Graduates of Singapore Management University’s undergraduate university programmes have achieved higher employment rates and higher incomes than their peers from Singapore’s two other autonomous universities, the latest joint survey shows.
This is the second consecutive year in which the three autonomous universities - the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU) conducted a joint survey.
A total of 1,257 participants of the 1,659 SMU alumni who graduated in 2013 took part in the survey. It revealed that more than 92 per cent of SMU’s grads from the 2013 cohort were employed within six months after completing their final examinations, with more than 86% being offered jobs from before graduation to within the first two months of completing their final examinations.
The average gross monthly salary of SMU graduates in full-time employment is a record $3,455, since SMU graduated its pioneer cohort in 2004. This is a 1.8% increase over the previous year’s average gross monthly salary of $3,395.
The top 20% of wage earners commanded a mean gross monthly salary of $5,281.
SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer said, “The strong survey results reinforce the fact that SMU is producing a highly trained work force; versatile, confident and articulate individuals who are business-ready and market relevant for Singapore. Our holistic undergraduate educational experience provides a distinctive interactive pedagogy with personalised attention for every student. Through community service, public speaking and leadership skills, coupled with the valuable work experience that they gained through their industry internships, and a rigorous academic programme, SMU students are poised to be transformed into well-rounded leaders who are able to make a difference when they graduate. They have a distinctive edge in the job market and possess qualities that are highly sought after by employers.”
The versatility of SMU graduates was also demonstrated in the wide variety of professions and industries that they are employed in, ranging from finance and insurance; legal, accounting and auditing, information and communication, business and management consultancy, as well as the public and social sectors.
As compared to 2012 results, more of SMU’s graduates this year have joined industries such as education, finance and insurance, advertising and market research, retail and, public administration and defence.
SMU’s graduates continue to do well across the six Schools in 2013.
According to the survey, SMU Law graduates command high starting salaries with 100% of the survey respondents employed and enjoying mean and median gross monthly salaries of $ 5,246 and $5,000 respectively. Those with Cum Laude or better had a mean gross monthly salary of $ 5,617, a 10% increase over 2012.
The Business Management graduates' mean gross monthly salary is $3,520. The median gross monthly salary is $3,200. Those with Cum Laude or better were paid a mean gross monthly salary of $3,975.
The Economics graduates garnered a mean gross monthly salary of $3,513. The median gross monthly salary is $3,339. Those with Cum Laude or better achieved a high mean gross monthly salary of $3,820.
The mean gross monthly salary of SMU’s Accountancy graduates increased to $3,342 for the 2013 cohort. The median gross monthly salary is $2,825. Those with Cum Laude or better achieved a higher mean gross monthly salary of $3,634.
The mean and median gross monthly salaries of the Social Sciences graduates are $3,150 and $3,000 respectively. Those with Cum Laude or better enjoy a higher mean gross monthly salary of $3,267.
Click here for more detailed findings of the survey.