One Year MBA vs. Two Year MBA: Looking at Singapore
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One Year MBA vs. Two Year MBA: Looking at Singapore

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Updated on Apr 7, 2020 16:17 IST
One Year MBA vs Two Year MBA

There are many advantages of pursuing your MBA from a university abroad. Not only do the best universities offer a truly excellent MBA program, the opportunities open to mid-level professionals is phenomenal. An MBA from abroad adds the much needed global exposure to a professionals profile, opens up a wider network to interface with and also brings him/her in contact with the best global practices. The diversity, innovative pedagogy and practical learning approach all adds to the boost your career gets after pursuing an MBA from abroad.

This however, brings in tow the concern of taking out 2 years from your career. With competition at its extreme, taking out two years to enhance your career can often lead to a greater risk. Adding to that is the twin costs of taking up an MBA abroad. One of the obvious high tuition fees and the other of the foregone income for that tenure. These concerns, however, have a solution and many applicants from around the world look at 1 year full time MBA programs as a plausible alternative.  And this is where Singapore brings a whole lot of excellent options and opportunities.

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Singapore, the island country, is an excellent alternative to your international MBA aspirations. Not only does it offer you the best programs, most of them are less than a year and a half old. Unlike the Executive Programs, these are full time MBA programs. However, because they are one year programs and in fact some of them are amongst the top MBA programs of the world, the entry into these programs is rather competitive. Also, these also usually have a higher work experience requirement. This, again, might vary from university to university but averages at about 4 years for the top few.

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Here’s a look at some of the top colleges in Singapore that offer a 1 year or 16 month duration Full Time MBA.

Name of the College

Duration of Full Time MBA Program in months

INSEAD

10

Nanyang Technological University

12

National University of Singapore

17

Singapore Management University

12

Singapore Institute of Management

12

EASB East Asia Institute of Management

15

FTMS Global Academy

12

SP Jain School of Global Management

16

James Cook University

16

Nanyang Institute of Management

12

Dimensions International College

12

Kaplan Higher Education Academy

12

PSB Academy

12

Management Development Institute of Singapore

12

The list has some of the Top Universities of Singapore as well as some lesser known universities. INSEAD's MBA program, for instance, is among the very top of the global list. Simillarly, Nanyang Technological University and National University of Singapore are among the top 10 universities in Asia and draw the best of students from across teh world. Some of these colleges also have a flexible curriculum, meaning, a student can opt for a part time module and complete the course in about 18 months instead of 12 months.








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If, instead, you still believe that a 2 year MBA is what you need, there are options in Singapore still. In fact, many International Universities of repute that have campuses in Singapore, still follow their native programs. For instance, Chicago Booth’s Full Time MBA is a two year course and is available in Singapore.







Apply to MBA – Twinning Program (1 Semester in Singapore, 2 Semesters in Chennai)

Key Highlights

 1st Semester in MDIS, Singapore founded in 1956, the Management Development Institute of Singapore is Singapore’s oldest not-for-profit professional institute for lifelong learning.

2nd & 3rd Semester in Vels University, Chennai

Degree awarded by the University of Sunderland, UK | Internship Opportunity in Walls Street, New York, USA

Exam Required: Minimum 50% - 54% in Grade X in English or IELTS score of 6

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All the best!

Q:   Is Singapore Management University hard to get into?

A:

According to various sources, Singapore Management University has an acceptance rate of around 45% which makes it moderately selective for international student admissions. Some of the general admission requirements at the university are given as follows:

  • Academic Transcripts 
  • International Qualifications that are equivalent 
  • Standardized Test Scores 
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency 

After the student receives an offer letter, they are required to give the admission interview to be enrolled. 

Q:   How can I apply for NUS Singapore from India?

A:

Applications to all the courses offered by NUS are done via online application portals of the university. Check out the steps below to see how to fill undergraduate and postgraduate applications on dedicated portals:

Undergraduate Applicants:

International applicants need to follow these steps to apply to an undergraduate programme at NUS:

Step 1: Visit myaces.nus.edu.sg/uasonline2/catD/catDapplform.do and sign up to apply.

Step 2: Enter personal details and contact information.

Step 3: Enter details of academic qualifications.

Step 4: Enter information on university/tertiary education.

Step 5: Enter the information on all outstanding achievements.

Step 6: Insert the programme details and paste the application material in the boxes provided.

Step 7: In this step, input the following:

  • Next-of-kin information
  • Personal identification number
  • Application fee
  • Financial aid
  • Other information
  • Tuition grant

Step 8: Read the declaration carefully.

Step 9: Press the ‘Continue’ button to complete the application.

Graduate Applicants

International applicants need to follow these steps to apply to a graduate programme at NUS:

Step 1: Sign up on the university’s application portal at inetapps.nus.edu.sg/gda2/Applicant.aspx/Account/SignUp.

Step 2: Click on ‘Create New Application’ and choose the following:

  • Programme type
  • Faculty
  • Programme
  • Department
  • Specialisation (area of study)
  • Source of finance
  • Specify in case of ‘other source of finance’
  • Academic load

Step 3: Read the instructions from the faculty/department/school carefully.

Step 4: Fill up the information as stepping through the application process.

Step 5: The system will perform an application completeness check for the selected programme.

Step 6: Once the above steps are completed, fill up the declaration section.

Step 7: Click on the 'Submit' button in the declaration page to complete the submission.

Step 8: To make an online payment for the application/acceptance fee and view details of your application (e.g. application status and admission status), click ‘View Application/Make Payment/Submit Reply on Offer of Admission’ at the menu on the left.

Step 9: To make changes to basic programme information for an application, click ‘Edit’.

Step 10: To apply to multiple programmes within the same application cycle and to change the order of preference, please click on the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ links as required.

 

Q:   Which are the popular courses at Singapore Management University?

A:

Singapore Management University offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, research, and professional degree courses for international students. Some of the popular programs at the university are given as follows:

Others Denote Information Technology, Accounting, International Business etc. 

Q:   Is NTU Singapore expensive?

A:

The NTU tuition fees is S$36,336.45 for international students. Apart from this, students also need to pay University-level miscellaneous fees The tuition fee for undergraduate courses for Nanyang Technological University is similar to NUS. First of all, students need to pay a non-refundable application fee of S$21.40. After accepting the offer, international students need to pay S$5,000 as non-refundable fee. This deposit fee can be used to offset the first tuition fee payment.

Q:   What is the population of MBA students and faculty at INSEAD Singapore?

A:

There are around 20,000+ students and 5,500+ faculty at INSEAD Singapore. 
However, it is difficult to be sure about the same because of new admissions taking place.
The INSEAD website states that there are over 145 full-time faculty from more than 30 countries. 
The exact numbers may vary depending on the year and the source.

Q:   Does INSEAD - Singapore accept Indian students?

A:

Certainly yes, INSEAD - Singapore accepts admission applications from all across the globe including India as well. Indian students applying at INSEAD - Singapore are required to meet the eligibility criteria for the respective choice of course along with a qualifying score in the English language proficiency test like IELTS. 

Q:   How can an Indian student get admission to INSEAD - Singapore?

A:

As an Indian student, complete the following steps to be admitted to INSEAD in Singapore:

  • Academic Qualifications: Ascertain that you have a solid academic background and a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a reputable institution.
  • Work Experience: INSEAD favors individuals with relevant professional backgrounds. 
  • GMAT/GRE: Get ready for and take the GMAT or GRE because admissions officers frequently want these scores.
  • English proficiency: You'll probably need to provide test results as confirmation of your English competence if English isn't your first language

Q:   What is the JCU Singapore cost of living for international students?

A:

James Cook University Singapore does not offer on-campus accommodation for their students. However, students can find various types of housing options nearby for accommodation purposes. Listed below is the JCU Singapore cost of living for international students:

Facilities

Cost of Living (per month)

Cost in INR

Accommodation

SGD 550 - 2,000

INR 33K - 1.2L

Meals

SGD 450 - 600

INR 27K - 37K

Public transportation

SGD 100 - 150

INR 6K - 9K

Telecom

SGD 30 - 50

INR 1.8K - 3K

Personal Expenses

SGD 100 - 400

INR 6K - 24K

Train fare (Daily Average)

SGD 0.92 - 2.17 (per trip)

INR 50 - 150

Taxi fare (Daily Average)

SGD 3.20 to 3.90 (per trip)

INR 200 - 250

Bus fare (Daily Average)

SGD 0.92 - 2.17 per trip

INR 50 - 150

TOTAL

SGD 1230 - 3200

INR 73.8K - 3.86L

Conversion Used: 1 SGD (Singapore Dollar) = INR 61.69

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Comments

(11)

6 years ago

Hi, I do not have work experience. 10th cgpa 9.2,12th -94% ,b.com finance honours -84%. I am planning to give gmat but can you please suggest me some good colleges giving admission without gmat and work ex ?

Reply to

Hello. There are many colleges/universities which offer admission without GMAT. It also depends upon the course you would like to study. Can you please tell us which course would you like to pursue so that we can guide you properly?

N

Nive C

7 years ago

Thank u soo much Sharna.. Any idea on other top schools that do not require work experience? Can u shortlist 4-6 such schools?

Reply to Nive C

5173871
Swameeka Medhi

7 years ago

You may check any top business school website such as HEC Paris, Harvard and so on , they will prefer candidates with work experience but if you are exceptionally bright there is a chance. For a profile based shortlist you are advised to get in touch with us at https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply

...Read more

N

Nive C

7 years ago

Hey I've NO wrk experience..10th cgpa- 9.8, 12th - 86% n UG cgpa is 9.01..m gonna gv GMAT n aiming for a 700+. Wat colleges do I've a chance with? Also is wrking n doing a part time MBA certification course frm INSEAD or getting a full time degree from JCU a good idea? Pls help

Reply to Nive C

5173871
Swameeka Medhi

7 years ago

Hi Nive, INSEAD is no doubt a better option however try for a full time MBA program first at INSEAD and other top b-schools. Its going to be difficult without work experience but if you have a very good profile and write compelling MBA essays alongwith outstanding LORs from your professors you may s

...Read more

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Varun Arora

7 years ago

Hi . I am looking for MBA programs in Singapore. I would like to get admitted to NUS, Singapore. Also Nanyang business school is an option. My profile Work experience : 3 years 10th: 88% 12th : 81% Engg: 64% IELTS: 8.0 GRE: 309( q 154, v 155) , haven't given GMAT.

Reply to Varun Arora

Hi Varun, chances seem good, you need not take the GMAT since you have taken the GRE already. You must bank on the career goals essay and the LORs and submit a strong overall application. To maximize your admission prospects please get in touch with us at https://www.shiksha.com/apply Our services a

...Read more

A

Akshat Rawat

7 years ago

I have a 660 (Q48, V32) in GMAT. 87, 83,73 in 10th ,12th and grad. Around 2 years of work exp. What are my chances ?

Reply to Akshat Rawat

Hi Akshat, chances are good basis your grades. A GMAT of 700 + would have better though. MBA essays and LORs will also play an important role in your admissions.