When global job markets are broadly cautious due to economic uncertainty and the wave of AI automation, families seeking university admissions support in Singapore will be reassured to know that graduates of the country’s three leading autonomous universities — the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Singapore Management University (SMU) — delivered an impressive set of results in 2025.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Education’s Graduate Employment Survey, the employment rate of graduates from all three universities within six months of completing their studies reached approximately 90%, and average starting salaries rose steadily compared to the previous year. The employment rate covers graduates who were in full-time, part-time, or freelance employment, had accepted an offer and were awaiting to start work, or were actively preparing to start their own business. This outcome is a powerful testament to the long-term commitment of Singapore’s higher education system to deep integration between academia and industry.
National University of Singapore (NUS) — Employment Rate 89.8%
School-Industry Partnerships Helping Graduates Succeed
According to NUS official data, the graduate employment rate reached 89.8%, of which 75.2% of graduates were in full-time formal employment at the time of the survey. A further 6.5% had accepted offers and were awaiting to start work, or were actively preparing to start a business. The average monthly salary for full-time formal employment was S$5,193, rising steadily from the previous year.
More than 18 degree programmes recorded employment rates exceeding 90%, with Dentistry and Architecture achieving 100%, Civil Engineering 96.2%, and Business Administration 95%. Graduates in Arts and Social Sciences, Business, Engineering Design, and Nursing saw their salaries rise for the third consecutive year.
NUS’s Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG) provides systematic career development support to students throughout the year, covering personal branding, AI tool application, resume optimisation, and mock assessment centres — equipping students with a clear sense of direction and solid interview skills before they enter the workforce.
These outcomes are reflected in real graduates. One Information Systems graduate leveraged the interdisciplinary education and adaptability developed at NUS to join the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) Data and Technology Architecture department after graduation, working on the implementation of AI applications in the financial sector. Another Business Administration graduate, guided by NUS Business School’s career centre in refining their job search strategy, secured a management trainee position at the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) before graduation, launching a career in public service.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) — Employment Rate Approximately 90%
Facing a tight hiring market, NTU’s graduates maintained a solid employment performance, with an employment rate of approximately 90%. The average monthly salary for full-time formal employment rose to S$4,812 compared to the previous cohort.
Several programmes stood out — Accountancy at 96.7%, Biomedical Sciences at 96.4%, Accountancy and Business at 96.0%, and Civil Engineering at 95.9% — reflecting the strong market recognition of NTU’s engineering and business education.
NTU’s Career & Attachment Office (CAO) provides comprehensive support to fresh graduates for up to one year, including one-to-one career coaching, resume review, recruitment talks, and targeted company matching services. The annual NTU Career Fair is the largest campus-wide recruitment event of the year, attracting more than 13,000 student participants in 2025, spanning technology, engineering, finance, and healthcare — giving graduates valuable opportunities for direct dialogue with top employers. This holistic support model ensures that every graduate can find a career starting point that matches their abilities at the right time.
Singapore Management University (SMU) — Employment Rate 91.4%
Over 60% of Graduates Had Jobs Before Graduation
SMU recorded the highest employment rate among the three universities at 91.4%. The full-time formal employment rate was 79.8%, with average monthly salary rising to S$5,116.
The core of SMU’s high employment rate lies in its distinctive mandatory internship system. According to the latest data, 30.9% of full-time formally employed graduates were directly hired by their internship company, while a further 16.4% received offers from their internship company but chose other opportunities. Combined, nearly half of SMU graduates had already secured full-time employment offers during or after their internship year — a clear demonstration of employers’ high confidence in SMU talent.
To illustrate: one Arts and Social Sciences graduate completed multiple internships during her studies across government agencies, technology, and fintech industries — including the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), SAP, Grab, and Visa. Her internship at Visa ultimately converted into a full-time offer, with her joining the company’s global leadership development programme. Her internship experience became the critical launchpad for her career.
Beyond mandatory internships, SMU also engages students with real business challenges alongside industry leaders through its SMU-X programme and Work-Study electives. Finance and insurance, legal, accounting and auditing, and information and communications continued to be the primary employment sectors for SMU graduates — reflecting sustained market demand for talent with cross-disciplinary applied capabilities.
For families planning their children’s education pathway in Singapore from international school through to university, read our complete education guide.
How SMTP Consult Can Help
SMTP Consult is a family office concierge service firm specialising in supporting family offices and high-net-worth families relocating to Singapore. Over the years, we have accompanied many families moving from overseas to Singapore, helping them navigate their children’s education planning from the very beginning.
We understand that Singapore’s education system is highly competitive and that choosing the right pathway is critical. Whether it is selecting and applying to international schools, developing an academic plan, or building a long-term strategy for university admissions support in Singapore’s top universities — NUS, NTU, and SMU — SMTP Consult’s education consulting team provides professional, personalised end-to-end support for every client.
For families also planning their children’s secondary school pathway, read our guide to A-Level international schools in Singapore.