Singapore, Singapore

Arts + Sciences

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Information for term Arts + Sciences

Application deadline, and cost information.

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Program Deadlines and Pricing Info

  • Dates: Aug 10 – Dec 1, 2023 (16 weeks)
  • Credit: 15 - 16 semester hours / 22.5 - 24 quarter hours
  • Eligibility: 3.0 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

October 1, 2023
weeks
days
hours

Program Deadlines and Pricing Info

  • Tentative Dates: Jan 2 – Apr 26, 2024 (16 weeks)*
  • Credit: 15 - 16 semester hours / 22.5 - 24 quarter hours
  • Eligibility: 3.0 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Program Deadlines and Pricing Info

  • Credit: 15 - 16 semester hours / 22.5 - 24 quarter hours
  • Eligibility: 3.0 Overall GPA

Overview

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Immerse 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

  • Study with peers

    from all over Southeast Asia and the world

  • Eat to your heart’s content

    at Singapore’s hawker stands – two of which have Michelin Star awards

  • Live in the dynamic gateway to Asia

    that combines an ultramodern skyline with the rich cultures of its past

  • 4 official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, Tamil

    4
  • islands and islets in Singapore’s territory

    64
  • Singapore's green city space

    46.5%

Location & Culture

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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

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Academics

 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

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Course Information

Host Institution Courses

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Students 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

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Scholarships & 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 info

Dates & Fees

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Dates & 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 Fees

CIEE 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 = $24,950

Financial Aid

CIEE 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.

See Scholarships

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 Fees

CIEE 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 = $48,650

Financial Aid

CIEE 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.

See Scholarships

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 Fees

CIEE 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 = $25,950

Estimated Costs

Students 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 = $1,940

Financial Aid

CIEE 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.

See Scholarships

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.

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What's Included

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What's Included

Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext and a local liability insurance
24/7 emergency on-site support

Our Staff

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Get Started

Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:
  • 1

    START AN APPLICATION
    You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! 

    Apply Now
  • 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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