Faculty of Dentistry, NUS

Frequently Asked Questions

ABOUT THE BDS PROGRAMME

What is the duration of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme?

The four-year full-time Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme comprises a pre-clinical phase in the first two years (BDS1 and BDS2) and a clinical phase in the next two years (BDS3 and BDS4).

In the pre-clinical phase, students will acquire the relevant and necessary knowledge and skills to prepare them to deliver patient care. During the clinical phase, students will have the opportunity to treat and manage patients across the lifespan for a variety of oral conditions under close staff supervision.
What is the academic calendar for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme?
In general, the academic years from the first to fourth year of the programme are as follow:

First Year

Semester 1	Vacation	Semester 2	Vacation	Term IV	Vacation
Aug – Dec (18 Weeks)	Dec – Jan (5 Weeks)	Jan – May (18 Weeks)	May (2 Weeks)	May – Jun (4 Weeks)	Jun – Jul (4 Weeks)

Second Year

Term I	Vacation	Term II	Vacation	Term III	Vacation	Term IV	Vacation
Jul - Aug (11 Weeks)	Sep (1 Week)	Sep – Nov (9 Weeks)	Nov – Jan (5 Weeks)	Jan – Feb (7 Weeks)	Feb – Mar (1 Week)	Mar – May (13 Weeks)	May – Jul (3 Weeks)

Third to Fourth Years

Term I	Vacation	Term II	Vacation	Term III	Vacation	Term IV	Vacation
Jul - Aug (9 Weeks)	Aug – Sep (3 Weeks)	Sep – Nov (10 Weeks)	Nov – Jan (4 Weeks)	Jan – Mar (12 Weeks)	Mar – Apr (2 Weeks)	Apr – Jun (9 Weeks)	Jun – Jul (3 Weeks)

How are classes conducted for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme?

Teaching and learning are done through a variety of ways including lectures, tutorials, seminars and laboratory-based training in the pre-clinical years. In the third and fourth years of the programme, clinical training constitutes a major part of the curriculum. Where necessary and appropriate, a hybrid of face-to-face and online teaching will be used to deliver the curriculum.

Typically, classes (including didactic teaching (lectures, tutorials, seminars), laboratory sessions, clinics) will run from 8am – 5:30pm on weekdays with the exception of Fridays when classes may end at 1pm. The Friday afternoons may be used for self-study or at times, classes may be conducted.

Given its small student enrolment, teaching and learning takes place in small groups. This offers close academic interactions between students and their peers as well as between students and staff.

ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAMME

How do I apply for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme?

Applications need to be submitted online through the NUS Office of Admissions (OAM). Please visit the OAM website at http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/ for more information about the admissions requirements, procedures and application deadlines.

What are the general admission requirements?
Admission to different degree programmes offered at the National University of Singapore (NUS) must satisfy certain minimum requirements. Please click here for details of the admission requirements for Dentistry.

Applicants who wish to make an application for admission to Dentistry should meet the following requirements:

Qualifications Presented	Subject Pre-requisites
Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘A’ Level H1/H2/H3 Curriculum	Good H2 pass in Chemistry *and* Biology or Physics
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma	Good Higher Level (HL) pass in Chemistry *and* Biology or Physics
International or any other relevant qualifications	Good Year 12 or equivalent level pass in Chemistry *and* Biology or Physics
NUS High School Diploma	Good major CAP in Chemistry *and* Biology or Physics
Polytechnic Diploma in Singapore	Good major CAP in Chemistry *and* Biology or Physics

In addition, admission to Dentistry is also dependent on the performance at the Manual Dexterity Test and Admissions Interviews.

I am an international student who did not sit for a pre-University examination locally. How do I find the Cambridge A-level equivalent qualification of the examination I had sat for?

Please visit the Office of Admissions (OAM) website at http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply-to-nus/international-qualifications/admissions-requirements for information regarding this.
How is one selected for admission to Dentistry in NUS?

Prospective applicants must specify Dentistry as their first or second choice during the application stage. Those who meet the selection criteria will be shortlisted for the Manual Dexterity Test (MDT). Those who are successful in the Manual Dexterity Test will receive invitations to attend the Admissions Interviews.

More details about the Manual Dexterity Test and Interviews will be provided to shortlisted applicants.
What can I expect from the Admissions Interview and the Manual Dexterity Test?
The Manual Dexterity Test (MDT) is a 60-minute test that assesses the dexterity of the prospective applicants and their spatial awareness as well as their ability to handle simple instruments. Tentatively, the MDT will be scheduled from late March 2024.

The Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) consist of a circuit of stations that may require prospective applicants to engage in interviews, discussions or specific activities. These stations are designed to assess applicants' interest in Dentistry as well as their demonstration of attributes essential for oral health care professionals. The MMIs are expected to last approximately 80 minutes. These interviews will be scheduled in April 2024.
Given my pre-University qualifications (ie. ‘A’ level, IB, NUS High School Diploma, Polytechnic Diploma or any other relevant qualification) results, what are my chances of being shortlisted for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme?

It is difficult to predict the chances of being shortlisted for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme. It depends on the academic performance of the cohort of applicants for each year. Please refer here for the Indicative Grade Profile.
How will the application process for Aptitude Based Admissions be like?
A holistic approach to assess applicants for admissions into their chosen degree programmes will be adopted. This means that besides academic grades, other factors, such as the applicant’s interest, aptitude, and prior preparation, will also be used to admit the applicant.

Applicants for all degree programmes will now be required to list up to three of their achievements, or co-curricular activities, or non-academic activities (e.g. volunteering work, competitive sports) and to answer short response questions, besides providing their grades.

Applicants admitted under the Aptitude Based Admissions will be expected to show evidence of special interests, abilities, talents or achievements which may be relevant to Dentistry. While these applicants may be considered for admission besides academic achievements, they must display the minimum academic competency to pursue and complete the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme. Please click here for more information.
What is the enrolment for each cohort of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme?
The enrolment for each cohort of students admitted to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme is 80.
How many applicants are there each year and how many of them get shortlisted?

The number of applicants and those who are shortlisted vary from year to year. Nevertheless, Dentistry is one of the most competitive programmes in NUS.
What is the ratio of female to male intake? Is there a quota?
The ratio of female to male students varies from year to year. There is no quota for the male or female intake.
When and how will I be informed that I have been shortlisted for the Manual Dexterity Test and Admissions Interviews?

Applicants are required to check their shortlist status via the Online Application Status Facility. You will not receive any hard copy notification. Applicants who provide a valid mobile number on the online Admissions Application Form will receive an SMS notification.

I came for the interview last year but was not offered a place in Dentistry. Can I re-apply?

If you have sat for the Manual Dexterity Test and/or attended the interview, you cannot apply for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery progamme subsequently.

I sat for the Manual Dexterity Test last year but did not attend the interview (or vice versa). Can I re-apply?

If you had attended the Manual Dexterity Test but not selected/unable to attend the interview, you will not be eligible to re-apply for Dentistry.

What if I can’t appear for the Manual Dexterity Test or Multiple Mini Interviews?

Prospective applicants must sit for BOTH the Manual Dexterity Test (MDT) and the Admissions Interviews in order to be considered for Dentistry. If one has valid reasons (e.g. unwell; conflicts in the dates/times for the interviews) for not being able to attend the MDT or interviews on the appointed date and/or time, please contact the Dean’s Office at denbox8@nus.edu.sg at least 3 working days before your scheduled MDT/interview date. We will attempt to re-schedule the MDT and/or interviews. For those currently serving National Service, please contact your Units to obtain more details regarding the process for being released to attend the MDT and interviews.

Is there a bond after graduation?

All students, regardless of nationalities, admitted to the Faculty of Dentistry for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme will be required to undertake a service bond administered by MOH Holdings (MOHH) upon successful completion of the programme. Please see the table below for details of the bond period.

Singaporeans	Non-Singaporeans and Singapore PRs
4 years	5 years

Are there specific health requirements for students pursuing the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme?

Blood Borne Diseases (BBD)
In accordance with the Ministry of Health, Singapore's requirements, all prospective students seeking admission to Dentistry must undergo screening for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV viruses. Prospective students tested positive for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV carriers will be counselled to understand that their areas of practice may be restricted in future.

In addition, prospective dental students are required to demonstrate immunity against Hepatitis B. In the event that they remain non-immune despite repeated vaccinations (with the primary course series i.e. 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine), they will be counselled to understand their potential risk and susceptibility to Hepatitis B during the course of study and when they graduate.

Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR)
All prospective dental students should be immune (from documented infection) or fully vaccinated. Students should provide official records of two previous vaccinations (2-dose series at least 4 weeks apart) or serological/laboratory screening results or diagnosed by a physician of previous infection as proof of immunity against all three diseases. Self-declaration of previous infection or vaccination is not considered as evidence of immunity.

Students may begin classes without documentary evidence of immunisation for MMR if he/she has a letter from a physician stating that there is a reason why he/she cannot receive the vaccine.

Varicella (Chickenpox)
All prospective dental students should be immune or vaccinated. Students should provide documentation of immunity (positive serology) or official records of having received two previous vaccinations. Self-declaration is only acceptable if the history of varicella was diagnosed by a physician and documented as such. Where history of varicella is uncertain, immunity against varicella would need to be confirmed by serological testing.

Students may begin classes without documentary evidence of immunisation against Chickenpox if:
1. He/she has a letter from a physician stating that there is a reason why he/she cannot receive the vaccine;
2. He/she has documented evidence of two administrations of the varicella vaccine (i.e. a non-responder).
Tetanus, Diphtheria And Pertussis
All prospective Dentistry students should receive tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination, if they have not previously received the Tdap vaccination. These students should be vaccinated with a single dose of Tdap regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus or diphtheria-containing vaccine.

Students who have previously received Tdap vaccination should receive a booster dose of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) every 10 years. If Td is unavailable, it may be replaced with Tdap. Documented proof of vaccination with Tdap or Td in the last 10 years would be acceptable as evidence of immunity. Self-declaration is not considered proof of immunity.

COVID-19
Students who are eligible should receive their vaccinations or boosters, where possible. Healthcare students are encouraged to achieve at least minimum protection against COVID-19, if medically eligible, in accordance with the requirements set by the Ministry of Health, Singapore.

Occupational Health Risk Assessment

Since 2013, in compliance with both NUS and the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore's statutory medical surveillance requirements, all dental students must complete the NUS occupational health risk assessment and indemnity forms, and undergo audiometric testing before the commencement of the programme and just before graduation.

OTHER QUESTIONS

I am colour-deficient. Does the Faculty of Dentistry have a restriction to certain colour deficiencies? If so what are they?

No, but applicants are encouraged to indicate your condition under Section 5.1 “Other Information (Health and Support)” of the online Admissions Application Form.
Is my nationality a factor in admissions?

Admissions are based on merit, and open to applicants of all nationalities.
Will work experience and referrals from experts in the relevant fields help?

While this is not a necessary pre-requisite, it would be useful, so that prospective applicants have an idea about the scope of Dentistry as well as an insight into Dentistry as a career.
Can I defer from NS should I be accepted?

In general, deferment is not permitted for Dentistry. Successful applicants will matriculate into the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme after they have completed their National Service obligations. In such situations, a place will be reserved for them until their completion of National Service.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

How much are the tuition fees?

SC	SPR	IS	Full Fees#
S$30,200	S$44,900	S$69,588	S$169,866

# fees payable by students not in receipt of MOE Tuition Grant

Apart from the tuition fees, dental undergraduates may be required to bear the cost of incidental materials which they will need throughout the duration of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme. Such costs will be in addition to the prevailing tuition fees. The incidental materials include, but may not be limited to, plastic teeth, metal alloy, consumables, etc. which will be required during the pre-clinical and clinical phases of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme. The estimated incidental cost over the period of the 4-year programme is S$1,000.

What is the MOE Tuition Grant Subsidy?

The tuition fees listed above are subsidised by the Ministry of Education, Singapore (MOE). The subsidy, also known as the MOE Tuition Grant, is offered to all students to help manage the costs of full-time tertiary education in Singapore.
When do I pay the tuition fees?

You will receive your statement for tuition fees about a week before the start of the Semester. You have up to the third week of the Semester to settle the fees. Tuition fees can be paid on a semestral basis i.e. twice a year.
Can I apply for Financial Aid to support my education?

Prospective students may also use the Financial Needs Calculator to help them estimate their study and living expenses in NUS and the amount of aid they may receive if they require such assistance. Please click here for more information.

Useful Links

Where can I get more information?

The Faculty of Dentistry: http://www.dentistry.nus.edu.sg/
NUS Office of Admissions: https://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/admissions
Office of the University Registrar: http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar

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Frequently Asked Questions