RSM Erasmus

Many Asian economies have grown significantly in recent years, which has resulted in growing global interest in the region. Consequently, many nations within the region have fast become popular study destinations for MBA students. Indeed, according to the QS Top MBA Applicant Survey 2014, no fewer than 17% of prospective MBA applicants are open to MBA study in Singapore, putting it in the world’s top-10 study destinations – a position it has maintained for the past two years.

Are you among these prospective MBAs with an interest in the region? Here’s a list of top international scholarships offered at high-ranking business schools in the region for students who could do with some financial assistance.  

The University of Hong Kong - Faculty of Business and Economics

The University of Hong Kong offers merit-based international scholarships to a number of full-time MBA students each year. Student’s eligibility for the award is assessed on factors such as admission interviews, performance, career background, GMAT score and academic qualification. All applicants are considered for this award automatically upon registration and no separate application is necessary.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

Among the MBA scholarships offered by CUHK is the Young Global Professional Scholarship. This is awarded to young professionals with outstanding work experience, high GMAT scores and strong academic records. Applicants are encouraged to apply for the award, which covers 50% of MBA course fees, early in the admissions cycle. It is also desirable for students to have extensive international or Asian exposure to be eligible for this award.

HKUST Business School

HKUST awards a merit-based scholarship worth between 10-50% of overall tuition fees. The award is given to top candidates who have extensive work experience, strong GMAT scores and excellent references who perform impressively in their interview.

Students who are non-Asian but with language proficiency in Chinese or another Asian language will be at an advantage. It is also desirable that students have an extensive amount of global experience. All students are considered for this scholarship upon enrollment and no further application is required.

INSEAD Singapore

An increasing number of students wish to study in Singapore due in part to the high esteem in which its institutions are held.INSEAD Singapore offers a selection of MBA scholarships to students, with its most notable being the Robin Hood scholarship, which is truly a scholarship with a difference. The Robin Hood scholarship is essentially a collaborative effort amongst students to raise awareness and financial backing throughout the academic year for students who struggle to pay the fees.

Students who have been deemed eligible for the scheme are expected to lead the campaign among their peer groups by using their entrepreneurial skills to raise money. The Robin Hood Committee members of each class commit a lot of their time to the fund, and aim to achieve new giving records each year on campus.

Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University

Female students from the Middle East, the Asia Pacific region or Africa who study in Singapore at SMU are all eligible to apply for the MasterCard MBA Scholarships for Women award. The award was set up to encourage more female students to pursue a career in business and offers scholarships to students worth $10,000 each year for female students to study in Singapore. Applicants must be accepted into  the SMU full-time or part-time MBA program and demonstrate strong leadership skills and a record of community service to be accepted. Special consideration is given to those who demonstrate financial need.