Singapore Management University

Student experiences Singapore 

General information: study in Singapore!

Important information for international students

All full-credit courses at SMU last for an entire term, with the rest (half-credit courses) being held over a period of half a term (approximately 6 weeks).

Fall Term/Term 1 = late August to early December
Spring Term/Term 2 = early January to late April
Academic calendar

Global Summer Programme (requires fees!)

Only undergraduate programmes/schools (Accountancy, Business, Economics, Information Systems, Law, Social Sciences) are open to exchange students. Students who are nominated via school-level exchange agreements may be restricted to courses offered by the school. A list of courses available for exchange students will be sent to applicants about two weeks before course registration.

Students enrol for courses via a bidding system. There is no guarantee on course availability and enrolment of the student’s preferred courses. Hence, it is strongly advised that students exercise flexibility and to seek prior approval from their home university to enrol in alternative courses.Postgraduate courses are not open to exchange students. All incoming exchange students can only take undergraduate courses.

To view the course catalogue and course descriptions for a specific semester, please visit: Undergraduate Student Information - Course Catalogue Class Search -> Select the correct Academic Term -> Select Courses with Sections Offered -> Select the corresponding letter of the course name -> View Class Section -> Course Outline
(More information about the courses can be obtained in the course outline).

Some courses require students to fulfil certain pre-requisites before reading the course. The pre-requisites are listed in the online course catalogue. If students have done similar pre-requisites in their home university, they are advised to check with the SMU course instructors on the fulfilment of these pre-requisites.

Students are encouraged to prepare a course outline (in English) of the courses they have taken that meets the pre-requisites, for review by the SMU course instructor up. Reviews may be done up till the first week of the academic term.

English

Due to the COVID-19 testing restrictions, the scores from the TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition and IELTS Indicator will also be accepted.

These requirements only apply to students whose language of instruction is NOT English. Validity of certification must be within two years at the point of application.

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. 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 the lease. Once the lease has been accepted and signed, the signatories have a legal obligation to fulfil all the terms stated in the agreement. Please note that Airbnb is strongly discouraged as residential properties in Singapore are not allowed to be used for short-term accommodation under the law.
SMU does not represent either party in any disputes arising from the rental/lease of the property.

More information here 

Exchange students can expect to spend approximately S$7500 – S$9000 per term (including housing rental).

Estimated monthly expenses:
• Accommodation: S$900 - S$1800 (assuming three to four students share a private apartment)
• Food: S$300 - S$500
• Local transportation: S$100 - S$150
• Telecommunications: From S$30 (varies with usage and packages subscribed)
• Books and stationery: S$30 - S$100
• Personal expenses:  S$100 - S$300

SMU course catalogue

Course load: 

Full course load per term: 4.0 SMU credits.
Minimum course load per term: 2.0 SMU credits.
Students may be permitted to enrol for a maximum course load of 5.0 SMU credits per term, subject to approval by the home university and SMU.

You can find information on this university’s credits in the credit conversion table

6 places per year (4 in Fall / 2 in Spring/Summer)

It is mandatory for all students to purchase the SMU Medical Insurance, for coverage during their study term in Singapore. It is included as part of the miscellaneous fee*, which is applicable to all students. Students are strongly advised to purchase additional travel insurance at their own cost and discretion as necessary, for personal travel or leisure trips overseas. The SMU Student Travel Insurance only applies to students on official travels approved/sanctioned by SMU.

All international exchange and visiting students are required to hold a valid Student’s Pass during their study term in Singapore. The Student’s Pass is a legal document that enables the student to live and study in Singapore, as well as serves as a multiple-entry visa into Singapore (subject to terms and conditions). The cost for the Student’s Pass ranges between S$90 and S$120 and includes the application fee, issuance fee and multiple-entry visa fee (if applicable).
SMU will initiate the application of the Student's Pass. Nevertheless, students bear the responsibility to complete and fulfil the application requirements for the Student’s Pass before their arrival in Singapore. More information on the Student’s Pass application process will be provided two months before the start of the study term.

More information here

Compulsory, approximately 4 working days before term begins. 

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