For many medical students in India and their families, the aim to study MBBS in Singapore is a dream come true moment. The thought of pursuing an MBBS from a foreign university and becoming a successful doctor is tempting, but it comes with a cost. Singapore comes with some of the world-class universities, a high quality education of the medical field, and a strong global reputation in the medical field. While the aim is high to achieve and anyone can go for it on their own, is it an affordable option to pursue higher education in Singapore? Let’s look at the further details to truly understand the answer to this question.
A Basic Introduction to Pursuing an MBBS in Singapore for Indian Students
An MBBS in Singapore consists of a 6-year educational journey, which includes 5 years of academic and clinical preparation, that leads all students to complete a mandatory internship, leading them to get an MBBS degree. The medium of instruction in Singapore is English, providing an easy learning experience for all international students.
The MBBS fees to pursue an MBBS in Singapore are $64,000 per year, or Singapore Dollar (SGD) 40,000 for international students. More than two thousand students from India have already enrolled for the undergraduate program in medicine at Singapore. The MBBS degree and medical education of Singapore is accredited by the medical authorities like the WHO and the NMC in India.
| Duration of the Program | 5+1 Years (1-year is the internship) |
| Annual Tuition Fee | $64,000 |
| Medium of Instruction | English |
| No. of Indian Students Enrolled | 2,500+ |
| Accreditation By | NMC, WHO |
What Does Affordable Mean? What is the Cost of MBBS in Singapore?
When we are talking about studying an MBBS in Singapore, the term “affordable” can be understood depending on the particular definition of this term from an individual’s perspective. We have to consider if someone is comparing with private medical colleges in India, or they are planning to study medicine abroad (Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia)? Singapore requires significant financial resources to pursue higher education.
We will take a look at top medical universities in Singapore and consider their tuition fees to understand the reality behind the affordability of pursuing an MBBS in Singapore for an international student. Here is top medical institutions of Singapore with their tuition fees:
| University | Founding Year | Tuition Fees |
| National University of Singapore | 1905 | $7,991 per year |
| Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine | 2013 | $8,000 per year |
| Duke NUS Graduate Medical School | 2005 | $3,666 per year |
Looking at the cost of each Singaporean university for an MBBS course, the affordability is not real. The amount of tuition that international students (Indian students) need to pay for an MBBS in Singapore is higher than what Indian students expect to pay in other countries.
Cost-Saving Tips for Indian Students to Pursue their MBBS in Singapore
- Consider applying for need-based scholarships and bursaries
- Explore other options to find financial assistance for your studies
- Plan and budget your overall educational journey in Singapore
- Choose to share housing options with your fellow students
- Use public transport, especially if it’s available on student discount
- Choose to cook your own meals at home, instead of frequent dine outs
- Keep an eye on changing exchange rates and plan overall cost in INR
Conclusion
Pursuing an MBBS in Singapore is not “affordable” in conventional terms; the cost to pursue your higher education in Singapore is a premium path, involving a significant amount of investment. However, not to neglect that it also offers quality education, reputation, and global opportunities for all international students (including Indian students, too). If your financial situation is not stable to study MBBS at Singapore universities, then consider finding appropriate scholarships and bursaries, while considering other cost-saving options.
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