Singapore Management University

Singapore Management University (SMU) is a publicly-funded private university in Singapore. It is the third oldest autonomous university in the country, and models its education after the Wharton School. SMU is also the only university in Singapore with a city campus, located in the heart of Singapore's Central Business District.

The history of Singapore Management University (SMU) 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, offering a new and innovative approach to education.

SMU was officially incorporated on 12 January 2000, and the university welcomed its first batch of students in August of that year. The university's founding dean was Professor Howard R. Bowen, who had previously served as dean of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

SMU was modeled after the Wharton School in many ways. For example, SMU adopted Wharton's interdisciplinary curriculum, which allows students to study a variety of subjects in addition to their business major. SMU also placed a strong emphasis on experiential learning, with students required to complete internships and overseas exchange programmes.

In the early years, SMU faced a number of challenges. One challenge was attracting students and faculty. At the time, there were only two other universities in Singapore, and both of them were well-established and highly respected. Another challenge was developing a strong reputation for research. SMU was a new university, and it had to compete with more established universities for funding and resources.

Despite these challenges, SMU has grown and flourished in the years since its founding. SMU is a young university, but it has already made a significant impact on Singapore. The university is known for its innovative curriculum, its strong focus on experiential learning, and its commitment to research. SMU is a great choice for students who are looking for a world-class education in a vibrant and cosmopolitan city.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2026, Singapore Management University is positioned as the #511 top university in the world, which makes it the #3 top university in Singapore. The university's global rank is improved by 74 points from last year.