1. When can I apply for a Healthcare Scholarship?

The application timeframes for the different Healthcare Scholarships are indicated under the respective scholarship schemes

Applying for Healthcare Scholarships before the release of your final school grades will allow you more time to complete your application form and prepare your personal statements.

2. What does 10 Academic Units refer to?

Applicants with GCE A Levels should generally be taking at least 10 Academic Units (AUs). General paper (GP), Project Work (PW), Mother Tongue Language (MTL) at A-Level (except MTL-B) or Higher MTL at O-Level and other H1 subjects are considered as 1 AU. H2 subjects, including Knowledge and Inquiry (KI), are considered as 2 AUs. H3 subjects are considered as 1 AU.

3. Will I be considered for a Healthcare Scholarship if my results are not outstanding?

 A holistic approach is taken when assessing your suitability for a scholarship award. Beyond academic excellence, we will also consider your suitability and passion for a career in public healthcare. 

Qualities such as outstanding achievements in non-academic areas, volunteering and community work will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

4. Do I need to secure a place in University before applying for a Healthcare Scholarship?

It is not necessary to secure a place in university before or at the point of applying for a Healthcare Scholarship. Nonetheless, you should indicate the universities and course of study you have applied to or intend to apply to, in your scholarship application.  You are responsible for the submission of your own university applications.

5. Can you share the list of MOHH-approved overseas universities?

The list is private and confidential. The recommended university list will be provided to our successful scholarship recipients. 

You may refer to Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) website for the list of recognised qualifications for selected disciplines. This is to ensure that the universities you are considering are recognised for registration and practice in Singapore. Do note that the Healthcare Scholarships list of approved overseas universities may differ from the AHPC list.

6. Can I apply for multiple scholarship schemes?

You are strongly encouraged to do research and apply for the scholarship scheme that you are most interested in. If you are shortlisted for multiple scholarship schemes, we will contact you to understand your preference and schedule you for the respective interview board. Do note that we will only allow applicants to be interviewed for one scholarship scheme per application cycle.

7. Can I choose the hospital/institution that I prefer to work in after graduation?

You will be asked to indicate your preferences in the application form. Our scholarship recipients will be informed of their allocation sometime in July. 

The allocations are determined by the needs of the public healthcare sector. This is so that we can ensure a good balance between Singapore's healthcare manpower needs as well as your personal preference.

8. What information do I have to prepare before I begin my online application?

You will require the following documents:

• GCE O Level certificate or Secondary 4 examination results slip
• Secondary 4 CCA and CIP Records
• GCE A Level certificate or equivalent qualifications (such as those from IB, NUS High and Polytechnic)
• Latest JC2 Prelim/IB/NUS High/Polytechnic Results (for applicants applying before the release of their final results)
• GCE A Level (or equivalent) CCA and CIP Records
• National Service Transcripts and Certificates (if applicable)
• SAT I and SAT II results slips (if applicable)
• School Graduation Certificates and Teachers' Testimonials (if available)
• Testimonials, certificates and proof of employment for healthcare related jobs/attachments/internships/job shadowing programmes etc. (if available)

If you are applying for the Healthcare Merit Award (Mid-Term or Degree Conversion), Community Nursing Scholarship (Mid-Term or Degree Conversion), Community Care Scholarship (Mid-Term, Degree Conversion or Postgraduate) or Healthcare Graduate Studies Award, you will also be required to furnish the following additional documents:

• University academic transcripts
• University CCA records
• Polytechnic academic transcripts and CCA records (for Mid-Term scholarship applicants who are currently pursuing a Diploma in Nursing)

9. Do I have to fill in all the information in one sitting?

No, you will be able to save the information you have entered as a draft and continue with the application when you are able to do so. However, do note that you will be automatically logged out of the system after 20 minutes of inactivity. 

You will need to complete the application before the respective scholarship scheme deadlines. Do note that incomplete applications or those saved in draft will not be processed.

10. How can I confirm that my application form has been successfully submitted to the BrightSparks portal?

Upon successful submission, you will receive an online acknowledgement and be redirected to the relevant page that shows the status of your application. 

You will be informed of the application outcome (regardless whether you have been shortlisted for an interview) at the end of the scholarship cycle, which is by end June.

1. How many rounds of interviews will there be?

Most candidates will undergo one round of interview, although some may be asked to undergo additional attachments in hospitals to further establish their suitability for the profession.

2. When will I be notified of the outcome after my interview?

You will be notified by the end of the scholarship cycle, which is end of June.

3. How can I prepare myself for the interview?

You can do to prepare yourself for the interview in the following areas:

• Familiarise yourself with the scholarship scheme and healthcare discipline that you have been shortlisted for.
• Read up on the latest developments in Singapore's public healthcare sector.
• Visit the CARE TO GO BEYOND website to find out more about Nursing and the various Allied Health professions.
• Speak to your school's alumni/seniors who are Healthcare Scholarship recipients or healthcare professionals.
• Attend job shadowing / observation sessions at acute or community hospitals to get a glimpse of a healthcare professional's day.

4. Who will I be interviewed by?

You will be interviewed by a panel of interviewers. The panel will be chaired by a senior healthcare leader with Nursing and Allied Health representatives as well as a HR representative from the healthcare clusters and a Scholarship Officer from MOHH.

5. How will I be assessed during the interview?

Healthcare Scholarships are awarded based on merit. You will be assessed based on the eligibility criteria stated in the respective scholarship schemes. 

The interview panel will then assess your interest and fit for public healthcare, suitability for the healthcare profession, as well as leadership qualities. You should demonstrate a clear understanding of the healthcare discipline that you are applying for, how you are suitable for the discipline and how a healthcare scholarship will help you achieve your career aspirations. 

6. What are some key qualities that interviewers are looking out for during the Healthcare Scholarships interview? 

These are some of the key qualities that our interviewers look out for:

• Passionate and motivation to join the healthcare sector;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Leadership qualities;
• In depth and comprehensive knowledge about the discipline 

7. What are some key qualities that are essential for working in the public healthcare sector (which includes the Acute Setting and Community Care sector)?

These are some of the key qualities that are essential:

• Passion to make a difference and serve in the healthcare sector
• Strong interpersonal, communication and listening skills
• Effective team player who enjoys working in multi-disciplinary care teams
• Being able to think on your feet, versatile and resourceful
• Good leadership skills
  
  However, do note that qualities are not limited to this list.
   

8. I am currently studying overseas and have applied for the Healthcare Merit Award (Mid-Term), Healthcare Administration Scholarship (Mid-Term) or Community Care Scholarship (Mid-Term). Am I expected to return to Singapore for a face-to-face interview if I am shortlisted?

We do offer the option of online (video conferencing) interviews for overseas Mid-Term scholarship applicants who might not be able to travel back to Singapore to attend a face-to-face interview due to school commitments. Where possible, you should attend the selection interview at MOHH.

9. I am currently serving National Service. How can I seek permission to attend the selection interview?

Healthcare Scholarships will work with MINDEF or relevant agencies to schedule you for an interview during certain block-out dates. If required, we will also provide a letter of support for you to seek permission for time to attend the interviews.

Healthcare Merit Award / Healthcare Merit Scholarship

1. What is the difference between the Healthcare Merit Scholarship and Healthcare Merit Award?

The Healthcare Merit Scholarship is the top-tier Healthcare Scholarship offered by the Ministry of Health (), followed by the Healthcare Merit Award. As the top-tier scholarship, the Healthcare Merit Scholarship is of higher prestige, and is more competitive and stringent in terms of eligibility criteria and selection process.

Post award, all Healthcare Merit Award recipients will be monitored and assessed for their suitability for an upgrade to Healthcare Merit Scholarship during their first year of studies depending on factors such as their academic results and involvement in leadership positions and projects.

The monetary terms and benefits for the Healthcare Merit Scholarship and Healthcare Merit Award are the same

2. I am in my final semester of study. Am I still eligible to apply for a Healthcare Merit Award (Mid-Term) scholarship?

It is preferred that you have at least one remaining year of academic studies at the point of your application 

If you are interested to pursue a Master's Degree, you may wish to consider applying for the Healthcare Graduate Studies Award. For more details, please visit this link.  

3. I am currently under a cluster sponsorship for my diploma studies. Can I still apply for the Healthcare Merit Award (Degree Conversion)?

If you are currently under a cluster sponsorship for your diploma studies, you are required to seek your cluster's support to apply for the Degree Conversion scholarship scheme. You will need to declare that you are currently under a cluster sponsorship in the scholarship application form.

You will be required to serve out the bond for the Degree Conversion scholarship scheme consecutively with your sponsorship bond within the same cluster. The total bond period is capped at six years.

4. For the Healthcare Merit Award (Degree Conversion), will I only be able to pursue it at local universities?

For outstanding candidates, we will consider an overseas degree conversion programme at a reputable recognised overseas university.

5. I am in the final year of my Nursing Diploma course and would like to apply for a degree conversion course. What scholarship schemes should I apply for? 

You can apply for the Healthcare Merit Award (Degree Conversion) or Community Nursing Scholarship (Degree Conversion) to pursue your degree conversion in nursing either at local (only at Singapore Institute of Technology) or overseas.

6. What are the career pathways available to scholarship recipients?

Upon graduation, scholarship recipients will serve their bond in one of the public healthcare clusters or at the Agency for Integrated Care. Scholars can also look forward to career progression opportunities along distinct career tracks, such as the Professional Clinical Track, Education-Research Track and General Management/Leadership Track, according to their abilities and career aspirations.

Healthcare Administration Scholarship

1. I am interested to contribute to public healthcare but prefer a non-Health Science related degree such as Business, Computing or Accountancy. Am I still eligible?

You can apply for the Healthcare Administration Scholarship, where you will be able to pursue a general degree and serve as a Healthcare Administrator in one of our public healthcare institutions.

As a Healthcare Administrator, you can look forward to opportunities in in formulating policies as well as in different aspects of hospital operations where you will play a key role to ensure delivery of quality and effective healthcare services to patients and their caregivers.

2. What are the career opportunities for Healthcare Administration scholars?

Healthcare Administration scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to work at MOH Holdings, Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), Integrated Health Information Systems (IHiS) or one of the three healthcare clusters.

Upon graduation, scholars will embark on exciting careers taking on the following roles:

1. Shape policy and direction
2. Be responsible for planning and performance management
3. Ensure a consistently high level of service and care
4. Manage and continuously improve services in and across care settings
5. Manage facilities and equipment to a safe and pleasant environment
6. Develop new services to meet the needs of patients
7. Ensure that services are financially viable
8. Provide administrative support for clinical department

Healthcare Administration scholars will have opportunities to be rotated across different departments to broaden their exposure and deepen their career experience in the wide spectrum of hospital administration. Outstanding scholars will also be developed for top leadership positions.

Integrated Nursing Scholarship

1. Will I have to disrupt serving my National Service if I am awarded an Integrated Nursing Scholarship?

Integrated Nursing Scholarship recipients will need to fulfil their National Service obligations before commencing their nursing degree studies.

2. I have scored more than 10 points (ELR2B2) for my GCE O Level results. Can I be considered for the scholarship?

We take a holistic approach when assessing your application. Beyond academic excellence, we will also consider your interest in public healthcare and other relevant information. If you have missed the academic cut-off marginally but have strong compensating factors such as participation in co-curricular and community activities, the panel will take that into consideration.

3. I am a GCE A Level holder, can I apply for this scholarship?

The Integrated Nursing Scholarship is targeted at outstanding GCE O Level graduates. You may apply for Healthcare Merit Award or Community Nursing Scholarship to pursue Nursing studies at a degree level.

4. I am passionate about Nursing but did not do well for my GCE O Levels. What other opportunities are available to me?

We will still strongly encourage you to pursue a Diploma in Nursing at either Nanyang Polytechnic or Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Upon the commencement of your studies, these are future opportunities available to you:

1. Apply for sponsorships from the public healthcare institutions; or
2. Apply for the Healthcare Merit Award (Mid-Term) after the completion of at least one semester of studies.

5. What are the career opportunities available to scholarship recipients?

Upon graduation, healthcare scholars will serve their bond in one of the public healthcare clusters. Scholars can also look forward to career progression opportunities along distinct career tracks, such as the Professional Clinical Track, Education-Research Track and General Management/Leadership Track, according to their abilities and career aspirations.

Community Nursing Scholarship

1. I am currently in my final semester of study. Am I still eligible to apply for a Community Nursing Scholarship (Mid-Term)?

It is preferable that you have at least one remaining year of academic studies at the point of your application. .

2. I am currently under a cluster sponsorship for my diploma studies. Am I still eligible to apply for the Community Nursing Scholarship (Degree Conversion)?

If you are currently under a cluster sponsorship for your diploma studies, you are required to seek your cluster's support to apply for the Degree Conversion scholarship scheme. You will also need to declare that you are currently under a cluster sponsorship in the scholarship application form.

You will be required to serve out the bond for the Degree Conversion scholarship scheme consecutively with your sponsorship bond within the same cluster. The total bond period is capped at six years.

3. For the Community Nursing Scholarship (Degree Conversion) scholarship, will it only be tenable at local universities?

For outstanding candidates, we will consider an overseas degree conversion programme at a reputable recognised overseas university.

4. I am currently in my final year of Diploma course in Nursing, and would like to apply for a degree conversion course. What scholarship schemes should I apply for? 

You can apply for the Healthcare Merit Award (Degree Conversion) or Community Nursing Scholarship (Degree Conversion) to pursue your degree conversion programme in nursing either at local (only at Singapore Institute of Technology) or overseas universities.

5. What are the developmental and career opportunities for Community Nursing Scholarship recipients?

All Community Nursing Scholarship recipients will undergo a one-year development programme after graduation from their nursing studies. The programme will comprise two six-month clinical postings. The first posting will be in an acute hospital to allow them to be exposed to a wide range of clinical cases and gain hands-on clinical practice, to further hone their nursing clinical skills. The second six-month posting will be in the community setting to help them develop a deeper understanding of community nursing practice outside the acute hospital setting, which will help them in their community nursing roles subsequently. 

Beyond the first-year development programme, community nursing scholars can look forward to develop and progress along different career tracks such as the professional clinical track, General Management/Leadership Track or Education /Research track according to their abilities and longer-term career aspirations. Nursing leaders looking to progress as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in the Community Care Sector can consider pursuing a Masters of Nursing offered by the National University of Singapore (NUS).

6. Where will Community Nursing Scholarship recipients be working at after graduation?

They will be allocated to serve their bond in selected Community Care Organisations or Community Hospitals managed by one of the three Healthcare Clusters upon graduation.

Community Care Scholarship

1. I am currently in my final semester of study. Am I still eligible to apply for a Community Care Scholarship (Mid-Term)?

It is preferable that you have at least one remaining year of academic studies at the point of your application. 

If you are interested to pursue Master's Degree, you may wish to consider applying for the Healthcare Graduate Studies Award. For more details, please visit this link.   

2. I am currently under a cluster sponsorship for my diploma studies. Am I still eligible to apply for the Community Care Scholarship (Degree Conversion)?

If you are currently under a cluster sponsorship for your diploma studies, you are required to seek your cluster's support to apply for the Degree Conversion scholarship scheme. You will also need to declare that you are currently under a cluster sponsorship in the scholarship application form.

You will be required to serve out the bond for the Degree Conversion scholarship scheme consecutively with your sponsorship bond within the same cluster. The total bond period is capped at six years.

3. For the Community Care Scholarship (Degree Conversion) scholarship, will it only be tenable at local universities?

For outstanding candidates, we will consider an overseas degree conversion programme at a reputable recognised overseas university.

4. What are the current disciplines offered under the Community Care Scholarship? Will the community care sector be expanding to include other Allied Health disciplines (e.g. Podiatry)?

The Community Care Scholarship currently offers selected Allied Health Disciplines such as Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Social work, which are in higher demand based on the needs of the clients served in the Community Care sector. We will continue to review the current and future needs of the sector and may consider offering more Allied Health disciplines under the scholarship to better cater to Singaporeans' healthcare needs within the Community.

5. What are the developmental and career opportunities for Community Care Scholarship recipients?

The Community Care Scholarship (CCS) aims to develop the local talent core with the skills and leadership qualities needed for scholars to help shape and develop the future of Community Care. Upon completion of studies, scholars will work in their allocated Community Care Organisation / cluster run community hospital to serve out their bond. 

The first year of conditional Allied Health Professional (AHP) registration would be completed in their allocated community care organisation/ cluster run community hospital to allow them to deepen their clinical skills and foundation, as well as to gain a better understanding of their work within their allocated organisation and the wider Community Care sector.

Upon attaining full registration, scholars will develop and progress along the clinical track, or general management / leadership track according to their interest and career aspirations. They may also participate in stretch projects and assignments, or undergo rotations or short attachments within or outside their organisations to different care settings within the Community Care sector to gain exposure and experience.

Community Care scholars with strong performance and leadership potential may also have the opportunity to rotate between the Ministry of Health, Agency for Integrated Care or other suitable agencies for exposure to policy work.

6. Where will Community Care Scholarship recipients be working at after graduation?

They will be allocated to serve their bond in selected Community Care Organisations or Community Hospitals managed by one of the three healthcare clusters upon graduation.

PSC Medicine/Dentistry Scholarship

1. Can I study Medicine or Dentistry under a Healthcare Scholarship?

You can pursue Medicine or Dentistry under the Public Service Commission (Medicine or Dentistry) scholarship. It is offered to existing local medicine and dentistry undergraduates, who have completed at least one year of studies, including those who are currently pursuing the MD programme at Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School. 

More information can be found here.

Healthcare Graduate Studies Award

1. Can I pursue a PhD under the Healthcare Graduate Studies Award?

The Healthcare Graduate Studies Award is strictly for Master's studies. Hence, you will not be allowed to pursue or extend your Master's studies to continue with PhD studies.

2.  What are the career opportunities available to healthcare scholars?

Upon graduation, healthcare scholars will serve their bond in one of the public healthcare clusters. Scholars can also look forward to career progression opportunities along distinct career tracks, such as the Professional Clinical Track, Education-Research Track and General Management/Leadership Track, according to their abilities and career aspirations.