USM Medical Degree Now Recognised In Singapore
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has been named one of eight foreign medical schools newly recognised by Singapore’s Health Ministry (MoH), officially allowing its medical graduates to apply to practise in the republic from Feb 1.
The ministry, in a statement, said the recognition followed a recommendation by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) and was part of measures to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce amid rising demand driven by an ageing population.
It said the latest addition effectively increases the total number of recognised overseas medical schools from 112 to 120.
“The additions will allow Singapore to better meet the growing demand for doctors as our population ages, even as we have increased the annual local medical school intake from around 440 students in 2014 to 555 in 2025,” the statement read.
SMC regularly reviews the list of registrable medical qualifications to ensure foreign-trained doctors receive education and training comparable to Singapore's standards, taking into account factors such as international rankings, English as the language of instruction and graduate performance.
Besides Malaysia, the newly recognised medical schools are from Australia, India, Ireland, Pakistan, China and the United Kingdom, including the University of Galway; The Aga Khan University Medical College; Tsinghua University; City St George’s, University of London; and the University of Exeter.
In line with this, aspiring students may apply to these institutions for overseas medical studies, while all graduates – regardless of nationality or graduation year – may seek registration to practise in Singapore, subject to prevailing requirements, the statement added.
SMC said foreign-trained doctors will continue to be placed under a supervisory framework during their initial years of practice to ensure high standards of medical care.
The full and updated list of recognised overseas medical schools will take effect under the Second Schedule of the Medical Registration Act 1997 from Feb 1, 2026.
-- BERNAMA
