What is student life like at SMU Singapore in terms of class structure, exam format, and the grading system for Indian master's students?
SMU runs a participatory class model that is different from the lecture-heavy format most Indian students are used to. Class participation typically makes up a meaningful portion of the grade, often 20 to 30 percent, which means speaking up in class is not optional but assessed. This can initially feel uncomfortable for students accustomed to passive lecture attendance, but it also makes classes more engaging. Students design their own timetable by choosing and bidding for courses each semester, with the flexibility to cluster classes on two or three days and keep other days free.
• Grading at SMU is done on a curve, your grade is partly determined by how your performance compares to your cohort, not only by absolute score.
• This means that performing well requires being among the stronger performers in your class rather than just reaching a threshold.
• Exams include a mix of closed-book finals, project submissions, group work, case analyses, and presentations depending on the course.
• The assessment model is generally more continuous than in Indian universities, with multiple components contributing to the final grade rather than a single end-of-semester exam.
More expert answers
SMU classes are three hours long with a break in the middle, and the participation component of the grade, typically 20 to 30 percent, means speaking in class is assessed, not optional. Most Indian students find this initially uncomfortable because Indian educational culture tends to reward listening and note-taking over speaking in a class setting. The adjustment period is real but short, most students adapt within the first semester. Students design their own timetable each semester by bidding for courses using a points system, which means popular electives require strategic allocation of bidding points.
• Some students choose to concentrate all classes on two or three days; others distribute them across the week.
• Grading at SMU is on a curve, your final grade reflects your performance relative to your cohort, not only your absolute score.
• This means that being consistently above average in a cohort of competitive students is the target, rather than reaching a fixed threshold.
• Assessments are continuous: most courses involve a mix of participation, group projects, case presentations, midterm, and finals, with no single assessment determining the entire grade.
Not sure which Singapore universities to apply to?
Courses, costs and career outcomes in one personalised plan.
More Universities & admissions questions
- What are some effective online German language classes for Indian students preparing to study in Germany?
- By when should my HEP point be completed, should it be this month to avoid delay in UK?
- If I apply to two courses at the same university, do I need separate letters of recommendation for each course or can I use the same letter for both?
- What are the chances of getting a conditional offer letter requiring IELTS even if I have a good 12th standard score?
- Is January 2027 intake possible for masters in business analytics in UK/UAE?
- Which universities in the USA offer MS Engineering Management for a B.Tech Automotive Engineering graduate, Duolingo 120 and ₹80 lakhs budget?
- Can I pursue an MBA abroad after completing a Bachelor of Science degree?
- Is it possible to study computer science with specialization in artificial intelligence in UK/New Zealand for a Master's?
More Singapore questions
- Other than Canada and Netherlands, are there better countries to study science and technology in Germany/Singapore?
- Which country do you think is better for my management course abroad?
- What are the career prospects in Singapore after completing an MPH at NUS as an Indian student?
- Is it possible to pursue a master's in artificial intelligence and machine learning abroad in Ireland/Singapore?
- Can you track an Employment Pass application on the MOM portal when your employer files it?
- Have you discussed your abroad education plan with your parents in UK/Australia?
- Is my daughter planning to settle down abroad with permanent residency or just study in Singapore/USA for a Master's?
- Do I need to submit individual mark sheets for backlogs during the application process in Germany/Singapore for a Master's?