MBBS IN SINGAPORE
Table of Contents
A Brief Introduction About Singapore
| Continental | ASIA |
| Capital | Singapore |
| Currency | Singapore Dollar (s$) |
| Geography | Singapore is a very small, heavily urbanised, island city-state in Southeast Asia, located at the end of the Malayan Peninsula between Malaysia and Indonesia. Singapore has a total land area of 724.2 square kilometres (279.6 sq mi). |
| Area | 728.3 km²; Population 57,03,569 |
| Time (India+/-) | -2:30 Hours |
| Climate | The weather’s warm and tropical year-round. Rainstorms are possible any time, but rainfall usually peaks Nov–Dec. |
| Religions | Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism and Folk Religion, Hinduism, Sikhism or other Religion |
| Languages | English, Malay, Tamil, Mandarin Chinese |
| Literacy | 97.5% |
| Course | MBBS / Clinical Medicine- 5 Years + 1 Year Internship (India or Singapore) |
| Cost | Starting from 20 Lacs, it depends on the University and eligibility |
| Total Universities | WHO-approved Total- 3 Universities |
Medical Universities in Singapore
total of 03 universities approved by WHO for the study of medicine and pharmacy in Singapore or Study MBBS in Singapore
About Singapore
Singapore is a wonderful city-state, which is located towards the southernmost tip of the Malay peninsular region. From an economic point of view, Singapore is an absolute giant. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. For over a century, it has beaten every other city in southeast Asia, to be the most modern and advanced.
This city also has an amalgamation of various cultures not just from several parts of Asia, but also from several parts of the world. Hence, living here is a global experience. From a cultural point of view, while Singapore has incorporated the variety of cultures that are prevalent there, it also has a strong cultural identity of its own. This is very evident from their own art, literature, and cuisine.
Singapore is a wonderful city-state, which is located towards the southernmost tip of the Malay peninsular region. From an economic point of view, Singapore is an absolute giant. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. For over a century, it has beaten every other city in southeast Asia, to be the most modern and advanced. This city also has an amalgamation of various cultures not just from several parts of Asia, but also from several parts of the world. Hence, living here is a global experience. From a cultural point of view, while Singapore has incorporated the variety of cultures that are prevalent there, it also has a strong cultural identity of its own. This is very evident from their own art, literature, and cuisine.
Singapore has been able to incorporate both eastern and western styles of development to give it a unique identity. The metropolis is modern and safe, with efficient services and business opportunities. No wonder, the tourism sector in this city has been only growing in the last decade. More and more people have been attracted to visiting this city and spending quality time with their loved ones. Naturally, this has also transcended into lots of people coming to Singapore for career opportunities. As already mentioned, the medical sector in Singapore is impeccable and known for its efficiency. The people who get the prestigious opportunity of studying there, definitely get an advantage and upper-hand over others.
Take a look at some fun facts about Singapore:
- Even though Singapore is the main island, it has 64 other off-shore islands under its total land area. Some of these islands are called Sentosa, Pulau Unin, Sisters’ Islands, and St. John’s Island. So, you will be able to have a new place to travel every month!
- It has a man-made waterfall in Jurong Bird Park, which is considered to be the first of its kind. This was built in 1971 and is 30 metres in height. This is quite a sight to behold!
- Singapore has a night zoo which is the first kind of such a zoo in the world. The night safari this zoo provides is truly exceptional, and offers a great insight into the nocturnal habits of various animals.
- Even though the city of Singapore is extremely modern and advanced, lined with sky-scrapers, it still has a lot of greenery, making it one of the greenest cities in the world. According to data, almost half of the land in Singapore has green cover.
- Singapore is a city of festivals and there is always something to celebrate. Plenty of cultural festivals and sports events that occur throughout the year. So, you will always have something to attend to and have fun.
Study MBBS in Singapore
Numbers show that from 2016 to 2019, the median yearly salary for doctors in Singapore has increased by a whooping 7%. So, you can imagine how profitable and worthy it would be to pursue your MBBS degree in Singapore. Below are some strong reasons listed out as to why you should opt for an MBBS degree in Singapore.
1. Education Expenditures of MBBS in Singapore
Did you know that Singapore has a literacy rate of 94.45%. This has only been possible due to the immense attention the government there has paid towards their education sector. Out of the state’s total revenue, 19.6% is spent on education. Apart from that, 35.28% of that share is dedicated solely for the purpose of higher education. There are nearly 3 doctors for every 100 people in Singapore. This justifies how they are able to provide one of the best medical care in the world.
2. Residency which is Permanent
Most of the students who finish their MBBS degree in either of the two universities in Singapore, get permanent residency there. This also holds true for international students. 82% of the candidates, out of those who applied, managed to get a permanent residency in this city-state. Additionally, there has been a steady and positive rise in the number of students being granted this opportunity in the last ten years, or so. Till 2017, the number of permanent residency given out was 6,000.
3. Safe and Reliable Environment
When you go to study in a foreign city, of course you would want the place to be safe. Well, you will be surprised to know that Singapore has held the first position in the Law and Order Index for five years, back to back. This was published in a global study conducted in 2018. According to a survey, 94% of adults feel safe and comfortable traveling around the city, even during night time. This is more than many developing and developed nations. The environment in Singapore is highly favourable for those who are living there alone as well.
4. High Employability Rate
The rate of employment in Singapore will surely impress you. Currently, the number stands at 88%. However, with each passing year, their employability has been increasing and improving by a great margin. So, once you are done with your 5-years course in MBBS, you can be sure to land a good job in a well-reputed hospital or medical care facility. The unemployment rate in Singapore is merely 2%, which has been decreasing as well.
5. Ease of Access to Scholarships
The government in Singapore offers hefty scholarships to their international students, which covers a huge part of their tuition expenses, as well as their living expenses. There are various ways to apply for these scholarships. As per the rules of the scholarship, once a student’s course is complete, they have to stay back, so they can work in order to pay off the loan.
6. Multicultural Environment
As already mentioned, Singapore is a city with a global culture. This city-state has four official languages which are English, Malay, Tamil, and Chinese. You can expect to see people from almost every region of the world studying and working alongside you. This is a very good way of gaining positive exposure to the world and what it has to offer.
Admission process in Singapore
Apply for acceptance letter
To get admission to any Singapore university candidate must have to apply for an acceptance letter from the professor to supervise him/her for the successful completion of MBBS.
Submit Form
Every student in a Singapore university must need an advisor. After getting an advisor students have to submit an online admission application form along with a scanned acceptance letter of professor.
Online interview
The student has to give an online interview in front of the admission committee once he is accepted by university and professor, he will receive an admission letter and visa form.
Examinations You Need to Sit For to Get Admission for MBBS Degree in Singapore
NEET
The NEET examination, conducted by the Central Education Board in India has to be passed by the students applying for an MBBS degree in Singapore. A valid NEET score is mandatory for both the universities providing an MBBS degree in Singapore. NEET is conducted once a year across India, and students who have appeared for or passed their 12th grade are eligible to sit for this exam. The subjects in NEET are Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
TOEFL/IELTS
The TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language and IELTS or International English Language Testing System are both conducted on a yearly basis to assess the proficiency of the students in the English language. Every international student is required to sit for this exam. The average score that is accepted in case of IELTS is 6.5. The test scores from either of these two tests are mandatory for any student who is wishing to apply for an MBBS degree in Singapore.
SAT
SAT or the standardized test can also be used as a medium to get in for an MBBS degree in Singapore. The minimum required marks in SAT that you should have is 1250. However, you should also note that for NTU, SAT scores are not mandatory. But having a good SAT score can boost your overall portfolio and put you at an advantage.
University Entrance Exam or UEE
Both the universities have their own versions of the entrance exam that students have to mandatorily sit for. It is necessary to have passing scores in this examination. This exam is conducted to test the candidate’s own knowledge and skill-level in the degree that they are applying for. Hence, you will have to be well-versed with the basics required in order to get admission for an MBBS degree.
BMAT
The Biomedical Admissions Test or BMAT is required for the Nanyang Technological University or NTU. Students are required to get passing scores in this test for admission to NTU. This is mandatory only for NTU and not for National University of Singapore or NUS. Students will have to diligently prepare for this exam in order to do well and outrank their competitors.
Visa Requirements for International Students Applying in Singapore
Once students have received the offer letter from their respective Institute of Higher Learning or IHL, they will have to apply for the student pass. This application is made through SOLAR. Candidates would be required to fill in the e-form numbered 16. The charges for this process are 21.74 SGD while registering and 43.48 SGD once the application is accepted. The documents which are to be mandatorily submitted by the applicant in order to get this student pass are as follows:
- Any valid travel document.
- Offer letter from the institute from where the student has sought admission
- 4 passport size photographs of the applicant.
- Official notification from the concerned institution.
- Permanent address and contact information of the student in Singapore.
- Personal email ID for contact.
- Important information relating to the parents or guardians of the student like academic, financial, and employment records. These may or may not be needed depending on the situation.
Once the student has arrived in Singapore, he or she will have to do three things, which are mandatory. These are passports, original copies of D/E cards and IPA. Once all these formalities are completed, you will be able to get your student pass in Singapore.
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MBBS in Singapore - Important FAQs
The median cost of studying for an MBBS degree in Singapore is 28,004 GSD or something close. This is way lesser than what it costs in the United Kingdom or the United States of America. Apart from this, the cost of living in Singapore nearly amounts to 3,000 GSD on a monthly basis. However, if you apply for government provided scholarships, you will be able to cover these expenses to a large extent.
In Singapore, only two universities offer an MBBS degree. These are known as National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. Both these universities have outstanding ranks. While NUS holds a rank of 25 in THE world university rankings for the year 2020, NTU holds a position of 48.
The minimum number of years required for students to get their MBBS degrees is 5 years for national students. For those taking admission from abroad, the course is completed in 6 years.
There are various scholarships made available for students coming in to study from abroad. The names of these scholarships are MOE Tuition Grant Scheme, ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship, and Dr. Goh Keng Swee Scholarship. NUS offers their own scholarships like Undergraduate Scholarships and SMART Scholarships. But these scholarships have very high criteria and the competition is very tough as it is entirely merit-based.
It is definitely a good idea to get your MBBS degree from any esteemed institution from abroad. As for Singapore, you already know how well they are ranked in terms of medical care and hospital services. The unemployment rate is also low, so you will have a very good scope of making a successful life in Singapore, once you finish your MBBS degree there.
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