Scholarship and Financial Aid Schemes
We understand the challenge of financing a medical education and strive to help our students tap on available resources to meet financial needs. Depending on individual’s financial circumstances as well as academic performance, students may apply for any one or a combination of any three financing options available - tuition fee loan, bursary and merit scholarship. About two-thirds of our students are on some form of financial aid. The exact amount of financial aid varies extended to a student depends on the financial circumstances of the student, including that of self, immediate family, and/or spouse, as applicable.
Tuition Fee Loan
Students with financial need are expected to take up a Tuition Fee Loan. Any financial aid provided by the school is intended to only assist in meeting those needs not met by the Tuition Fee Loan.
Matriculating students of all nationalities may apply for the Tuition Fee Loan (TFL) scheme which is administered by two Singapore agent banks, DBS Bank and OCBC Bank. All students may opt to take up to a maximum amount that is equal to 90% of tuition fees payable by Singapore Citizens.
About three-quarters of our Doctor of Medicine (MD) students have taken up the TFL. Limits may exist for students who have already been awarded bursaries/scholarships which cover in whole/part of the tuition fee, although these generally do not apply to scholarships awarded using Duke-NUS resources. Details on the TFL are available at the NUS Registrar’s Office website.
Bursary
Bursaries are awarded based on familial and personal financial need.
In recent years, about 60% of our MD students have been awarded bursary of varying amounts. For students enrolling from Academic Year 2019-2020 onwards, these amounts are expected to fall between 14% and 71% of tuition fees payable (excluding miscellaneous fees). When invited for an admissions interview, prospective students in need of financial assistance will be advised as to how and when to apply for financial aid through an online link. Bursaries are awarded on a 4-year basis, subject to yearly renewal and students are therefore not required to re-submit their application annually unless there is a material change of family finances since their last application. To be considered for a bursary award at Duke-NUS, interested applicants must submit a financial aid application within 28 calendar days after attending the admission interview on Applicant Day. When making decisions regarding bursary awards, Duke-NUS takes into account financial aid received by students from external sources (such as external scholarships). It is therefore the responsibility of financial aid applicants to keep Duke-NUS informed of any financial aid received, including external awards as the School reserves the right to vary an offer of financial assistance in the event of such changes.
The SMA Medical Students’ Assistance Fund was set up by the Singapore Medical Association (SMA)Open in new tab to support the living expenses of needy medical students in Singapore. This is a long term commitment by the medical professional body of doctors and students to help their peers in focusing on what’s important in medicine – being a good and ethical doctor. This Fund is a programme under the SMA Charity Fund (SMACF)Open in new tab, an Institution of Public Character and charity in Singapore. Bursaries awarded by SMACF are only available to Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents. More information on the application process can be found on the Singapore Medical Association website. Open in new tab
Merit Scholarship
There are various types of merit scholarships available, externally and at Duke-NUS. Merit scholarships are generally awarded based on academic achievement and personal attributes such as meaningful involvement in community service or leadership experiences. Several scholarships are valid for 4 years and may be used for tuition fees, miscellaneous fees, living expenses as well as other fees associated with studying at Duke-NUS. To be considered for a merit scholarship at Duke-NUS, interested applicants must submit a financial aid application within 28 calendar days after attending the admission interview on Applicant Day. Scholarship recipients are selected by the School’s Scholarship Selection Committee and only successful applicants will be informed of their award. Some examples of merit scholarships are highlighted below.
Scholarships
|
Quantum
(S$ per year) |
Award Criteria |
All Nationalities
|
| Duke-NUS Dean's Scholarship |
10,000 - 50,000 |
• |
| Goh Foundation Scholarship |
20,000 |
• • |
| Indonesian Scholars Programme |
10,000 - 50,000 |
• • |
| Lee Foundation Scholarship |
20,000 (one-off) |
• • |
| Shaw Foundation Scholarship |
10,000 - 50,000 |
• |
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents only
|
| Ngee Ann Kongsi Distinguished Scholars Programme |
10,000 - 50,000 |
• |
Singapore Citizens only
|
| Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Scholarship |
10,000 - 50,000 |
• • |
• Merit-based
• Need-based
The Goh Foundation was instituted by philanthropist Mr. Goh Cheng Liang to support programs that significantly improve the quality of human lives. The foundation has contributed to countless endeavors in the education and healthcare realms, amongst others.
Goh Foundation Scholarships have been made available for qualified Duke-NUS students (approximately 4 recipients per year), at an annual value of S$20,000. Candidates must be full-time local or international students at Duke-NUS who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements. Preference may be given to those with demonstrated financial need. The scholarships are tenable for the full duration of studies, up to a maximum of 4 years.
The Lee Foundation was founded in 1952 by philanthropist and businessman, Mr. Lee Kong Chian with the aim of supporting educational, cultural, charitable and public organisations.
The Lee Foundation Scholarship for Duke-NUS Medical Students aims to inspire and nurture a strong medical talent pipeline for the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre (AMC) to improve patients' lives.
Each Lee Foundation Scholarship award is for S$20,000, and may vary where applicable. To meet the different needs of students at various points of their journey in learning and practicing Medicine, the Scholarship is a single year award that can be used for tuition fees, educational as well as living expenses.
To be eligible for the Scholarship, candidates must be enrolled in full-time Doctor of Medicine-Doctor of Philosophy (“MD-PhD”) programme or Doctor of Medicine (“MD”) programme (with existing PhD degree) with excellent academic accolades and/or strong research background with preference given to those with demonstrated financial need.
The Shaw Foundation was established by philanthropist Tan Sri Dr. Runme Shaw in 1957 to provide funds that would help charitable endeavours in Singapore with their missions. Since inception, the foundation has contributed over US$150 million to a myriad of organizations. Through generous Shaw Foundation Scholarships, up to 6 select Duke-NUS students may receive an annual scholarship of between S$10,000 and S$50,000.
Scholarship candidates must be full-time local or international students of Duke-NUS with an outstanding academic record, demonstrated leadership qualities with contributions made to the community. Subject to satisfactory academic performance throughout, the scholarships are tenable for the 4-year duration of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program.
The Ngee Ann Kongsi was formed in 1845 by a group of prominent Teochew leaders who came from Ngee Ann county, Canton (Guangdong) province, China and was originally established to support the welfare of Teochew immigrants in Singapore. The Ngee Ann Kongsi (Incorporation) Ordinance was drawn up in 1933, and the Ngee Ann Kongsi was formally incorporated as a charity. The Kongsi has since awarded numerous scholarships and bursaries to students pursuing tertiary education in Singapore.
Under the Ngee Ann Kongsi Distinguished Scholars Programme, Duke-NUS has been able to award up to 6 Scholarships annually to select students, with each scholarship at a value of between S$10,000 and S$50,000 per year. Recipients must be Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident who are full-time students at Duke-NUS with demonstrated financial need and outstanding academic record. Subject to satisfactory academic performance throughout, the scholarships are tenable for the 4-year duration of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program.
The Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple was founded in 1884. Since 1997, the Temple foundation has enabled the advancement of multiple charitable initiatives within education, healthcare, social services, and the arts. Duke-NUS awards 1 scholarship each year under the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Scholarship Programme, with an annual value between S$10,000 and S$50,000. The scholarship is usually awarded to a second-year medical student.
Recipients must be Singapore Citizens and full-time students of the School who have attained outstanding academic achievements and have demonstrated financial need. The scholarship is tenable for the full duration of studies, up to a maximum of 4 years.
Research Fellowships
All students who join Duke-NUS under either the PhD (Integrated Biology and Medicine) or PhD (Quantitative Biology and Medicine) programmes will be offered the Duke-NUS PhD Fellowship and the Khoo Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Award respectively.
Under the awards, all students will be provided with financial support for 100% of tuition and miscellaneous fees charged for their PhD studies. In addition, students will also be provided with a monthly stipend with Singapore Citizens also receiving voluntary CPF contribution on their monthly stipend in accordance to prevailing employer’s CPF contribution rate.
Students may refer to the following for the respective awards’ Terms and Conditions:
- Duke-NUS PhD Fellowship; and
- Khoo Pre-Doctoral Fellowship