A premier university in Asia, the Singapore Management University (SMU) is internationally recognised for its world-class research and distinguished teaching. Established in 2000, SMU's mission is to generate leading-edge research with global impact and to produce broad-based, creative, and entrepreneurial leaders for the knowledge-based economy. SMU's education is known for its highly interactive, collaborative, and project-based approach to learning.
Home to over 12,000 students across undergraduate, postgraduate professional and postgraduate research programmes, SMU comprises eight schools:
- College of Integrative Studies
- College of Graduate Research Studies
- School of Accountancy
- Lee Kong Chian School of Business
- School of Economics
- School of Computing and Information Systems
- Yong Pung How School of Law
- School of Social Sciences
SMU offers a wide range of bachelors', masters', and PhD degree programmes in the disciplinary areas associated with its schools, as well as in multidisciplinary combinations of these areas.
SMU emphasises rigorous, high-impact, multi- and interdisciplinary research that addresses Asian issues of global relevance. SMU faculty members collaborate with leading international researchers and universities around the world, as well as with partners in the business community and public sector. SMU's city campus is a modern facility located in the heart of downtown Singapore, fostering strategic linkages with business, government, and the wider community.
Vision
To be a premier university, internationally recognised for its world-class research and distinguished teaching.
Mission
To create and disseminate knowledge. SMU aspires to generate leading-edge research with global impact as well as to produce broad-based, creative and entrepreneurial leaders for the knowledge-based economy. SMU is committed to an interactive, participative and technologically enabled learning experience. Towards this end, it will provide a rewarding and challenging environment for faculty, staff and students to kindle and sustain a passion for excellence.
Quick Links
SMU at a glance
#19
Best Young University derived from QS World University Rankings 2024
13,330*
Undergrad and part-time postgrad students
*As of 11 September 2023
407*
Globally diverse faculty
*As of January 2023
2nd in Asia and 24th Worldwide by QS 2024 Business Master’s Rankings
3rd in Asia and 27th Worldwide by QS 2024 Executive MBA Rankings
5th in Asia by QS 2025 Global MBA Rankings
5th in Asia for Masters in Management (MiM) programmes in the Financial Times Global Ranking 2023
5th in Asia for Masters in Finance Pre-experience (SMU MSc in Applied Finance) by Financial Times Business School Rankings 2023
The Straits Times 'Best Employers 2024'
History of SMU
1998(Est): Federal Building, Bukit Timah Campus
SMU's journey began in 1997, when the Singapore government first mooted the idea of a third university for the country. The government wanted SMU to be an experiment in diversity. The experiment began with the choice of the Chairman of the new institution, Mr Ho Kwon Ping, a renowned and successful business entrepreneur.
He was joined by an SMU task force of academics including Professor Tan Chin Tiong, who determined that SMU should be an American-style university offering a broad-based education in contrast to Singapore's tradition of the more specialised British model.
University Brand Identity
The Singapore Management University places a high priority on developing and maintaining a consistent corporate image to reinforce its status and position, both in the local and wider communities.
To effectively protect the university's brand, we have developed guidelines to ensure consistent implementation of SMU's visual identity.