Master of Science in Biostatistics and Biomedical Data Science

Education Core
Master of Science in Biostatistics and Biomedical Data Science

Overview

The Master of Science in Biostatistics and Biomedical Data Science (MSc BBDS) combines rigorous training in biostatistics, data science and AI with a strong focus on biomedical research and healthcare. It equips students with the methodological and analytical skills to address complex challenges across the clinical and biomedical data spectrum.

The programme offers two tracks—Biostatistics and AI, and Bioinformatics and AI—providing specialised training in diverse domains of biomedical science. Courses are taught by leading faculty and data science practitioners from Duke-NUS Medical School and the National University of Singapore (NUS), combining methodological expertise with real-world biomedical applications.

Learning Outcomes

Apply Advanced Data Science Methods
Apply statistical, machine learning, and computational biology methods to analyse clinical and biomedical data for actionable insights.

Integrate Interdisciplinary Knowledge
Integrate knowledge from medicine, biology, and quantitative methods to address complex problems in translational biomedical and clinical research.

Communicate Effectively and Responsibly
Communicate analytical findings clearly to diverse stakeholders while applying ethical principles to the use of biomedical data and AI.

Who should apply

Our program welcomes local and international applicants with strong quantitative skills and an interest in biomedical and healthcare applications.

Programme Structure

Two specialised tracks:

📊 Biostatistics and AI
Focuses on biostatistical methods, machine learning, and AI applied to clinical, patient-level, and population-level data to improve patient care, optimize clinical trials, and strengthen health interventions.

🧬 Bioinformatics and AI
Focuses on computational biology and AI-driven methods to analyse high-throughput genomics and omics data, support drug discovery, and advance precision and personalized medicine.

Work with a faculty supervisor to apply advanced statistical and computational methods to address a real-world biomedical or healthcare research problem.

Application Now Open!

Aug 2027
Intake

1 Oct 2026 - 30 Apr 2027
Application period

- Apply early to secure your place!
- Batch releases from February through May 2027

Application Steps

Step 1: Submit Your Online Application
Complete and submit the online application for the MSc in Biostatistics and Biomedical Data Science (BBDS) programme through the official application portal.

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Step 2: Pay the Application Fee
After submitting your application, applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of SGD 50.00, plus applicable GST, using the payment methods available on the application portal and following the instructions provided.

Application Fees

Step 3: Save Your Payment Receipt and Application ID
After making the payment, please keep a copy of your payment receipt and note your application ID for reference.

Step 4: Email Your Payment Details Within Two Weeks
Within two weeks of submitting your programme application, please email the following information to msc.bbds@duke-nus.edu.sg:
• Your full name
• Your application ID
• A copy of your application fee payment receipt

Please use the following email subject line: MSc BBDS Application Fee Payment – [Your Full Name] – [Application ID]

* Important: Please ensure that your payment receipt and application ID are emailed to the designated email address within the two-week deadline so that your payment can be identified and verified.

Thank you for your interest in the MSc BBDS programme. We look forward to receiving your application!

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Tution Fee & Structure

Local candidates (Singaporeans & PR)

MSc BBDS Tuition Fee Structure

AY2027 intake

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents

Singapore citizens and Singapore permanent residents receive a 40% tuition fee rebate. The total tuition payable is S$40,548.00, inclusive of 9% GST.

Tuition fee breakdown

Fee item	Amount SGD
Programme tuition before GST	62,000.00
Less 40% tuition fee rebate	24,800.00
Tuition after rebate before GST	37,200.00
GST at 9%	3,348.00
Total tuition inclusive of GST	40,548.00

Payment schedule

Payment	Before GST SGD	GST SGD	Total SGD
Upon offer acceptance	5,000.00	450.00	5,450.00
Semester 1 balance	7,400.00	666.00	8,066.00
Semester 2	12,400.00	1,116.00	13,516.00
Semester 3	12,400.00	1,116.00	13,516.00
Total	37,200.00	3,348.00	40,548.00

The acceptance fee is included in the total tuition and credited toward Semester 1. Each semester’s tuition allocation is S$13,516.00 inclusive of GST.

The semester payments are fixed instalments and do not depend on the number of courses taken in each semester.

Semester service fee

All students must pay a total service fee of approximately S$303 per semester, in addition to tuition. The indicative breakdown is S$137.50 for the Student Services Fee and S$165.50 for the Health Service Fee. These fees cover the NUS group insurance provided to students.

Students completing the programme in 18 months over three semesters will pay the service fee three times, for an estimated total of S$909. The tuition payment schedule excludes this service fee.

OUR/OFN will confirm the final service fee amounts in July 2027. The amount may vary for each intake.

SkillsFuture funding does not apply to this programme.

Additional course fees

Students who take courses beyond the prescribed programme, or who need to repeat or replace a course after receiving an F or CU grade, will pay for each additional course on a per course basis. No tuition fee rebate applies to additional courses.

Additional course	Before GST SGD	GST at 9% SGD	Total SGD
One 4 unit course	6,200.00	558.00	6,758.00

Proposed additional course rate for confirmation: S$6,200.00 before GST, calculated as S$62,000.00 ÷ 40 units × 4 units. This is a calculated rate and must be confirmed by the programme before publication.

Notes

All amounts are in Singapore dollars. Tuition and additional course fees are calculated with 9% GST; the tables show amounts before GST and inclusive of GST. Service fee estimates are shown separately and are subject to final confirmation.
The acceptance fee is a one time payment upon offer acceptance. It is included in total tuition and credited toward Semester 1. Acceptance fees are non refundable and non transferable.
Fees paid are not refundable in the event of non completion of the programme.
Penalties may apply for late or partial fee payment.
The University reserves the right to review and adjust fees without prior notice.

International candidates

MSc BBDS Tuition Fee Structure

AY2027 intake

International Students

For regular admission, the total tuition fee is S$67,580.00, inclusive of 9% GST. Tuition is allocated across three semesters.

Tuition fee breakdown

Fee item	Amount SGD
Programme tuition before GST	62,000.00
GST at 9%	5,580.00
Total tuition inclusive of GST	67,580.00

Payment schedule

Payment	Before GST SGD	GST SGD	Total SGD
Upon offer acceptance	10,000.00	900.00	10,900.00
Semester 1 balance	10,666.67	960.00	11,626.67
Semester 2	20,666.67	1,860.00	22,526.67
Semester 3	20,666.66	1,860.00	22,526.66
Total	62,000.00	5,580.00	67,580.00

The acceptance fee is included in the total tuition and credited toward Semester 1. Each semester’s tuition allocation is approximately S$22,526.67 inclusive of GST, with a S$0.01 rounding adjustment in Semester 3.

The semester payments are fixed instalments and do not depend on the number of courses taken in each semester.

Semester service fee

Students completing the programme in 18 months over three semesters will pay the service fee three times, for an estimated total of S$909. The tuition payment schedule excludes this service fee.

OUR/OFN will confirm the final service fee amounts in July 2027. The amount may vary for each intake.

Additional course fees

Additional course	Before GST SGD	GST at 9% SGD	Total SGD
One 4 unit course	6,200.00	558.00	6,758.00

Notes

All amounts are in Singapore dollars. Tuition and additional course fees are calculated with 9% GST; the tables show amounts before GST and inclusive of GST. Service fee estimates are shown separately and are subject to final confirmation.
The acceptance fee is a one time payment upon offer acceptance. It is included in total tuition and credited toward Semester 1. Acceptance fees are non refundable and non transferable.
Fees paid are not refundable in the event of non completion of the programme.
Penalties may apply for late or partial fee payment.
The University reserves the right to review and adjust fees without prior notice.

Admission Requirements

A Bachelor’s (Honours) degree or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a STEM discipline from a recognised university.
English language proficiency: Applicants whose native language and university instruction are not entirely in English must submit an official TOEFL of at least 85 or IELTS score of at least 6.0.

Supporting documents:

Personal documents (NRIC/Passport)
Highest Education Qualification (Degree/Transcript)

Current undergrads can submit their latest transcript during application, and furnish the updated one later

Your resume/CV detailing educational background, internships, work experience, achievements, etc.
Essays: statement of purpose
TOEFL/IELTS: Applicants whose native tongue and medium of university instruction is not completely in English should upload the official score of TOEFL (≥4.5 or 85) or IELTS (≥6.0) as evidence of their proficiency in the English language.

TOEFL/ IELTS scores are valid for two (2) years from the test date and should not have expired at the point of application.

All supporting documents must be uploaded (in clear PDF format with no password protection). English translations should accompany supporting documents that are not in English.

Courses

BBDS Courses

Timeline

BBDS Timeline

Duration

Duration

Intakes

18 months

(Full-Time)

August 2027

FAQ

1. Which university awards the MSc BBDS degree?

The degree is awarded by the National University of Singapore (NUS). The programme is administered at Duke-NUS Medical School.

2. Who is eligible to apply?

The programme welcomes local and international applicants with strong quantitative skills and an interest in biomedical or healthcare applications.

3. Do I need prior training in programming, mathematics or biology?

Applicants with a STEM background are welcome to apply, and no specific prerequisite courses are required. Relevant coursework, such as statistics, or practical coding experience is advantageous but not a requirement.

4. Can applicants with an MBBS apply?

Yes, applicants with an MBBS are welcome to apply. Admission depends on quantitative preparation and the overall assessment of the application.

5. Is a three-year bachelor’s degree without Honours acceptable?

Applicants with a three-year bachelor’s degree without Honours may be considered on a case-by-case basis, based on their degree, awarding institution, academic record and relevant experience.

6. What are the English-language requirements?

Non-native English speakers must submit an official TOEFL score of at least 85 or an IELTS Academic score of at least 6.0. Any waiver is subject to the programme’s admissions policy.

7. When can I apply for the August 2027 intake?

Applications are open from 1 October 2026 to 30 April 2027 for the August 2027 intake.

8. Is an interview required?

Yes. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online interview. There is no standard written test.

9. What tracks are available, and when do I choose one?

The programme offers Biostatistics and AI and Bioinformatics and AI tracks. Applicants indicate their preferred track when applying; changes may be accommodated with some flexibility.

10. How long is the programme, and is part-time study available?

The August 2027 intake is an 18-month, full-time programme. Part-time study is not offered for this intake.

11. Are classes held in person or online?

Courses are delivered in person.

12. Does the programme include a master’s thesis?

Yes. Students complete a faculty-supervised master’s thesis addressing a biomedical or healthcare research problem. Journal publication is encouraged but is not required for graduation.

13. What are the tuition and application fees?

Tuition is S$62,000, the application fee is S$50, and the acceptance fee is S$10,000. All fees are subject to 9% GST.

14. Does the programme prepare students for careers or further academic study?

The program prepares students for both professional careers and further academic study. Coursework develops methodological and practical skills, while the thesis provides experience addressing a real biomedical or healthcare research problem.

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Join our November information session

Meet the programme team, explore the two tracks and thesis opportunities, and ask questions about admissions, curriculum and career pathways.

"At MSc BBDS, we train the next generation of biomedical data scientists to drive the future of biomedical discovery. Our curriculum combines methodological depth with the versatility to address a wide range of challenges across the biomedical data landscape, grounded in biostatistics, trustworthy AI, and computational biology. Through our collaboration with Duke University, NUS, and Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), students gain hands-on exposure to real-world clinical and biomedical data through coursework and their master’s thesis."

Aug 2027Intake

1 Oct 2026 - 30 Apr 2027Application period

- Apply early to secure your place! - Batch releases from February through May 2027

Application Steps

Tution Fee & Structure

A/Prof Fan Qiao & A/Prof Bibhas Chakraborty,Programme Directors

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Aug 2027
Intake

1 Oct 2026 - 30 Apr 2027
Application period

- Apply early to secure your place!
- Batch releases from February through May 2027

A/Prof Fan Qiao & A/Prof Bibhas Chakraborty,
Programme Directors