Singapore Management University (SMU) is an autonomous, publicly funded university with a city campus at 81 Victoria Street. It was established in 2000 and had 10,294 undergraduates and 3,766 postgraduates on 15 September 2025.[1] It is ranked 411th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up 100 places.[2]
For AY2026/27 entering freshmen, international students with the MOE Tuition Grant pay S$26,200 a year (S$25,150 for ASEAN students) and S$30,450 for the Bachelor of Laws. Without the grant the fees are S$47,700 and S$56,150. All international amounts include 9% GST.[3] Grants for international students are limited and competitive, and accepting one means working for a Singapore entity for three years after graduation.[3]
Key facts
| Official name | Singapore Management University (SMU) |
| Location | City campus at 81 Victoria Street, Singapore 188065, in downtown Singapore[4][5] |
| Type | Autonomous, publicly funded university[1] |
| Established | 2000 (the SMU About page says “Established in 2000” and also “Founded in 1997”[4]); the Victoria Street campus has been in use since 2005[1] |
| Students | 10,294 undergraduates and 3,766 postgraduates (15 September 2025)[1] |
| Faculty | 407 full-time faculty (January 2023)[4] |
| Schools and colleges | Six schools and two colleges: Accountancy, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Economics, Computing and Information Systems, Yong Pung How School of Law, Social Sciences, College of Integrative Studies, College of Graduate Research Studies[4] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 411th[2] |
| Tuition AY2026/27, international students with MOE Tuition Grant | S$26,200 a year (S$25,150 ASEAN); Bachelor of Laws S$30,450 (S$27,750 ASEAN)[3] |
| Tuition AY2026/27, international students without the grant | S$47,700 a year; Bachelor of Laws S$56,150[3] |
| Grant obligation | Limited number of grants for international students, competitive and merit-based; work for a Singapore entity for three years after graduation[3] |
| Fixed fees | Fees stay unchanged for the normal four-year duration of study[3] |
| Annual miscellaneous fees 2026, international students | S$367 (student activities S$80, insurance S$268, IT facilities S$19)[3] |
| Official website | smu.edu.sg |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About Singapore Management University
SMU describes itself as “Asia’s premier global city university at the nexus of management, social sciences and technology”. The same page says it was established in 2000, while its history teaser says it was “founded in 1997”; we use 2000, the date Wikipedia also gives (29 July 2000).[4][1] The university moved to its Victoria Street campus in 2005.[1]
It has six schools and two colleges: the School of Accountancy, the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, the School of Economics, the School of Computing and Information Systems, the Yong Pung How School of Law, the School of Social Sciences, the College of Integrative Studies and the College of Graduate Research Studies. It reports 407 full-time faculty (January 2023).[4] Its international student figures, as of September 2022, are 9% of undergraduates (from 35 countries) and 62% of postgraduates (from 51 countries).[4]
How is Singapore Management University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, released on 18 June 2026, SMU is 411th in the world, up 100 places and back in the global top 500 for the first time since 2020, according to a report of the release.[2] Wikipedia’s infobox shows the same number 411 but labels it “2026”; the news report of the release, in which NUS fell to 10th, places it in the new edition.[1][2]
SMU’s own About page lists programme rankings from QS 2027: third in Asia and 39th worldwide for Business Master’s in Finance, and third in Asia and 41st worldwide for the Global MBA.[4] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Singapore Management University?
The AY2026/27 fee schedule lists these undergraduate degrees:[3]
- Bachelor of Accountancy
- Bachelor of Business Management
- Bachelor of Integrative Studies (Individualised Major)
- Bachelor of Science in Economics, Computing & Law, Computer Science, Software Engineering and Information Systems
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Bachelor of Laws
Admissions also lists a Young Leaders Summer Programme and a SMU-Duke-NUS Medicine Pathway among its programme pages.[5] We did not read details of either.
How much does Singapore Management University cost in 2026/27?
| Degree | Singapore Citizen | Singapore PR | International, ASEAN, with grant | International, other, with grant | International, without grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accountancy, Business Management, Integrative Studies, Science (Economics; Computing & Law; Computer Science; Software Engineering; Information Systems), Social Sciences | S$11,550 | S$16,100 | S$25,150 | S$26,200 | S$47,700 |
| Bachelor of Laws | S$12,750 | S$17,800 | S$27,750 | S$30,450 | S$56,150 |
These are annual tuition fees for AY2026/27 entering freshmen in the regular Term 1 and Term 2. Singapore Citizen and PR amounts exclude GST, which the government subsidises; international and non-subsidised amounts include the 9% GST.[3] Fees are fixed for the normal four-year duration of study, so this cohort faces no further increases for the regular terms.[3] Optional Special Term (Term 3) courses cost extra per course; for other international students it is S$2,620 per course, S$3,045 in Law, with the grant.[3]
The Tuition Grant
Singapore Citizens receive the grant automatically with no bond. Eligible Permanent Residents and international students must apply for it in the online admission application. For international students the number of grants is limited and selection is competitive and based on merit. Successful applicants must work for a Singapore entity for three years after graduation. Those who are not eligible, or choose not to apply, pay the non-subsidised fee and do not need to serve the three-year obligation.[3]
Other costs
Tuition excludes miscellaneous fees, accommodation and living expenses. The 2026 annual miscellaneous fee for international students is S$367.[3] At matriculation there is also a one-time, non-refundable confirmation fee of S$213.[6] For rent and living costs, see our Study in Singapore guide.
How do you apply to Singapore Management University?
International applicants apply online through SMU’s admissions site.[5]
- Qualification: a minimum of 12 years of formal education with good passes in a recognised national or international examination. SMU only considers the qualifications on its list, which includes A Levels, the Gao Kao, India Standard 12, the US High School Diploma and many others.[5]
- Standardised test: one of SAT, ACT, IELTS Academic, TOEFL, C1 Advanced, PTE Academic or AST (see below). It is not required for IB Diploma holders or for acceptable diplomas from LASALLE College of the Arts, NAFA and NIE.[5]
- Results: if your final results are not yet out, send high school transcripts and predicted results attested by a teacher or counsellor (self-declared predictions are not accepted), then submit actual results within 3 working days of their release.[5]
- Interview: shortlisted applicants for courses other than Law are interviewed. Law applicants take a writing test first and only further shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview.[5]
- Tuition Grant: international students apply for the grant as part of the same online application.[3]
You upload your test scores in Applicant’s Self Service and must also have the testing agency send official scores to SMU.[5] The page we read describes the AY2026-27 cycle; it lists dates, which we do not repeat because they change every year. Check the current timetable before you start.[5]
Which test scores do you need?
Applicants with international qualifications must submit one standardised test. The minimums below are only enough for a competitive application and do not guarantee an interview or an offer.[5]
| Test | Most degrees | Law |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 overall; 7.0 reading; 6.5 writing | 7.5 overall; 7.0 reading; 7.0 writing |
| TOEFL iBT, from 21 Jan 2026 | 5 overall; 5 reading; 4.5 writing | 5.5 overall; 5.5 reading; 5 writing |
| TOEFL iBT, before 21 Jan 2026 | 93 overall; 22 reading; 22 writing | 100 overall; 24 reading; 24 writing |
| PTE Academic | 66 overall; 66 reading; 56 writing | 76 overall; 76 reading; 66 writing |
| C1 Advanced | 185 overall; 185 reading; 176 writing | 191 overall; 185 reading; 185 writing |
| SAT | 1,350 total; 650 evidence-based reading and writing | 1,350 total; 700 evidence-based reading and writing |
| ACT | 29 composite; 57 English + Reading | 29 composite; 64 English + Reading |
All sections must come from one sitting. IELTS, TOEFL, C1 Advanced, PTE Academic and AST scores are valid for two years, SAT and ACT scores for five. IELTS Online and TOEFL iBT are both accepted. The Aptitude Scholastic Test (AST) requires at least three subjects with English and Mathematics among them and a minimum English score of 225 (240 for Law).[5]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Singapore Management University cost for international students?
For AY2026/27, S$26,200 a year with the MOE Tuition Grant (S$25,150 for ASEAN students) and S$47,700 without it; the Bachelor of Laws costs S$30,450 with and S$56,150 without the grant. Fees include 9% GST and stay fixed for four years.[3]
Is the MOE Tuition Grant guaranteed for international students?
No. A limited number of grants are available, selection is competitive and merit-based, and successful applicants must work for a Singapore entity for three years after graduation.[3]
How is SMU ranked?
411th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up 100 places, according to a report of the 18 June 2026 release.[2]
Which English or admission test does SMU require?
One of SAT, ACT, IELTS Academic, TOEFL, C1 Advanced, PTE Academic or AST. For most degrees the IELTS minimum is 7.0 overall; for Law it is 7.5.[5]
How do I apply to SMU as an international student?
Apply online through SMU’s admissions site with an eligible international qualification and a standardised test score. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed; Law applicants first take a writing test.[5]
More about studying in Singapore
- Singapore: best universities
- Study in Singapore: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Singapore
- INSEAD Singapore Campus
- James Cook University Singapore
- LASALLE College of the Arts
- Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)
- Nanyang Polytechnic
- Nanyang Technological University
- National University of Singapore
- Ngee Ann Polytechnic
- Republic Polytechnic
- Singapore Institute of Technology
- Singapore Polytechnic
- Singapore University of Social Sciences
- Singapore University of Technology and Design
- Temasek Polytechnic
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: Singapore Management University (history, student numbers (SMU statistical highlights of 15 Sep 2025) and campus)
[2] MustShareNews: NUS drops to 10th, NTU retains 12th, while SUTD and SMU show massive improvements on latest global university rankings (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 18 Jun 2026; the body text labels the edition “2026”)
[3] SMU Office of Admissions: Tuition fees & grant (page without a date; AY2026/27 entering freshmen; read from an Internet Archive copy of 2 Oct 2026 because smu.edu.sg blocks automated access)
[4] SMU: About (page without a date; student figures as of 15 Sep 2025; read from an Internet Archive copy)
[5] SMU Office of Admissions: International and other qualifications (page without a date; AY2026-27 cycle; read from an Internet Archive copy)
[6] SMU Matriculation 2026: Matriculation matters (page without a date; Matriculation 2026)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.