In Singapore, doctors are an important part of the healthcare system and play an important role in ensuring access to high-quality medical services.
Doctors diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, as well as provide preventive care and health education.
In this post, you will learn how to become a doctor in Singapore. To become a doctor in Singapore, you must complete the following 5 steps:
How to become a doctor in Singapore
Step 1: Complete a 5-year Undergraduate Medical Degree Program
To become a doctor in Singapore, you must first complete a 5-year undergraduate medical degree program at an accredited medical school. This program will teach you the basic knowledge and skills you need to practice medicine, such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and medical ethics.
Singapore’s medical schools include the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, as well as the Duke-NUS Medical School and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
Step 2: Complete a 1-year Internship
After completing your medical degree, you must complete a one-year internship at a hospital in Singapore. This internship will give you experience in a clinical setting, where you will work alongside experienced doctors. You will be introduced to different specialities and learn how to manage patients with different conditions.
Step 3: Pass the Medical Licensing Examination
After completing your internship, you must pass the Singapore Medical Licensing Examination (SMLE) to obtain a medical licence and practise in Singapore. The SMLE is a written and clinical examination that evaluates your knowledge and skills in a variety of medical areas.
Step 4: Complete a 3-year Specialist Training Programme
After earning your medical licence, you can choose to specialise in a field of medicine such as surgery, paediatrics, or obstetrics and gynaecology. In Singapore, specialisation entails completing a three-year training programme in your chosen field, during which you will gain additional knowledge and experience.
Step 5: Specialist Accreditation Examination
To be recognised as a specialist in your chosen field, you must pass the relevant specialist accreditation examination after completing your specialist training. The examination is administered by the Singapore Medical Council’s Specialist Accreditation Board (SAB).
NOTE: Foreign medical graduates and doctors who wish to practise in Singapore must meet additional requirements. They must hold a valid and current medical registration from their country of origin, and their qualifications must be reviewed by the Singapore Medical Council.