How is life as a doctor in Singapore?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I’m comparing NUS/NTU and UCL, deciding what to do. Male here and i’ve completed NS. I’ve got an offer from UCL but will probably apply to both NUS and NTU next year. My grades and portfolio are good so i will get the interview. I know it’s too early to try and decide but i’ve really been in a dilemma recrntly.

If i study in singapore, i’d have the entire 6 year bond to fulfill. Since I have already finished NS, I wont be able to eat up 2 years of the bond. Hence, if i am unable to get into residency, (I’m keen on doing a surgical residency for now and for the sake of the discussion assume that I still want to do that at grad) id have to either be an RP or wait till bond is over to be GP or do anything else.

On the other hand, if I were to go to UCL i’d likely be able to get full reg in 2-3 years and if I take the PEG offered by MOH, the cost difference would not be too substantial. Therefore, I could still pursue my goal of residency with the backup option of being able to exit public in 3 years rather than 6.

I'm trying to weigh up the benefits of staying back in Singapore, the one that's most convincing to me being that I've heard it's easier to get into residency in Singapore with an NUS degree than an 'overseas' degree. (1) My question is this; the statement is very unspecific, and it could range from "you have a disadvantage in Singapore coming back from Bob's Medical university in Dimwitshire, UK", to "you studied at Oxford? I'm taking this NUS student for specialisation instead". Of course I understand that there's many other factors that affect whether you can get into a residency or not - such as performance at school, with the department and your peer-reviews et cetera, but I'm wondering if, for example, you had a model student from UCL and a model student from NUS, would the student from UCL - it being a very renowned and famous school - be at an inherent disadvantage?

Additionally, If i study overseas, I would be able to specialise in other countries such as Aus or UK but I want to compare the Singapore situation first.

Would love to hear from any alumni of either schools and would greatly appreciate any advice. Thank you!

UCL med degree is 6 years from what I know. Better to do a med degree that’s shorter - the standard 5 years.. that extra research degree is useless. You basically graduate one year later than others and have to pay one year more of school fees.

Your total loss= living expenses+ fees for that extra year + 1 year of income loss as a doctor.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

UCL med degree is 6 years from what I know. Better to do a med degree that’s shorter - the standard 5 years.. that extra research degree is useless. You basically graduate one year later than others and have to pay one year more of school fees.

Your total loss= living expenses+ fees for that extra year + 1 year of income loss as a doctor.

Seems none of the top schools in UK go without that +1 though - won't that matter if he wants to train in SG and pedigree matters?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Seems none of the top schools in UK go without that +1 though - won't that matter if he wants to train in SG and pedigree matters?

Degree wise any overseas degree<local degree for medicine. Experience is more valued in medicine. Especially post grad training exp.

A UCL first class fresh grad - HO in SG

A Barts pass degree grad with 2 years of FY experience- MO in SG

Seniority matters and that’s dependent on your experience . No one cares about your med degree unless you want to go research track

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Seems none of the top schools in UK go without that +1 though - won't that matter if he wants to train in SG and pedigree matters?

There is KCL and edin but not sure if OP has gotten offers from either

Originally Posted by Unregistered

UCL med degree is 6 years from what I know. Better to do a med degree that’s shorter - the standard 5 years.. that extra research degree is useless. You basically graduate one year later than others and have to pay one year more of school fees.

Your total loss= living expenses+ fees for that extra year + 1 year of income loss as a doctor.

ok assuming 5 year degree what would you say

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Degree wise any overseas degree<local degree for medicine. Experience is more valued in medicine. Especially post grad training exp.

A UCL first class fresh grad - HO in SG

A Barts pass degree grad with 2 years of FY experience- MO in SG

Seniority matters and that’s dependent on your experience . No one cares about your med degree unless you want to go research track

u said degree dosent matter but u just said local is better. Conflicting info??

Originally Posted by Unregistered

ok assuming 5 year degree what would you say

By all means go overseas if you are from rich family. Easier to study and pass. Don’t underestimate medical school.

want to choose a school with generous resit/repeat policy. Some schools also have easier exams, like only mcq exams/no structured questions for the 5 years. So do your own research

Just choose a med school that gives you highest chance of passing/good welfare support policy.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

u said degree dosent matter but u just said local is better. Conflicting info??

There’s no difference in degree whether you go to a top uk school or even a bad name Aussie school.. the consultant treat you the same. They group you as Singaporeans who didn’t go to local. It’s local vs non-local divide. Not local vs top uk school vs bad uk school

And private GP groups don’t care. I am a flinders grad. My university was delisted a few years after I enrolled but I am still working as an anchor GP for Shenton. Same goes for my colleague who went to a top uk school Edinburgh. He’s still earning the same amount as me.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

There’s no difference in degree whether you go to a top uk school or even a bad name Aussie school.. the consultant treat you the same. They group you as Singaporeans who didn’t go to local. It’s local vs non-local divide. Not local vs top uk school vs bad uk school

And private GP groups don’t care. I am a flinders grad. My university was delisted a few years after I enrolled but I am still working as an anchor GP for Shenton. Same goes for my colleague who went to a top uk school Edinburgh. He’s still earning the same amount as me.

how would u know? U neither went to Top UK school nor local med school so u wojldnt have undertanding of how either are treated. What percentage of ur flinders sg batch are now specialists vs what percentage of the edin guys sg batch is a specialist. U GP ofc same as 70 percent of local med students and those from UK schools who became GP. Stop cherry picking anecdotal evidence.

U go see neurosurgery residency, ENT, plastics, Opthal. Every single one has at least one from a top UK school. How many from flinders or lower tier Aus school?

Any NUS/NTU/Top UK school grad care to weigh in

The fact is 70 percent of local med students don’t become specialists and become GP/ Aesthetics/ FP. The real question is what percentage of those from top UK schools do well in aesthetics or make it to becoming a specialist