Nursing is one of the most important jobs in the healthcare industry and with the constant battle with chronic diseases and a rapidly ageing population, every country is in need of nurses more than ever.
In Singapore, it is good news that there has been a steady increase in nursing degree applications. National University of Singapore (NUS), for example, saw a 27% increase of nursing applications in 2017, receiving 2,200 applications in total, as compared to 1,730 applications in 2015.
To date, there are around 34,200 nurses in Singapore. Keep in mind that a nurse’s responsibility goes beyond just clearing bedpans and injections. You must also be aware of the difference between an enrolled nurse and a registered nurse, with the latter requiring you to have at least a diploma or more.
Whether you are figuring how to be a nurse in Singapore, intending to start a nursing career, or already a nurse looking to further your study, here are 10 nursing courses you can consider.
*Note: All the information listed is subject to changes depending on the nursing school.
ITE’s NITEC nursing course trains students to be Enrolled Nurses.
The nursing course is comprised with 2 components:
15 months of full-time training
9 months of supervised clinical attachment at healthcare institutions
ITE - NITEC course details | |
Programme Duration | 2 years (full-time) |
Curriculum | Core modules include:
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Entry Requirements | GCSE ’O’ level grades (in any 2 subjects):
or GCE ‘N’ level passes in English Language, Mathematics and 1 other subject:
*Shortlisted applicants will undergo pre-course interview and medical check-up |
Course Fees | S$446 for Singaporeans S$5,634 for PRs S$15,270 for International students |
Prospects | Graduates of NITEC can either go on to become Enrolled Nurses, or those who achieved a GPA of 3.0 and above can apply for progression to the 1st year of a related diploma course at a Polytechnic. |
See full short term nursing course details here.
Parkway College of Nursing and Allied Health is the education branch of Parkway Pantai Limited, Southeast Asia’s largest private healthcare provider. Established in 2008, the college is equipped with experienced healthcare teachers and useful facilities such as nursing skill labs and a Clinical Simulation Centre.
Parkway College - Diploma in Nursing | |
Programme Duration | 3 years (full-time) |
Accreditation | The institute is EduTrust certified, and registered with the Committee of Private Education (CPE) and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG). |
Curriculum | The course has a total of 41 modules, covering areas from Behavioural Science to Pharmacology. Lessons are conducted in the form of:
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Entry Requirements | For local students:
For international students:
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Course Fees | S$9,000 for Singaporeans S$18,000 for PRs S$31,200 for International students Application fee: S$214 Enrolment fee: S321 |
Prospects | Graduates of Parkway College are widely sought after, and in 2019, graduates have an overwhelming high employment rate of 95%. Due to the college’s connection with the Parkway Group, also it increases the graduate’s chance of landing a job with its hospitals (i.e. Mount Elizabeth, Gleneagles, etc.). Graduates typically earn a starting pay of S$2000-2300 per month. |
See full nursing course details here.
Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Diploma in Health Sciences (Nursing) course includes 43 weeks of clinical attachments from the first year, training and exposing students with a wide range of clinical experience for future preparation. Exposure to Life Sciences also includes internships, overseas immersion trips and service-learning opportunities.
Ngee Ann Polytechnic - Diploma in Health Sciences (Nursing) | |
Programme Duration | 3 years (full-time) |
Curriculum | In Year 1, students will learn about human anatomy and physiology, and get an introduction to the fundamentals of nursing and pharmacology. In Year 2, students will get an introduction to nursing research mental health nursing and palliative care, and learn to care for expectant mothers. In Year 3, students will learn how to manage life-threatening conditions and care for patients in a hospital setting, as well as a better understanding of their future role as a registered nurse. |
Entry Requirements | Applicants must achieve a minimum GCE ‘O’ Level results. For applicants with other qualifications, please see here. |
Course Fees | S$2,900 for Singaporeans S$6,000 for PRs S$10,800 for International students |
Prospects | Graduates of this diploma can either choose to pursue nursing at an advanced degree or diploma level. Alternatively, they can seek a career as Staff Nurses in a health institution, or related field in the clinical and research organisations. |
Nanyang Polytechnic was the first polytechnic in Singapore to offer nursing courses in Singapore and has since trained more than 20,000 nursing students. With various technologies available in the institute, students can experience hands-on training as well as classroom learning in hospital and clinical settings.
Nangyang Polytechnic - Diploma in Nursing | |
Programme Duration | 3 years (full-time) |
Curriculum | Along with the usual nursing modules from nursing to pharmacology, students will also learn Management and Leadership. Final year students are also required to complete a nursing project. |
Course Fees | S$2,900 for Singaporeans S$6,000 for PRs S$10,800 for International students |
Prospects | Graduates of this diploma can either choose to pursue nursing at a degree level in a local or foreign university. They can also pursue advanced diplomas with the NYP in specific fields such as midwifery and gerontology. Alternatively, they can seek a career as Staff Nurses in a health institution, or related field in the clinical and research organisations. |
See full nursing course details here.
NUS’s Bachelor in Science (Nursing) was first launched in 2006 and has been one of the most popular choices for aspiring nurses. It stands unique with an inter-professional education, allowing its students to learn and study alongside other healthcare undergraduates of different fields (i.e. dentistry, medicine, etc.). This advantage greatly boosts teamwork skills and prepares students for future multidisciplinary care work.
National University of Singapore (NUS) - Bachelor in Science (Nursing) | |
Programme Duration | 3 years (full-time) With the option to take an Honours year |
Curriculum | Along with the core nursing models to care for patients of different demographics and needs, students will also undergo Evidence-Based Health Care. Those who wish to pursue an Honours year must achieve a cGPA of 3.2 and above. |
Course Fees (per year) | S$8,950 for Singaporeans S$12,550 for PRs S$19,150 for International students |
Prospects | Graduates can either pursue further studies of Masters or PhDs, or seek career opportunities as care coordinators, policymakers and more. |
See full nursing degree details here.
Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) is a leading private institution in Singapore and opens the SIM Global Education in 2016. The nursing degree is awarded by the University of Sydney, ranking 9th worldwide in University nursing education and research excellence (QS World University by Subject 2017).
Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) - Bachelor of Nursing (Post-Reg or Honours | |
Programme Duration | 1-2 years for post-registration degree; 2 years for an Honours degree (both nursing courses in part-time basis) |
Accreditation | The degree is accredited by SNB and SIM GE is also EduTrust certified. |
Curriculum | The programme is fully developed, taught and awarded by the University of Sydney Australia. |
Entry Requirements | Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
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Course Fees | Programme fee: S$26,065.20 |
Prospects | Graduates can either choose to pursue further studies in Masters or PhDs, or advance in any nursing career tracks. |
See full short term nursing degree details here.
Ngee Ann Academy's Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Honours is fully taught and awarded by the faculty of King’s College London, a renowned university ranking 2nd in the world and 1st in the United Kingdom for Nursing (2019 QS World University Rankings by Subject). It is also the first-ever degree of KCL to be taught outside the UK and the first in Singapore to offer elective in Older Persons’ Care and Palliative Care.
There are 4 entry points to the programme every year: January; April; July and October.
Ngee Ann Academy - Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Honours (Top-Up) | |
Programme Duration | 2 years (part-time) With the option to take an Honours year |
Accreditation | Ngee Ann Academy is EduTrust certified and the degree is accredited by the Singapore Nursing Board. |
Curriculum | Core modules include:
Elective modules include:
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Entry Requirements | Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
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Course Fees | Programme fee: S$28,000 Application fee: S$100 Administration fee: S$200 |
See full short term nursing degree details here.
SIT has joined up with the University of Glasgow, one of Scotland’s oldest universities, to offer the Bachelor of Science with Honours in Nursing. The programme is also co-created and designed with Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) and professional practice partners.
Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) - Bachelor of Science with Honours in Nursing (Top-Up) | |
Programme Duration | 2 years (full-time) With Honours |
Accreditation | The degree is accredited by SNB. |
Curriculum | The programme has a range of modules designed to train students with the relevant knowledge and skills to meet the healthcare challenges as a future nursing professional. Students will learn to analyse personal and professional values, and make sound, evidence-based and ethical decisions to prepare them for leadership roles. |
Entry Requirements | Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
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Course Fees | S$20,640 for Singaporeans S$40,400 for PRs S$54,570 for International students |
Prospects | Graduates can advance their career as Senior Staff Nurses, Educators, Managers, and Clinicians. They can also further their studies for more senior positions such as the Director of Nursing. |
See full nursing degree details here.
Kaplan Singapore's Bachelor of Nursing degree is awarded by Australia's Griffith University and it is fully taught by Griffith University's faculty staff. Griffith University is a reputable university, and ranks 9th as the largest university in Australia. It is well-known for its medical research.
Kaplan - Bachelor of Nursing (Top-Up) | |
Programme Duration | 2 years (part-time) |
Accreditation | The degree is accredited by Singapore Nursing Board (SNB) and Kaplan is EduTrust certified. |
Curriculum | The structure is listed below. Semester 1:
Semester 2:
Semester 3:
Semester 4:
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Entry Requirements | Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
The final admission to the programme rests with the University. |
Course Fees | S$20,330 (SkillsFuture credit usable) |
Prospects | Graduates have the option to further study (e.g. Master’s Degree in Health Services Management) or seek a career in the healthcare or research industry. |
See full nursing degree details here.
MDIS, established in 1956, is Singapore’s oldest not-for-profit learning institution. The Bachelor of Science Nursing is awarded by Edinburgh Napier University, one of Scotland’s largest nursing and midwifery education institutions.
KManagement Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) - Bachelor of Science Nursing (Top-Up) | |
Programme Duration | 2 years (part-time) |
Accreditation | The degree is accredited by Singapore Nursing Board (SNB) and MDIS is EduTrust certified. |
Curriculum | The course curriculum covers:
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Entry Requirements | Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
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Course Fees | Tuition fees: S$19,260 Non-tuition fees: S$700 - S$1900 |
Prospects | According to the institute’s survey, between 75% and 80% of their graduates find a job within 6 months of graduation. Nurses can also seek more senior-level positions (e.g. Clinical Nurse Consultant). |
See full nursing degree details here.
Are you a foreigner hoping to study in Singapore? Check out our guide on "How to Study in Singapore as a Foreign Student".
Nursing may be a tough profession, but can be rewarding and filled with career advancement opportunities. Whether you are figuring how to be a nurse in Singapore, looking for a nursing school in Singapore, intending to start a nursing career, or a nurse looking to further your study, we wish you all the best in your pursuits.