Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Undergraduate Education
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate Education: Degrees Offered
The Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine offers two full-time undergraduate programmes, leading to:
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
- Bachelor of Science (Nursing) / Bachelor of Science (Nursing)(Honours)
Overview of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
The undergraduate medical programme is a five-year course leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). The curriculum is taught over five years, or phases:
| Phase I (Year 1) |
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Pillars:
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ENRICH Mentorship and IPE Opportunities |
Pathway (Selective):
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| Phase II (Year 2) |
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| Phase III (Year 3) |
Core Clinical Practice | Spiralling of Pillars related competencies into clinical years | ||
| Phase IV (Year 4) |
Acute and Specialty Clinical Practice | |||
| Phase V (Year 5) |
|
Note: The curriculum outline above is only applicable to students admitted from AY2023/2024 and subsequent academic years, or students graduating in 2028 and onwards. The new enhanced curriculum map is not applicable to students admitted before AY2023/2024 or students who graduated or will graduate in 2027 and earlier.
Students should note that there is a distinction between degree requirements for students who graduated in 2027 and earlier, vis-a-vis degree requirements for students graduating in 2028 and onwards. Where applicable, the distinctions in the requirements are set out in this Bulletin and students should take note of the requirements that are applicable to them. The Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine will endeavour to give students notice of revisions to any requirements as soon as reasonably practicable, and revised requirements shall apply to students.
The curriculum is undergoing enhancements to incorporate the NUS five Pillars of Common Curricula (Pillars) for Healthcare Professional by AY2023/2024 with selected components implemented as early as AY2022/2023.
Some of the key highlights of the undergraduate medical curriculum are:
- An integrated curriculum where students learn basic sciences holistically with stronger correlations to clinical conditions, and understand healthcare delivery across time, space, discipline and acuity;
- Significant curriculum time to collaborative case-based learning and small group teaching;
- Innovative pedagogy and self-directed learning enabled through extensive use of technology;
- Student Internship Programme to provide students with real-life practical opportunities for clinical care;
- Early meaningful clinical exposure to ready the learners for clinical practice through understanding the Patient’s Journey, the Healthcare Practice, and the Clinical Skills Foundation Programme;
- Strong emphasis on developing caring and ethical medical professionals, who are reflective practitioners grounded in values, resilience, and are effective communicators in a dynamic, inter-professional healthcare setting;
- Pathway programme to expand the educational options available to our students, broaden their experience and equip them with skills relevant to clinical practice and healthcare in the 21st century.
Overview of Bachelor of Science (Nursing)
The BSc (Nursing) curriculum reflects current healthcare trends and the role of registered nurses in facing the challenges of nursing practice in the 21st century. Students will learn basic skills in a simulated clinical laboratory on campus and be exposed to practice in a range of clinical settings as they progress. The programme is modular in nature and includes the following subjects:
- Nursing Sciences
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Critical Thinking and Analysis
- Healthcare Law and Ethics
- Healthcare Management and Education
- Research and Statistics
- Evidence-based Practice
- Clinical Skills
- Clinical attachments at local hospitals/institutions, etc.
Fourth-year Honours students will be expected to complete a research project and courses such as Applied Research Methods and Evidence-based Health Care Practice.
Curriculum Structure & Degree Requirements
Admission requirements:
- Guidelines and bonds for medical students: https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/prospective-students/admissions-frequently-asked-questions/
- Health requirements: https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/admissions/health-requirements/
Curriculum Structure & Requirements
Educational Aims
The aim of the medical curriculum is to produce graduates who are competent and compassionate Post-Graduate Year ones committed to serving the Singaporean community, with the foundation to undergo further training to become excellent clinicians and specialists, clinician-researchers, clinician-scholars, or health administrators.
The curriculum aims to support Singapore’s goal of becoming a regional centre of excellence in healthcare, by meeting the needs of the ageing population, and by fostering translational research as an engine of growth for the economy.
Education Outcomes
Our graduates will:
- be equipped with sound medical knowledge;
- be able to provide quality patient care;
- demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
- uphold high standards of professionalism;
- engage in continual practice-based learning & improvement; and
- engage in systems-based practice.
Course of Study
Satisfactory completion of all components of the curriculum is required for graduation. The course of study for students admitted from AY2023/24 onwards is as follows:
| Phase I (Year 1) from AY2023/24 |
Foundations of Health and Diseases | Introduction to human body | Social and Behavioural Determinants of Health |
| Foundations of human biology: The cell, tissues, organ and systems, and whole human body (structure and functions) | |||
| Introduction to mechanisms of disease (pathophysiological processes) | |||
| Introduction to principles of prevention and intervention/reversal of processes | |||
| Mechanisms of diseases (Principles of pathophysiology and reversal of these processes) | |||
| Basics of clinical pharmacology and principles of treatment | |||
| Structure and functions of Systems
Integrated with Foundations of Clinical Practice (FCP) |
Blood and Blood-forming organs system | ||
| Respiratory system | |||
| Cardiovascular systems (incl. lymphatics) | Professional Practice 1: The Foundations of Health Professionalism
Data Literacy for Healthcare |
||
| Renal, Fluid & Electrolyte Systems | |||
| Gastrointestinal Systems (with Nutrition & Metabolism, incl. diabetes) | |||
| Phase I (Year 2) from AY2024/25 |
Endocrine System | Professional Practice 2: Basic Skills in Health Professionalism | |
| Reproduction Systems | |||
| Musculoskeletal System & Neuroscience, with Skin and Connective Tissues | |||
| Neuroscience / Mental health with Head & Neck | |||
| Consolidation and preparations for Clinical Years | Child and Adolescent Health | Digital Literacy for Healthcare | |
| Foundations in Geriatric Medicine | |||
| Community Health Posting Soft Launch | |||
| Multi-Systems | |||
| CSFP Hospital Posting | |||
| Phase III (Year 3) from AY2023/24 |
Core Clinical Practice | Medicine | |
| Family Medicine (including Ambulatory Paediatrics) | |||
| General Surgery | |||
| Orthopaedic Surgery | |||
| Community Health Project | |||
| Electives | |||
| Phase IV (Year 4) from AY2024/25 |
Acute and Specialty Clinical Practice | Acute Care comprising Anaesthesia and Emergency Medicine | |
| Psychological Medicine | |||
| Obstetrics and Gynaecology | |||
| Paediatrics | |||
| Ophthalmology | |||
| Otolaryngology | |||
| Forensic Medicine | |||
| Communication/Simulation weekNEW | |||
| Electives | |||
| Phase V (Year 5) from AY2025/26 |
Advanced Clinical Postings | Medicine | |
| Surgery | |||
| Clinical Skills and Life Support Training | |||
| Paediatrics | |||
| Dermatology | |||
| Geriatric Medicine | |||
| Palliative MedicineNEW | |||
| Orthopaedic Surgery | |||
| Student Internship Program | Medicine Student Internship Programme | ||
| Surgery Student Internship Programme | |||
| Family Medicine Student Internship ProgrammeNEW | |||
| Obstetrics and Gynaecology Student Internship ProgrammeNEW | |||
For more details on the programme, please visit: https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/prospective-students/bachelor-of-medicine-and-bachelor-of-surgery-mbbs/
For details on examinations and the related policies and rules, please visit: https://entrada.nusmedicine.nus.edu.sg/community/facultyassessmentcom [Restricted Access]
For Admission requirements, please visit https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/nursing/education/bachelor-of-science-nursing-bachelor-of-science-nursing-honours/admission/
For Advanced Placement Units for local diploma holders, please visit: https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/nursing/education-admissions/undergraduate/bachelor-of-science-nursing-bachelor-of-science-nursing-honours/advanced-placement-credits/
Curriculum Structure & Requirements
Curriculum Structure for BSc (Nursing)* / BSc (Nursing)(Honours)
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | NUR1113A | Healthy Ageing and Well-being ^ ~ |
| NUR1114A | Fundamentals of Care | ||
| NUR1123 | Anatomy, Physiology and Physical Assessment I | ||
| PL1101E | Introduction to Psychology ^ | ||
| SPH1901 | Social and Behavioural Determinants of Health | ||
| NUR1107B | Clinical Practice: Community Care I | ||
| Semester 2 | NUR1113A | Healthy Ageing and Well-being ^ ~ | |
| NUR1124 | Anatomy, Physiology and Physical Assessment II | ||
| NUR1125 | Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Nursing Practice I | ||
| PL1101E | Introduction to Psychology ^ | ||
| Professional Practice 1: The Foundations of Health Professionalism | |||
| Data Literacy for Healthcare | |||
| Special Term 1 | NUR1108C | Clinical Practice: Medical/Surgical I | |
| Year 2 | Semester 1 | NUR2113 | Mental Health Nursing |
| Professional Practice 2: Basic Skills in Health Professionalism | |||
| NUR2204C | Women and Children Health | ||
| Dec Vac/ ST 1&2 | NUR2106B | Clinical Practice: Medical/Surgical I (year-long) | |
| NUR2107B | Clinical Practice: Specialty Care (year-long) | ||
| Semester 2 | MIC2000A | Infection and Immunology | |
| Digital Literacy for Healthcare | |||
| NUR2124 | Healthy Community Living~ | ||
| NUR2125 | Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Nursing Practice II | ||
| Year 3 | Semester 1 | NUR3114 | Leadership and Management |
| NUR3117A | Public and Community Health | ||
| NUR3119 | Palliative and End-of-Life Care | ||
| NUR3120 | Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Nursing Practice III | ||
| NUR3202C | Research and Evidence-based Healthcare | ||
| Dec Vac/ ST 1&2 | NUR3105C | Clinical Practice: Community Care II (year-long) | |
| NUR3106B | Clinical Practice: Medical/Surgical III (year-long) | ||
| Semester 2 | NUR3116B | Transition to Professional Practice Experience# | |
| Honours | NUR4101B | Evidence-based Health Care Practice (Sem 1) |
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| NUR4102B | Consolidated Clinical Practice (Sem 2) | ||
| NUR4103B | Applied Research Methods (Sem 1) |
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| NUR4104B | Honours Project in Nursing (Sem 1 & 2) | ||
| Unrestricted Elective (Any Sem) | |||
*Students have to take 1 Unrestricted Elective Course to make up 120 Units for the BSc (Nursing) programme requirement.
^ Half of the cohort reading PL1101E/NUR1113A in Semester 1 and the other half in Semester 2.
~Also offered to non-Nursing students as unrestricted elective course.
# NUR3116B Transition to Professional Practice Experience comprises 10 weeks of clinical posting to meet SNB minimum requirements of clinical placement, including 1 week of simulation on campus.
For more details on the programme, please visit: https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/nursing/education-2/undergraduate/bachelor-of-science-nursing-bachelor-of-science-nursing-hons-new/
For Admission requirements, please visit https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/nursing/education-admissions/undergraduate/career-conversion-programme-for-registered-nurses-degree/.
Curriculum Structure & Requirements
The CCP-RN (Deg) @ NUS is a 2-year full-time programme designed to meet the Standards of Nursing Education and accreditation requirements of the Singapore Nursing Board (SNB). Upon successful completion of the programme, students are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse with the SNB.
An intensive programme whereby students will study subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, psychology, mental health, leadership management, ethics and law, and research. Students will spend at least 1300 hours on clinical practicum in community and hospital/healthcare settings during the course of study.
2-year Bachelor of Science (Nursing) Curriculum Structure
| Year | Semester | COURSES |
| 1 | 1 | NUR1113A Healthy Ageing and Well-being (Grp 9-10) ^ ~ |
| NUR1114A Fundamentals of Care | ||
| NUR1123 Anatomy, Physiology and Physical Assessment I | ||
| NUR1125 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Nursing Practice I | ||
| PL1101E Introduction to Psychology (Grp 1-8) ^ | ||
| SPH1901 Social and Behavioural Determinants of Health | ||
| December Vacation | NUR1202C Clinical Experience I | |
| 2 | MIC2000A Infection and Immunology | |
| Professional Practice and Communication | ||
| NUR1124 Anatomy, Physiology and Physical Assessment II | ||
| NUR1113A Healthy Ageing and Well-being (Grp 1-8) ^ | ||
| PL1101E Introduction to Psychology (Grp 9-10) ^ | ||
| NUR2124 Healthy Community Living~ | ||
| NUR2125 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Nursing Practice II | ||
| Special Term (May/June) | NUR2203C Clinical Experience II | |
| 2 | 1 | NUR2113 Mental Health Nursing |
| NUR2204C Women and Children Health | ||
| Professional Practice and Teamwork | ||
| NUR3117A Public and Community Health | ||
| NUR3119 Palliative and End-of-Life Care | ||
| NUR3120 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Nursing Practice III | ||
| NUR3202C Research and Evidence-based Healthcare | ||
| December Vacation | NUR3204C Clinical Experience III | |
| 2 | NUR3205C Clinical Experience IV | |
| NUR3206C Transition to Practice |
~Also offered to non-Nursing students as unrestricted elective course.
^ Half of the cohort reading PL1101E/NUR1113A in Semester 1 and the other half in Semester 2.
For more details on the programme, please visit: https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/nursing/education-programmes/undergraduate/career-conversion-programme-for-registered-nurses-degree/.
For Admission requirements, please visit: https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/nursing/education-admissions/undergraduate/bachelor-of-science-nursing-practice-part-time/admission-requirements/.
Curriculum Structure & Requirements
The BSc (Nursing Practice) programme aims to build on the foundation that the polytechnic nursing graduates have established through their three years of diploma studies.
Table 1: Programme Structure for BSc (Nursing Practice)
| Year of Study | Semester | Courses | Units | Total Units |
| 1 | 1 | NUR2500 Applied Pathophysiology and Clinical Pharmacology | 6 | 12 |
| NUR2501 Clinical Health Assessment and Reasoning | 6 | |||
| 2 | NUR2502 Healthcare Policy | 6 | 14 | |
| NUR2503 Global and Community Health | 8 | |||
| 2 | 1 | NUR3500 Practice of Palliative and End-of-Life Care | 6 | 14 |
| NUR3501 Professionalism, Ethics and Law in Healthcare | 8 | |||
| 2 | NUR3502 Teaching and Learning in Clinical Practice | 6 | 12 | |
| NUR3503 Leadership, Innovation and Change in Healthcare | 6 | |||
| 3 | 1 | NUR3504 Chronic Disease Management | 6 | 14 |
| NUR3505 Research Methodology and Statistics | 8 | |||
| 2 | NUR3506 Translation of Evidence into Practice | 6 | 14 | |
| NUR3507 Clinical Practice Development Project | 8 | |||
| Total | 80 |
For more details on the programme, please visit: https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/nursing/education-programmes/undergraduate/bachelor-of-science-nursing-practice-part-time/.
Financial Assistance and Awards
Financial Assistance
The School has several bursaries available to full-time undergraduate MBBS students who are in need of financial assistance to help them through their course of study. For more information regarding financial assistance and the application procedure, please visit: https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/prospective-students/tuition-fees/
There are several bursaries available to full-time undergraduate BSc (Nursing) students who are in need of financial assistance to help them through their course of study. For more information regarding these bursaries, the conditions of the award and the application, please visit: https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/nursing/education-admissions/undergraduate/bachelor-of-science-nursing-bachelor-of-science-nursing-honours/scholarships-bursaries-financial-aids/
For university-wide financial assistance, please visit http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/financial-aid
There are several bursaries available to full-time undergraduate BSc (Nursing) students who are in need of financial assistance to help them through their course of study. For more information regarding these bursaries, the conditions of award and application, please visit:
For university-wide financial assistance, please visit http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/financial-aid
Awards
For faculty awards, please visit https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/nursing/education/bachelor-of-science-nursing-bachelor-of-science-nursing-honours/student-achievements/