Thammasat Business School (TBS) and Singapore Management University (SMU) have embarked on a groundbreaking partnership by launching the 3+1 Dual Degree Program, a first for Thailand. This notable collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Associate Professor Dr. Somchai Supattarakul, Dean of Thammasat Business School, and Associate Professor Dr. Themin Suwardy, Associate Provost (PGP Education) of SMU, at SMU in Singapore. The TBS x SMU 3+1 Dual Degree Program represents a significant innovation in business education, designed to develop future leaders equipped to drive sustainable business practices across the ASEAN region.
The TBS x SMU 3+1 Dual Degree Program offers students the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills over four years. The first three years will be spent at TBS in Thailand, while the final year will be at SMU in Singapore. Upon completion, students will earn a bachelor's degree from TBS and a master's degree from SMU. This program integrates the expertise of two top ASEAN business schools, both of which are Triple Crown Business Schools, accredited by AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) from the USA, EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System) from the EU, and AMBA (Association of MBAs) from the UK. Only about 100 business schools worldwide hold this prestigious Triple Crown status, representing approximately 1% of the 10,000 business schools globally.
Associate Professor Dr. Somchai Supattarakul, Dean of Thammasat Business School, stated, "The TBS x SMU 3+1 Dual Degree Program is a tangible academic collaboration between two top Triple Crown Business Schools. Combining TBS's strong and distinctive undergraduate programs with SMU's diverse and cutting-edge master's programs, this initiative will nurture future leaders who will shape sustainable business directions in the ASEAN region, aligning with Thammasat Business School's vision".
The program is available to all undergraduate students at TBS, including those in accounting, business administration, Thai or international programs (BBA International Program), and Integrated Bachelor's and Master's Programs (IBMP). Students selected for the program will complete a rigorous three-year curriculum at TBS before spending their final year at SMU, where they can choose from five master's programs. During their time in Singapore, they will also have opportunities for internships or work experience.
The first two master's programs are from the SMU School of Accountancy: the Master of Professional Accounting (MPA), the most accredited accounting master's program in Singapore, and the Master of Science in Accounting (Data & Analytics) (MSA), Asia's first program blending accounting, finance, and data analytics with practical project experience through the SMU-X Experience.
The additional three programs offered by the SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business include the MSc in Applied Finance (MAF), which is ranked 5th in Asia and 40th globally and focuses on Fintech, fund management, and real estate; the MSc in Quantitative Finance (MQF), an academic program in partnership with the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP), offering dual degrees with Bayes Business School (City, University of London) and specializing in financial data science, algorithmic trading, or risk analysis; and the MSc in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MEI), which is designed for launching and scaling businesses and provides access to SMU's business innovation programs and international learning opportunities at University College London.
