MBA in Singapore: Guide for Indian Students

Singapore as a country ranks among the favourites for students looking to study abroad as it provides, quality education, holistic growth, value for money, safety and security and above all a chance to work in the country once the student has completed his education. Furthermore, Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world where there is security and safety for all its citizens. A diverse nation, Singapore excels in what it has to offer to its international students – historical past, vibrant culture, picturesque tourist attractions and delectable cuisine. Singapore is a potpourri of all that is enjoyable. In Singapore, international students are immersed in the culture and history of the country. They have access to a variety of high-quality educational opportunities and can explore what Singapore has to offer in terms of food, entertainment and activities. The duration of an MBA programme in Singapore is 1.5 to 2 years.

Why Study MBA?

The MBA degree is a master's degree that can be obtained by those who have completed their undergraduate studies and want to pursue a career in business. The MBA degree is often seen as the most prestigious postgraduate business qualification. The MBA degree typically takes two years to complete, but this time varies depending on the student's level of experience and commitment. There are many reasons why people choose to study for an MBA. Some people want to broaden their knowledge of business, while others want to learn how to manage and lead teams in a company or organisation. In today’s world, an MBA may also be seen as a prerequisite for certain jobs or roles in the workplace.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) is considered to be one of the most recognized degree programmes worldwide. It is well known for its curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience. Candidates with an MBA degree from a recognized university are able to choose from a variety of career options. Pursuing a degree in MBA not only educates the student with managerial skills but also teaches him to interpret the latest business trends and successfully implement them in the future. Universities in Singapore, through the use of various multimedia tools, are able to challenge students on multiple levels to refine their management skills.

Why Study MBA in Singapore?

As a business education destination, Singapore offers a wide range of MBA opportunities and sustainable career prospects. Professionals who are looking to play the role of aspiring managers are looking at pursuing MBA from Singapore because of its high-quality education, affordable courses, and the presence of a robust economy. Students looking to pursue higher education in Singapore have the benefit of being able to choose from a large pool of programmes and schools. Students can choose from hundreds of MBA courses, offered in the country by all kinds of institutions of higher education or Singapore MBA colleges.

The MBA program has been designed to meet the needs of today's globalizing world. Students will learn about the various aspects of business, including accounting, finance, marketing and leadership. Students can choose from a variety of electives like international business, sustainability and entrepreneurship. The program also includes a 4-month internship in a multinational or an international organization.

Students who select Singapore as their preferred destination for MBA can either opt for the classic MBA Degree which generally centres around general management or selects a more unconventional choice and opts for specialized MBA Programmes which would expand to niche industry such as healthcare management, consulting and logistics to name a few. The very fact that students can choose from such a vast array of MBA courses, has put Singapore on the global education map.

Singapore Top MBA Colleges

The table below displays the top four universities for pursuing an MBA in Singapore, eligibility requirements, fee structure and course duration.

Modes of Teaching

Apart from choosing additional subjects to study, Singapore Universities also have options for learning modes offered to individuals as per their preferences/ employment status. Basically, there are four types of teaching/ learning modes:

• Regular Classroom Programmes
• Distance Education Programmes
• Fast-track Programmes
• Online Learning Programmes

Eligibility/Requirements for pursuing MBA

The basic requirements for admission that are common to all Singapore universities are:

• Candidates must have three to four years of work experience (may vary according to university
• International students and non-native English speakers need to present their TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores
• Scores of GMAT or GRE (depending on the university)
• Course Duration: The duration of the MBA programme differs from university to university. Some B-schools have a course duration of two years (24 months) while others offer a 16-months MBA crash course. If you are applying for an MBA diploma, then the duration will be a minimum of one year. 

Documents Required

The main documents required for the admission process include:

• A valid passport
• Complete application form with passport size photos
• Loan documents
• Financial documents
• Original and authentic transcripts of schools and/or college
• Statement of Purpose/ Essays as directed by the university
• Letters of Recommendation and Resume
• Scholarship Essay, if applicable
• Other supporting documents as asked by the university

Application Process

• Majorly all Singapore universities offer online applications along with a complete set of documents. One can download the application form from their respective websites and follow the instructions, as provided.
• After filling the application form, all required documentation should be ready to be submitted along with the form. You would also need to pay a small amount as the application fee.
• Keep an eye on the submission deadlines as the universities and try to submit the form as soon as possible and not wait till the last moment.
• Depending upon the university, interviews will be conducted either on call or through other electronic means of communication.
• Make sure you have received your student visa so that once you receive the admit letter, there is no delay in joining the university, else the admission can be forfeited.

Executive MBA Colleges in Singapore

Scholarships for MBA in Singapore

To make living even further affordable, international students will also have the opportunity to work part-time to ease their living expenses. This part-time work facility will not only help them ease their living expenses but also allow them to gain relevant work experience in their field of interest. As with most universities, international students can also benefit from the various scholarship programmes listed on the official website of universities.

Top scholarships to look out for in Singapore

The Financial Sumo Educational Scholarship Program

This notable scholarship is awarded in association with Financial Sumo. The sole purpose of this scholarship is to unburden the student of their college fees. This need-based scholarship is applicable to students pursuing their MBA in Singapore. Applicable to all candidates who want to pursue MBA in Singapore, this scholarship is awarded to a single deserving candidate every academic year. The maximum value of the scholarship stands at USD 1,000.

Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship

This celebrated scholarship is awarded by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. This scholarship has been designed to provide financial assistance to selected candidates for pursuing their Masters Programme abroad from an accredited Institutions/University. Applicable to all candidates who want to pursue MBA in Singapore, a total of 100 students are awarded this scholarship for one academic year. The maximum scholarship per student is USD 33,800.

Go Clean Scholarship

This influential financial assistance is awarded to students who are dedicated and hardworking. Applicants who plan on pursuing MBA in Singapore are eligible to apply for the Go Clean Scholarship. For candidates to win this merit-based scholarship, they would be required to write an article on the topic ‘How to keep the environment green and clean’ in 500 to 750 words. Provided once in an academic year, the maximum value of this scholarship is USD 3,500.

BrokerFish International student scholarship

Awarded by Broker Fish, the main purpose of this notable scholarship is to help people from all over the world find and buy International Health Insurance. The sole purpose of this Scholarship Programme is to help International students save money during the academic year and help them on their path to a successful future. Students planning to pursue MBA in Singapore are applicable for this scholarship. The maximum scholarship per student has been set at USD 1,000.

Global Study Awards

This prestigious scholarship is awarded in association with Study Portals, ISIC and British Council. The main purpose of this scholarship is to encourage young people to study abroad, explore new countries, culture and learn new languages. The Global Study Awards scholarship is applicable to candidates wanting to pursue their MBA from Singapore. A merit-based scholarship, it is awarded to two students for each academic year. The maximum scholarship per student is GBP 10,000.

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