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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 produce broad-based, creative and entrepreneurial leaders for the knowledge-based economy.

Home to around 10,000 undergraduates and postgraduates, SMU comprises of six schools:

SMU offers a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degree programmes in the disciplinary areas associated with the six schools, as well as in interdisciplinary combinations of these areas.

SMU has an emphasis on generating rigorous, high-impact, and relevant multi-disciplinary research that addresses Asian issues of global relevance, SMU faculty collaborate with leading international researchers and universities from USA, Europe, China and India as well as with partners in the business community and public sector, through its research institutes, centres and labs.

SMU’s city campus is a state-of-the-art 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.

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About » Overview

Overview

SMU at a glance

#14
among specialist universities worldwide
11,621
undergrad and postgrad students
388
globally diverse faculty
38th Globally for Business & Management Studies in Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject
Energy Efficiency National Partnership (EENP) Awards 2021
Winner for Best Energy Efficiency Practices in the Public Sector (Organisation)
The Straits Times 'Best Employers 2021'
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings (WUR)
SMU is ranked 38th globally for Business & Management Studies in Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject.
The Straits Times 'Best Employers 2021'
SMU receives two accolades – The Straits Times ‘Best Employers 2021’ and ‘Great Companies for Dads Awards 2021’. Read more
107th in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2021
76th in Social Sciences & Management Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2021
Winner of Great Companies for Dads Awards 2021

More university facts

University Profile
  • Established in January 2000
  • First publicly-funded autonomous university in Singapore
  • City campus located in the Bras Basah civic district
  • Shared values of Commitment, Integrity, Responsibility, Collegiality, Leadership and Excellence
Student Profile
  • 7,827 full-time undergraduates*
  • 1,750 full-time and part-time postgraduates*
Faculty Profile
  • 388 full-time faculty*
  • 44% international faculty [non-Singapore citizens]*
  • A globally diverse faculty pool with PhDs from leading international universities
  • 30 different nationalities*
  • * As of December 2015

- Less university facts

Last updated on 23 Nov 2021 .

 

History

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.

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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.

Find out more about our brand identity