Work Study Elective
Overview
STUDENT APPLICATION FOR THE GLOBAL TRADE AND MARITIME WORK-STUDY ELECTIVE (29 JUNE - 13 NOV 2026) IS CLOSED!
MGMT346: Global Trade and Maritime Work-Study Elective (WSE) is a 2-CU Pass/Fail module managed by ITI@SMU under the Lee Kong Chian School of Business.
Students undertake an extended internship of at least 20 weeks with a host company in the global trade and maritime ecosystem while continuing their studies during the regular academic term.
Upon successful completion of the WSE and all academic requirements, students will be awarded 2 CUs.
For students pursuing the International Trading Track (ITT) or Maritime Business and Operations Track (MBOT), the 2 CUs are generally allocated as:
1 CU – Track Elective
1 CU – Free Elective
Students should refer to their curriculum requirements and Degree Progress Report for the exact course-area mapping applicable to their programme and intake.
Benefits
What's in it for our WSE Industry Partners:
- Tap on a pool of digitally savvy talent who are able to provide fresh perspectives and innovate your business solutions.
- Contribute to the success of the next generation by developing their knowledge and skills for the fast-changing global business environment.
- Empower your staff to mentor future talent, thus honing their leadership skills.
- Cultivate sustainability by having ready talent join your ecosystem.
- To contribute to developing human capital and knowledge, so that Singapore will maintain its position as a leading international trading, maritime, and logistics hub.
What's in it for Students:
- Develop strong working relationships and gain experience to secure full-time positions upon graduation.
- Transform businesses by giving Fresh Perspectives and Innovative Business Solutions.
- Option to clear up to 2 CUs worth of additional modules while completing your WSE internship.
Eligibility
The WSE is open to eligible Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 undergraduate students across disciplines.
Applicants should:
- be in good academic standing;
- have no disciplinary record;
- be able to commit to the full WSE internship period;
- ensure that their proposed academic workload is compatible with their internship commitments.
Students in their final term should review their graduation requirements carefully before applying.
Please read through detailed instructions on OASIS and MGMT346 Course Outline for the expected deliverables.
ITI Excellence Award
Eligible students who successfully complete the WSE with an ITI Industry Partner and fulfil the requirements of the International Trading Track (ITT) and/or Maritime Business and Operations Track (MBOT) may be considered for the ITI Excellence Award of S$5,000, subject to the prevailing Terms and Conditions.
- Asill Singh Bardh (ADM Asia Pacific Trading Pte Ltd, Jun - Dec 2021)*
- Mihir Malhotra (A.P. Moller Maersk Singapore Pte Ltd, Jun - Dec 2021)*
- Sangker Jeevan (Phillips 66 International Trading Pte Ltd, Jun - Dec 2021)*
- Tan Rui Yang (A.P. Moller Maersk Singapore Pte Ltd, Jun - Dec 2021)*
- Nhway Nhway Khin Soe (Klaveness Asia Pte Ltd, Jun - Dec 2021)*
- Kyaw Myo Khant (A.P. Moller Maersk Singapore Pte Ltd, Jun - Dec 2021)*
* Only awarded to the pioneer batch of 2021 WSE interns who fulfilled conditional requirements as determined by ITI.
- Manasa Vallabhaneni (Emirates National Oil Company (S) Pte Ltd, Aug - Dec 2022)
- Nicholas Johnson (Bunge Asia Pte Ltd, Aug - Dec 2022)
- Yong James Yoon (Emirates National Oil Company (S) Pte Ltd, Aug - Dec 2022)
ACADEMIC CREDIT
MGMT346 Global Trade and Maritime Work-Study Elective is a 2-CU Pass/Fail module.
For MBOT students from AY2026/27, the 2 CUs are allocated as:
| Course Area | CU |
|---|---|
| MBOT Track Elective | 1 CU |
| Free Elective | 1 CU |
| Total | 2 CUs |
Students should check their Degree Progress Report and curriculum requirements to confirm how MGMT346 will be mapped toward their individual degree requirements.
Students pursuing other majors or tracks should consult the relevant Undergraduate Programme Office if clarification is required.
FAQ
Students will be assigned an SMU Faculty Advisor and will be required to submit a final report to the Faculty Advisor at the end of the elective. The MGMT346 Global Trade and Maritime Work-Study Elective is a 2-CU Pass/Fail module.
The WSE is undertaken during a regular academic term and may extend into the summer or winter vacation. Students will typically work with their host company for four days a week, with up to one day a week available for classes. As WSE is a credit-bearing module, students do not need to take a Leave of Absence (LOA) to participate.
The WSE internship must be a minimum of 20 weeks.
Students may enrol in up to 2 additional CUs during the same academic term while undertaking the WSE.
Classes and examinations must not conflict with internship commitments.
Students who wish to exceed 2 additional CUs must submit an appeal. Appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are subject to the necessary faculty and school approvals.
Students may download brochure above or refer to ISIS Class Catalogue for the WSE course outline (MGMT 346).
MGMT346 is a 2-CU module.
For MBOT students from AY2026/27, the course is mapped as:
- 1 CU MBOT Track Elective
- 1 CU Free Elective
Students under other programmes or tracks should refer to their curriculum requirements and Degree Progress Report for the applicable mapping.
MGMT346 does not fulfil the Finance Major Elective or Operations Management Major Elective course areas.
Students are strongly encouraged to run their Degree Progress Report / Course List What-If before enrolling.
As per the University's WSE guidelines, students may enroll in up to 2 modules (2 CUs) during the same term. This is to ensure a manageable work and study load within the term for the student. It also enables students to achieve optimal learning from the WSE. The class and exam timetable of the 2 CUs must not clash with the WSE work commitments.
However, students can appeal for an increased term load, and it will be reviewed carefully on a case-by-case basis.
Students are required to submit a Work-Study Final Report to their SMU Faculty Advisor at the end of the WSE.
The report should demonstrate the student's understanding of the host organisation and industry, reflect on a workplace problem or opportunity, and apply relevant concepts and learning from SMU.
Students should not include confidential or proprietary company information without permission from their host organisation.
This course is a Pass/Fail module. The SMU Faculty Advisor and industry partner will review your performance and the final report. When you pass the elective, you will be entitled to 2 CU.
Students enrolled in the WSE will continue to pay the applicable regular term tuition fees.
Students on a Tuition Grant or subsidy should plan their study progression carefully to ensure that they do not exceed their normal candidature period.
For questions relating to tuition fees, students should refer to the relevant SMU fee policies or contact the University.
You can use this elective to satisfy the mandatory internship requirement, subject to DKHMCC's approval and the respective school's internship requirements. Students who have not completed any credit-bearing internships may also use the elective to count towards your 1CU for internship (with effect from AY2019 intake where the internship programme is credit-bearing), subject to DKHMCC approval and the respective school's internship requirements.
When you sign up for the WSE, we will look at the partnering companies' JD to match the best suitable fit and share your application with them. We hope to maximize your chances of securing an interview leading to a potential recommendation. Companies would also shortlist the applications for an interview before confirming the internship.
Yes, students will receive internship remuneration according to the company's HR policies.