Information for term Arts + Sciences
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenImmerse yourself in bustling university life at one of Asia’s top-ranked universities, Singapore Management University (SMU). From business and humanities to social sciences and STEM, you'll find challenging coursework across academic disciplines to advance your degree. Coursework at SMU is enriched with CIEE extracurricular activities and excursions beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.
The Takeaways
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Study with peers
from all over Southeast Asia and the world
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Eat to your heart’s content
at Singapore’s hawker stands – two of which have Michelin Star awards
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Live in the dynamic gateway to Asia
that combines an ultramodern skyline with the rich cultures of its past
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4 official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, Tamil
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islands and islets in Singapore’s territory
64 -
Singapore's green city space
46.5%
Location & Culture
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The Destination
The island-state of Singapore lies one degree north of the equator in Southeast Asia. It blends Malay, Chinese, Arabic, Indian cultures and religions. Since gaining independence in 1965, Singapore has become a flourishing city-state that excels in trade and education and is considered a model to developing nations. Singapore is one of the most competitive economies in the world and a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Singapore.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
- Take a walking tour to the civic and cultural district in downtown Singapore
- Learn about Hawker cuisine, and the heritage behind street food culture in Singapore
- Explore outlying islands and experience the eco-diversity across Singapore
- Enjoy multicultural events held all year round in Singapore
- Hike the trails in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Singapore’s only primary forest
- Visit the night safari, regarded as one of the world’s best nighttime zoos
- Participate in sports such as indoor soccer, beach volleyball or sepak takraw
- Two days one night trip to Bintan/Batam [Indonesia] or Malacca [Malaysia]
Volunteer Opportunities
CIEE Singapore seeks to foster an urban community of learners that is respectful of its surroundings and proactively engages with individuals, community groups, and institutions. Orientation will include an introduction to the community resources and opportunities to give back. Students can volunteer their time working with local environmental groups to help maintain public parks, with the local Singapore Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or with youths in after-school programs.
Daily Life
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Housing
Students live in a dormitory for international students in a location accessible to public transportation.
Singapore is a small city and major attractions are within easy reach via public transit. Commute around the island nation in under 60 minutes even from its furthest points via public transportation. -
Meals
Basic kitchen facilities are available to prepare simple meals. You’ll find there is a variety of affordable food options available throughout Singapore, including hawker centers, coffee shops, canteens, and food courts.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
Modelled after the Wharton School, Singapore Management University (SMU) is one of the top-ranked universities in Asia. SMU’s downtown campus is surrounded by museums, theatres, educational institutions, art galleries, cafés, restaurants, and a range of retail outlets. Buildings are fringed by heritage trees, with the park landscape of Campus Green at the center. SMU offers a wide range of bachelors, masters and doctoral degree programs in the disciplinary areas associated with its six schools, as well as in interdisciplinary combinations of these areas. The university is renowned for its Business, Computer Science, and Social Sciences programs and for its seminar-style classes.
CIEE students enroll in SMU undergraduate courses offered across a diverse range of academic fields, including specialized areas such as Accounting, Finance, Economics, Social Sciences, Law, and Information Systems. Students may also have the opportunity to add the CIEE Intercultural Communication and Leadership elective course.
The CIEE Singapore team are available to help students navigate the academic, cultural, and political environment of Singapore. The CIEE Singapore office is located in downtown Singapore at Balmoral Plaza, 5 minutes from Newton MRT, a quick hop from SMU on the subway.
GPA
3.0
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Additional Requirements
Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students at a college/university with at least one completed, full year on their official transcript at the time of application.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Program Requirements
Students enroll in either four SMU courses for 16 total credits, or three SMU courses plus the CIEE Intercultural Communication and Leadership course (not offered ever term) for 15 total credits. Students may enroll in any 4-credit course from the SMU course offering and can choose to focus on an area of interest such as business, technology, or cultural studies and social sciences. The majority of SMU courses confer 1 SMU credit/4 U.S. semester credits each.
Program Credit
15 - 16 U.S. semester / 22.5-24 quarter credits
Course Credit
- CIEE course: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
- SMU courses: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 39 contact hours
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Academic Culture
In comparison to the campus and academic culture in the U.S., students will have to adjust to a rigorous, interdisciplinary approach at SMU. The expectation for independent student work/study per class session is generally higher than that in the U.S. AS 1 SMU credit consists of 39 contact hours per term, students are expected to spend a significant amount of time outside of class in self-directed study. The total independent study time dedicated to completing each course is estimated to be in the range of approximately 6-12 hours per week. Students are empowered to speak up in class and participate actively. There are group projects and presentations for most courses and final examinations at the end of the term. Students will be provided with an academic orientation both by the host institution and the CIEE site staff.
Class Format
Students are eligible to enroll in any SMU course for which they are qualified. SMU faculty will deliver the majority of academic content on their campus, except for the optional CIEE-delivered elective, Intercultural Communication and Leadership. A typical SMU course meets for 3 hours per week over the course of 13 weeks. Students may also have the option of taking a CIEE elective course, where instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas.
Grading
Assessment at SMU is typically based on presentations, projects, class participation and performance, and exams. SMU uses a local grading system which CIEE converts to recommended U.S. letter grade equivalents. The CIEE course is graded on the basis of class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi. The U.S. grading scale of A – F is used.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Language of Instruction
English
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
Fall 2023 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenCommunication, Journalism, and Media
Host Institution Courses
Click to OpenStudents are eligible to enroll in any SMU course for which they are qualified.
Explore the full list of courses in the SMU Course Offerings. You can browse the suggested academic pathways to assist your selection or use the Class Search.
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2023 16 weeks | Deadline Passed | Aug 10, 2023 | Dec 1, 2023 |
$24,950
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Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $19,553 Housing = $4,900 Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $24,950Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable |
| Academic year 2023-2024 16 weeks | Deadline Passed | Aug 10, 2023 | TBD |
$48,650
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Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $38,353 Housing = $9,800 Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $48,650Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable |
| Spring 2024 16 weeks | Oct 1, 2023 | Jan 2, 2024* | Apr 26, 2024* |
$25,950
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Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 Educational Costs = $20,556 Housing = $4,900 Insurance = $194 Total Fees = $25,950Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $1,445 Books & Supplies = $200 Personal expenses = $220 Other = $75 † Total Estimated Costs = $1,940Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. † COVID Test back to US |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Looking for funding?
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Marc Teng
Center Director
Marc has over 15 years of experience in the education and travel sectors. He holds an MBA and a postgraduate diploma in education.
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Biona Liew
Program Coordinator
Biona joined CIEE in 2022 after seven years of managing operations in the education travel industry. She holds a diploma in hospitality.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
2
CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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