Singapore Management University

About SMU

• Founded in 2000 with collaboration from world-class institutions, Singapore Management University is one of the youngest institutions in the world to achieve both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations.
• Ranked 41st in the world for business and management studies by the QS World University subject rankings 2019.
• With an emphasis on globalization, SMU features full-time faculty members and industry practitioners from representing more than 30 different nationalities and 84% of the university’s full-time students have gone on their own overseas program.
• SMU’s seminar-style approach keeps classes small, stimulating, interactive and encourages critical thinking.
• Located in the center of the city, SMU’s campus is cosmopolitan (think NYU) and features coffee shops, a library, reading rooms, art studios, sports hall, gymnasium and swimming pool.
• SMU has more than 160 special interest groups to help participants integrate with other local and international students.

Location

Singapore Management University is a city campus located in the center of Singapore. Visit the google map link below to see the location.

Courses

ABOUT THE COURSES

• The Singapore academic year begins each August. As you review course options, keep this in mind to ensure that you select courses from the correct term.  
  • Term 1 at SMU = US Spring Semester  
  • Term 2 at SMU = US Fall Semester  
• Course Levels 
  • Students should pay close attention to the prerequisites of the courses as the levels are not necessarily indicative of the sequential order of the courses and the class level of the student. Student can only take courses with the following course number: 
    • 001 – 499 
    • 1200 – 4038  
  • Students would need to pay a (Note: These courses require a high level of competency, and you will most likely need to fulfill numerous pre-requisites.)  
  • 400-level + courses are graduate level and for the most part, are not open to study abroad students.  
• Courses for Term 1 (January start) are generally not finalized until late November. We recommend using the previous year’s course list until the course list is updated. Although courses do not change tremendously from year-to-year, please be aware that you may need to make additional selections once papers are officially published.  

HOW TO FIND COURSES

1. Click on SMU’s online course catalog.  
2. Click “Change Term” and review courses from the previous year. The official course list will be updated 3 to 4 week before the program start date 
3. Select the subject area in which you are interested  
4. Click on courses to view their descriptions and prerequisites. 
5. To view the course syllabi, click on “View Class Sections” and then click on the course outline icon.  
6. Select the subject area in which you are interested.  
7. Classes will be listed by level and will indicate their point value (credits) to the right.  
8. More detail, including a brief description of the course and a list of prerequisites, can be found by clicking the hyperlinked course code below the course title.  

COMMON FIELDS OF STUDY

Below are some common fields of study at Singapore Management University. Use the course codes listed to search for classes in each field of study. To search for classes in these fields, refer back to the SMU’s online course catalog.  

• Business & Management – ACCT, ECON, FNCE, MGMT, MKTG, OBHR, OPIM
• Communication & Media – COMM 
• Humanities & Social Sciences – COR, GA, POSC, PPPM, PSYC, SOCG 
• Science – CS, IS 
• Law – LAW, LGST (Law courses will be an additional fee per course. Contact Program Manager for the additional fee.)  

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of the fields of study at Singapore Management University. Please refer to the SMU course catalog for a comprehensive list of course offerings. 

ELIGIBILITY

• 3.0 GPA
• Minimum of two completed terms of undergraduate studies at a four-year institution

Events & Excursions

Our local staff arrange various activities during the semester designed to help immerse you in the local culture. These activities are included in your semester program. In addition, if you have a specific interest or hobby, your Singapore-based TEAN Resident Director will be able to point you in the right direction. Below are examples of previous activities arranged for students. Note that activities change each semester.

Chinatown Tour

Licensed Mandarin teacher, May Lao Shi, will take the students on a tour of Chinatown with its sprawling street market and famed Buddhist temple. Afterwards, we will whet our appetites with a lesson on how to (correctly) use chopsticks while dining on traditional Chinese dishes as our instructor teaches some key Mandarin phrases that will come in handy over the next few months.

Pulau Island Trip

Explore a local Singapore island, Pulau Ubin. The only way to reach the island is on a small junk boat, which is an experience in itself. Pulau Ubin is a step back in time with dirt roads and local vendors renting bicycles to tourists. Once on the island students can ride bicycles through the rain forest landscape – on any given day, you’ll see monkeys and wild boars. The lookout tower and boardwalks that extend out into the water provide great places to see Singapore from a different perspective. For lunch, fill up at a local outdoor restaurant, Little Island Brewery.

Cable Car to Sentosa

An iconic part of Singapore’s skyline, a stay in the city-state isn’t complete without a ride on the famous Singapore Cable Car. Gliding nearly 200 feet above the sea, soak up the beautiful views of Singapore and beyond before being dropped on Sentosa Island to continue onto the next adventure of Fort Siloso. Most famously, Fort Siloso was used during the “Battle of Singapore” in 1942. From there, experience the less serious side of Singapore at Ola Beach Club. Tourists flock to this stop for its fun water adventures and delicious food.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION

Cambodia EXCURSION

Welcome to Siem Reap, the gateway to the magnificent Angkor Archaeological Park. Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor, including the iconic Angkor Wat, a testament to the grandeur of ancient Khmer architecture. Delve into the enchanting tapestry of Cambodian culture as you wander through the bustling streets of Siem Reap, where traditional wooden houses stand alongside modern cafes and vibrant artisan workshops. Beyond the ancient temples and bustling streets, Siem Reap invites you to explore its surrounding natural beauty, from tranquil countryside landscapes to the picturesque Tonle Sap Lake, where floating villages and diverse ecosystems await your discovery. Experience Siem Reap, where history, culture, and natural beauty converge to create an unforgettable tapestry of experiences.
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APPLICATION DEADLINES

TEAN has a rolling admissions process. We recommend submitting your application anytime from June for Spring applications, and from January for Fall applications. Late applications may be considered. Contact TEAN if the application deadline has passed.

PAYMENT DEADLINES

Your signed program contract and full payment for the program are due by the program deadline. Please note we do have options for using financial aid and enrolling in a payment plan if you cannot make full payment by the payment deadline. You can find more information about funding your program here

SPRING 2025

fall 2025

SPRING 2025

Tuition, program fees and off-campus housing: $26,950

FALL 2025

Tuition, program fees and off-campus housing: $28,950

Students enrolling in courses from the School of Law will incur an additional tuition fee, per course.

What’s Included

• Full tuition (4 courses) 
• Guaranteed, pre-arranged housing
• Comprehensive overseas health insurance
• Services of a local Resident Director
• Three-day Orientation Program with meals, accommodations and transportation
• WiFi included in apartment
• University and course selection advice
• Official academic transcripts from host institution
• Credit approval and transfer assistance
• Academic advising
• Student visa preparation assistance
• Financial aid transfer planning
• Airport pickup and reception
• Pre-departure and arrival information containing local details about host city and university
• A truly one of a kind adventure!

What’s Not Included

• International airfare ($1,600)
• Student visa ($80)
• Meals during the semester ($1,600)
• Airport transfer at end of semester ($25)
• SMU matriculation fee – paid prior to departure ($170)
• Travel insurance ($350)
• Public transportation ($250)

*Numbers are estimated based on previous student experience and budget. Actual amounts will vary depending on student.

PASSPORT

All students must submit a current passport valid 6 months, after arrival date, for acceptance. If you do not currently hold a valid passport, please apply for one immediately as processing times can be very lengthy.

VISA

All students participating in the semester program are required to apply for a Student Pass (Visa). SMU will start the application on your behalf and then send the login credentials, for you to complete the application.

• Fall semester visa application will start in late May
• Spring semester visa application will start in late October

The application is done completely online, and you do not need to mail your important documents to a consulate or Embassy. The final step of the online portion is booking an in-person appointment to finalize the visa. This appointment will be in Singapore after arrival. The cost is approximately S$90 (Singapore dollars).

NOTE: Singapore has made it mandatory for students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for completing the visa, unless medically exempted. If medically exempted, contact the Program Manager for next steps. If not medically exempted, you will need to register your vaccine status in Singapore’s National Immunisation Registry (NIR). Registering your vaccine will be an additional fee not included in the total program cost. More details on how to register your vaccine will be provided by your Program Manager.