Singapore Management University (SMU) is making waves in the world of business education with some impressive rankings from the latest 2026 QS Global Masters in Finance Rankings. The university’s Master of Science in Applied Finance (MAF) program has grabbed the top spot in Singapore, come in second in Asia, and secured 33rd place globally. This is a huge win for the program, especially since it’s its first time on the list, standing out among 248 programs from 47 countries.
Over in the MBA space, SMU’s MBA program has climbed to fourth place in Asia, up one spot from before. It held steady at 41st worldwide, even as QS evaluated more programs—now 390 in total. Both the MAF and MBA programs come from SMU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB), showing the school’s strong focus on top-tier finance and business education.
Professor Bert De Reyck, Dean of SMU LKCSB, shared his excitement about these results. “These rankings highlight our academic excellence and our unique way of blending deep knowledge with real-world skills,” he said. “We go beyond lectures to help students apply what they learn, giving them the tools to shine in tough global job markets.”
What makes SMU special? LKCSB is one of the youngest business schools globally and the only one in Singapore with the rare Triple Crown accreditation since 2018. This elite status, earned from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, puts it in the company of just a handful of top business schools worldwide.
The good news doesn’t stop there. In business analytics, SMU’s Master of IT in Business (MITB) program ranked second in Asia and 25th globally in the 2026 QS Masters in Business Analytics Rankings. Among 201 programs across 39 locations, it kept its runner-up spot in Asia, proving its edge in hot areas like AI, data science, and tech. To tackle the growing need for cybersecurity experts, SMU just added a new Cybersecurity track to the MITB, joining specializations in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science & Analytics, FinTech, and Digital Transformation.
SMU’s postgraduate programs stand out because they connect students directly with industry pros. You’ll dive into real Asian case studies and learn global best practices through interactive classes led by diverse international faculty. Plus, there’s plenty of networking with business leaders. The university keeps updating its courses to match fast-changing trends in business and tech, so graduates are ready for whatever the global economy throws at them.
These rankings, released on September 17 by UK-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), use tough criteria like employability and academic reputation to rank programs fairly. If you’re eyeing finance degrees, MBA programs, or business analytics courses in Asia, SMU is clearly a leader worth watching.
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