You want to enhance your professional profile, and get to the next level of your career. You want to be a leader in your field – develop managerial skills, and boost your knowledge of running a business. An MBA degree, you know, will get you where you want to go. But, you are still hesitant to make the move. And, it’s not just about gathering funds needed for the studies. What you are daunted by are also those never-ending questions related to the MBA.
“In which country should I pursue my MBA?”; “Should I go for full-time MBA or an Executive MBA?”; “Am I at the right stage of my career?”; “How do I prepare myself and ensure that I make the best use of the MBA experience?” – These are just a few of the questions that haunt MBA aspirants.
To resolve your MBA dilemmas, and to help you take the right decision, Nanyang Business School is launching a new blog series, with the goal of providing answers to some of the frequently asked MBA-related questions. Kick-starting the “Answers” series is our first post on the question that students interested in pursuing an MBA in Singapore often ask:
Q: “Why do an MBA in Singapore?”
A: The location of the business school plays a key role in determining the outcome of your MBA degree and it’s important to give it a great deal of thought. Singapore is an excellent destination for pursuing Masters, and especially a degree in Business and other related fields. Here are some reasons why you should consider doing an MBA in Singapore:
- Quality of Education
Education has always been a prime focus for Singapore, and the nation has strived to become a knowledge-based economy and a ‘Global Schoolhouse’. With its high-end infrastructure, modern outlook, vibrant culture, and close economic ties with other nations, Singapore offers a holistic education for future business leaders. As an MBA student studying in Singapore, your opportunities to learn and grow won’t be limited just to the classroom. In addition to the excellent faculty at the business schools in Singapore, you will also benefit from numerous opportunities to gain practical work experience, and international exposure to the world of business.
- Job Opportunities
Singapore is the world’s fourth largest financial centre. Apart from a great number of international companies that have their Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore; the country also has a burgeoning startup ecosystem for aspiring entrepreneurs, and has been ranked first worldwide by the World Bank for the ease of doing business. Singapore also has a very low unemployment rate(around 1.9 %) which makes it an attractive destination for job seekers and highly-skilled individuals.
Additionally, if you are an international student planning to pursue your MBA studies in Singapore, then the country also offers other benefits such as the ease of getting work permit, and permanent residency status.
- Affordable Education
Boosting your career prospects need not come at cost of huge financial debt. It’s important to take the financial aspect into consideration, while choosing the MBA programme to apply to. Doing an MBA and living in Singapore is affordable, and that makes it more favourable when compared to other popular destinations for MBA studies such as the US or the UK.
- Cultural Diversity
Singapore’s characteristic trait, and the one that makes it stand out from the rest of the educational destinations, is its colorful culture and diverse population. The country has four national languages: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil; and has people from every nook and corner of the world living together in perfect harmony; learning from and getting inspired by each other’s language, culture and religious beliefs. As an international student you will not only be able to get easily accustomed to the life in Singapore, you will also be able to benefit from the enriching multicultural environment that the schools offer.
- Safe and Comfortable Place to Live
A warm and pleasant weather throughout the year, friendly people who can converse in multiple languages, a well-developed public transport system and ease of commuting within the city – these are just a few of the things that make Singapore a comfortable place to live for students and working professionals. Singapore also has the lowest crime rates in the world and a zero tolerance attitude towards drug abuse, which makes it a safe place to live in.
Do watch out this section for more MBA-related Q&As. Have a query that you would like to be answered in this series? Feel free to share them with us.