Family Practice Dermatology

Fees (2024/2025 intake):

Description	Fee (SGD)
Application Fee*	76.30
Programme Fee (inclusive of Examination fee)	7,663.20
Re-Examination Fee: Written Examination and OSCE Viva	1,854.00

Notes: 

• Payment mode: PayNow (preferred), Visa, Mastercard or Amex.
• *Application fee is non-refundable and must be paid at the time of application.
• Fees are inclusive of prevailing GST rate and subject to changes without prior notice.
• Successful applicants will be notified to accept the placement and make payment of the full Programme fee via email within 2-3 weeks after the application closes. Placement will be confirmed only after this payment has been made.

Funding

The Programme is eligible for the following funding scheme:

• Claim Skillsfuture credit - At the point of programme registration, please inform the programme administrator that you intend to use your SkillsFuture Credit in part or in full for the qualifying programme fee. You should then submit your claim on the MySkillsFuture Portal within 60 days before the programme start date (date inclusive). Please visit the Skillsfuture site for more information.

Programme Objective

The Graduate Diploma in Family Practice Dermatology [GDip (FP Derm)], a joint programme offered by the Division of Graduate Medical Studies (DGMS) and the National Skin Centre (NSC) aims to equip Medical Officers or General Practitioners (both locals and overseas) with the knowledge and skills to deal with skin diseases at a primary care level. 

Eligibility Criteria 

1. Currently practising Medical Officers or General Practitioners with a recognised medical degree (or equivalent)  
2. Minimum 5 years of general clinical experience (post-housemanship)  
3. English Language Requirement: Applicants whose native language or medium of undergraduate instruction is not English must fulfil a minimum level of English proficiency as listed in the table below. For certain qualifications, you are also required to furnish additional English Language test scores (where applicable). 

Test	Minimum Acceptable Score
EL1119	C6
IELTS	6.5 overall with 6.5 in Reading and Writing component
MUET	200
TOEFL	580 for paper-based /  92 - 93 for internet-based

   4. Other qualifications and experience which may be assessed as equivalent by DGMS and NSC. 

Intake Date:

The programme usually commences in May annually and is conducted subject to minimum uptake. These dates are subject to changes. 

CME Points:

CME points will be awarded to doctors registered under the Singapore Medical Council (SMC). The number of points to be awarded will be subjected to the discretion of SMC. 

Programme Components: 

There is an Orientation on 17 May 2024. It is NOT mandatory, but students are strongly encouraged to attend the Orientation. More details will be announced. 

Distance-Learning (Course Assessments) 

The Programme is conducted in a distance-learning format (E-Learning) and consists of 5 Courses. The main topic areas are as follows: 

Course 1	Introduction to Dermatology and Common Skin Conditions in Family Practice
Course 2	Dermatitis and Drug Eruptions
Course 3	Infective, Pigmentary, Blistering and Neoplastic Skin Diseases and Common Skin Diseases in Children and the Elderly
Course 4	Regional Dermatology and Principles of Dermatologic Surgery
Course 5	The Skin in Systemic Disease

Programme Time Table

Activity	Course 1	Course 2	Course 3	Course 4	Course 5
Course Handout available online	17 May 2024	28 June 2024	23 August 2024	18 October 2024	13 December 2024
End Course Test available	07 June 2024	26 July 2024	20 September 2024	15 November 2024	10 January 2025
Completion of End Course Test	28 June 2024	16 August 2024	11 October 2024	06 December 2024	31 January 2025
5-Day Clinical Lectures and Case Discussions	7 – 11 April 2025 Clinical Attachment 1 17 – 24 April 2025 Clinical Attachment 2
Pre-Exam Training Seminar	Friday, 25 April 2025, 1pm to 3pm
Final Examination Written	Friday, 25 April 2025, 9am to 11am
Final Examination VIVA	Saturday, 26 April 2025, 7am to 1pm

Note: The above information is subject to changes without prior notice.

Programme Assessment and Examination:

1. One-Week Clinical Attachment and Slides Quiz Test (SQT) 

There will be a one-week Clinical Attachment held at the NSC:

• Session 1: 7 – 11 April 2025, or
• Session 2: 17 – 24 April 2025

It is NOT mandatory but students are strongly encouraged to attend the Clinical Attachment. It is however mandatory for students to attempt and pass the SQT at the end of the Clinical Attachment in order to be eligible for the Final Examination. 

2. Training Seminar 

The Training Seminar will be conducted for eligible students as a revision course prior to the Final Examination and it will be held at NSC. It is NOT mandatory but students are strongly encouraged to attend the Training Seminar.   

3. Final Examination 

Students must score at least 50% in the End-of-Course assessments and Slides Quiz Test (conducted at the end of the Clinical Attachment) before the student is allowed to proceed to the Final Examination. The Final Examination will consist of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Slides Quiz Test and Viva examination.

Students must also attempt and pass all the sections within 3 years of starting the programme in order to be awarded the Graduate Diploma, failing which the student must repeat the entire programme. The candidature will automatically lapse if the student is unable to complete the programme/exam within 3 years.

The student who is unsuccessful at the examination must sit the next immediate examination with payment of the re-examination fee. The re-examination fee is payable to the National University of Singapore.

Minimum and Maximum Number of Candidates:

The GDip (FP Derm) Programme will commence upon the successful enrolment of a minimum of 28 students. The maximum capacity for each intake is 30 students.

Application

More details on the application would be provided to the invited applicants. A completed application would have fulfilled the following: 

1. All required fields are duly completed concisely with all supporting documents** successfully uploaded into the system.
2. Obtain a unique 10-digit application number that is auto-generated by the system (we recommend that you jot down the number for reference).
3. A non-refundable SGD76.30 supported by a tax invoice (also known as the receipt) which can be downloaded from the system.

Please note that a successfully completed application does not indicate a successful placement or admission into the Programme. 

All applications and fees must be submitted by the stipulated closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be entertained. Hardcopy and email applications will not be accepted. 

**The following documents must be uploaded in GDA2 by the closing date: 

• Recent passport-sized photograph (image in jpeg format has to be 400 x 514 pixels). 
• A copy of one’s CV (employment history; in ascending order) to be submitted in the template provided HERE.
  • To include 150-200 words on what interests you in applying for the Graduate Diploma in Family Practice Dermatology programme.
• At least 2 Testimonials from direct Heads of Department / Supervisors (where applicable)  
• A certified true copy/scanned coloured copy of the following (Official English translations will be required for stamps or certificates that are not in English): 
  • Identification documents: 
    • NRIC: for locals / Permanent Residents (both front and back view) 
    • Employment Pass and Passport: for foreigners residing in Singapore
  • Recognised basic medical degree certificate
  • Valid practising certificate (for Singapore applicants, screenshot a copy from the SMC portal)
  • Certificates of other medical qualifications, where applicable
  • English Language Proficiency Test scores, where applicable
  • A write-up (150 to 200 words) about “What interests you to apply for the Graduate Diploma in Family Practice Dermatology Programme” in a Word document  

Photocopies of certificates and/or official translations (in English)^# including any other official supporting documents will be accepted only if they have been prepared and/or authenticated by one of the following: 

• Issuing University of Medical School;
• Medical Council of which you are registered and licensed to practice;
• Ministry of Health, Singapore;
• Notary public or Justice of the Peace;
• Division of Graduate Medical Studies (DGMS) - For authentication by DGMS office, original certificates and documents must be produced.

^#Applicants must submit an authenticated translation if their official supporting documents are not in English. A fresh ink stamp must be used to authenticate the copy or translation of the primary medical qualification.

Applicants who fail to present their original documents for verification without acceptable reasons will not be admitted to the programme.

Applicants whose original documents have been damaged or misplaced must apply to the relevant organisations / authorities for replacements or letters of verification.

It is a university regulation that applicants cannot be concurrently registered for more than one programme/examination in an academic year. DGMS is not obliged to provide reasons for unsuccessful applications. Other respective rules/regulations of DGMS apply.

Deferment Policy:  

Students who wish to defer will need to write to DGMS, citing the reason for deferment and providing supporting evidence where applicable after acceptance of placement. This request will be considered on a case-by-case basis. No deferment will be accepted after the allocation of clinical attachment. The candidature will automatically lapse should an enrolled student fail to complete the course within 3 years from the date of matriculation.

Withdrawal Policy 

Students must contact the respective Officer-in-Charge (OIC) as soon as they know that they are unable to attend the programme enrolled. Request to withdraw from the course must be made in writing. Emails are acceptable.

Students who notify the Division of their intent to withdraw from the programme must request a refund (less the application fee) before the acceptance of the placement deadline and provide supporting evidence where appropriate. Any withdrawal request received after acceptance of the placement deadline will not be entertained.

The Division will generally consider providing refunds to candidates based on the following circumstances: 

1. Illness - Request for refund must be accompanied by a medical certificate. 
2. Pregnancy – Request for refund must be accompanied by a medical report. 
3. Involvement in an accident, e.g. victim of crime, accident, or disaster – request must be supported by evidence such as a medical report and/or police report. 
4. Bereavement in the immediate family – this normally refers to the loss of a parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, or child. 

Supporting evidence must be presented in all cases. 

All refunds granted will be subject to 10% administrative charges capped at SGD500.00. Requests for refund under the following reasons will not be entertained: 

1. Lack of preparedness or readiness for the programme for which the student has enrolled.
2. Failure to arrange time away from work.
3. Inability to secure a visa or other travel documents required to attend the programme.

  

For further enquiries, please contact:
Nur Irdina Mah (Ms)
Tel: (65) 6601 8210
Email: irdina@nus.edu.sg