QS 2026: SMU Records the World's Largest Rise in Various Study Programmes
Singapore Management University (SMU) has recorded a significant surge in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, becoming the university with the largest ranking increase globally for institutions with 10 or more programmes in the list. This achievement reinforces Singapore’s position as one of the main higher education destinations for Indonesian students.
Based on UNESCO data, out of around 59,000 Indonesian students studying abroad, Singapore is one of the favourite destinations. Geographical proximity, world-class education quality, and a competitive international environment are the main driving factors. Meanwhile, ICEF Monitor data shows that the number of Indonesian students in Singapore has reached around 10,000 people.
In the latest rankings, eight out of ten SMU study programmes experienced a global ranking increase, reflecting even improvement across various disciplines. The Business and Management Studies programme is now ranked 39th in the world, while Accounting and Finance occupies the 50th position worldwide, both entering the global top 50.
One of the most striking surges occurred in the Law programme, which rose 45 positions to rank 56th in the world, making it one of the most significant improvements in Singapore this year.
Overall, four SMU programmes are now in the world’s top 60, namely business and management, accounting and finance, economics and econometrics, and law. In addition, SMU’s social sciences and management group also recorded a significant rise, ranking 86th in the world after jumping 89 positions.
“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between faculty, students, and partners in building an institution that excels academically while having real impact,” said SMU President Lily Kong.
This year’s rankings by QS Quacquarelli Symonds analyse more than 21,000 programmes from around 1,900 universities in 100 countries, covering 55 disciplines in five main subject groups.
SMU’s ranking surge affirms the trend of increasing competitiveness of Asian universities on the global stage, while strengthening Singapore’s position as an increasingly sought-after international education hub, including by Indonesian students.