The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a leading global university based in Asia, powered by a mission ‘to transform the way people think and do things through education, research and service’. Based across three campuses in the midst of a bustling city, NUS educates and inspires a total of 38,000 students. NUS emerges as Asia’s top university in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2017 – the second consecutive year it has achieved such a feat. It takes the top spot in the inaugural THE Asia-Pacific Rankings 2017, and ranks 15th in the world in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Rankings for 2018. For the QS Academic and Employer Reputation, NUS is 11th in the world and top in Asia, reflecting on the university’s strength in creating future-proof graduates.
With a competitive salary offering, high employment rate and great social working hours compared to many other healthcare professionals, it’s easy to see why dentistry topped US News’ 2017 ranking for the 100 Best Jobs. Since its first batch of graduates in 1933, the NUS Faculty of Dentistry consistently improves oral health in Singapore and beyond by providing high quality dental training and pushes boundaries in dental research. Students from across the globe compete to secure a place with the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes offered by the Faculty of Dentistry.
Graduate students wishing to obtain their Masters in Dental Surgery ( ) have the choice of six different residency programmes depending on their desired speciality. For those interested in a career in research, there is also the option to pursue either a Masters or PhD by research. The NUS Faculty of Dentistry has earned international eminence in dental research in areas encompassing cell & molecular biology, microbiology and biomaterials. Faculty and clinical staff conduct bench, clinical and population level research using state-of-the-art facilities.
But there are other reasons why many aspiring dental practitioners choose to train as specialists and advanced researchers at the NUS Faculty of Dentistry – the opening of the National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore in 2019. As revealed by The Straits Times, this bespoke university-based and government-supported centre, strategically located in Asia, will have a fundamental impact on dental studies and oral healthcare in the region. Future-ready specialists and researchers trained to reach the highest standards will bring their knowledge and expertise to improve the lives of people worldwide.
For international students, a move to Singapore also offers the ideal opportunity to experience Asian culture while enjoying modern world conveniences. As a cultural melting pot where Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian influences can be seen everywhere you go, English is Singapore’s language of business, government and education. Other official languages commonly used in the city-state include Chinese, Malay and Tamil.
Singapore continues to rise as a centre of excellence for healthcare both in Asia and worldwide, and graduates who choose to go on to employment within Singapore will enjoy benefits such as low tax rates and generous salaries in an environment where the demand and employment prospects for dentists remain consistently high.
With high-calibre courses, unique cultural experiences, and an outstanding quality of life; pursuing dentistry at NUS is a solid option that should be considered by any prospective student seeking not just an education in dentistry, but a once-in-a-lifetime experience to train among the luminaries of the dentistry profession.
“My journey in the three years of postgraduate training in endodontics has been immensely fulfilling and gratifying, albeit challenging. The rigorous nature of the programme, the guidance of our exceptional teachers and the vast opportunities provided were key to the discovery of many untapped potentials within me. As a foreign student, the learning curve was steep but thanks to my caring fellow classmates and teachers that I could catch up and adapt rather smoothly. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions in my life to apply for the NUS MDS Endodontics programme and it is truly a privilege to be part of this astounding school.” Dr Tay Chiew Xsia, BDS (Malaya), MDS (Endodontics) (Singapore) (2016), M Endo RCS (Edinburgh).
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