NUS Medicine A-Level
Cutoff & IGP 2026
Complete guide to NUS Yong Loo Lin and NTU Lee Kong Chian medical school admissions — IGP cutoffs, admission tests, interview prep, and doctor salary prospects.
AAA/A
Cutoff Grade
~470
Total Places
5 Yrs
Course Duration
2
Medical Schools
Why Medicine is Singapore's Most Competitive Course
Singapore has only two medical schools — NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (YLL) and NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKC). Together, they offer roughly 470 places per year.
Thousands of the top-performing A-Level students apply each year, making it statistically one of the hardest courses to enter in Singapore. The IGP cutoff of AAA/A at the 10th percentile means that even the weakest 10% of admitted students scored perfect grades — three H2 As and one H1 A.
But grades alone are not enough. Both schools require aptitude tests (BMAT for NUS, UCAT for NTU), Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI), and evidence of genuine motivation for medicine through community service, healthcare exposure, and leadership.
The bottom line:
Getting straight As is the minimum requirement — not the deciding factor. What sets successful applicants apart is the combination of academic excellence, aptitude test scores, interview performance, and a demonstrated commitment to healthcare.
AY2025/2026 IGP Cutoff Data
The following data is from the official Indicative Grade Profiles (IGP) for the AY2025/2026 admissions exercise. The 10th percentile represents the grade at which 10% of admitted students scored at or below, while the 90th percentile represents the grade at which 90% scored at or below.
| Criteria | NUS Medicine Yong Loo Lin | NTU Medicine Lee Kong Chian |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level 10th Percentile | AAA/A | AAA/A |
| A-Level 90th Percentile | AAA/A | AAA/A |
| Poly GPA (10th Percentile) | 3.74 | N/A |
| Poly GPA (90th Percentile) | 3.93 | N/A |
| Intake Places | 284 | 186 |
| Course Duration | 5 Years (Bachelor) | 5 Years (MBBS) |
| Aptitude Test | BMAT | UCAT |
| Interview Format | MMI | MMI (8 stations) |
What do these numbers mean?
When both the 10th and 90th percentile show AAA/A, it means the entire admitted cohort — from the weakest to the strongest — scored at least 3 H2 As and 1 H1 A. There is zero room for anything less than perfect A-Level grades. This has been the case for Medicine for multiple years running.
NUS YLL vs NTU LKC: Key Differences
While the A-Level cutoff is identical, the two medical schools have distinct identities, curricula, and admission processes. Understanding these differences can help you decide which to prioritise in your application.
NUS Yong Loo Lin
Established 1905
- 284 intake places — larger cohort
- Requires BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test)
- Accepts polytechnic graduates (GPA 3.74+)
- Clinical placements at NUH, NTFGH, Alexandra Hospital
- Traditional curriculum with early clinical exposure
- Singapore's oldest and largest medical school
NTU Lee Kong Chian
Established 2010
- 186 intake places — smaller, intimate cohort
- Requires UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test)
- No polytechnic intake for MBBS
- Clinical partner: National Healthcare Group (Tan Tock Seng, Khoo Teck Puat)
- Innovative curriculum from Imperial College London
- Team-Based Learning (TBL) pedagogy with strong tech integration
Historical IGP Trends
Medicine has consistently held the highest IGP cutoff among all university courses in Singapore. The AAA/A requirement is not new — it has been the benchmark for multiple consecutive years across both schools.
NUS Medicine (YLL) — IGP Over the Years
| Academic Year | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| AY2023/2024 | AAA/A | AAA/A |
| AY2024/2025 | AAA/A | AAA/A |
| AY2025/2026 | AAA/A | AAA/A |
NTU Medicine (LKC) — IGP Over the Years
| Academic Year | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| AY2023/2024 | AAA/A | AAA/A |
| AY2024/2025 | AAA/A | AAA/A |
| AY2025/2026 | AAA/A | AAA/A |
Key observation: Medicine cutoffs have been "locked" at AAA/A for at least the past three consecutive admissions exercises. Unlike courses such as Computer Science or Business where cutoffs may fluctuate year-to-year, Medicine remains at the absolute ceiling. This reflects the consistently overwhelming demand relative to the limited number of places.
What Makes a Successful Applicant (Beyond Grades)
Since everyone who gets into Medicine has AAA/A, your A-Level grades are simply the entry ticket. The real differentiation happens through the following components:
1. BMAT (NUS) / UCAT (NTU)
Mandatory aptitude tests
BMAT — BioMedical Admissions Test (for NUS YLL)
- -3 sections: Aptitude & Skills, Scientific Knowledge, Writing Task
- -Tests critical thinking, problem-solving, and ability to communicate scientific arguments
- -Typically held in September/October each year
- -Score is a key differentiator among AAA/A applicants
UCAT — University Clinical Aptitude Test (for NTU LKC)
- -Computer-based assessment of cognitive abilities and professional attributes
- -5 sections: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Situational Judgement
- -Must be taken between July and September of the year before application
- -Mandatory requirement — application cannot proceed without UCAT
2. Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
Required by both NUS and NTU
The MMI is a series of short, structured interview stations (typically 7–8 stations at NTU, similar format at NUS). Each station assesses different competencies:
Ethical Reasoning
Medical dilemmas
Communication
Patient scenarios
Critical Thinking
Problem analysis
Motivation
Why medicine?
Preparation tip:
Practice discussing healthcare news, ethical scenarios (euthanasia, resource allocation, patient confidentiality), and your personal motivation for medicine. NTU's MMI runs around April each year.
3. CCA, Leadership & Healthcare Exposure
Portfolio and personal statement
Medical schools want to see genuine commitment to serving others and an informed understanding of what being a doctor entails. Strong applicants typically demonstrate:
Doctor Salary & Career Progression in Singapore
One of the most common questions prospective medical students ask is about earning potential. Here is a realistic breakdown of a doctor's career progression and salary in Singapore, based on publicly available data from the Graduate Employment Survey and industry reports.
Career Progression & Estimated Monthly Salary
House Officer (Year 1)
Housemanship — mandatory 1-year internship after graduation
S$4,350 – S$5,500
Before on-call allowances
Medical Officer (Years 2–5)
General duties in hospital departments
S$5,500 – S$8,000
Public sector, before allowances
Registrar / Senior Registrar
Specialist training pathway (3–6 years of advanced training)
S$8,000 – S$12,000
During specialisation
Consultant
Fully qualified specialist in a public hospital
S$15,000 – S$30,000+
Public sector, varies by specialty
Senior Consultant / Private Practice
Experienced specialists in senior roles or private clinics
S$30,000 – S$50,000+
Highly variable by specialty
How does this compare?
The NUS 2024 Graduate Employment Survey reported a median gross monthly salary of S$4,600 for fresh graduates across all faculties. Medicine graduates earn above this from day one, and the salary growth trajectory is among the steepest of any profession. While a fresh engineer or business graduate may start at S$4,000–5,000/month, doctors who specialise can reach S$15,000–30,000/month within 10–15 years.
Important notes about doctor salaries:
- -Salary figures are before CPF deduction and do not include on-call pay, overtime, or bonuses
- -Medical graduates have a compulsory 5-year bond with the public healthcare sector (MOHH scholarship bond)
- -Specialisation takes an additional 3–6 years after basic housemanship
- -Private practice earnings vary enormously by specialty — some surgical specialties earn significantly more
- -Doctors in public hospitals receive ~5% higher base pay compared to some private hospitals
Sources: Dollars & Sense Salary Guide, Glassdoor Singapore, NUS Graduate Employment Survey 2024, MOHH Career Portal
Why Medicine is Worth the Difficulty
Getting into medical school is just the beginning — the five-year programme is intense, housemanship is demanding, and specialisation requires years of additional training. So why do thousands of students still pursue it every year?
Job Security
Doctors will always be needed. Singapore's ageing population means healthcare demand is growing, not shrinking. The Ministry of Health has consistently increased medical school intake over the past decade to address doctor shortages. Unlike some professions facing automation risk, clinical medicine requires human judgement and empathy that cannot be replaced.
Direct Impact on Lives
Few professions offer the kind of direct, tangible impact that medicine provides. You diagnose illnesses, perform life-saving procedures, guide families through difficult times, and watch patients recover because of your care. The emotional reward of saving a life or improving someone's quality of life is unmatched.
Long-Term Earning Potential
While the starting salary may not seem dramatically different from other professions, the ceiling is significantly higher. Specialist consultants in Singapore routinely earn S$20,000–50,000+/month. Doctors in private practice — especially in high-demand specialties like orthopaedics, cardiology, and dermatology — can earn even more. The lifetime earnings of a doctor far exceed most other career paths.
Global Portability
A medical degree from NUS or NTU is internationally recognised. With additional licensing steps, Singapore-trained doctors can practise in the UK, Australia, the US, and many other countries. This global portability gives you career flexibility that few other qualifications offer — you can work almost anywhere in the world.
Singapore's growing healthcare demand
Singapore's population is rapidly ageing — by 2030, 1 in 4 Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above. This demographic shift drives enormous demand for doctors, especially in geriatric care, chronic disease management, and specialist services. The government has invested heavily in new healthcare facilities including the upcoming Woodlands Health Campus and Tengah General Hospital, creating even more positions for medical graduates.
Alternative Pathways to Medicine
If you do not secure a place in NUS or NTU Medicine, all is not lost. There are several alternative pathways to becoming a doctor, as well as related healthcare careers that are equally fulfilling.
Duke-NUS Medical School (Graduate Entry)
Duke-NUS accepts applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline. This is a 4-year graduate-entry MD programme, a joint partnership between NUS and Duke University (USA). If you don't get into medicine straight from A-Levels, you can pursue another degree first and apply to Duke-NUS later.
Duke-NUS AdmissionsOverseas Medical Schools (SMC-Recognised)
The Singapore Medical Council (SMC) recognises medical degrees from over 100 overseas universities, including top institutions in the UK (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College), Australia (Melbourne, Sydney), and the US. Graduates from these schools can register to practise in Singapore after passing the required examinations.
Full list of 112+ SMC-recognised medical schoolsRelated Healthcare Courses
If your passion is healthcare but you do not get into Medicine, consider these related courses that also lead to rewarding careers:
Dentistry (NUS)
IGP: AAA/A — 4-year BDS programme
Pharmacy (NUS)
IGP: AAA/A to AAB/A — 4-year programme
Biomedical Sciences
NUS & NTU — research-oriented pathway
Nursing (NUS/NTU/SIT)
Direct patient care with lower cutoff
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What A-Level grades do I need for NUS Medicine?
Based on AY2025/2026 IGP data, NUS Medicine (Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine) requires AAA/A at both the 10th and 90th percentile. This means virtually all admitted students scored perfect grades of at least 3 H2 As and 1 H1 A. You also need to pass the BMAT test and Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).
Q:Is NUS Medicine or NTU Medicine harder to get into?
Both schools have the same A-Level cutoff of AAA/A. However, NUS has 284 intake places compared to NTU's 186, making NTU statistically more competitive purely by numbers. NUS requires the BMAT while NTU requires the UCAT — different tests that suit different aptitudes. NTU does not accept polytechnic graduates for its MBBS programme, whereas NUS does (GPA 3.74–3.93 cutoff). Both schools conduct MMIs.
Q:Do I need BMAT for NTU Medicine?
No. NTU LKC Medicine does not require the BMAT. Instead, NTU requires the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test), a computer-based assessment that tests cognitive abilities and professional attributes. The UCAT must be taken between July and September of the year before your application. This is a mandatory requirement — you cannot apply without a valid UCAT score.
Q:What is the starting salary for doctors in Singapore?
Fresh medical graduates start as House Officers with a basic monthly salary of approximately S$4,350–S$5,500 (before on-call allowances). After completing the mandatory 1-year housemanship, Medical Officers earn S$5,500–8,000/month. Registrars (specialist trainees) earn S$8,000–12,000/month. Fully qualified Consultants earn S$15,000–30,000+/month, with senior specialists in private practice earning significantly more.
Q:Can polytechnic students apply for Medicine?
Yes, but only at NUS. NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine accepts polytechnic graduates with a competitive GPA. The AY2025/2026 IGP shows a polytechnic GPA cutoff of 3.74 (10th percentile) to 3.93 (90th percentile). NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine does not accept polytechnic applicants for its MBBS programme — only A-Level, IB, and equivalent qualifications.
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