The Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB) has been ranked third in the world in the Financial Times (FT) Global Masters in Finance Post-experience Ranking 2015 for its Master of Science in Wealth Management (MWM) programme.  The School is the only institution in Asia and in Singapore to make it to the top five positions globally, placing just after London Business School and University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School.

SMU LKCSB also emerged second in Asia and 34^th in the world in the FT Global Masters in Finance Pre-experience Ranking 2015 for its Master of Science in Applied Finance (MAF) programme.  It is again the only Singaporean institution to be ranked.  According to FT, LKCSB is also the first school to feature in both the Pre-experience and Post-experience rankings, and is the highest-positioned new entrant.

The findings of the Post-experience Ranking 2015 reveal that SMU’s MWM alumni experienced a 69% increase in salary after graduation; they draw an average current salary of US$85,899¹ and are the third highest-paid among the five institutions ranked.  LKCSB was also ranked second in 'placement success', indicating the strong demand for SMU MWM graduates by the industry as well as the effectiveness of the University's career services and support.

On the other hand, in the Pre-experience Ranking 2015, LKCSB came in second among the top 50 schools in ‘international mobility’ of its graduates.  This is testimony of the high demand for SMU MAF graduates across geographies and financial markets.

“It’s wonderful to see our School and programmes recognised as among the best internationally.  We take world-leading research faculty and embed them with best-in-class practice to prepare our students for successful careers in finance.  These rankings reaffirm our journey to be the best Asian business school with a global perspective,” said Professor Gerard George, Dean of SMU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business, and Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

[Photo: Professor Gerard George, Dean, SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business]

The SMU MWM started in 2004 and is a 12-month full-time programme.  It comprises a rigorous curriculum that was jointly designed by and anchors on the strengths of four institutions – SMU, Wealth Management Institute, Swiss Finance Institute and Yale University – across Asia, Europe and USA.  The modular structure of the programme allows professionals to pursue a Master’s degree while working; and those without wealth management experience can embark on an internship to enhance their employability.  The programme has trained 471 wealth managers to date and will be welcoming its 12^th batch in July 2015.

Launched in 2002 as SMU’s first postgraduate programme, the SMU MAF is a 12-month full-time or 18-month part-time programme.  Its industry-relevant curriculum prepares students to pursue the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.  It provides a strong foundation in the principles, practices and operations of international and domestic financial markets, focusing on applying updated and relevant knowledge in real-world situations.  The programme has grown over the years – in 2008, the MAF (China) programme was established in partnership with Xiamen University in China; in 2013, SMU also partnered Washington University’s Olin Business School to offer the Global Master of Finance Dual Degree programme, which provides students with an exceptionally enriching learning experience in two continents.  To date, SMU has graduated over 950 students in total under the various MAF tracks.

This is FT’s fifth survey and annual ranking.  To be eligible in the Pre- and Post-experience rankings, schools must be internationally accredited and the programmes must have run for at least four consecutive years.  The ranking considers the features of the institutions and their programmes, and is based on two questionnaires – one completed by alumni who have been in the workplace for three years since graduation, and another by the business schools themselves. 

SMU’s expertise and know-how in finance is well-recognised in Asia.  Just last month, SMU, together with TMS Academy, the integrated leadership development arm of Temasek Management Services (TMS), was awarded the mandate by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to develop and deliver the Asian Financial Leaders Programme (AFLP).  The AFLP is a flagship programme that aims to prepare senior-level talent in Asia’s financial sector, including banking, insurance, investments and private equity, to assume leadership positions and handle the growing complexity of Asia’s financial institutions.

Please refer to the press release for the full details of the ranking results.