Singapore Management University: Location, Campus, and Academic Overview

Singapore Management University (SMU), established in 2000, is a publicly-funded private university recognized for its world-class research and distinguished teaching. Modeled after the Wharton School, it aims to cultivate broad-based, creative, and entrepreneurial leaders for the knowledge-based economy. SMU distinguishes itself through a highly interactive, collaborative, and project-based approach to learning. This article delves into the university's location, campus facilities, academic structure, and various schools and programs it offers.

A Prime Location in the City

After initially being located at the former Raffles College (now the National University of Singapore's Bukit Timah campus) on Evans Road, SMU relocated to its current campus in the Bugis-Bras Basah district. This urban setting positions SMU as a primarily commuter campus, seamlessly integrated into the city's vibrant core. Its location puts cities at the heart of its focus, addressing pressing issues with insightful ideas on Digital Transformation, Growth in Asia, and Sustainable Living from leading experts.

Campus Facilities and Design

SMU's campus is designed to foster collaboration and innovation. Six of the buildings are connected by an underground walkway known as the Concourse, a public space lined with shops. Teaching facilities include seminar rooms, classrooms, computer labs, and group study rooms that facilitate project discussions. Research facilities are also strategically located throughout the university. The university had leased the former MPH Building, which housed the former flagship store of MPH Group until 2003, located at the junction of Stamford Road and Armenian Street from mid 2015 to mid 2019 to house SMU Labs.

Academic Structure and Programs

SMU emphasizes rigorous, high-impact, multi- and interdisciplinary research that addresses Asian issues of global relevance. The university follows a course credit system similar to that used in most American universities. Each course is assigned a credit weightage, and students must complete a specified number of units to meet graduation requirements. Courses are typically conducted as small group seminars of under 50 students, encouraging active participation and personalized learning.

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

These schools offer a wide range of bachelor's, master's, and PhD degree programs in various disciplinary areas, as well as multidisciplinary combinations of these areas.

Admissions

SMU admits students once a year based on a list of pre-university or high school qualifications, including the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level, diplomas from polytechnics or arts institutions, and the International Baccalaureate diploma. For graduate programs, SMU generally requires GMAT and TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Lee Kong Chian School of Business

The Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB) was SMU's first school, established in August 2000. The school was named after the philanthropist Lee Kong Chian. As one of the leading business schools in Asia, LKCSB combines academic excellence, a focus on Asia, and a view to having a meaningful impact on the world. The LKCSB offers an extensive suite of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including an MBA, Executive MBA, and general and specialist Master’s programmes in a range of subjects.

The SMU MBA is designed to shape versatile and dynamic leaders. The curriculum features core modules and a selection of electives. The SMU EMBA Programme is designed for global senior leaders who are keen on business innovation and personal growth.

School of Accountancy

The School of Accountancy (SOA) offers bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting.

Read also: Funding Your Master's in Singapore

School of Economics

The School of Economics (SOE) was established in July 2002. The SOE offers the Bachelor of Science (Economics) as well as Master of Science programmes in Economics and Applied Economics.

School of Computing and Information Systems

The School of Computing and Information Systems (SCIS) was first formed as the School of Information Systems (SIS) with the aid of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).

Yong Pung How School of Law

The Yong Pung How School of Law (SOL) is SMU's smallest school. The SOL offers the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) undergraduate programme, as well as a postgraduate Juris Doctor (JD) programme. The establishment of the SOL was announced in August 2007. Previously, the SOL existed as the Department of Law under SMU's Lee Kong Chian School of Business, where it was chaired by Andrew Phang.

School of Social Sciences

The School of Social Sciences (SOSS) was established in July 2002. The SOSS's primary offering is the Bachelor of Social Science, a multi-disciplinary undergraduate programme.

College of Integrative Studies

The College of Integrative Studies (CIS) was formed in 2021 for interdisciplinary and integrative teaching and research.

SMU Academy

SMU Academy offers programmes for working professionals, providing continuous lifelong education through diplomas and certificate programs. In addition to its traditional academic programmes, the university also runs executive education and development programmes for leaders at four stages of their career: emerging leaders, general managers, senior executives and corporate directors.

Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship was established in 2009 and provides research, innovation and entrepreneurship training for the students of the university.

Rankings and Recognition

SMU has consistently achieved recognition in various global rankings, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and research impact.

SMU made its debut on the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings in 2017.
SMU is ranked No. 36 in the QS Business and Management Studies Subject, No. 49 in the QS Accounting Subject, No. 60 in the QS Economics Subject, No. 68 in the QS Social Sciences and Management Subject and No. 95 band in the QS Law and Legal Studies subject.
SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business was ranked No. 58 worldwide and No.
SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business was ranked No. 76 worldwide and No.
SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business was ranked No.
SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business' Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) was ranked No.
SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business was ranked No. 21 worldwide and No.
SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business' research productivity in top ranked journals across all fields of business in 2016-17 is No.
SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business' research productivity in top ranked journals in management field in 2016-17 is No.
SMU School of Accountancy was ranked No. 1 in Asia and No. 3 in the world for both Archival Research (All Topics) and Archival Research (Financial).
SMU was ranked No. 64 worldwide and No.

Libraries

The SMU Libraries consists of the Li Ka Shing Library and the Kwa Geok Choo Law Library. InK, Institutional Knowledge at SMU is the institutional repository and archives of the Singapore Management University. It acquires, organises and provides access to the research and scholarly works of SMU faculty.

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