Duke Kunshan-Duke-NUS Medicine Pathway

Duke-NUS Medical School
Admissions
Pre-MD Pathways
Duke Kunshan-Duke-NUS Medicine Pathway

Training the next generation of clinician-scientists

Duke-NUS Medical School offers an excellent opportunity to individuals to pursue an internationally recognised research and academic programmes in Singapore.

The Duke Kunshan–Duke-NUS Medicine Pathway allows Singaporeans and non-Singaporean students from outside the Chinese Mainland to pursue their undergraduate studies in Data Science and/or Global Health Biology at Duke Kunshan before going to Singapore to embark on their medical training.

At Duke Kunshan University (DKU), students from around the world can undertake a range of high quality, innovative academic programmes that will nurture them to become creative and critical thinkers through research-inflected liberal arts experiences and interdisciplinary collaborations. Throughout their studies, students will also be well-trained to be flexible in managing complex problems and global issues in healthcare.

Upon graduating from DKU, students will be awarded two degrees; one from DKU and one from Duke University, both with a major in Data Science and/or Global Health Biology before beginning their Doctor of Medicine (MD) journey at Duke-NUS.

Programme Highlights

Open only to students admitted to DKU’s Data Science and/or Global Health Biology tracks, this conditional admissions pathway builds on DKU’s existing resources as a hub for high-tech research while preparing students for professional, intellectual and societal leadership roles in the most dynamic cities around the globe.

While at DKU, students can expect to stay engaged with Duke-NUS through regular meetings with Duke-NUS’ faculty and invitations to activities designed to provide insights into the medical school experience and a career in medicine. A general overview of the mentorship and enrichment activities is shown below.

Coursework Requirements

Students will be required to complete the programme requirements of the Data Science Major and/or the Global Health Biology Major tracks, offered by DKU. Students will not be allowed to switch to another major once they have made a commitment to either of the mentioned majors and have been conditionally accepted into the Duke-NUS MD programme. Students will be required to complete their signature work research in a field that is related to epidemiology, healthcare, medicine or biotechnology.

Mentorship and Enrichment Activities

Advising Sessions with Duke-NUS Medical School Faculty
Duke-NUS Medical Specialties Workshops
Duke-NUS Alumni Clinical Observership
Community Projects

Requirements for Duke Kunshan-Duke-NUS Medicine Pathway

Students who have successfully gained admission to Duke Kunshan, Singaporean and non-Singaporean students from outside the Chinese Mainland, will be invited to apply. The following will be considered in the selection process:

Academic excellence and motivation to study in the field of medicine
Records of leadership experience and community service
Performance at interviews

Note: Admissions process for Duke Kunshan undergraduate programme and Duke Kunshan - Duke-NUS Medicine Pathway are independent of each other. Duke Kunshan will be responsible for the entire period that students are in their course of study, while Duke-NUS will engage with students prior to their graduation from Duke Kunshan, and for subsequent admissions into the MD programme.

How to Apply

When applying to Duke-Kunshan for an undergraduate programme, students should indicate their interest in the Duke-Kunshan–Duke-NUS Medicine Pathway. Only Singaporean students and non-Singaporean students from outside mainland China who are successful in their application to Duke Kunshan and have made a commitment to either the Data Science or Global Health Biology track will be considered for the Duke-Kunshan–Duke-NUS Medicine Pathway.
Accepted candidates for DKU will receive an email invitation to apply for the Duke Kunshan–Duke-NUS Medicine Pathway. Interested students must apply separately to the Duke-NUS MD Programme before enrolling at DKU, to be considered for conditional admission to the Duke-NUS MD programme.
Completed applications to Duke-NUS will be reviewed and selected applicants will be invited for interviews. A complete application will include letters of recommendation and a personal statement about why they are interested in medicine.
Finally, the Admissions Committee will review all interviewees and make a final decision. Successful applicants will receive a conditional admissions offer for the Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme at Duke-NUS.

The Duke-NUS Conditional Admissions application will open between June to July and our interviews will take place in July. The Conditional Admissions offers will be made from August onwards.

Important Note

Students are expected to maintain a stipulated academic performance and fulfil conditions stated in the conditional offer for successful admission into the Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme upon their graduation. A general overview of the final acceptance criteria is illustrated below.

Final Acceptance Criteria:

Strong Cumulative Average Point (CAP) – as an indication of academic performance
Complete the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) by September of the year prior to entry to Duke-NUS
Evidence of meaningful clinical/medical experiences
Successfully graduate from NTU