Attachments & Electives
For the sake of clarity:
Take note that these are only informal definitions that we stick to for clear communication, and not any sort of official terminology.
- 'Attachment' refers to a pre-clinical student following doctors around during the summer holidays. Some organizations call this an 'observership'.
- 'Elective' refers to a more serious, actual clinical rotation which usually requires a logbook and a checklist of things to see/do.
Take note that these are only informal definitions that we stick to for clear communication, and not any sort of official terminology.
Attachments in Singapore for pre-clinical students
(Foundation year + Year 1 + year 2)
(Foundation year + Year 1 + year 2)
There is no formal process for attachment application for pre-clinical students, students may contact hospitals directly. It is advisable for students to contact them as early as possible for a better chance of getting an attachment.
Feedback from previous pre-clinical students who have done attachments in Singapore is that the documentation required is generally the same as that of clinical students applying for electives. Please see the NUS Special Clinical Electives Programme (SCEP) website for more details.
Feedback from previous pre-clinical students who have done attachments in Singapore is that the documentation required is generally the same as that of clinical students applying for electives. Please see the NUS Special Clinical Electives Programme (SCEP) website for more details.
Electives in Singapore for clinical students (Years 3 - 5)
Medical students from overseas medical schools (including UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand) can choose to apply to local hospitals for their elective postings as Special Clinical Students. Generally speaking the elective postings may range from a minimum period of two weeks to a maximum of twelve weeks.
Take note that Singaporean students who hold the Pre-Employment Grant (PEG) are strongly encouraged to do at least one elective in Singapore.
General Applications
Overseas students may apply for electives through the National University of Singapore (NUS) Special Clinical Electives Programme (SCEP). Applications must be done at least 8 months in advance. The list of hospitals includes:
More details on posting opportunities for each hospital can be found here.
For more information on applying through the NUS Special Clinical Electives Programme, click here.
As of 16 July 2014, Singaporean Citizens/Permanent Residents studying Medicine overseas will no longer need to pay the weekly charges associated with a hospital attachment/elective in Singapore. SMSI would like to give special thanks to the 19th Committee of SMSUK for this.
Currently, Trinity College Dublin (TCD) has an official Bilateral Exchange Agreement (BEA) with NUS. Due to this arrangement, nominated students from TCD will enjoy a waiver of application and elective (if applicable) fees. Students should speak to their university's Electives Coordinator regarding the selection process. Medical students whose universities are not under the list of affiliated universities are welcome to apply.
Direct Applications
The SMSI Committee has prepared a handbook with further guidance on applying for attachments and electives. The handbook features contact details for majority of the public healthcare institutions in Singapore, so as to help students who are interested in applying directly rather than through the NUS Special Clinical Electives Programme. You can view this handbook on our 'Publications' page.
In previous years, SMSI students have also completed Public Health electives with HealthServe and Hospice Care Internships with Singapore Cancer Society. Feedback that SMSI got from these students was generally very positive. Applications for these programmes are made directly to the organizations and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Take note that Singaporean students who hold the Pre-Employment Grant (PEG) are strongly encouraged to do at least one elective in Singapore.
General Applications
Overseas students may apply for electives through the National University of Singapore (NUS) Special Clinical Electives Programme (SCEP). Applications must be done at least 8 months in advance. The list of hospitals includes:
- Changi General Hospital
- National University Hospital
- Singapore General Hospital
- Tan Tock Seng Hospital
- Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital
- Ng Teng Fong General Hospital
- Sengkang General Hospital
- Alexandra Hospital
- SingHealth Polyclinics
- NHG Clinics
- Health Sciences Authority
- Institute of Mental Health
- National Neuroscience Institute
- National Skin Centre
- National Dental Centre Singapore
More details on posting opportunities for each hospital can be found here.
For more information on applying through the NUS Special Clinical Electives Programme, click here.
As of 16 July 2014, Singaporean Citizens/Permanent Residents studying Medicine overseas will no longer need to pay the weekly charges associated with a hospital attachment/elective in Singapore. SMSI would like to give special thanks to the 19th Committee of SMSUK for this.
Currently, Trinity College Dublin (TCD) has an official Bilateral Exchange Agreement (BEA) with NUS. Due to this arrangement, nominated students from TCD will enjoy a waiver of application and elective (if applicable) fees. Students should speak to their university's Electives Coordinator regarding the selection process. Medical students whose universities are not under the list of affiliated universities are welcome to apply.
Direct Applications
The SMSI Committee has prepared a handbook with further guidance on applying for attachments and electives. The handbook features contact details for majority of the public healthcare institutions in Singapore, so as to help students who are interested in applying directly rather than through the NUS Special Clinical Electives Programme. You can view this handbook on our 'Publications' page.
In previous years, SMSI students have also completed Public Health electives with HealthServe and Hospice Care Internships with Singapore Cancer Society. Feedback that SMSI got from these students was generally very positive. Applications for these programmes are made directly to the organizations and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Electives in other countries for clinical students (Years 3 - 5)
To be confirmed.