Singapore, 16 June 2020 (Tuesday) – The Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Lee Kong Chian School of Business’ (LKCSB) MSc in Wealth Management (MWM) is ranked among the top 3 in the world and first in Asia in the latest Financial Times (FT) Masters in Finance Rankings 2020.

This is the fifth consecutive year that SMU LKCSB has been recognised as one of the top three finance Masters programmes in the world by FT in its Masters in Finance post-experience rankings. The School remains the only institution in Asia to make it to the ranking, placed just after London Business School and University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School. FT did not hold the rankings in 2019.

Commanding a salary of approximately US$125,057, graduates of the MWM programme reported an average salary increase of 91% three years after graduation from the programme, compared to an 86% salary increase in the last edition of the ranking. The MWM programme placed second in terms of delivering value to graduates.

In addition, SMU LKCSB’s Master of Science in Applied Finance (MAF) climbed five spots to join the global top 40 in the FT Masters in Finance pre-experience rankings 2020. The School scored strongly in categories such as career progression (25th in the world) and career services (32nd in the world). SMU LKCSB is the only institution in Singapore and South-Asia to be ranked for its finance programmes.

Professor Gerard George, Dean of SMU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business, and Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, said, “This achievement affirms the efforts of our world-leading faculty members, many of whom bring rich real-world industry expertise, in creating an impactful and inspiring learning experience for our students. With the current challenges brought by Covid-19, it is especially key for business leaders to deepen collaborations to revitalise and rebuild economies. The ranking affirms our commitment to develop graduates who are armed with global perspectives and equipped with the practical skills to adapt to new and complex environments.”

About SMU LKCSB MSc in Wealth Management

The SMU MWM started in 2004 as Asia’s first and only full-time master’s programme in wealth management, and the first specialised one in the world. It comprises a rigorous curriculum that is designed in consultation with industry professionals and academics collectively. It anchors on the strengths of institutions across Asia, Europe and USA. It is a recognised postgraduate programme associated with the CFA Institute and CAIA.

Participants interact with wealth management professionals across three continents, through vast learning opportunities including exposure and immersion in global investing. Regularly reviewed to reflect industry developments, the MWM programme has a careful balance between theory and practice. Graduates obtain deep mastery of wealth management and are fully trained and job-ready. The modular structure allows professionals to pursue the master’s degree while working, and those without wealth management experience can embark on an internship to enhance their employability. Graduates receive the MWM degree from SMU and certificates from eminent universities in Switzerland and USA in just 12 months. The programme has close to 700 alumni to date.

About SMU LKCSB MSc in Applied Finance

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 more than 1,500 students in total under the various MAF tracks.

About the ranking

This is FT’s ninth survey and annual ranking. The FT defines pre-experience programmes as those aimed at students with little or no professional experience, while post-experience programmes require participants to have worked in finance. Most full-time programmes are aimed at pre-experience students.

The rankings are based on information collected in two separate surveys. The first is of the business schools and the second of alumni who completed their degrees in 2017.

For full results and more details about FT Masters in Finance Rankings 2020, please refer to the following: FT Masters in Finance Ranking Methodology 2020

For information about the ranked SMU postgraduate programmes:

·         Master of Science in Wealth Management (MWM)

·         Master of Science in Applied Finance (MAF)