SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track

Harnessing the Confluence of Design Innovations and Technology to Medicine

In today’s world, the use of technology and the design of the built environment play an increasingly significant role in improving the way we live and our quality of life. One area where this convergence of technology and design is making a huge impact is the practice of medicine.

The SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track nurtures future clinicians with a foundation in engineering or architecture who can think creatively and work across disciplines. With the technology and design focused curriculum at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), graduates will possess the versatility to analyse healthcare issues and come up with innovative solutions in areas such as healthcare product design (medical devices/equipment), biomaterials, drug delivery, hospital bed allocation systems, patient monitoring, and hospital design.

With the ability to treat patients and design medical innovations, graduates will have an edge in the industry, quickly becoming the new benchmark and future leaders in healthcare.

Successful students will graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree at SUTD, followed by a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at Duke-NUS Medical School.

Further details can also be found at the SUTD webpage.

Programme Highlights

This track builds on SUTD’s existing offerings and capabilities in healthcare across the pillars, and advances their mission of bettering the world through design. Students in the special track will expand both their engineering/architecture and clinical knowledge in an interdisciplinary learning environment, and learning will take place at three campuses – SUTD, Duke-NUS Medical School and Singapore General Hospital’s Outram Campus.

Through a number of coursework requirements, including the Healthcare Engineering Design Track in SUTD, a summer internship in a healthcare environment, and a healthcare-related Capstone project in the final two semesters, students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to overcome real-world design challenges and design medical technology for healthcare needs.

Students can expect to stay engaged with Duke-NUS through periodic meetings with Duke-NUS faculty on campus and invitations to activities designed to provide insights into the medical school experience and a career in medicine. A general overview of the coursework requirements and mentorship and enrichment activities is below.

Coursework Requirements:

Healthcare Engineering Design Track
Summer Internship in a Healthcare Environment
Healthcare-related Capstone Project
Duke-NUS Pre-medical Module (GMS1000)

Mentorship and Enrichment Activities:

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

Requirements for SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track

Admission to the SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track is competitive and only Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents (PR) may 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: The admissions processes for each school are independent of each other. SUTD 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 SUTD, and for subsequent admissions into the MD programme.

How to Apply

1. Applicants will first need to complete the SUTD undergraduate application indicating their interest in the “SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track”.

2. Only those who have selected their interest will be asked to complete a personal statement for medicine. A complete application will consist of information from their SUTD application, including letters of recommendation, and a personal statement about why they are interested in medicine.

3. Completed applications will be reviewed and selected applicants will be invited for interviews.

4. 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.

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:

cGPA of ≥4.4
MCAT score of ≥509
Evidence of meaningful clinical/medical experience
Successfully graduate from SUTD

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for this special track?

We are inviting high-achieving Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents who have a strong interest in both treating patients and harnessing technological advancements across disciplines to bring about medical innovations.

When is the first intake?

The first intake of students will be in May 2018.

How many students will be enrolled in each cohort?

While there is no limit to the number of students enrolled in this special track, due to the demanding and unique nature of this programme, we envisage that the intake will be no more than 10 students per cohort.

What is the duration of the SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track?

The duration of the undergraduate programme is 3.5 years over 8 terms and the graduate programme is 4 years. Each new cohort begins the programme in SUTD in May of every year.

How can I apply for the SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track?

All applications are centrally managed by SUTD. Click here for application details and closing date. Simply indicate your interest to apply for the SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track in the online application and submit a personal statement.

Can males serving Singapore National Service apply? Will places be reserved for NSF for post-NS admission?

Yes. NSF can apply and places will be reserved for successful applicants who have accepted the offer.

What are the various undergraduate programmes that I can take up under the SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track?

Students in the SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track can take up the single degree programme offered by either one of the four pillars. Students who have a place reserved for the DDP or STEP from previous Admissions Exercises, or are keen to apply for DDP or STEP in this Admissions Exercise, may still apply for the SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track. However, should you be successful and be offered the Special Track, you should decide whether to take up the Special Track or DDP/STEP, but not both special programmes. This is on consideration of the differing objectives of the special programmes, as well as the complexity of fulfilling the academic requirements of both programmes. DDP and STEP students who are interested in pursuing a MD can still apply to Duke-NUS after they have completed their degrees with SUTD.

Will all applicants be interviewed?

Only shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by both SUTD and Duke-NUS independently. Applicants who are not shortlisted for this special track may still be considered for other programmes in SUTD.

Where will the interviews be conducted?

The interviews will be conducted at SUTD campus and Duke-NUS campus accordingly.

Who will be contacting me if I am shortlisted?

Both SUTD Admissions and Duke-NUS Admissions will contact the shortlisted applicants independently.

How do I check my application outcome?

Please check with SUTD Admissions via https://sutd.edu.sg/Admissions/Undergraduate/AskAdmissions/Applicant.

What if I am unsuccessful for the SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track?

As the admissions process is independent for both SUTD and Duke-NUS, the admissions outcome will be independent for both programmes. To be considered for this track, applicants must be given a firm offer into the undergraduate programme from SUTD AND a conditional offer into the Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme from Duke-NUS. If you had attended an interview with Duke-NUS but were not given the conditional offer into the MD programme, you may appeal to Duke-NUS.

Are scholarships available for this track?

Outstanding students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership qualities, special talents, good moral character and strong community spirit will be considered for scholarships for the undergraduate programme. You may apply for scholarships for the graduate programme before the programme at Duke-NUS commences.

I have been accepted into the SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track but I do not wish to take up the scholarship/receive
a scholarship from an external organisation. Can I still enrol in this programme?

You can still enrol in this track. You will need to inform SUTD of your intention not to take up the scholarship.

I intend to self-finance my studies if I am accepted into the SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track. What will be the tuition fees?

The annual tuition fees for the undergraduate programme will be pegged to the prevailing fees charged by SUTD.

The annual tuition fees for the graduate programme will be pegged to the prevailing fees charged by Duke-NUS.

Is there a possibility that I might lose the conditional offer into the Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme from Duke-NUS?

Conditional admission to MD programme may be lost if any of the following occur during your undergraduate programme with SUTD:

Withdrawal from SUTD.
Failure to achieve the required grade on completion of the degree.
Violate a standard of academic or ethical conduct policy or any other applicable policy of SUTD where the potential outcome could result in a failing assignment or exam grade, a failing course grade, or disciplinary action (including but not limited to probation, suspension, expulsion or removal from the university).

What are the requirements for final acceptance of conditionally admitted students to Doctor of Medicine (MD)
programme from Duke-NUS through the SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track?

Admitted students must have demonstrated academic excellence in their studies and meet the following criteria to be considered for final acceptance into Duke-NUS:

Achieve a “B” or greater in all required courses and will be expected to maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.4.
Achieve a recommended score of 509 or greater on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) exam by Term 6.
Complete meaningful clinical/medical and service experiences throughout their undergraduate years.
Expected to conduct themselves professionally. If concerns should arise at any time regarding a student’s academic performance or personal/professional development, the student may be reviewed by the Admissions Committee resulting in action up to and including withdrawal from the offer.
Successful graduation from SUTD.

Can I withdraw from the SUTD-Duke-NUS Special Track during the course of my undergraduate studies?

Although you are not required to make a binding commitment to Duke-NUS at the time of admission, you should inform SUTD and Duke-NUS of your withdrawal from the track at least the year preceding medical school matriculation. You can still continue with SUTD’s normal undergraduate degree programme should you discontinue with the track, subject to meeting the academic requirements for the undergraduate programme.