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Singapore Applications open Closes 30 March 2027

K.N. Sellappah Scholarship (Nanyang MBA)

Of all the awards on the Nanyang MBA scholarship list, this is the one with the most direct Sri Lankan connection: the scholarship is named for Mr K.N. Sellappah, who was born in Sri Lanka. It is a partial award worth 10 per cent of the Nanyang MBA tuition fee, and its eligibility is defined by region rather than by a narrow country list — nationals of Asia, Africa, Oceania, and South and Central America including Mexico may apply, which places Sri Lankan candidates squarely inside the pool. Nanyang Business School's MBA is one of Asia's most highly ranked, taught over twelve months in Singapore with an international cohort, so the competition is real. What the selectors ask for is an excellent academic record, strong English, and a minimum of two years of work experience after your first degree — for most Sri Lankan applicants that means three to five years in banking, IT, apparel, logistics or consulting before you are a credible candidate. A mandatory essay forms part of the application, and successful recipients are expected to submit a progress report three years after graduation. The scholarship application closes on 30 March each year, separately from your MBA admission timeline, so treat it as a second deadline rather than an afterthought.

Annual cycle — the scholarship application closes on 30 March each year, so the next round closes 30 March 2027

Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Value

10% of MBA tuition fee

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Eligible regions

Asia, Africa, Oceania, Latin America

schedule

Closes

30 March annually

info How this award actually works

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Who awards it

Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.

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What it covers

Partial Scholarship Worth 10% of Nanyang MBA Tuition. This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.

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Where we come in

We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Regional Eligibility Includes Sri Lanka

The scholarship is open to nationals of Asia, Africa, Oceania, and South America, Central America and Mexico. Sri Lankan citizens qualify under the Asia category — and the award's namesake was himself born in Sri Lanka.

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At Least Two Years' Work Experience

You need a minimum of two years of full-time work experience after your first degree. In practice competitive Nanyang MBA candidates from Sri Lanka usually bring three to five years in a professional role, with clear progression.

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Excellent Academic Record

A strong bachelor's degree from a recognised Sri Lankan or overseas university, with attested transcripts. GMAT or GRE requirements follow the Nanyang MBA admission policy for your intake.

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Mandatory Essay

The scholarship application includes a compulsory essay. Write it about your specific career trajectory and what you intend to do back in the region — generic leadership prose does not separate you from the field.

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Post-Graduation Progress Report

Recipients are expected to submit a progress report three years after graduating. It is a light obligation, but it is a genuine condition of the award.

account_tree Application Process

Apply for admission to the Nanyang MBA

Submit your MBA application with transcripts, GMAT/GRE where required, CV, references and English evidence. Admission and scholarship run on separate tracks, so start the MBA application early.

Submit the scholarship application by 30 March

Complete the separate Nanyang MBA scholarship application, selecting the K.N. Sellappah Scholarship and including the mandatory essay, before the 30 March cut-off.

Selection

Nanyang Business School assesses academic record, work experience, English ability and the essay. Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed as part of the MBA process.

Accept and apply for the Student's Pass

Accept your place and the award, then apply for Singapore's Student's Pass through the ICA SOLAR system with your offer letter, passport, and financial evidence for the balance of tuition and living costs.

Why Nanyang Business School?

The Nanyang MBA is consistently among the highest-ranked one-year MBAs in Asia, taught in Singapore with a deliberately international cohort and strong recruiting into regional banking, technology and consulting. For a Sri Lankan professional, it is close to home, taught in English, and sits in a hiring market that actively recruits South Asian talent.

10%

Tuition fee covered

2 yrs

Minimum work experience

Sri Lanka

Birthplace of the award's namesake

Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?

Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.

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