Skip to main content
Global Opportunities

Singapore Management University

As an exchange student, there are a few things you need to know about going to the Singapore Management University. Learn more about the location, the courses and student life! 

Visit their website for more information about studying abroad at the Singapore Management University!

About 

Established in 2000, the Singapore Management University (SMU) is internationally recognised for its teaching excellence and world-class research that addresses Asian issues of global relevance.

SMU’s city campus is a state-of-the-art facility located in the heart of downtown Singapore, fostering strategic linkages with business, government and the wider community.

Location

Singapore is a vibrantly cosmopolitan and culturally diverse city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in South East Asia. Singapore is a truly multicultural kaleidoscope with four official languages: English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil, adopted from each of the four major ethnic or 'racial' groups: Eurasian, Chinese, Malay and Indian.

Singapore's strategic location, excellent facilities, fascinating cultural contrasts and tourist attractions contribute to its success as a leading destination for both business and pleasure.

Read more about Singapore from the following websites:

www.yoursingapore.com

www.lonelyplanet.com/singapore

www.timeoutsingapore.com/

Level of competitiveness

Competitive **

The level of competitiveness (Less competitive * / Competitive ** / Very competitive ***) refers to one's chances of being allocated an exchange space at this partner. This is an approximation determined by the number of applications received for this destination during the last academic year versus the total number of exchange spaces available to Queen Mary students. 

Academic Calendar

Semester 1: August – ​December

Semester 2: January – April

Courses

Course enrolments are conducted via a bidding exercise in July (Term 1) and December (Term 2) each 
year. Only undergraduate courses from a prescribed list will be offered to exchange and visiting students
(Course Codes 001-499, 1200-4038).


Students will be allocated 100 e-dollars (e$100) each term (one-time only), for bidding of all their required 
courses. This empowers them to draw up their own timetable based on their recommended study plan 
(subject to constraints of curriculum requirements and the supply and demand of classes). Details and 
instructions related to course bidding together with the list of courses offered, shall be made available to 
students two to four weeks before the course bidding exercise. It is important that students understand 
the information, policies and procedures to ensure a smooth bidding process.


Demand could be high for some courses, e.g. fundamental freshmen courses. Students are encouraged to 
be pro-active and flexible in their study plans to optimise their bidding opportunities.

In preparation for the course bidding and enrolment, students are responsible for ensuring that they have:

  1. Read the course-bidding guide and reviewed the prescribed list of course offerings for the intended 
    study term.
  2. Obtained pre-approvals from the home university to enrol for their desired courses at SMU. Students 
    are encouraged to obtain pre-approval for more courses than necessary as contingency, in case their
    desired courses are fully subscribed.
    3. Fulfilled the necessary pre-requisites for the desired courses. Students are required to consult and seek 
    approval from the respective SMU course instructors on the fulfilment of pre-requisites (if any), before 
    bidding for their courses. Students will not be allowed to enrol for, nor to continue with the course if 
    the pre-requisites have not been met.

Course Catalogue:
For planning purposes, students may refer to the Course Catalogue for undergraduate course offerings 
from previous terms (Course Codes 001-499, 1200-4038). This catalogue serves as a reference only as not 
all courses listed will be offered to exchange and visiting students

Credits

Students need to take 4 SMU credits per semester.

Find out more about credit transfer and grade conversions.

Queen Mary student feedback

Blog posts on Queen Mary Global Bloggers:

Instagram takeovers:

Accommodation

Students are responsible for sourcing and arranging for their own accommodation. The SMU campus is situated in the heart of the city with many private housing options that are within walking distance to SMU and conveniently accessible to amenities and transportation networks.

Queen Mary students are advised to follow the partner’s guidance to complete their accommodation search safely. General guidance about searching for private accommodation safely is also available on the QMplus resource page, “Pre-departure” tab from early spring.

Students have the flexibility and choice to source and arrange for their own accommodation based on their needs. Arrangements are at the sole responsibility and discretion of the student. For rental of private apartments/condominiums, it is important that students read and understand Singapore’s governing policies on rental/leasing of accommodation, from the Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) website. Students are also strongly advised to read and understand all terms and conditions of the leasing agreement before committing to a lease. Once a lease has been accepted and signed, the signatories have a legal obligation to fulfil all the terms stated in the agreement. SMU does not represent either party in any disputes arising from the rental/lease of the property.

Cost of Living

Learn more about the estimated cost of living as an SMU student. You can also find general, up-to-date information about the cost of living in Singapore here.

Living expenses can vary depending on individual lifestyle, especially in Singapore where renting private accommodation can be as (if not more) expensive than renting privately in London. Please consult the estimated minimum and maximum cost of living figures for this destination country available in our “Estimated Costs of Living” document available on our Finance page.  

Important: Students considering to live and study in Singapore must be realistic about financial matters, this being one of the most expensive cities in the world. In the decision-making process, Queen Mary students must calculate their forecasted budget with confirmed funding to which they will have access against the rising cost of living. 

Support Services

SMU provides facilities, care and services for students with special needs/disabilities to support their well-being while studying at SMU. Visit SMU’s websites for their Student Accessibility Support and Student Wellness Centre, to find out more.

Campus Life

SMU has a vibrant campus life with many activities to complement your formal studies as well as to help build lasting friendships and global networks. SMU is also equipped with the following on-campus facilities:

  • Learning Spaces
  • Gymnasium & Fitness Centre
  • Sports Hall
  • Swimming Pool
  • Libraries
  • IT Help Centre

Find out more about SMU’s campus life and facilities.

Social Media

Singapore Management University: 

SMU International Office:

Resources

SMU factsheet 2425 [PDF 985KB]

Back to top