Medicine Schools and Programs in Singapore

Medicine Studies in Singapore

Singapore offers a number of different study abroad programs for students, including many options for medical students who wish to earn a portion of their educational credentials while studying and living for a time in a foreign country.
 
The various study abroad programs in Singapore offer students the unique opportunity to explore the beauty and diversity of this Southeast Asian island city-state.  The smallest country in the Southeast Asian region, Singapore encompasses a mere 275 square miles and is home to just under five million people, forty percent of whom are foreign-born citizens.  However, what this country lacks in size it more than makes up for in personality.
 
The diversity of Singapore is evidenced by the many different ethnicities and cultures that are present in the country, a country that is home to four official languages (English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, and Tamil), and dozens of religions.  Different regions of Singapore reflect these widely varied influences, from the Neo-classical buildings that commemorate the impact of British colonialism, to Arab Street, Little India and Chinatown.  Lively festivals, marking the major cultural and religious traditions in the country, are a common sight in Singapore, with many such celebrations taking place at various times of the year.
 
Due to its amazing ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity, there is no one culture that is truly typical of Singapore.  When it comes to language, Chinese language groups are the most predominant at nearly 75 percent, though Malays, Indians, Europeans and Middle Eastern groups are also well represented from a linguistic standpoint.  Buddhism and Taoism are the most common religious faiths in Singapore, with just over 50 percent of the population practicing one of the two.  Islam is the faith of choice for another 15 percent of the population, while a smaller minority practices Sikhism, Hinduism or one of the many Christian religions.

Medical Education in Singapore

Advanced medical education in Singapore is offered at two of the countries universities:  the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore; and the American Duke University, which follows the United States medical school curriculum.  Pre-medical education is offered by the majority of Singapore’s universities.  These 4-year undergraduate programs provide students with the foundation they need to pursue an advanced medical education.  In order to qualify for admittance into one of Singapore’s two medical schools, students must possess, at minimum, a Bachelor degree in a science related field (Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, etc.).  Students must also sit for and pass the national medical school entrance examination before being considered as a medical school candidate.

The medical schools in Singapore offer an advanced curriculum that focuses on the various disciplines and specialties within the medical field. Some of the courses involved in these programs include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Biology
• Biochemistr y
• Pathology
• Medical Ethics
• Pharmacology
• Oncology
• Internal Medicine
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics
• Gynecology
• Psychiatry
• n Surgery
• Medical terminology

 
In addition to classroom-based instruction, students are also required to participate in research projects and practical training.
 
Once students successfully complete their coursework they are awarded a Medical Degree (M.D.), although before they can take the licensing exam that will allow them to practice medicine, they must first complete a one to two year internship or residency, during which time they will treat patients under the direct supervision of a licensed medical professional.
 
Why Study Abroad in Singapore
 
In addition to the excellence of its universities and medical education programs, Singapore offers many unique advantages as a study abroad destination.  For students who have a love for languages, Singapore is the ideal place to study, a country with four official languages and many more that are spoken by minority groups.  Study abroad participants hailing from English-speaking nations, such as Canada, the United States or the United Kingdom, will feel right at home in the country, where English is featured as a language of instruction and regularly spoken informally by a sizable percentage of the population.
 
Studying in Singapore can also be the cultural experience of a lifetime.  Almost every facet of society in Singapore demonstrates evidence of the country’s remarkable diversity.  Students studying here will meet like-minded people from around the world; people who share their love of learning, travel and adventure.  Food connoisseurs will also feel right at home in Singapore, as the menu choices available in the country are as diverse as its population.  From delicious local Asian establishments to European and Middle Eastern restaurants to American-style burger joints, Singapore offers something for everybody’s palate.
 
As a close neighbor of Malaysia and in close proximity to a number of other Southeast Asian countries, Singapore is the perfect gateway through which students can explore other countries in the region as well.  However, there is usually so much going on in Singapore that most students won’t want to leave.  With scores of museums, galleries and historical landmarks, Singapore is a sightseer’s dream.  It is also a great place for entertainment, featuring amusement parks, bars and nightclubs and a countless number of outdoor activities.  One of the cleanest cities in Asia boasting some of the world’s friendliest people, Singapore has everything a student could possibly want in a study abroad destination.