Office of International Relations
Administration Building
81 Victoria Street
Singapore 188065
Reg. No. 200000267Z
Dear student
Greetings from the Singapore Management University! We are delighted by the prospect of you joining our vibrant and diverse community.
SMU is located in the heart of the Singapore city! This city campus is first-of-its-kind in the historic Bras Basah district where the business and arts communities are seamlessly integrated. Do visit us online at: http://www.smu.edu.sg/campus/index.asp
.
Your best informative channel with regards to your upcoming exchange semester at SMU is via our website: www.smu.edu.sg
For specific details on incoming international exchange students, please refer to: http://www.smu.edu.sg/international_exchange/for_incoming_students/index.asp
To date, we have 204 partnerships with distinguished universities world-wide. Of course, there are more to come! At SMU, your student life will be filled with unprecedented excitement as you make friendships with diverse nationalities and with the local
Singaporeans.
Our list of partners is available via the link below: http://www.smu.edu.sg/international_exchange/partner_universities.asp
In this letter, you will find information on your upcoming semester exchange and important application procedures:

SMU Online Application

Student ’s Pass

Housing

Academic matters

Orientation

SMU Insurance

SMU Contact information
The following information is very important. Please read through carefully and ensure that all stated deadlines are met!
SMU Office of International Relations
Inbound Exchange Student Guide - Spring 2012, Term 2
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SMU Office of International Relations
Inbound Exchange Student Guide - Spring 2012, Term 2
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Registration for Spring 2012 (Term 2)
The online application period for the SMU International Exchange Programme is:
All nominated students must complete the online application by 30 September 2011, 2359 hours (Singapore time).
Late applicants will not be entertained.
You are required to login using a User ID and Password to access the Online Application System .
Please read the attached documents and register for a new account via the following link: http://eservices.smu.edu.sg/psp/ps/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/SIS_MA.SIS_GADM_APPLREG.GBL?
&FormID=ISEP
Applying for
Admissions.pdf
To submit the online application, the following documents must be attached in the online application;

Latest official transcripts (Transcripts must be official with university seal/letterhead, results printed via your home university student portal will not be accepted)

Passport page/s that capture your details

TOEFL / IELTS score report, if applicable
When creating the User ID , select an ID which is easy to remember.
The User ID can be the same as your home university User ID .
Fields such as "Full name", "Country of Birth" and "Race" should be phrased clearly.
Full name should be indicated EXACTLY the same as it appears on the passport, even if there is a comma or a dash in your name. The example as follows;
For eg: Name as it appears on passport
Last name: Smith
First name: Jacqueline Nicole
On the online application, you will be first be prompted for your FULL NAME: Jacqueline Nicole
Smith and then you will be prompted for your last name only, Smith .
For eg:
Full name: Jacqueline Nicole Smith
Last name: Smith
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Please DO NOT give alias, short-form or nick names. Special characters are not allowed, eg;
.
If you are unsure, you may refer to your name in the barcodes at the bottom of your passport particulars page.
The date of birth must be in DATE / MONTH / YEAR format.
Information input on the online application will be used for registration of the student pass.
Incorrect information will cause a processing delay of the student pass and you will be required to re-apply and make payment again.
Upon submitting the online application, you will receive the user ID and password via email.
Please SAVE the email as the user ID and password will be required for other administrative procedures after you’re accepted.
The photograph for the SMU student card must be submitted by 30 September 2011.
You may only upload the photograph upon submission of the online application. To upload the photograph , please refer to the followin g document for the link to the ‘Applicant Self Service’ function. The document on ‘SMU Guidelines on taking photograph’ indicates the criteria for the photograph.
Applicant Self
Service.pdf
SMU Guidelines on
Taking Photograph.pdf
The SMU acceptance letter(s) and SOLAR details (Student OnLine Application and
Registration details – For student visa in Singapore) will be sent directly to your home university in May/June. Please allow 1 – 2 weeks of delivery time for the acceptance letter(s) and SOLAR details. Please collect the documents from your home university coordinator.
More information on the exchange semester, labeled as the Acceptance Information
Package will be sent via email in October / November.
English Proficiency
English is the mode of teaching in SMU and the main language used in Singapore. To participate and succeed in the courses and exams, the student must have well spoken and written English.
If English is not the native language of the student, we’ll ask your home university to guar antee that the student’s standard of spoken and written English is at least EQUIVALENT to 560 points (the paper-based test) or 220 points (the computer-based test) or 80 points (the internet based test) in the TOEFL-test. This is because students who were not at ease with the English language often experience much difficulty in class. Hence, we trust our partners to nominate students with a good command of the English language.
SMU is a strong supporter of empowering students and encouraging them to be vocal in class.
Most courses require either an individual presentation and/or a group presentation. As English is the main language of instruction in SMU students need to be able to converse confidently and clearly.
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Application of Student’s Pass (SOLAR)
All nonSingaporean students participating in SMU’s International Exchange Programme must obtain a Student’s Pass for his/her study period at SMU, Singapore.
Each Student’s Pass will be pre-registered, based on the duration of the exchange programme.
A credit card is required to make payment for the Student’s Pass registration online.
More instructions on the student pass registration will be given after students have been accepted under the exchange programme.
For students participating in the exchange programme for more than 1 semester (6 months or more), a medical report is required.
The medical report form must be completed by the doctor for submission at ICA upon your arrival in Singapore. The medical report can be completed in your home country or in
Singapore.
For completion of medical report in home country  The medical report has to be completed in English & only the original copy of the report is accepted. Please bring along the results. The test results must certified by a Singaporean doctor.
For completion of medical report in Singapore  Students are required to bring their
SMU acceptance letter, passport and the medical report form when they go for the medical examination. The examination fee would cost approximately SGD $50.00+. Please allow up to 4 workings day for the release of the medical results.
Employment in Singapore
As an international exchange student, students cannot exceed work/internship of more than 16 hours within a week during the school term. However, you could work full time if you are on holiday with a valid student pass. http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/working-in-singapore/Pages/employment-of-foreignstudents.aspx
Extension of student pass for internship purpose is strictly not allowed .
SMU does not assist exchange students secure internships. Students are advised to seek assistance from the Embassy or source on their own.
Please refer to the link below for more information on the type of work pass required for working in Singapore: http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/working-in-singapore/Pages/default.aspx
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Entry Visa to Singapore
Foreigners holding travel documents issued by some countries will require a visa to enter
Singapore.
Please refer to the following link to check if you require a visa; http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=96&secid=94
**Information source: www.ica.gov.sg
Housing
SMU does not arrange for accommodation for International exchange students.
SMU Hostel
Due to limited rooms at the SMU hostel, we regret to inform that the SMU hostel at Prinsep Street is not available for international exchange students.
The Commonwealth Hostel will be open for application after students are accepted into the exchange programme. Students will be informed on the application procedures via email.
For details on the Commonwealth Hostel, please refer to the link below; http://www.smu.edu.sg/leasing/Commonwealth/index.asp
Student Hostels
A list of student hostels in Singapore can be found via the following link; http://www.smu.edu.sg/students/student_life/downloads/Hostel%20List%20latest.pdf
Private Accommodation
Exchange students are advised to seek private accommodation.
Kindly source for an apartment on your own or seek the help of private agents (a list of housing agents will be provided after students are accepted into the exchange programme).
Please note that SMU is not liable for any agreements made between yourself and the landlord / hostel management.
An accommodation guide is available via the following link; http://www.smu.edu.sg/international_exchange/for_incoming_students/accommodation.asp
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Inbound Exchange Student Guide - Spring 2012, Term 2
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Course Registration
More instructions on the course registration will be given after you have been accepted into the exchange programme at SMU.
Please go to the Undergraduate Student Information website at http://info.smu.edu.sg/courses/index.asp
and view the online course catalogues for each school. Most SMU courses are available to exchange students. Exchange students are only allowed to follow undergraduate courses.
However, the Course List detailing the list of courses offered to exchange students during a particular term will be released about a month before the on-line course registration.
The course catalogues are available about 2 months before the start of the semester. Please do have a look at our course catalogue for the upcoming semester towards the middle/end of
November; and have list SMU courses approved by your home university before the course registration window opens.
Please note that the courses listed in the catalogue include those not offered to exchange students. Students are advised to refer to the Course List to know which courses are available to them.
As our online course catalogue gets updated throughout the year, you may wish to conduct your course selection closer to the deadlines so as to receive the latest course updates. If the outline for a particular course is not available at the time of your course selection, you may view the previous terms’ outline as a benchmark.
For more information on course selection using the Undergraduate Student Information, please go to the Academic Questions on the FAQ section of the Incoming Students webpage.
Examination Clashes
In selecting your courses, you are to check them for examination clashes (including for your reserve courses). It is imperative that you check your courses for examination clashes because in the event that this it is overlooked, and you face examination clashes with your courses, SMU will not be able to accommodate in any way. This will most likely result in your having to forgo a course. Exam dates are shown in the course catalogue. All exam dates are final and will not be rescheduled for any reason.
Please note that course enrolment is subject to class and faculty availability, fulfillment of prerequisites, and timetabling factors. It is your responsibility to check with your home university to ensure that you have fulfilled the pre-requisites for the courses selected.
Course Load
The average course load for SMU students per semester is 4 full-credit courses. Typically, exchange students enroll in 4 full-credit courses per semester at SMU. However, this may vary depending on your home university’s requirements. The maximum (non-negotiable) workload per semester is 5 SMU credits.
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Each full-credit course at SMU carries a weighting of 1 credit each. It consists of 3 contact hours per week over a period of 13 teaching weeks (i.e. 39 contact hours). A half-credit course has a total of 21 contact hours per term.
It is strongly recommended that International Exchange Students take 3-4 courses while on exchange at SMU.
SMU Transcripts
Two copies of your transcripts will be sent directly to the International Relations Office of your home university two months after the official release of the exam results.
Students who are on exchange at SMU for one year, the home university will receive the transcripts only at the end of the exchange program (March 2013).
This is important, especially for the final year students who will be unable to file for graduation due to the delay of transcripts.
SMU does not provide a certificate / letter of completion for the exchange programme or an unofficial transcript.
Transcripts will be put on hold if there are outstanding payments, library fines, hostel fees, etc.
Academic Calendar & Orientation
SMU’s Spring Semester (Term 2): 9 January – 26 April 2012
Academic Calendar
2011-12.pdf
Each SMU semester runs on a 15-week cycle. This includes the examination period which is on week 15 th – no changes in exam date is allowed . Classes run intensively from Week 1 onwards. Attendance is compulsory .
For more information on SMU academic calendar, please refer to http://info.smu.edu.sg/courses/index.asp
.
Orientation session for International Exchange students: 3 & 4 January 2012
Orientation is compulsory.
The orientation dates are TO BE CONFIRMED and students will be informed in October 2011.
Latest arrival date: 28 December 2011
Early arrival is a must for student pass processing and collection of the SMU student card.
It is university policy for students to attend classes when term starts.
Late arrivals are NOT accepted.
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The recommended arrival date is to facilitate the application of the Student’s Pass at ICA which may take more than 3 working days during the peak period. There will be a huge processing delay at ICA during the peak period as there will be a large number of foreign students coming to Singapore during the start of a new term. The Student’s Pass will be required for signing the housing contract, purchase of SIM card, etc.
Students may not collect the SMU student card without verifying the Studen t’s Pass.
For students who arrive after the orientation, please take note of the following regarding courses;

No special arrangements will be made to register for courses.


No further assistance will be given by the Office of International Relations (OIR).
If courses are fully taken up, no extra seats will be made available.

No special assistance will be given on BOSS bidding as this will be covered during orientation.
Students are required to pay a compulsory Miscellaneous Fees of approximately S$250+.
This includes insurance coverage, IT services and sports facilities fees.
The miscellaneous fee is NON-REFUNDABLE.
More details will be included in the Acceptance Information Package .
SMU Insurance - Mandatory
SMU has arranged student insurance coverage with AXA Insurance for all international exchange students – Coverage includes Student Personal Accident (PA) Policy and Medical Insurance .
It is mandatory for all international exchange students to participate in this insurance scheme.
Details of the above insurance can be found via the following link: http://www.smu.edu.sg/students/student_life/services/index.asp
Payment of your health insurance is included in the compulsory Miscellaneous Fee. Students are not required to make any application for the SMU insurance. All applications will be made on your behalf by SMU automatically.
Please note that it is very important that you are adequately insured while studying in
Singapore and for short trips around the region. Hence, we strongly advise you to take additional insurance to cover liability and personal belongings during your exchange and also transportation from and back to your home country in case of illness.
Students with pre-existing medical conditions are strongly advised to purchase additional medical insurance. Please note that the coverage for students is based on subsidised rates in Singapore. It may not be sufficient for emergency treatment overseas (outside of
Singapore) which will likely be much higher. There is also restriction on the clinics/hospitals, claims cannot be reimbursed if you visit non-panel or private clinics / hospitals.
Please consult your insurance agent in your home country to ensure that you are adequately insured.
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Inbound Exchange Student Guide - Spring 2012, Term 2
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SMU Exchange Facebook Group
For the past semesters, we have successfully gathered SMU exchange students online prior to their exchange semester. This allows students to meet each other virtually before the start of the exchange programme to discuss on accommodation matters, etc.
Do join the Facebook group “SMU International Exchange Students”.
SMU Contact – Office of International Relations
When contacting us, please include your Name and Home University . Please check your email REGULARLY as updates on your exchange will be sent via email & inform me
IMMEDIATELY if there is a change in your email address. Your email address must be able to receive large files / attachments.
For matters on your exchange, please contact:
Ms. Nurazlin Mohd Saad, Lin
International Programmes Advisor
(Inbound - from Partner Universities in Europe)
Tel: +65 6828 0315
Fax: +65 6828 0290
Email: nurazlinms@smu.edu.sg
Mailing Address:
Office of International Relations
Singapore Management University
Administration Building, Level 8
81 Victoria Street
Singapore 188065
Office hours: Monday – Friday
9.30am – 12.00pm; 2.30pm – 5.30pm
Closed on Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays.
We are extremely excited about receiving you in Singapore!
Office of International Relations
Singapore Management University
SMU Office of International Relations
Inbound Exchange Student Guide - Spring 2012, Term 2
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1 August – 30 September
Deadline: 30 September
Time Line
(Spring = January – April, Term 2)

Online application with SMU
October, November

Home University informs SMU about nominated students on exchange.

SMU sends application information to nominated students via email

Upload photo for SMU student card

SMU sends acceptance information package via email to all successful applicants

SMU sends acceptance letter and student’s SOLAR details to home university
Deadline: 20 October
No later than 28 December

Online registration with ICA for the Student’s Pass . Students must apply online with the SOLAR number ASAP upon collecting the acceptance letter and SOLAR details from the home university coordinator
 Student’s arrival in Singapore
Verification of Student’s Pass & collection of SMU student card:
29 & 30 December

Schedule and venue will be advised at a later date
Orientation: 3 & 4 January 2012 
Orientation dates to be confirmed in October 2011
SMU Office of International Relations
Inbound Exchange Student Guide - Spring 2012, Term 2
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