Master of Clinical Investigation (MCI)
Empowering Healthcare Professionals to Design and Conduct Clinical Research Relevant to Patient Care
Overview
The Master of Clinical Investigation (MCI) Programme at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, is a coursework-based programme designed to build Singapore’s clinical research capacity by equipping physicians and healthcare professionals with the skills to design and conduct impactful studies.
With rigorous training in study design, biostatistics, clinical trials, ethics, and health services research, MCI prepares clinicians to evaluate new treatments, technologies, and healthcare system research that directly improves patient outcomes. Developed in consultation with the Ministry of Health, senior clinician-researchers, and the National Medical Research Council, the programme bridges clinical practice with scientific inquiry and positions graduates to compete globally in academic medicine.
Designed for clinicians and allied health professionals, MCI’s focus include evaluating:
- New treatments and technologies
- Diagnostic modalities
- Mechanisms of human disease
- Determinants of disease outcomes
- Effectiveness of health services
What You Will Gain From MCI
By the end of the course, you will gain valuable hands-on experience integrating research into clinical practice, preparing competitive research proposals and carrying out studies relevant to your career.
After graduation, you will be able to:
- Lead innovation in developing therapeutic drugs, medical devices, diagnostics, and treatment regimens.
- Generate evidence to improve clinical practices and inform health policy.
- Advance public health by contributing to the discovery and monitoring of epidemiological trends.
- Enhance your professional growth with broader perspectives and deeper understanding of human health and disease, becoming a more effective physician or healthcare professional.
- Join a vibrant research community, contributing to Singapore’s evolving interdisciplinary network of clinician-scientists and healthcare researchers.
Whether you are advancing in your specialty or laying the groundwork for a PhD, MCI prepares you to be a research-ready clinician — able to lead innovation, generate evidence, and shape the future of healthcare.
Intake: August 2026
Duration:
1 November 2025
31 March 2026
Mid-May 2026
Ideal candidates for the programme
Healthcare Professionals, Clinician-Researchers, and Allied Health Professionals
Graduates can pursue careers in roles such as:
- Clinical Leadership (Evidence-based Practice Leaders)
- Health Services Researcher
- Policy/HTA Specialist
- Clinical Research Physician/Scientist
- Medical Affairs
- Principal Investigator
- Clinician-Scientist
- PhD Candidate
- Trials Manager/Research Coordinator
Programme Faculty
Makoto Yawata, M.D., Ph.D.
MCI Programme Director,
Clinical-Scientist Mentor,
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
A/Prof Jeremy Tey Chee Seong
MCI Deputy Programme Director,
Assistant Dean (Graduate Studies),
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Prof Jerry Menikoff
MCI Course Coordinator,
Professor of Bioethics, Centre for Biomedical Ethics,
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
A/Prof Luo Nan
MCI Course Coordinator,
Associate Professor
NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health
Dr Yong Wei Peng
MCI Course Coordinator,
Senior Consultant,
Department of Haematology-Oncology,
National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
Dr Lee Chun Fan
MCI Course Coordinator,
Assistant Professor,
Centre for Quantitative Medicine,
Duke-NUS Medical School
Dr Owen Schaefer
Assistant Professor,
Centre for Biomedical Ethics,
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Prof Cheung Yin Bun
Professor,
Centre for Quantitative Medicine,
Duke-NUS Medical School
A/Prof Edwin Chan
Associate Professor,
Centre for Quantitative Medicine,
Duke-NUS Medical School
Mihir Gandhi
Assistant Professor,
Centre for Quantitative Medicine,
Duke-NUS Medical School
Dr Cindy Lin Xinyi
Assistant Professor,
Centre for Quantitative Medicine,
Duke-NUS Medical School
Makoto Yawata, M.D., Ph.D.
MCI Programme Director,
Clinical-Scientist Mentor,
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
A/Prof Jeremy Tey Chee Seong
MCI Deputy Programme Director,
Assistant Dean (Graduate Studies),
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Prof Jerry Menikoff
MCI Course Coordinator,
Professor of Bioethics, Centre for Biomedical Ethics,
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
A/Prof Luo Nan
MCI Course Coordinator,
Associate Professor,
NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health
Dr Yong Wei Peng
MCI Course Coordinator,
Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology,
National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
Dr Lee Chun Fan
MCI Course Coordinator,
Assistant Professor, Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School
Dr Owen Schaefer
Assistant Professor, Centre for Biomedical Ethics,
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Prof Cheung Yin Bun
Professor, Centre for Quantitative Medicine,
Duke-NUS Medical School
A/Prof Edwin Chan
Associate Professor, Centre for Quantitative Medicine,
Duke-NUS Medical School
Mihir Gandhi
Assistant Professor, Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School
Dr Cindy Lin Xinyi
Assistant Professor, Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School
The MCI programme runs part-time over two academic years and comprises two components — Coursework and Research — with the option to extend to a third year if additional time is needed for the research component.
- The Coursework Component is completed in the first year, comprising ten courses delivered across two intensive teaching blocks designed to fit around clinical schedules. This component carries 32 units.
- The Research Component runs across both years and contributes 8 units, bringing the programme to a total of 40 units.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete and pass all ten coursework courses (32 units), including Advanced Quantitative Methods
- Obtain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0
- Achieve at least a B- grade in the Research Project (8 units)
To graduate, students have to fullfill both the coursework and research requirements:
Coursework (32 Units):
Nine coursework courses will be offered as a core requirement for all students.
Coursework will be conducted in two blocks, each comprising between five to seven weeks of full-time study, and held semesterly (in August-September and January-February).
All students are expected to complete the coursework requirements in the first year as it is foundational for the research component.
Research Component (8 Units):
The research component will span a minimum of eight months. The aims of this component are to enable students to apply knowledge, acquire skills to plan a project, and to integrate and sustain research within clinical practice.
COURSEWORK COMPONENT
10 Courses
SEM 1 (6 – 7 Weeks, Full Day) – 22 units in total
SEM 2 (4 – 5 Weeks, Full Day) – 10 units in total
- MCI5001 Design and Planning of Clinical Studies
- MCI5002 Clinical Biostatistics
- MCI5003 Basic Clinical Pharmacology for Clinical Research
- MCI5004 Molecular Biomarkers in Clinical Research
- MCI5005 Ethics and Regulation of Clinical Research
- MCI5006 Design and Planning of Epidemiological Studies
- MCI5007 Scientific Writing
- MCI5009 Health Services Research Methods for Clinicians
- SPH5102 Design, Conduct and Analysis of Clinical Trials
- AQM Advanced Quantitative Method
32 Units in Total
RESEARCH COMPONENT
Conceptualisation, Planning & Proposal Preparation
Practical Experience Conducting an Actual Research Project
MCI5008 Research Project
Features:
- Wet-lab session* (Academic Year 1 Semester 1): Gain exposure to the basic research lab environment
- Mentorship: Each student is paired with two mentors – one in biostatistics and one clinical – who will guide them throughout their research project.
8 Units in Total
*Compulsory
Proposed Study Plan
Please refer HERE for the proposed study plan for part-time students.
Important:
Before submitting your application:
- Download and read the Instructions to Candidates (online applications).
- Review the Checklist for Applicants. Please upload all supplementary forms and relevant supporting documents according to the checklist when submitting your online application.
Minimum Requirements:
For Physicians
- An MBBS or equivalent degree from an internationally-recognised medical school or university
- Physicians who have entered specialist training or residency programme
- Demonstrated aptitude for clinical research
- Internationally-recognised qualification in their profession
- At least three years of professional practice experience
- Demonstrated aptitude for clinical research
Tuition Fees:
Total Tuition Fees (for students enrolled in the Academic Year 2026/2027 only): S$63,750 (inclusive of 9% Goods & Services Tax (GST))
The payment schedule is as follows (inclusive of 9% GST):
Part-Time Students (Non-SC/PR)
Part-Time Students (SC/PR)
NUS Alumni
Year 1 Semester 1
S$15,937.50
S$9,562.50
S$12,750.00
Year 1 Semester 2
S$9,562.50
S$12,750.00
S$15,937.50
Year 2 Semester 2
Acceptance Fee (Including GST):
S$5,450
In addition to tuition fees, students will be charged miscellaneous student fees each semester.
Miscellaneous student fees help meet costs incurred by the University in providing services to the student community that are either not covered or only partially covered by the tuition fees. These services include healthcare for students; facilitating student cultural, social and recreational programmes; and maintaining the shuttle bus service, IT network and other essential campus infrastructure and services.
For more information, please visit the Office of the University Registrar website.
- The application fee for a successful submission is S$54.50 (including GST).
- For the AY2627 intake, all Singaporeans and Singapore PRs will receive a 40% tuition fee rebate under the NUS Enhanced Tuition Fee* scheme. This rebate cannot be combined with any scholarships, study awards, grants, sponsorships, bursaries, or other financial assistance. For more information, please visit the following website.
- For the AY2627 intake, all NUS alumni will receive a 20% tuition fee rebate. No other rebate can be used concurrently.
- Upon acceptance of the offer, an acceptance fee of S$5,450 (including GST) will be charged in the Graduate Admission System (GDA). This fee is non-refundable, non-transferable, and will be credited toward the tuition fee once the programme begins.
- Tuition fees are subject to annual review and inflation adjustments.
- Penalties apply for late or partial payment of fees. Please refer here for more details on student finance matters.
- A Module Fee will apply for any repeated module. This fee is payable together with the Miscellaneous Student Fees according to the NUS fee payment schedule.
* For eligible students under company sponsorship, NUS will issue an invoice to the student reflecting the tuition fee after the 40% rebate. They may then seek reimbursement from their company.
Applicants may apply to the NMRC Research Training Fellowship for funding for the course fees, subject to eligibility requirements. For more information, please visit the NMRC Research Training Fellowship webpage.
- The Coursework Component is completed in the first year, comprising ten courses delivered across two intensive teaching blocks designed to fit around clinical schedules. This component carries 32 units.
- The Research Component runs across both years and contributes 8 units, bringing the programme to a total of 40 units.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete and pass all ten coursework courses (32 units), including Advanced Quantitative Methods
- Obtain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0
- Achieve at least a B- grade in the Research Project (8 units)
Coursework (32 Units):
Nine coursework courses will be offered as a core requirement for all students.
Coursework will be conducted in two blocks, each comprising between five to seven weeks of full-time study, and held semesterly (in August-September and January-February).
All students are expected to complete the coursework requirements in the first year as it is foundational for the research component.
Research Component (8 Units):
The research component will span a minimum of eight months. The aims of this component are to enable students to apply knowledge, acquire skills to plan a project, and to integrate and sustain research within clinical practice.
COURSEWORK COMPONENT
10 Courses
SEM 1 (6 – 7 Weeks, Full Day) – 22 units in total
- MCI5001 Design and Planning of Clinical Studies
- MCI5002 Clinical Biostatistics
- MCI5003 Basic Clinical Pharmacology for Clinical Research
- MCI5004 Molecular Biomarkers in Clinical Research
- MCI5005 Ethics and Regulation of Clinical Research
- MCI5006 Design and Planning of Epidemiological Studies
SEM 2 (4 – 5 Weeks, Full Day) – 10 units in total
- MCI5007 Scientific Writing
- MCI5009 Health Services Research Methods for Clinicians
- SPH5102 Design, Conduct and Analysis of Clinical Trials
- AQM Advanced Quantitative Method
32 Units in Total
RESEARCH COMPONENT
Conceptualisation, Planning & Proposal Preparation
PHASE 2 (Academic Year 2)
Practical Experience Conducting an Actual Research Project
MCI5008 Research Project
Features:
- Wet-lab session* (Academic Year 1 Semester 1): Gain exposure to the basic research lab environment
- Mentorship: Each student is paired with two mentors – one in biostatistics and one clinical – who will guide them throughout their research project.
8 Units in Total
Fast-track to NUS PhD
MCI graduates may be eligible for a transfer of up to 24 units towards the NUS PhD programme, waiving most of the first-year coursework.
*Compulsory
Proposed Study Plan
Please refer HERE for the proposed study plan for part-time students.
Important:
Before submitting your application:
- Download and read the Instructions to Candidates (online applications)
- Review the Checklist for Applicants. Please upload all supplementary forms and relevant supporting documents according to the checklist when submitting your online application.
Minimum Requirements:
For Physicians
- An MBBS or equivalent degree from an internationally-recognised medical school or university
- Physicians who have entered specialist training or residency programme
- Demonstrated aptitude for clinical research
- Internationally-recognised qualification in their profession
- At least three years of professional practice experience
- Demonstrated aptitude for clinical research
Tuition Fees:
Total Tuition Fees (for students enrolled in the Academic Year 2026/2027 only): S$63,750 (inclusive of 9% Goods & Services Tax (GST))
The payment schedule is as follows (inclusive of 9% GST):
Year 1 Semester 1
S$15,937.50
Year 1 Semester 2
Year 2 Semester 1
Year 2 Semester 2
S$9,562.50
Acceptance Fee (Including GST):
S$5,450
In addition to tuition fees, students will be charged miscellaneous student fees each semester.
For more information, please visit the Office of the University Registrar website.
Note:
- The application fee for a successful submission is S$54.50 (including GST).
- For the AY2627 intake, all Singaporeans and Singapore PRs will receive a 40% tuition fee rebate under the NUS Enhanced Tuition Fee* scheme. This rebate cannot be combined with any scholarships, study awards, grants, sponsorships, bursaries, or other financial assistance. For more information, please visit the following website.
- For the AY2627 intake, all NUS alumni will receive a 20% tuition fee rebate. No other rebate can be used concurrently.
- Upon acceptance of the offer, an acceptance fee of S$5,450 (including GST) will be charged in the Graduate Admission System (GDA). This fee is non-refundable, non-transferable, and will be credited toward the tuition fee once the programme begins.
- Tuition fees are subject to annual review and inflation adjustments.
- Penalties apply for late or partial payment of fees. Please refer here for more details on student finance matters.
- A Module Fee will apply for any repeated module. This fee is payable together with the Miscellaneous Student Fees according to the NUS fee payment schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the classes carried out in the evening?
What are the continuation and graduation requirements?
Continuation Requirement:
For continuation of candidature, a student must obtain satisfactory progress during his/her candidature (Coursework), i.e., Student will be issued a warning for any semester in which his/her GPA falls below 2.50. If in the following semester, the student’s GPA again falls below 2.5, he/she will be placed on probation.
- Complete and pass all nine coursework courses listed in the study plan (32 units); and
- Obtain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0, and
- Achieve at least a B- grade in the Research Project (8 units)
Can the credits earned in this programme be used for exemption to another programme/ PhD degree?
Do I need to be a specialist in a certain field of healthcare to apply to MCI?
No, MCI is open to a broad range of healthcare professionals, not just specialists. The programme welcomes physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, TCM practitioners, and allied health professionals with experience in patient care — provided they have a relevant clinical research topic or question they wish to pursue.
Do the projects for the research component of the programme require laboratory-based research?
No, MCI students could also undertake projects in areas such as Health Services Research.
If I cannot attend Coursework in Year 1, can I take the Coursework later (in another semester)?
If I could not complete MCI within the standard 2 years, could I extend my candidature, and would that affect programme fees?
As tuition fees for MCI are charged on a per programme basis, not per annum, students who extend their candidature beyond the standard 2 years will not be charged additional tuition fees. However, they will still be liable for the NUS miscellaneous student fees.
How much detail do I need to include in the research proposal write-up (as part of the documents required for submission)?
It is recommended that you provide a clear title, hypothesis/research problem, and specific aims, backed by literature review (a survey of past/existing/ongoing research).
What makes this programme stand out from similar clinical investigation programmes?
Still can’t find your answer in the FAQs? Click here for more, or email us at mci@nus.edu.sg and we will reply to you within 3 working days.
Voices That Inspire
MCI provided me with a strong research foundation to pursue a career as a clinician-scientist. I met many like-minded peers passionate about clinical research, which led to several long-term collaborations. The statistics and epidemiology modules remain invaluable today as I design clinical studies.
Dr Benjamin Tan
Consultant, Division of Neurology, National University Hospital
Adjunct Assistant Professor, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
