Singapore Management University Exchange

Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Junior or Above
Location: Asia, Singapore
GPA: 3.0
Program Overview

Enroll directly in courses taught at Singapore Management University, a world-class AACSB accredited university in Singapore’s capital city. You can choose from a variety of business-related coursework at SMU. Coursework is taught in English and SMU has a diverse student body with many international students. The program will accept two to four University of Oregon students per year. 

Because SMU is an entire university dedicated to business and management, it offers many unique and specialized courses, such as: Corporate Responsibility in the Global Era, Visual Analytics for Business Intelligence, Crisis Management and Communication, Capital Markets in China, and more.

The SMU campus is situated at the heart of the central business district and the arts and heritage neighborhoods. The campus is easily accessible via public transportation, and there is a wide variety of food outlets, shopping and entertainment centers conveniently located around campus. SMU is well-equipped with various facilities – campus-wide WiFi, state-of-the-art learning facilities and resources, library, swimming pool, and fitness gym. Exchange students have plenty of opportunities to meet local students and other international students through more than 150 interest groups in sports, performing and visual arts, community service, entrepreneurship, food and culture, and more. 

For more information, please visit the Singapore Management University website.

Singapore is situated at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula and is at the center of Southeast Asia. Three major cultures co-exist in Singapore namely Chinese, Malay, and Indian. A multicultural and multilingual society, Singapore is an ideal entry point into Asia for students without previous experience in the region. Singapore’s central location allows for convenient and affordable travel to surrounding countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and more.

Dates and Deadlines
 
Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date  
Fall Semester 2024 02/01/2024 Early August Early December  
Academic Year 2024-25 02/01/2024 Early August Late April  
Spring Semester 2025 02/01/2024 Early January Late April  

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $400 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

You will choose from a wide variety of business and management-oriented classes. The following areas of concentration are available at SMU: Accountancy, Corporate Communication, Economics and Statistics, Finance, Information Systems, Law and Legal Studies, Marketing, Operations Management, Organizational Behavior and Human Resources, Political Science, Psychology, Quantitative Finance, Sociology, Strategic Management, Science and Technology, Arts and Language. 

Modeled after the world-renowned University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, SMU offers seminar-style teaching in small class sizes, creative thinking and dynamic exchange of ideas between faculty and students. All classes at SMU are taught in English. SMU has some 300 faculty who are selectively recruited from around the world to advance knowledge in teaching and research. In addition to recruiting some of the best academics in their fields, SMU also calls upon successful leaders in business for their specific expertise to combine academic vigor with hands-on business savvy. 

You will take a course load of about four courses in fall semester, or about five courses in spring semester. For more details, view the SMU course catalogue. During the secondary exchange application, you will need to select one of the six Schools at SMU: Accountancy, Business, Economics, Information Systems, Law, or Social Sciences. You will take half of your classes within your home School, and your other classes can be from other Schools. The business mindset also extends to the course registration process at SMU, where each student is given a certain amount of ‘e-dollars’ that you will use to bid on courses. Note: you should consult with your UO academic advisor before finalizing your course selection.

On this exchange program, you will earn:

  • Around 20 UO credits in fall semester
  • Around 25 UO credits in spring semester

Note for Spring Semester: the regular maximum course load at SMU is 4 classes (20 UO credits), however, it is possible to take 5 classes if a student’s home university requests this. During the secondary application process, the GEO office will include a letter to SMU, confirming that UO students need to take 5 classes in order to maintain UO full-time enrollment. For spring semester, you should thus expect a rather heavy workload.

Note: UO credits listed above are estimates and are subject to change. Please refer to the SMU links for the updated credit information on their classes. One credit at SMU is equal to 5 UO quarter credits.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Application process

The application process for this program is competitive: GEO staff will review your application materials, and a decision about your enrollment will not be made until after the application deadline. In some cases, an interview is required. If your program requires an interview, you will be contacted with further details about this process after the application deadline. Early applications are encouraged.

Successful applicants will receive an exchange nomination from GEO. Selection will be based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and written statements. 

Applying for an exchange program involves 2 steps. If you receive a nomination from GEO, you will also need to complete the host university's application, which is administered and reviewed by your host university directly. Instructions will be provided after acceptance by GEO. The host university makes the final decision regarding acceptance into the program.

Housing Description

As an exchange student, you must make your own housing arrangements. You can stay in a hostel for the first few nights until you are able to find an apartment to share with usually around three to four other exchange students. SMU provides resources and connects you with other exchange students prior to arriving in Singapore to aid in the process of finding housing. Since English is one of the main languages spoken in Singapore, communication with landlords or housing services should not be an issue. Singapore is very well connected by public transportation, and many apartments are close to grocery stores, restaurants, and community centers. For more information, visit the SMU Exchange website (scroll down, click on Other Information, and expand the Accommodation tab).