Master of Science in Medical Pharmacology
(MSc PHC)
Drive Pharmacological Innovation, Transform Medicine, Impact Lives
Overview
The Master of Science in Medical Pharmacology (MSc PHC) at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine is a postgraduate programme designed with input from industry experts and offered full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years). It equips students with expertise in pharmacology, toxicology, regulatory sciences and pharmacology education to advance the development of safe and effective medicines for patients.
Our curriculum combines rigorous academic training with hands-on experience. Students can specialise in Clinical Pharmacology, Translational Pharmacology, or Pharmacology Education, aligning their learning with their career aspirations. Graduates will be highly competitive for roles in academia, healthcare, contract research organisations, educational institutions and the pharmaceutical industry.
- Develop interdisciplinary expertise for sustainable and innovative drug development in research and education
- Master pharmacology and toxicology to ensure patient safety and train future biomedical professionals
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the drug development lifecycle guided by real-world industry insights
- Collaborate on capstone projects with industry, academic, and clinical mentors for practical training and professional networking
Intake: August 2026
1 Year (Full-time)
2 Years (Part-time)
Open Now
Local applicants: 30 June 2026
International applicants: 31 May 2026
Rolling basis
Ideal candidates for the programme
Graduates and Professionals from the Healthcare, Academic, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology sectors aiming to deepen their subject matter expertise, enhance job-readiness or to upskill for career progression.
Graduates can pursue careers in roles such as:
- Clinical Investigator
- Clinical Pharmacologist
- Clinical Trial Coordinator/ Research Associate/ Manager
- Drug Discovery Scientist
- Pharmaceuticals Patient Educator
- Industry Trainer
- IP& Patent Manager
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist
- Toxicologist
Programme Faculty
A/Prof Gavin Stewart Dawe
Director
MSc in Medical Pharmacology
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
A/Prof Judy Sng Chia Ghee
Co-Director, Education Lead
MSc in Medical Pharmacology
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Dr Nurulhuda Mustafa
Deputy Director
MSc in Medical Pharmacology
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Prof Christopher Chen Li-Hsian
Clinical Track Lead
MSc in Medical Pharmacology
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
A/Prof Le Thi Nguyet Minh
Translation Track Lead
MSc in Medical Pharmacology
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
A/Prof Seok (Soga) Kwon
Industry Lead
MSc in Medical Pharmacology
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
A/Prof Gavin Stewart Dawe
Director
MSc in Medical Pharmacology
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
A/Prof Judy Sng Chia Ghee
Co-Director, Education Lead
MSc in Medical Pharmacology
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Dr Nurulhuda Mustafa
Deputy Director
MSc in Medical Pharmacology
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Prof Christopher Chen Li-Hsian
Clinical Track Lead
MSc in Medical Pharmacology
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
A/Prof Le Thi Nguyet Minh
Translation Track Lead
MSc in Medical Pharmacology
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
A/Prof Seok (Soga) Kwon
Industry Lead
MSc in Medical Pharmacology
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
The MSc PHC is available as a 1-year (full-time) or a 2-year (part-time) degree programme. Students can choose to specialise in one of the 3 tracks offered; Clinical, Translation and Education.
Graduation Requirements
Total Units Required: 40 Units
To graduate, students have to:
Master of Science in Medical Pharmacology (Clinical Pharmacology)
Complete 6 core courses (16 units in total)
Choose and complete 5-6 elective courses (18 units in total)
Complete 1 Capstone Project (6 units)
Master of Science in Medical Pharmacology (Translation Pharmacology)
Complete 5 core courses (12 units in total)
Choose and complete 6-7 elective courses (22 units in total)
Complete 1 Capstone Project (6 units)
Master of Science in Medical Pharmacology (Pharmacology Education)
Complete 5 core courses (14 units in total)
Choose and complete 6-7 elective courses (20 units in total)
Complete 1 Capstone Project (6 units)
Please refer HERE for the proposed study plan for full-time and part-time students.
- Full-time students are expected to complete the programme within 12 – 24 months. The maximum candidature is 24 months; excluding Leave of Absence (LOA).
- Part-time students are expected to complete the programme within 24 – 36 months. The maximum candidature is 36 months; excluding Leave of Absence (LOA).
Important:
- Download and read the Applicant Guide to the Graduate Admission System (GDA)
- Review the Checklist for Applicants. Please upload the relevant supporting documents according to the checklist when submitting your online application.
To be eligible for enrolment, applicants must meet the following requirements. However, please note that selection of candidates is based on a competitive basis and candidates with relevant industry experience will be considered favourably. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the programme.
Minimum Requirements:
- A medical degree such as M.B.B.S., or a relevant Bachelor’s degree (preferably with Honours) in Life Sciences (e.g. Biochemistry, Biology, Pharmacology), Nursing, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Health Sciences or related disciplines.
- Candidates with other qualifications and relevant industrial experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval of the Programme Committee.
- International applicants from non-English speaking universities must demonstrate English proficiency with a minimum TOEFL score of 85 (Internet-based) or a minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.0. Scores must be valid for two years from the test date and should not have expired at the time of application. Expired scores will not be considered.
Note: Interviews will be requested for selected applications
Tuition Fees:
Total Tuition Fees (for students enrolled in the Academic Year 2025/2026 only): S$65,400 (inclusive of Goods & Services Tax (GST))
The payment schedule is as follows (inclusive of 9% GST):
Full-Time Students
Part-Time SC/PR Students
S$6,812.50
S$8,992.50
–
–
Year 2 Semester 2
–
–
S$8,992.50
Acceptance Fee (Including GST):
S$5,450
For more information, please visit the Office of the University Registrar website.
- Application fee for successful submission is S$50 (including GST)
- All Singaporeans and Singapore PRs will receive a 40% tuition fee rebate. For more information, please visit the following website here.
- All NUS alumni will receive a 20% tuition fee rebate.
- Upon acceptance of offer, an acceptance fee of S$5,450.00 (including GST) will be charged on the Graduate Admission System (GDA). Acceptance fees is non-refundable, non-transferable and will be credited towards the tuition fee once the programme starts.
The MSc PHC is available as a 1-year (full-time) or a 2-year (part-time) degree programme. Students can choose to specialise in one of the 3 tracks offered; Clinical, Translation and Education.
Graduation Requirements
Total Units Required: 40 Units
To graduate, students have to:
Master of Science in Medical Pharmacology (Clinical Pharmacology)
Complete 6 core courses (16 units in total)
Choose and complete 5-6 elective courses (18 units in total)
Complete 1 Capstone Project (6 units)
Master of Science in Medical Pharmacology (Translation Pharmacology)
Complete 5 core courses (12 units in total)
Choose and complete 6-7 elective courses (22 units in total)
Complete 1 Capstone Project (6 units)
Master of Science in Medical Pharmacology (Pharmacology Education)
Complete 5 core courses (14 units in total)
Choose and complete 6-7 elective courses (20 units in total)
Complete 1 Capstone Project (6 units)
Please refer HERE for the proposed study plan for full-time and part-time students.
- Full-time students are expected to complete the programme within 12 – 24 months. The maximum candidature is 24 months; excluding Leave of Absence (LOA).
- Part-time students are expected to complete the programme within 24 – 36 months. The maximum candidature is 36 months; excluding Leave of Absence (LOA).
Important:
The University does not engage external agencies for student recruitment. Candidates should apply directly to the University and not through any agents. Applications submitted through agents will not receive any added advantage and the University reserves the right to reject such application without explanation.
Only online applications are accepted.
Before submitting your application:
- Download and read the Applicant Guide to the Graduate Admission System (GDA)
- Review the Checklist for Applicants. Please upload the relevant supporting documents according to the checklist when submitting your online application.
To be eligible for enrolment, applicants must meet the following requirements. However, please note that selection of candidates is based on a competitive basis and candidates with relevant industry experience will be considered favourably. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the programme.
Minimum Requirements:
- A medical degree such as M.B.B.S., or a relevant Bachelor’s degree (preferably with Honours) in Life Sciences (e.g. Biochemistry, Biology, Pharmacology), Nursing, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Health Sciences or related disciplines.
- Candidates with other qualifications or relevant industrial experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval of the Programme Committee.
- International applicants from non-English speaking universities must demonstrate English proficiency with a minimum TOEFL score of 85 (Internet-based) or a minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.0. Scores must be valid for two years from the test date and should not have expired at the time of application. Expired scores will not be considered.
Note: Interviews will be requested for selected applications.
Tuition Fees:
Total Tuition Fees (for students enrolled in the Academic Year 2025/2026 only): S$65,400 (inclusive of Goods & Services Tax (GST))
The payment schedule is as follows (inclusive of 9% GST):
Year 1 Semester 1
Full-Time Students
S$29,975.00
Full-Time SC/PR Students
Part-Time SC/PR Students
S$8,992.50
Year 1 Semester 2
Full-Time Students
S$29,975.00
S$8,992.50
Year 2 Semester 1
Full-Time Students
–
Full-Time SC/PR Students
–
Part-Time SC/PR Students
S$8,992.50
Year 2 Semester 2
Full-Time Students
–
–
Part-Time SC/PR Students
Acceptance Fee (Including GST):
S$5,450
Additional Fee:
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.
- Application fee for successful submission is S$50 (including GST).
- All Singaporeans and Singapore PRs will receive a 40% tuition fee rebate. For more information, please visit the following website here.
- All NUS alumni will receive a 20% tuition fee rebate.
- Tuition fees are subjected to annual review and inflation.
- Upon acceptance of offer, an acceptance fee of S$5,450.00 (including GST) will be charged on the Graduate Admission System (GDA). Acceptance fees is non-refundable, non-transferable and will be credited towards the tuition fee once the programme starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
When/how will I receive the application outcome?
You should receive an outcome latest, at the end of June of your application year via the email you submitted your application with e.g. if you are applying for AY25/26 intake that commences in August 2025, you will receive outcome by June 2025.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
The official application requires us to submit a documentary proof of financial support in English. What does this refer to? What document can I submit as financial proof?
You may submit a bank statement (original, certified true copy or electronically generated statements will be accepted) OR a certificate of deposit (Chinese: 存款证明) in English issued by the bank as a proof that you (or your parent) have the stated amount in the bank account. If you are not the account holder indicated in the bank statement, attach another document stating your relationship with the account holder.
The financial proof should certify your financial ability to make payment for the Miscellaneous Student Fees (MSFs) and tuition fees for at least 2 semesters. For the actual rates of MSF, please refer to the page: NUS Office of the University Registrar.
There is a ‘Referee’ section on the application page. Is this compulsory?
Referees are not required for the MSc in Medical Pharmacology programme.
Can I upload supporting documents that are not in English?
All supporting documents which are not in English must be accompanied by an official certified English translation.
If my application is unsuccessful, can I reapply?
Yes, applicants who are unsuccessful in their application can submit a new online application with all the relevant and updated supporting documents uploaded, if they are interested to be considered for the programme again in the next intake.
I am an international student, what documents do I need for the duration of study in Singapore?
All international students must hold a valid Student’s Pass (SP) issued by the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for their full-time studies at NUS.
How do I apply for a student’s pass?
Upon acceptance of your offer of Admission, the University will apply for the Student’s Pass on your behalf via the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) SOLAR system. Once NUS has successfully registered your information, you may login to SOLAR to submit eForm 16.
Please refer SOLAR – Web Link (nus.edu.sg) for the information required.
Will NUS help to arrange for my accommodation in Singapore?
Full-time NUS Graduate students may apply for a place in selected Student Residences. The Residences offer independent living in a communal setting with opportunities for cross cultural interaction. For more information, visit Home – NUS OSA
Being a research-intensive university, new Graduate students by Research are prioritised for campus accommodation. As demand far exceeds supply, not all applicants will be successful in their applications. With the present high demand for campus housing, Graduate students by Coursework are unlikely to be offered campus accommodation in Kent Ridge Campus with the exception of College Green. It is advisable to budget for off-campus housing and source for one early. More information on off-campus housing can be found on Other Accommodation – NUS OSA
*Any agreement signed between a Student and the Private Hostel is deemed to be a private arrangement between the two parties. NUS is unable to mediate in the event of a dispute. Students are advised to practice due care and diligence prior to any contractual commitments.
What is my maximum candidature?
The MSc in Medical Pharmacology programme is a 1-year full-time or 2-year part-time, 40-unit degree with three specialisations: Clinical, Translation or Education.
- Full-time students are expected to complete the programme within 12 – 24 months. The maximum candidature is 24 months; excluding Leave of Absence (LOA).
- Part-time students are expected to complete the programme within 24 – 36months. The maximum candidature is 36 months; excluding Leave of Absence (LOA).
- For full-time students who exceed their expected candidature of 2 semesters, the criteria for minimum number of courses will not be imposed but you are required to enrol for all remaining courses in the final semester.
What are the graduation requirements?
Students must read and pass designated core courses, elective courses and one Capstone project on the respective tracks; completing the 40-unit requirement. Students should obtain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 out of 5.0 or equivalently, an average grade of at least B-.
Still can’t find your answer in the FAQs? Click here for more, or email us at mscphc@nus.edu.sg and we will reply to you within 3 working days.
Voices That Inspire
I offer my strong and enthusiastic support for the Master's programme in Medical Pharmacology at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. The development of totally new types of courses in pharmacology – interdisciplinary in nature – that explain the entire cycle of development of these new biotherapeutics, ranging from laboratory discoveries through the multiple pre-clinical and clinical development stages…(these) courses are essential to training the new generation of pharmacological scientists who will work in both the industry and academic sectors… should be very attractive to talented students throughout Asia and beyond…"
Harvey F. Lodish
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
…I find the concept, the content and the focus of this new course very useful and suitable for the students aiming at a career in the pharmaceutical industry or in a CRO working in respective areas.….”
Prof Dr Jörg Kreuzer
