How to Apply
- Application Period
- General Instructions
- Applicant Self-Service
- Admission Requirements
- Admissions Tests & Score Reports
Application Period
The online application for the August 2025 intake starts 1 September 2024 with the following admissions phases:
Phase 1 - 30-11-2024
Phase 2 - 31-01-2025
Phase 3 - 31-03-2025
Phase 4 - 31-05-2025
All supporting documents including GMAT/ TOEFL/ IELTS scores must reach us by the stipulated deadlines above.
Please get ready contact details of two referrals for uploading and read the Applicant's Guide to Admission before submitting your application online.
How to Submit Your Application
The first step is to complete the online application form and attach copies of the required documents as instructed. Keep a copy of your submission for your records. Your application will only be processed when we have received all the required documents and payment.
Documents to submit
- Updated Resume
- Undergraduate Degree Scroll
- Undergraduate Degree Transcript
- Any other supporting documents
- SMU Admissions Test/GMAT/GRE
- IELTS/TOEFL if undergraduate degree was not taught in English
- Passport
- Two References: please provide the name, email and contact number of two referees (they can be from your colleagues, superiors or friends). Referees will be notified to complete their referral forms online.
Eligible candidates will be shortlisted for an interview with the Admissions Panel.
Other Information You Should Note:
- Correspondences will be sent mainly by email, please ensure that you check your email regularly.
- Interviews will be conducted between October to June for shortlisted applicants.
- Successful applicants will be informed within 1-2 weeks after the interview.
- Our FAQs cover important information useful to you during your application phase, please refer to them and contact our office for assistance should the nature of your enquiry fall outside of our FAQs.
Once you have submitted your application and have received the application number confirmation email, you can use the Applicant Self Service functions to check your application status or update your contact information.
Please refer to the Applicant's Self-Service Guide, please click here.
The application criteria for the MPA programme are as follows:
- Applicants must demonstrate good prior academic performance in an undergraduate degree from a recognised institution of higher learning.
- Applicants must have sufficient background in Mathematics/Calculus.
- Applicants have the option to take SMU Admissions Test (SMUAT) or GMAT or GRE as an admission test for application to the programme.
- Applicants with relevant working experience will have an added advantage.
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an online interview by members of the MPA Admissions Panel.
- Applicants must show proficiency in the English language. A TOEFL (min. score of 90) or IELTS (min. score of 6.5) test is required if the applicant's undergraduate degree was not conducted in English.
You are required to take an Admission Test for admission to the MPA programme, regardless of your academic background or prior qualifications. You may choose to take the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) / GRE (Graduate Record Examinations General Test), or the SMUAT (Singapore Management University Admissions Test). If you have previously taken the GMAT or GRE, it must have been taken within five years of the date of your application submission.
You are strongly encouraged to take the SMUAT if you do not have a GMAT/GRE Score Report. Details of this test will be provided to you once your application has been submitted.
The following groups of candidates are exempted from GMAT/GRE/SMU Admissions Test:
- SMU Bachelor’s degree graduates with a minimum cGPA of 3.4/4.0 (within 5 years of graduation)
- SUTD/NUS/NTU/SUSS/SIT Bachelor’s degree graduates with a minimum cGPA of 3.6/5.0 (within 5 years of graduation)
However, meeting the cGPA academic input does not guarantee acceptance and candidates may still be asked to take the GMAT/GRE/SMU Admission Test.
If your undergraduate studies were not taught in English, you must take the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). An IELTS (min. score of 6.5) or TOEFL (min. score of 90) report is required. Either test must be taken within the last two years of your application submission.
You will need to email the unofficial results of your test to the SMU Admissions Office and make a request at the relevant test centre to send your official score report to SMU.
We adopt a holistic approach in our selection process and the overall quality of the applicant determines his/her admission to the programme. This would include prior academic performance at university, work experience, referee reports, interview scores, etc.
Official score reports can be sent via the following Institution Codes:
TESTS INSTITUTION CODES
GMAT: F8D-3B-56
GRE: 2861 (Department Code: 4001 - Accounting)
TOEFL: 9014 (Department Name: Accounting)
SMUAT
The SMUAT is an online test comprising three components: verbal, numerical, and inductive reasoning. This Fact Sheet contains further information. To register for the SMUAT, you will be required to complete the MPA application first of S$100. After you have submitted the application, please log in to the Applicant Self Service portal to make an additional payment of S$125 for the test and send us the payment receipt via email: SOAMasters@smu.edu.sg. Once we have processed the payment, we will get in touch with you to send the test information over email.
More information about SMUAT is available here.
GMAT
More information about GMAT is available on the GMAT website. To enhance the competitiveness of your application, you should attain a GMAT score of 600 or higher, OR a GMAT Focus edition score of 555 or higher (try a GMAT mini quiz)
GRE
More information about GRE is available on the GRE website. To make your application more competitive, you should achieve a minimum GRE combined score of verbal and quantitative components of 312.
Programme Fees
Application |
Registration / Deposit |
Tuition Fee |
Payment Schedule |
S$100 (inclusive of GST) Application is non-refundable and applicable at time of submissions. |
Registration and Deposit fee is non-refundable* and payable on acceptance to the Programme. The registration fee of S$400 and S$500 (inclusive of GST) covers matriculation, examination fees, orientation activities, library and computer account. The deposit fee of S$5,000 (inclusive of GST) will contribute to first billing of tuition fee. |
S$53,410 (inclusive of GST) |
Payment notice will be sent students one month prior to term commencement. |
Application |
S$100 (inclusive of GST) Application is non-refundable and applicable at time of submissions |
Registration / Deposit |
Registration and Deposit fee is non-refundable* and payable on acceptance to the Programme. The registration fee of S$400 and S$500 (inclusive of GST) covers matriculation, examination fees, orientation activities, library and computer account. The deposit fee of S$5000 (inclusive of GST) will contribute to first billing of tuition fee. |
Tuition Fee |
S$53,410 (inclusive of GST) |
Payment Schedule |
Payment notice will be sent students one month prior to term commencement. |
*Tuition fees are locked in once the student enters the programme. Singapore Management University reserves the right to alter tuition fees for new incoming cohorts when required.
*For the avoidance of doubt, the deposit shall form part of the total tuition fees for the programme; however, SMU will not refund the deposit should a student withdraw from the programme at any time after accepting the offer.
*Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a tax collected on behalf of the Singapore Government and will be charged at the prevailing rate.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
The late Diana Koh Ming Ying was a highly talented and accomplished veteran in the accounting and advisory field in Singapore. Her professional success was built on her hard work and dedication, as well as being the very caring and compassionate person that she was. In line with her well-known generosity, a legacy to support deserving students at SMU has been established with a contribution from her estate.
The objective of the scholarship is to support and spur the students to achieve excellence in their studies and to accord appropriate recognition to the recipients for their accomplishments.
The scholarship, which is valued at $20,000 (inclusive of GST), will offer financial support towards the recipient’s annual tuition costs and/or study-related expenses.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible for this Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Open to students of Master of Professional Accounting and Master of Science in Accounting (Data & Analytics) programmes Singapore citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident
- Outstanding academic achievements
- Demonstrate active involvement in co-curricular activities and community service pursuits
- Demonstrate leadership potential and a good sense of citizenship within SOA or the broader SMU community
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0
- Demonstrate financial-neediness as per University’s metrics
- Interview session with the Donor
Application is not required for the Diana Koh Scholarship, which is awarded to students in the MSA Program after due consideration by the faculty based on the criteria listed above.
This scholarship is to incentivise good applicants from ASEAN countries to pursue SMU Master’s Degree programmes, and to increase the diversity and overall learning experience in the classroom. Recipients of the scholarship are expected to be good ambassadors of SMU in general, and to participate actively in student development/outreach activities. One scholarship valued at S$10,000 (inclusive of GST) will be awarded for each Academic Year.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible for this Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:
- Specialised in Finance
- Citizen of an ASEAN member country or observer nations (PNG and Timor-Leste)
- Must matriculate into the SMU Postgraduate programme (no deferment)
- Excellent academic background
- Not a concurrent recipient of any other SMU-funded scholarships
Application is not required for the SMU MASTERS ASEAN Scholarship, which is awarded to students in the MPA Programme after due consideration by the faculty, based on the criteria listed above.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
1. Academic Excellence: Generally with a minimum GPA of 4.5 out of 5.0 or equivalent in undergraduate studies.
2. Leadership Potential: demonstrated leadership experience through extracurricular activities, work experience, or community service.
3. Global Perspective: Evidence of international experience, such as studying abroad, international internships, or multicultural engagement.
4. Personal Statement: A compelling personal statement outlining career goals and how the scholarship will help achieve them.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
1. Academic Performance: Generally with a minimum GPA of 4.0 out of 5.0 for the $10,000 level and 3.5 out of 5.0 for the $5,000 level.
2. Professional Achievements: Relevant work experience or internships in accounting or related areas.
3. Extracurricular Involvement: Active participation in relevant clubs, organisations, or community service.
4. Personal Statement: A well-written personal statement demonstrating the candidate’s commitment to accounting.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
1. Interest in Sustainability: Demonstrated coursework, projects, or volunteer work in sustainability.
2. Academic Achievement: Generally with a minimum GPA of 3.5 out of 5.0 or equivalent in undergraduate studies.
3. Project Proposal: A brief proposal outlining a sustainability-related project or initiative the candidate have done.
4. Personal Statement: A personal statement detailing the candidate’s passion for sustainability and future aspirations in the field.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
1. Entrepreneurial Experience: Demonstrated experience in starting or managing a business independently or within a family business.
2. Academic Achievement: Generally with a minimum GPA of 3.5 out of 5.0 or equivalent in undergraduate studies.
3. Business Proposal: The candidate must submit a business proposal outlining an entrepreneurial venture they are currently involved in or plan to develop, along with evidence of innovative thinking and the potential impact the business could have on the industry or community.
4. Personal Statement: A personal statement describing the candidate’s entrepreneurial journey, challenges, and future goals.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
1. Leadership Experience: Proven leadership experience in academic, professional, or community settings, with tangible examples of initiatives led and outcomes achieved.
2. Academic Achievement: Generally with a minimum GPA of 3.5 out of 5.0 or equivalent in undergraduate studies.
3. Proven Leadership: A strong recommendation letter from referees highlighting the candidate’s leadership qualities, skills, and impact in academic, professional, or community settings.
4. Extracurricular Activities: involvement in leadership roles in extracurricular activities or organisations.
Established in 2024, the objective of the EY Excellence Scholarship is to motivate exceptional postgraduate students in Singapore Management University’s School of Accountancy, with the aim of spurring them to greater heights of academic excellence. One scholarship valued at S$15,000 (inclusive of GST) will be awarded for each Academic Year.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident.
- Must matriculate into the SMU MPA Programme (no deferment)
- Good academic achievements (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0)
- While not a requirement, consideration will be given to postgraduates with demonstrated financial needs.
Synonymous with both prestige and a willingness to serve Singapore, the Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) Scholarship marks Singapore’s continuous effort to recognise outstanding individuals with the aptitude and inclination to contribute to our society.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants, who must be Singapore citizens, will be assessed holistically. This includes their track record of leadership and achievement in their fields of pursuit/professions. Applicants should also have the potential to excel in their fields/professions, which will contribute to and benefit Singapore and our society.
Find out more about the scholarship here.
For more information, please contact psc@psd.gov.sg
The CIMB ASEAN Scholarship is committed towards helping young talent in need to realise their dreams. Going beyond financial support, the Scholarship programme provides exciting professional development and a mentor support system designed to empower the region's young talent to turn their lives around and make a difference for those around them. In recognising the evolving nature of the banking industry, CIMB welcomes applicants from a wide variety of academic disciplines such as applicants studying Computer Science, Data Science and Psychology, apart from degrees traditionally associated with a career in banking such as Accounting, Economics, Finance. To find out more, please visit here.
LPDP is committed to preparing Indonesian future leaders and professionals through scholarships and encouraging research innovation through research funding. LPDP continues to move towards an organisation with high competitiveness, not only on a local scale, but on a regional and even international scale.
We are proud to share that SMU has been recognised as an approved Masters/PhD destination for “all subject” under the LPDP 2023 programme.
Please visit LPDP for more information. Apply for the LPDP scholarship here.
The Financial Services Authority of Indonesia (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan) is an Indonesian government agency which regulates and supervises the financial sector. The OJK Sponsorship is offered to OJK employees who are keen to pursue a Master or Doctoral degree in SMU. OJK employees may contact their HR department to find out more about the sponsorship and eligibility criteria.
- The SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme offers Singaporeans aged 40 years and above the opportunity to receive the SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) Top-up of S$4,000. This credit is intended to help offset out-of-pocket tuition fees, starting from the Academic Year 2024/2025 intake, commencing on or after 1 May 2024. Please visit https://www.skillsfuture.gov.sg/level-up-programme for further details.
- up to 90% course fee subsidies are not eligible for MSA programme. Please visit https://www.skillsfuture.gov.sg/initiatives/mid-career/enhancedsubsidy for further details.
- Singapore Citizens with eligible Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) may utilize balance funds for tuition fees. Click here for more details.
- Students seeking financing aid may approach their local bank(s) directly to enquire and apply for the various study loan packages.
SMU Discount Scheme |
Eligibility |
Amount |
Exemption Discount* |
SMU Alumni Discount |
SMU UG/PG alumni |
$8,000 |
Up to 4 CUs exemption at $3,000 each (for alumni of local AUs and PUs) |
SC/PR |
Singapore Citizens/ Permanent Residents |
$5,000 |
|
Partner Universities and Local AUs (SMU/NUS/NTU/SIT/SUSS/SUTD) |
Partner Universities and Local AUs |
$4,000 |
|
ASEAN |
ASEAN nationals |
$3,000 |
|
Corporate |
Corporate Partners |
$6,000 |
*Only for specifically identified exempted courses with prior studies at PU/SMU, typically requiring a satisfactory performance for recognition. Note that exemptions may result in ineligibility of professional accreditations.
Each student is only eligible for one discount. Should a student qualify for more than one discount, only the higher discount will be applicable.
The Singapore Management University reserves the right to amend the discount schemes for new incoming cohorts when required.
Terms & Conditions Apply.
For more information, please call 6333 7777.
For enquiry on this, please contact:
Selva Kumaran
Senior Executive
DID: (65) 6661 2157
Email: selva.subramaniam@cimb.com
For more information, please call 6333 0033 or visit https://www.posb.com.sg/personal/loans/education-loans/posb-further-study-assist
Email: personalloans@dbs.com
The application must be with a joint applicant who is a Singaporean or Singapore PR. More details are available at http://info.maybank2u.com.sg/personal/loans/personal-credit/mb-education-loan.aspx
Contact Person:
Mr Javier Chan
Personal Finance Executive
DID: (65) 6338 6543
Email: chan@maybank.com.sg
For more information please call 1 800 323 0100 or visit http://www.rhbbank.com.sg/personal/loans/education_loan.html.
Contact Person:
Cheryl Chan
DID: (65) 8139 9820
Email: cheryl.chan@rhbgroup.com
For more information please call 1 800 438 3333 or visit https://www.frankbyocbc.com/products/investments/edu-loan/
Indian nationals admitted to SMU are eligible to acquire study loan against security given by them from SBI in India. Visit www.sbising.com for more details or call 1 800 724 7464 / 6228 1116.