Nine more overseas medical schools join the list of institutions whose degrees are recognised, supporting Singapore’s healthcare needs.
From January 1, 2025, Singapore will expand its list of recognised foreign medical schools to include nine additional universities. This decision aims to address the increasing demand for doctors amid an aging population, as announced by the Health Ministry and the Singapore Medical Council (SMC).
Boosting Doctor Supply
The inclusion of these institutions raises the total number of recognised foreign medical schools to 112, complementing the growing intake at local universities. Between 2013 and 2023, Singapore increased its local medical school admissions from approximately 400 to over 500 annually.
New Recognised Universities
The newly recognised schools are spread across Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom:
Australia
University of Newcastle, School of Medicine and Public Health
Ireland
University College Cork – National University of Ireland, School of Medicine
University College Dublin – National University of Ireland, School of Medicine
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – National University of Ireland, School of Medicine
United Kingdom
The Queen’s University of Belfast, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
University of Aberdeen, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
University of Leeds, School of Medicine
University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Faculty of Medical Sciences
University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School
Rigorous Evaluation Process
The SMC conducts periodic reviews to ensure high standards for foreign-trained doctors. Criteria include:
International ranking of the institutions.
Language of instruction.
Performance of graduates from these schools working in Singapore.
Graduates of these institutions must meet additional requirements outlined by the SMC before practising locally.
Future Healthcare Sustainability
This initiative ensures a steady pipeline of well-trained medical professionals to meet healthcare challenges while maintaining rigorous medical standards. The updated list of recognised medical schools will be reflected in the Second Schedule of the Medical Registration Act from January 1, 2025.
