Did you know that Singapore is considered to be one of the most innovative countries according to the Global Innovation Index?
Another aspect that this small country in South Asia is also known for is having some of the best business schools! So, if you are looking for an international MBA program to boost your professional career, the NUS or INSEAD Singapore campus are some of the top B-schools that you can attend!
Of course this will not be an easy process. Cracking a top MBA program requires knowledge, experience, and context. But, we are here to help you get the head start you need.
In this article you will find every bit of detail you need to start applying at the top B-schools in Singapore!
Top B-Schools in Singapore
If you are planning to pursue your MBA in Singapore then there are 4 top-tier institutions you need to concentrate on. Here’s a quick look at some of the important details of these programs –
| Business School | World Ranking | MBA Program Length | Approx. Tuition Cost (INR) |
| INSEAD Singapore | #3 | 10 Months | 70,58,641 |
| National University of Singapore NUS |
#17 | 17 Months | 32,74,4627 |
| Nanyang Business School | #30 | 1 year | 32,75,4627 |
| Singapore Management University-Lee Kong Chian School of Business | #43 | 1 year | 34,92,936 |
These 4 institutions are considered to be truly some of the best places to receive business education at. And Singapore is one of the fastest growing countries in terms of MBA applications as well!
The multicultural society and the gratuitous job offers for MBA degree holders makes it an amazing place to be in. On the other hand, the requirements for being admitted to one of these programs is much more relaxed compared to some of the top American and European B-schools.
If you are thinking about the industries that an MBA in Singapore will place you in, here’s a quick look at the placement data of NUS from a few years back:
Source: Poets & Quants, NUS Employment Data
Overall, if you want an international MBA degree and want to pursue your profession outside India as well, you should definitely apply to these MBA programs!
Requirements for MBA in Singapore
The application process for a top-tier B-school in Singapore is not very different from that of USA or Europe. You will need to have completed your graduation course and gained a certain amount of work experience. You will also need to have attempted the GMAT and IELTS/TOEFL.
The average GMAT score for the top MBA programs in Singapore is around 650+, and the average work experience is around 5 years. Keep in mind that these numbers are not monolithic. If you have a GMAT score of 620-630, you can still apply to these B-schools provided you have a strong application. This basically means your work experience needs to be qualitatively strong, and you need to have good extra-curriculars in your profile as well. But you can always try to re-take the GMAT and increase your score!
If you are applying to the top B-schools in Singapore such as NUS or INSEAD Singapore then make sure you have gained a leadership position in your organization or have gained enough promotions at a top-tier company. On the other hand, if you have a good GMAT score (650+) and potentially strong extracurriculars, then you can still make it to these MBA programs with 4-4.5 years of work experience as well!
Take a look at this short video to understand how to apply for a top-tier MBA with low GMAT score.
You will also need to cultivate a top-tier MBA mindset to crack these programs. This means developing an acute understanding of your professional goal and how you will be using the MBA to reach these goals. You will further need to build a network and understand the process from the inside. You can also try to get in touch with the alumni of your target B-school and find useful tips from them.
Overall, the requirements for the top B-schools in Singapore are much more relaxed than American and European MBA programs. So, if you are unable to pick up your GMAT score above 640 – 650, then Singapore is definitely a destination for you to consider!
Other requirements for applying to these MBA programs will include a set of recommendation letters, TOEFL/IELTS score, and you also need to have completed a full time graduation degree.
Scholarships for MBA in Singapore
What makes MBA in Singapore a very lucrative opportunity is the fact that these colleges provide a huge amount of scholarship to cover the tuition costs. These scholarships are either need-based or merit-based, and you will find all the details regarding them on the individual websites of these schools.
There are also a range of external scholarships that can help cover your MBA cost. These include the likes of Singapore International Graduate Award, Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship, BrokerFish International Student Scholarship, etc.
Singapore can be an overlooked source of quality MBA programs if you are not aware! Start researching these top B-schools and make sure you apply with enough time in hand. The best secret to cracking a top-tier MBA is being prepared!
For over 15+ years as an Entrepreneur, and India’s Top Educationist, Jatin has led a range of initiatives in the Education Industry. In this role, he has created many successful educational services and products geared towards generating success for professionals aspiring to join IVY League and global Top Tier Universities for MBA Programs, Masters Programs, and undergraduate courses. He is the Founder and CEO of PythaGURUS Education, and has been recognized as a thought leader in the Higher education sector. Economic Times, Hindustan Times, Times of India, India Today, Business Today, Tribune, and many other national newspapers have recognized his work, and have given him numerous opportunities to be a regular columnist. He has also served as a panelist for NDTV, and other national news channels.
