Singapore is a small Southeast Asian country with a large, stable, growing, and expanding economy. The country is well-known for its international trading which accounts for the majority of its wealth.
Singapore strongly supports the business sector, making it one of the few countries where you can start or establish a business in a single day. As a result, the country has become an investors’ favorite, and the World Bank has ranked it as one of the top countries in the world to start a business.
The field of business and management is well-known in the country, and it is also the program in which most international students enroll. Because of the country’s prosperous economy, graduates in the field can easily find jobs, with business graduates from other countries also seeking employment in the country.
The following are top business schools in Singapore that contribute to the business workforce resource.
Top Business Schools in Singapore
1. National University of Singapore
NUS Business School is a part of the National University of Singapore, a reputable university known for providing high-quality education. The business school is also considered one of the top-performing business schools in the country, Asia, and the world. It employs a faculty well-known for business educators and researchers who have produced publications sought by policymakers and leaders in the industry.
This top business school in Singapore is committed to providing its students with the knowledge and skills necessary to help the Asian market thrive not only locally and in Asia, but also globally. At the same time, it imparts the Asian perspective on various fields of business to its international students.
The NUS Business Schools offers 4-year Direct Honors Bachelor of Business Administration that gives students the option to decide and declare their major after reading four semesters. The nine majors offered under the BBA degree program are Marketing, Operations & Supply Management, Real Estate, Accountancy, Applied Business Analytics, Business Economics, Finance, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Leadership & Human Capital Management.
Further, the institution offers an Executive MBA, 12 Master of Science courses, and a Ph.D. in Management.
Other programs in the field include a double degree program for undergraduates, short courses for business professionals, and summer schools. The average tuition fee for an undergraduate program is US$33,000; for a Master’s program, US$35-44,600; for an MBA, US$56,500; and for a Ph.D., US$29,000 per year.
2. Nanyang Technological University
As a part of the world-renowned, technology-centered Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Business School promotes the incorporation of technology into business practice. This top business school in Singapore teaches its students about the impact of technology in the industry and shares its mission of creating a sustainable environment in the business world.
Using NTU’s history and excellence in science and technology, the Nanyang Business School is dedicated to broadening its students’ perspectives and providing insight into a holistic approach in the field.
The Business School offers nine single-degree programs, two single-degree with Second Majors, and five double degrees. Further, it offers a suite of seven MBA programs, nine specialized master programs, and a Ph.D. program that focuses on Accounting, Information Systems, Operations Management, Marketing, and Strategy, International Business & Entrepreneurship.
The establishment of various partnerships with universities and industries all over the world provides its students with a variety of experiences and business perspectives that shape their minds as industry leaders and analytical thinkers. This is supplemented by a one-of-a-kind undergraduate program, graduate programs, and short courses designed to meet the needs of professionals in the field. Tuition fee is averaged at US$27,500 for undergraduate programs; US$42,200 for Master’s; US$43,300 for MBA; and US$ 27,000 for Ph.D. annually.
3. Singapore Management University
Singapore Management University (SMU), one of the best business schools in Singapore, is a government university that was established to supplement the country’s existing university education. As a university that focuses primarily on business and management, it now competes with other well-known universities in Singapore and has even been named one of the world’s top specialized schools.
Since its inception, the student population has grown exponentially, with graduates easily hired in a variety of industries both in the country and overseas. SMU is a research-focused university centered on uncovering and solving various business-related problems in the Asian market. Its faculty is made up of researchers and educators from all over the world who collaborate with other people through its research centers and institutes.
The institution offers undergraduate programs in Accountancy, Business Management, and a Bachelor of Science (Economics). The five master’s programs offered are Accountancy, Business Management, Economics, Information Systems, Law, and other specialized masters. Additionally, it also offers Ph. D.s in Accounting, Economics, Information Systems, and Business.
The school provides a rich curriculum that is integrated with immersive learning and opportunities for students to collaborate on real-time projects with companies and enterprises. Non-subsidized students pay an annual tuition fee of US$33,300 for an undergraduate program, US$50,000 for an MBA, US$36,000 for a master’s, and US$24,500 for a Ph.D.
4. Management Development Institute Singapore
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Diplomas, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
As a part of the Management Development Institute Singapore (MDIS), MDIS Business School provides its students with a comprehensive business program that guides them from the beginning of their careers to their entry into the industry.
This top business school in Singapore is proud of its quality education, which has landed its graduates jobs in reputable and large companies throughout the country. Conferences, seminars, forums, and educational tours are part of its teaching strategy, exposing students to executives and professionals in the field, learning from their insights, and exchanging ideas on a variety of topics.
The majority of its degrees are conferred by partner institutions in the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
The institution offers and awards two international Foundation Diplomas, two Diplomas, three advanced Diplomas, a graduate certificate, and a graduate Diploma. Under undergraduate programs, it offers two that are awarded by the UK’s University of Sunderland and one awarded by Teesside University. Further, there are seven Masters programs available and a Ph.D. in Business Administration.
5. Nanyang Polytechnic
The Nanyang Polytechnic’s School of Business Management is committed to providing its students with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and honed skills they need to contribute to the evolving world of business, which is increasingly focused on technology and digital-based practices.
Its full-time diploma courses include Accountancy & Finance, Banking & Finance, Business Management, Food & Beverage Business, Hospitality & Tourism Management, Mass Media Management, and Sport & Wellness Management.
Its students and alumni have won numerous international competitions and hackathons, adding to its reputation for high-quality education. The school provides internships both locally and internationally, as well as an exchange program for interested students. The average annual tuition fee ranges from $2,300 to $8,300.
6. Singapore Institute of Management
Established in 1964, the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) was founded to carry Singapore’s economic development to greater heights. Since its inception, it has continuously produced alumni whose contributions have significantly impacted the economy of the Southeast Asian nation.
This leading business school in Singapore has had the distinction of hosting the Birmingham MBA since 1993, with a syllabus that is fundamentally similar to the university’s mother institute located in the U.K. Aside from this, SIM also boasts more than 120 programs for bachelor’s and master’s degrees in partnership with prestigious American, Australian, British, and European universities.
It offers five diploma courses, 27 undergraduate programs in 14 sub-disciplines, and 18 postgraduate programs.
The quality of education at SIM is touted to be at par with its international partner universities but at a comparatively lower cost to enrolling in their home campuses in the US, Britain, Australia, and Europe. An additional advantage for its students aside from building strong international networks is the contextualization of programs for Asian use, which allows them to have skills that are relevant to their regional target job markets.
7. Singapore University of Social Sciences
The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) is relatively new but is already making waves for the quality of its education and its notable alumni. It was formerly a part of SIM but was restructured and granted autonomous status by the government in 2017. Through its School of Business (SBIZ), SUSS offers a range of more than 190 business and management programs for part-time and full-time studies for bachelor’s, master’s, and post-graduate studies. Short courses, certificate courses, professional development courses, and modular courses are also available.
A full undergraduate business program of four years at SUSS would cost about USD 95,661 without subsidies, but with subsidies, it would only cost about USD 25,339 for Singaporean citizens, almost USD 50,677 for Singapore permanent residents, and an estimated USD 61,163 for international students.
Its Bachelor of Accountancy program, reported as one of the institution’s most popular programs, is accredited by the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), and graduates are eligible to enter directly into Singapore Chartered Accountants Qualification’s program to become a chartered accountant of Singapore.
8. INSEAD Asia Campus
INSEAD is an international graduate business school that is hailed as one of the world’s best. Its home campus is in France, but it has a campus for the Asian region located in Singapore. The school is recognized by the Financial Times with top rankings across all full-time MBA programs in 2016 and 2017. It is also consistently ranked as one of the top-tier business schools globally.
INSEAD Asia Campus in Singapore offers all the programs offered on its home campus and global campuses, such as a full-time MBA program, an Executive MBA (EMBA) program, master’s programs in finance and change, and a Ph.D. program in Management. It also has partnerships with The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Tsinghua School of Economics and Management, and Sorbonne University.
With its globally acclaimed status as a leader in business education, students of INSEAD are equipped with the highest standards of study and practice and a strong international network that empowers them to take on the competitive global scene.
9. Amity Global Institute
Amity Global Institute, one of Singapore’s leading business schools, is a key institution of the global not-for-profit education foundation, Amity Education Group. Its Singapore campus is one of eleven global higher education campuses located in major cities all over the world. It offers a wide range of business and management courses in part-time and full-time modes for bachelor’s and master’s degrees, certifications, diplomas, and advanced diplomas. Students can also choose to study on campus or through e-learning modes.
With over 175,000 students globally, AGI Singapore is part of a global community of scholarship characterized by diversity and excellence. It is renowned for highly relevant education that subscribes to global standards, top-quality facilities, and distinguished faculty who possess real-world experiences.
AGI prides itself not only on its global status but also on its partnerships with well-established and renowned universities such as the University of London, the University of Northampton, and Teesside University. This gives their graduates the advantage of having a distinction of prestige resulting from stringent quality assurance processes and the highest quality educational standards that are highly valued by employers. These partnerships also offer the security of an internationally recognized credential that will give graduates an upper hand in landing desired positions.
10. James Cook University Singapore
James Cook University Singapore is a branch of the highly-renowned James Cook University in Australia. It is ranked in the top 20 universities in the world and is the first university to achieve the EduTrust Star in Singapore in 2015. It is also accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business Administration (AACSBA), a distinction given only after a rigorous independent review of the institution’s capability to deliver the highest-quality programs for its students.
JCU offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a wide range of business disciplines and has a large community of international students from over 55 countries. It offers a campus experience characterized by top-of-the-line facilities that support collaborative study and learning, aiming to engage students not just in a study program, but in a full-fledged and well-rounded campus life.
Bachelor’s business programs cost about USD 45,000 for Singapore locals and around USD 47,000 for international students, while master’s programs cost around USD 29,000 for Singaporeans and an estimated USD 30,000 for foreign students.
As a local or international student, Singapore’s prestigious business programs provide a robust foundation for your career success. Take the first step to your journey of excellence.
We hope that in presenting you with the highly regarded business schools in Singapore, you have come a step closer to reaching your dreams and a guide to Study in Singapore could come in handy. Make sure to check out some of these Available Business Programs for International Students!
