, faculty research and graduates in influential ranking agencies such as QS, THE, Financial Times, etc. The university mainly offers BBA, MBA, Executive MBA, MSc and PhD programmes along with some professional courses and graduate certificate programs.
National University of Singapore Business School has an enrollment of 3,200+ students in the BBA program, 168 students in the MBA program and 75+ students in Ph.D. programs. The business school has around 63% international enrollment in the full-time MBA program and 94% international enrollment in the part-time MBA program. International students representing over 100 countries add diversity to the student body.
Admission to the National University of Singapore Business School takes place once a year in July/ August. An academic year at the university consists of two semesters and two special terms. Prospective candidates must complete the online application available on the university website and pay the necessary application fee before the closing date. It must be noted that the university does not accept hard copies of applications. The application fee for undergraduate applicants is 20 SGD. Graduate program applicants are required to pay an application fee of 100-200 SGD depending on the choice of program. The next admission intake available is August 2022, applications for which will be accepted later this year.
The business school has a selective admission policy and the level of competition among applicants is high. Admission decisions are based on academic merit and influenced by factors such as standardized test scores, work experience and strength of the application. Students seeking admission to the BBA program must have at least 12 years of general education by the July of the year of application. Applications for the MBA program are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the admission cycle. A GMAT of 700 on 800 or equivalent GRE is recommended for admission to graduate programs. Work experience of at least 2 years is necessary for admission to MBA programs and recommended for MSc programs. Applicants seeking admission to Executive MBA or UCLA-NUS EMBA must demonstrate 10 years of full-time work experience at a senior position to be eligible as the level of expertise required for these programs is higher.
Highlights
| Application Portal | Online Application |
| Application Fee | UG: 20 SGD PG: 100-200 SGD |
| Academic Calendar | Semester-based |
| Intake Seasons | July/ August |
| Accepted Test Scores | SAT/ ACT/ GRE/ GMAT |
| Average GMAT score for full-time MBA | 667 |
| Average GMAT score for part-time MBA | 654 |
| Work Experience | Required for some graduate programs |
| Financial Aid | Scholarships |
| Official Website | https://bschool.nus.edu.sg/ |
Top Programs in National University of Singapore Business School
National University of Singapore Business School is one of the most reputed business schools in Singapore and Asia-Pacific region. It offers world-class business education with some of the top programs being MBA, Executive MBA, Masters in Business Analytics, MSc in Finance, MSc in Accounting and MSc in Management. The tuition fees and work experience required for admission to top programs are summarized in the table below:
| Program | Tuition Fees (in SGD) | Work Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Business Administration | 61,650 | Not required |
| NUS MBA | 68,000 | At least 2 years of full-time work experience after completing undergraduate education. |
| NUS Executive MBA | 105,000 | At least 10 years of full-time work experience after completion of first degree. |
| UCLA-NUS EMBA | 125,000 | At least 10 years of full-time work experience after completion of first degree. |
| MSc in Business Analytics | 58,000 | At least 2 years of full-time professional work experience. |
| MSc in Accounting | 60,000 | Recommended |
| MSc in Management | 45,000 | Recommended |
National University of Singapore Business School Admission Deadlines
Application for admission in the academic year 2021-2022 has closed. The next available intake for graduate programs will be August 2022. The applications for the next intake will begin later this year. The application deadline for most programs commencing in August 2022 is March 31. However, applicants are advised to check the application deadline for applying to the choice of program.
The only upcoming deadline available is for the MSc in Management and double-degree MSc in Management + CEMS MIM program for January 2022 intake which is July 15, 2021. Admission to the MBA program takes place on a rolling basis therefore, applicants are advised to submit applications as early as possible.
National University of Singapore Business School International Students Admission
National University of Singapore Business School receives a large number of international applications for admission. International applicants must complete high school education involving at least 12 years of general education by the July of the year of application.
Application Portal: Online Application
Application Fee: 20 SGD
Basic Admission Requirements: International students must submit the following documents for admission:
- Copy of high school examination results or national examination results
- English translation of documents wherever applicable
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Additional score reports such as SAT, SAT subjects, ACT
- Copy of passport/ identification card or birth certificate
- Copy of criminal records, if applicable
- Copy of medical reports for any major illnesses
- Country-specific requirements
Country-wise Requirements
The accepted international qualifications for admission to the NUS Business School as an international student are given in the table below:
| Country | Admission Requirements |
|---|---|
| India | Most recent High School exam results prior to High School graduation with pass in 5 subjects including English |
| Pakistan | High School Graduation Certificate and transcript with a good pass; SAT/ ACT scores required |
| Bangladesh | High School Graduation Certificate and transcript with a good pass; SAT/ ACT scores required |
| Sri Lanka | A good pass in all subjects including General English Test |
| Indonesia | A good pass in Ujian Nasional (UN) |
Education
NUS has a semester-based modular system for conducting courses. It adopts features of the British system, such as small group teaching (tutorials) on top of regular two-hour lectures, and the American system (course credits). Students may transfer between courses within their first two semesters, enroll in cross-faculty modules or take up electives from different faculties (compulsory for most degrees). Other cross-disciplinary initiatives study programmes include double-degree undergraduate degrees in Arts & Social Sciences and Engineering; Arts & Social Sciences and Law; Business and Engineering; and Business and Law. At the start of every semester, students are allocated a set number of points with which they use to bid for enrollment to their module of choice. NUS has 17 faculties and schools across three campuses, including a music conservatory.
NUS offers many programmes for student enrichment, with one of these being the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Students are expected to spend several hours each week on their projects during the semester, and to work full-time on them during the vacation. UROP is offered in the following Faculties/Schools/Residential College: Arts & Social Sciences, Computing, Dentistry, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, University Scholars Programme, and Tembusu College.
University rankings
| University rankings | |
|---|---|
| Global – Overall | |
| ARWU World | 75 (2021) |
| CWTS World | 36 (2021) |
| QS World | 11 (2022) |
| THE World | 21 (2022) |
| USNWR Global | 32 (2021) |
| Regional – Overall | |
| CWTS Asia | 19 (2021) |
| QS Asia | 1 (2020) |
| THE Asia | 3 (2020) |
| USNWR Asia | 2 (2021) |
NUS is ranked first in Singapore and Asia Pacific, and 22nd in the world according to the 2018 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and first in Asia Pacific and 11th in the world according to the 2018 QS World University Rankings. NUS was named the world’s 4th most international university. In the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2018, an annual ranking of university graduates’ employability, NUS was ranked 30th in the world.
The latest QS World University Rankings 2021 ranked NUS 11th in the world and first in Asia Pacific. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 placed NUS at 21st in the world and third in Asia Pacific, while it placed at 25th and 24th in the reputation rankings in prior years.In 2020, it is ranked 29th among the universities around the world by SCImago Institutions Rankings. NUS placed 28th for 2019-2020 and 32nd for 2020-2021 globally in the Informatics Institute/METU University Ranking by Academic Performance.
National University of Singapore Business School Undergraduate Admissions
UG programs at National University of Singapore Business School are offered in eight double degree options such as BBA+Business Analytics, BBA+Economics, BBA+Engineering, BBA+MSc in Management, etc. The university admits students on the basis of academic merit. The minimum eligibility for admission to the program is Singapore A-levels or equivalent international qualifications.
Where to Apply: Online Application
Application Fee: 20 SGD
Admission Requirements: The requirements for admission to the undergraduate program based on new A-level curriculum are given below:
- Pass at least 2 subjects at H2 level and offer General Paper (GP) or Knowledge & Inquiry (KI) in the same sitting.
- Passed H1 Mathematics or O level additional mathematics
- Proof of meeting Mother Tongue Language (MTL) requirement by meeting one of the following:
- Grade of D7 for the higher MTL paper in the ‘O’ Level examination
- Grade of ‘S’/’D7’ for the H1 MTL paper or General Studies in Chinese
- Grade of ‘S’/’O’ for the H2 MTL paper at the ‘A’ Level examination
- Pass in the MTL ‘B’ syllabus paper at the ‘A’ Level examination
- Official transcripts from previously attended institution presenting completion of:
- Singapore-Cambridge GCE A level
- Diploma from a Polytechnic in Singapore
- NUS High School Diploma
- International Baccalaureate
- Additional interview/ tests may be conducted
National University of Singapore Business School Graduate Admissions
At the graduate level, National University of Singapore Business School offers MBA, Executive MBA and MSc programs. Some of the most popular programs are NUS MBA, Executive MBA, UCLA-NUS Executive MBA, MSc in Accounting, MSc in Business Analytics and MSc in Finance. The basic requirement for admission to graduate programs is a completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Admission to graduate programs are competitive and require applicants to have a strong academic background as well as work experience. Good GMAT/ GRE scores can add value to the application and increase chances of admission.
Where to Apply: Online Application available on program pages
Application Fee: 100-200 SGD
Admission Requirements: The general admission requirements for graduate applicants are as follows:
- A good bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Official undergraduate transcripts, degree certificates, mark sheets from previously attended educational institution
- Proof of English language proficiency
- GMAT/ GRE scores
- Resume/ CV including complete information of education, background, work experience, etc.
- Relevant work experience
- Two professional referee reports
- Admission essay/ Personal statement
- Interview
- Copy of passport/ identification card
- Financial documents
The table below represents the program-specific admission requirements for popular graduate programs at National University of Singapore Business School:
| Requirements | MBA | Executive MBA | Master of Business Analytics | MSc in Accounting | UCLA-NUS MBA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | 100 SGD | 200 SGD | None | 100 SGD | 200 SGD |
| Academic Requirements | Strong academic background in any undergraduate field from a reputed institution | A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution | A bachelor’s degree in Business, Computing, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, Science or Statistics; strong Mathematics foundation | A good undergraduate degree from an accredited institution | A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution |
| Transcripts | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| GMAT/ GRE/ Executive Assessment | Required, average GMAT score of 670 | GMAT scores optional; minimum GMAT score of 700 or equivalent GRE score | Required; minimum GMAT score of 700 or equivalent GRE score | GMAT/ GRE scores are optional but recommended; minimum GMAT score of 700 or equivalent GRE score | Recommended |
| Admission essays | Two admission essays | Two admission essays | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Reference letters | Two professional references | Two professional references | Two professional references | Not required | Two professional references |
| Resume | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Work Experience | Minimum 2 years of full-time work experience post-undergraduation | Minimum 10 years of full-time work experience after completion of first degree | Minimum 2 years of relevant work experience | Recommended | Minimum 10 years of full-time work experience after completion of first degree |
| Interview | Required | Required | Not required | Required | Not required |
| Additional Requirements | None | None | Personal statement answering 3 questions | Letter of Motivation | None |
It must be noted that all applications for admission to the National University of Singapore Business School are accepted through the online application portal only. The university accepts electronic submissions of supporting documents through the application portal itself. Any application with missing documents will not be processed so applicants must refer to the checklist to ensure proper completion of the application. Applicants are recommended to submit their applications at least 2 months before the application deadline as standardized test scores take at least 2 months to reach the institution. The usual application processing time is 6 to 8 weeks.
NUS caters to over 38,000 students from 100 countries, all studying within 16 faculties and schools across three campuses (Kent Ridge, Bukit Timah and Outram). Students benefit from being part of a vibrant, diverse and welcoming community.
Students at NUS are able to benefit from not only the exceptional education that the university has to offer, but from the experience of living and studying in Singapore. Singapore, as the only island city-state in the world, provides students with a fantastic educational and living infrastructure, seamless transportation and communication systems, as well as a rich heritage that blends centuries of Asian and Western traditions. Located in the heart of Asia, the NUS Business School is at the crossroads of the world.
NUS Business School
For 50 years, NUS Business School has offered a rigorous, relevant and rewarding education to outstanding students from all over the world. The school (rated Asia’s top Business School by Forbes in 2013) remains among the leading providers of business education in the world through its offering of the best global knowledge with deep Asian insights, preparing its students to lead businesses to the forefront of the world economy, and to help global businesses flourish and thrive in Asia.
Today, the school continues its tradition of attracting a diverse cohort of intelligent, talented students to its broad portfolio of academic programmes, including BBA, MBA, Executive MBA, MSc and PhD programmes. It also offers a range of customised and open enrolment programmes in its Executive Education courses. Admission to NUS Business School is remarkably competitive, and the school takes great pride in the exceptionally high quality of its students.
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
With its unique fusion of East and West, the NUS MBA is known for providing management thought leadership from an Asian perspective, opening up a wealth of opportunities for students as they embark on an exciting career. The 17-month, full time programme offers students five specialisation areas: Finance, Marketing, Strategy & Organisation, Healthcare Management, and Real Estate Management.
Rated as one of Asia’s top MBA programmes, the course aims to expand students’ thinking, horizons, opportunities and network, both personally and professionally. The programme builds essential skills and knowledge in the theory of business, but also places a strong emphasis in experiential learning modules (including Management Communication and Management Practicum). The Management Communications module aims to sensitize students the importance of communicating in complex situations and to devise effective strategies to achieve the desired outcomes. In addition, the NUS MBA have also instituted live projects (Management Practicums) as a graduating requirement, encouraging the application of concepts and theories acquired in the classroom to real-life business dilemmas. Internship and student exchange opportunities with a choice of 65 institutions provide a supportive and global study experience in the NUS MBA programme.
In addition, the NUS MBA students host ‘Cerebration’, the world’s largest annual global business case competition, receiving more than 600 entries from participating teams from business schools internationally. At the heart of the competition are real life case studies of leading Asian companies that are focused on international expansion. These cases profile strategic, operational, manpower and financial aspects of companies and look to give the participating teams a comprehensive understanding of these organisations and how they do business globally and in Asia.
The MBA Programme is accredited by both AACSB International and EQUIS, signifying that NUS Business School meets the highest standards for business education on a global level.
Best MBA in Singapore
Top business schools in Singapore – Ranking, costs, salaries
Singapore might be a city, a state and a whole country in and of itself, but its impact on the global economy and global education is quite formidable. It is one of the most desirable countries to study abroad.
It also happens to be ranked 5th in LPI index Global Rankings, by the World Bank, which is technical speak for “ease in doing international business with”.
In this article, we will list the reasons, and the resources, that have made Singapore one of the most sought after destinations for business, studies, and business studies, in not just Asia, but the entire world. And yes, we list the top business schools with the best MBA programs (full-time and part-time Executive MBA).
MBA in Singapore
Why Singapore, Best MBA Programs, Costs, Salaries & more
What makes Singapore a popular hub for an MBA degree?
America might still be an economic power house, with the most number of universities producing the brightest business minds in the world, but there are other countries catching up to the race that once began there. Countries like India, China, and Singapore, are now home to some heavy-selling MBA brands.
According to the GMAC Geographic Trend Report, for GMAT score stats in 2017, Asia received 56,213 score reports from examinees all across the globe. Though paling in comparison to American stats, this is an upward trend in the face of immigration and policy uncertainties in USA. In 2018, MBA enrolment at Singaporean business schools shot up to 3,531 with new interests blooming among international students from China, Vietnam, and India.
USA, while being a champion in dominating the market of MBA education, has been experiencing a decline in MBA applications. GMAT score reports received, from non-US citizens, at US B-Schools dropped from 61.5% in 2014 to 51.8% in 2018. This percentage is out of the total scores sent to USA, Western Europe and Canada. Hence, correspondingly, Western Europe and Canada saw an increase in applications from 18.1% and 6.6%, in 2014, to 24.1% and 8.2%, in 2018 (Source).
Leaving the brain churning statistics aside, simply put, the current trends show that Singapore is certainly an A-lister in business education. So, this clearly begs the question, what makes Singapore such a hub for MBA?
Let’s explore.
Multicultural Society
Its population is largely a mix of various Malaysian, Chinese, Indian and other minorities. Being a melting pot, of sorts, the country, and its people, are quite fluent in English and are open to induct foreign nationals into their system. Among other work permit schemes, their government offers two especially beneficial employment eligibility to foreign workers.
The Employment Pass Scheme allows skilled individuals to work in Singapore as long as they are continuously employed with a minimum monthly salary of S$3,600 (~USD2,600). Also there is no official quota as to how many are allotted each year, with the permit itself open to renewal every 1-2 years.
The Entrepreneur Pass Scheme is also similar but differs in the nature of employment, namely for entrepreneurs instead of employees. As long as the nature of the business qualifies a minimum requirement of at least S$100,000 in investor funding, or falls under the heaer of being “innovative”, or if you have a track record of solid investments (Check EntrePass official), you may be eligible for such a work permit. There is also the Personalized Employment Pass (PEP) which has a limited duration of 3 years for overseas professionals with a minimum monthly salary of at least S$18,000 (~USD 13,000) or an Employment Pass holder with a fixed monthly salary of S$12,000 (~USD 8,000).
Nevertheless, these schemes open up possibilities of seamless enterprise, or employment, as long as you fulfill their eligibility criteria of skills. MBA certainly fits the bill.
Quality of life
Life is good in Singapore, especially for an MBA degree holder. According to the QS Jobs and Salary Trend Report (download the pdf here), from 2015, Singapore is 4th among the world’s topmost countries for average MBA salary at $142,000, including bonuses. With that kind of money, and the somewhat exaggerated living costs, in the table below, you can expect a single person household to be quite comfortable.
| Items | Cost/month in USD (Numbeo) |
|---|---|
| Food Prices per person | $345 |
| Rent for a single apartment | $14,00 – $2,200 |
| Estimated single household cost | $950 (without rent) |
Clearly, you could squeeze out a lot more pennies, to save, if you choose to adopt a more practical approach to spending – living outside the city limits, using the extremely convenient public transportation system, and generally avoiding a whole lot on extravagant expenditures.
In all, with its Quality of Life Index, at 137.05, towering over Bangalore (118.67), New York City (128.10), and London (108.68), you can expect to smile quite a bit in your pursuit of happiness.
International Student Scholarships
And if the tuition feels heavy on the pocket and loans feel like a way to near perpetual debtdom, Singapore universities/institutes also offer a variety of scholarships to international students.
Read the individual MBA school details, below, for a closer look.
Brand of business schools, for an MBA
Clearly, all the glitz would mean nothing if the quality of the MBA degree, itself, held no value in the international circle. With its sensible education approach, relatively low tuition cost as compared to the US, world class teaching faculty, and an extremely daunting network of past alumni, most having established a drool worthy position at the top MBA recruiting companies in the world – read McKinsey, Boston Consulting, Bain & Company, Amazon, Google, Microsoft and all such companies with a kingdom of their own – Singapore business schools are now a brand to scale other business schools. Did we mention that their global ranks are well within the first 50?
Best Business Schools in Singapore
Here are the top business schools for an MBA in Singapore.
| Sl. No. | B-School | World Ranking(2021) | Average/Maximum Post MBA Salary(USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1) | National University of Singapore (NUS) | #14 (Financial Times – FT) #28 (QS) | $161,200 (Average 3 year after graduation) |
| 2) | INSEAD Singapore | #1 (FT) | $$103,800 + Bonus |
| 3) | Nanyang Technological University (NTU)-Nanyang Business School | #37 (FT) #30 (QS) | $134,000 |
| 4) | Singapore Management University-Lee Kong Chian School of Business | #58 (FT) | $121,300 |
Top MBA Programs in Singapore | Full-time & Part-time
| Business School | Duration | Approx. Tuition (USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National University of Singapore NUS MBA | Full Time: 17 Months Part Time: Available | Full Time: ~$55,800 + Tax Part Time: ~$55,800 + Tax Financial Aid & Scholarship | |
| INSEAD Singapore MBA | 10 Months | ~$104,100 depending on the intake season Financing & Scholarship | |
| Nanyang Business School Full Time MBA | 1 year | ~$45,600 Financing & Scholarships | |
| Nanyang Business School Nanyang Waseeda Double MBA | 14 Months in Singapore & Japan(Optional) | $45,600 | |
| Singapore Management University-Lee Kong Chian School of Business MBA | Full Time: 1 year (10 week internship) Part Time: 18 Months | ~49,500 Full-Time ~$50,200 Part-Time Financing & Scholarships |
Agriculture/Veterinary
Art & Design
| No. | Institute | Teaching Quality | QA Criteria | Research | Total Score |
| 1 | National College of Arts, Lahore | 34.21 | 0 | 22.00 | 56 |
| 2 | Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Karachi | 28.61 | 11 | 0.00 | 40 |
Computer Sciences & IT
Business Education
| No. | Institute | Teaching Quality | QA Criteria | Research | Total Score |
| 1 | Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore | 30.38 | 14 | 24.83 | 69.21 |
| 2 | Institute of Business Administration Karachi | 17.09 | 15 | 8.42 | 40.51 |
| 3 | Iqra University,Karachi | 20.09 | 14 | 5.96 | 40.05 |
| 4 | Sukkar, Institute of Business Administration, Sukkar | 17.32 | 15 | 7.31 | 39.64 |
| 5 | National College of Business Administration & Economics, Lahore | 22.11 | 1 | 14.59 | 37.70 |
| 6 | Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science & Technology, Karachi | 11.51 | 11 | 8.94 | 31.46 |
| 7 | Institute of Management Sciences,Peshawar | 9.14 | 14 | 8.30 | 31.44 |
| 8 | Lahore School of Economics, Lahore | 13.48 | 11 | 4.61 | 29.09 |
| 9 | Imperial College of Business Studies, Lahore | 20.11 | 7 | 0.00 | 27.11 |
| 10 | Institute of Management Sciences, Lahore | 10.60 | 11 | 2.47 | 24.06 |
| 11 | Institute of Business Management, Karachi | 10.29 | 10 | 1.74 | 22.03 |
| 12 | Institute of Business and Technology, Karachi | 17.80 | 2 | 0.25 | 20.05 |
| 13 | KASB Institute of Technology, Karachi | 11.66 | 7 | 0.35 | 19.01 |
Engineering & Technology
| No. | Institute | Teaching Quality | QA Criteria | Research | Total Score |
| 1 | Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad | 36.51 | 17 | 28.27 | 81.79 |
| 2 | National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad | 25.83 | 18 | 18.22 | 62.05 |
| 3 | Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences & Technology, Topi | 24.37 | 9 | 22.67 | 56.03 |
| 4 | University of Engineering and Technology- Lahore | 16.15 | 12 | 11.65 | 39.79 |
| 5 | University of Engineering and Technology-Taxila | 16.82 | 10 | 12.23 | 39.05 |
| 6 | Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad | 14.72 | 14 | 9.92 | 38.64 |
| 7 | KPK University of Engineering and Technology | 12.48 | 12 | 6.05 | 30.53 |
| 8 | Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro | 12.11 | 12 | 5.59 | 29.70 |
| 9 | NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi | 10.66 | 13 | 4.50 | 28.16 |
| 10 | Air University, Islamabad | 13.77 | 10 | 4.27 | 28.04 |
| 11 | National Textile University, Faisalabad | 9.68 | 8 | 8.44 | 26.12 |
| 12 | Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science & Technology, Nawabshah | 7.97 | 14 | 1.54 | 23.51 |
| 13 | Balochistan University of Engg & Technology, Khuzdar | 8.37 | 13 | 1.52 | 22.89 |
| 14 | Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi | 7.59 | 14 | 0.86 | 22.45 |
| 15 | Mirpur University of Science & Technology, AJ&K | 6.78 | 13 | 2.18 | 21.96 |
| 16 | Dawood College of Engineering & Technology, Karachi | 5.78 | 14 | 0.00 | 19.78 |
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