5 days ago
Master's programs at National University of Singapore prepare students for the future of healthcare
The world of healthcare is constantly changing, and this is reflected in the leading-edge programs offered by top universities as they seek to develop future leaders in the sector. The Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS), among the most well-regarded medical schools in the world, is offering a suite of new Master of Science (MSc) programs to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to not only keep pace with, but also to spearhead advancements in the healthcare industry.
The University recently launched the MSc in Behavioral and Implementation Sciences in Health (MScBIS), which addresses a long-standing global challenge: the disconnect between research and real-world application in health systems. Professor Nick Sevdalis is the academic director of the NUS Centre for Behavioral and Implementation Science Interventions and one of the faculty leads of the program, which accepted its first batch of students in 2024. He said the program is unique in that it combines both implementation science and behavioral science, whereas other programs usually focus on one or the other.
Implementation science focuses on turning evidence-based health and social programs into routine practice within organizations. Behavioral sciences include social and organizational psychology, and neuroscience that aim to understand why people behave in certain ways and how to change behavior towards healthier options.
"We need the two sciences to try and get those evidenced interventions into practice and also shift health behaviors to facilitate people living better," Sevdalis said.
One example of a real-world application of implementation and behavioral science interventions is around vaccines, he said. For example, one might hypothesize that people are not getting vaccinated because of concerns around safety or efficacy, but the real driver behind that behavior could be a lack of access instead. In this case, the implementation would be to provide better access to vaccinations, such as through mobile vaccination units, rather than an education program.
Another distinguishing factor is that the program is the first of its kind in Asia.
"Asia is the most populous continent on the planet, and we are not training any of our health service providers or public health providers in either behavioral science or implementation science specifically applied to health," Sevdalis noted. "Integrating global evidence and then offering an Asian perspective on these problems is an absolute priority."
The program, which is a year long for full-time students, offers a multi-disciplinary approach and is designed for students with a wide variety of experience — healthcare providers, public health providers, and health administrators. Along with them, the program is aimed at social and behavioral science graduates interested in developing careers as behavioral scientists or implementation practitioners working within health systems.
This means they learn these methodologies and work in the classroom as a multidisciplinary group, which mirrors what is needed outside the classroom, in real-world health applications.
The application period for the August 2026 intake opens in October 2025. Find out more.
Focused approach to medicine
The future of patient care is shifting away from a reactive, one-size-fits-all model to one that is preventive, predictive, and, most importantly, precise.
At the heart of this transformation is another recent program, the MSc in Precision Health and Medicine (MScPHM) at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS). This program is co-directed by associate professors Caroline Lee, Kenneth Ban, and Tan Tin Wee, each bringing their own expertise to shape a distinctive multidisciplinary curriculum.
"Precision medicine leverages innovations in genome sequencing, data analytics, AI, and digital health to enable clinicians to better predict disease risk, start preventive care earlier, diagnose more accurately, and design more targeted therapy," Lee said. "This approach holds great promise for improving patient wellness and outcomes and is at the core of what we offer our students at NUS."
Situated in Singapore, a nation at the epicenter of Asia's precision medicine revolution, the MScPHM stands out as the first program of its kind in the region. The government's significant investment in large-scale genomic projects is made through PRECISE, Singapore's central coordinating body for national precision medicine efforts. PRECISE helps co-develop the MScPHM curriculum, ensuring that students are exposed to the most current regional and global developments, and giving them access to insights and data that are unique to Asia's diverse populations.
"The global landscape for precision medicine is expanding, but many existing programs are US- or Euro-centric," Lee noted. "Ours provides a unique vantage point for international students, especially those from the US and Europe, to experience firsthand the innovations and data emerging from Asia — a continent that is home to a significant portion of the world's population and genetic diversity. This global perspective is invaluable for anyone seeking to make a difference in precision health."
A hallmark of the MScPHM is its multidisciplinary nature. The coursework integrates biomedicine, data science, engineering, business, and social science. Students are taught not only by NUS faculty but also by leaders from Singapore's premier research institutes, healthcare institutions, and industry partners, as well as guest lecturers from established pharmaceutical and pioneering biotech companies. This ensures that students are kept abreast of the latest trends and developments in precision health and technology and are equipped to adapt as the field advances.
The structure of the MScPHM is designed to maximize depth and impact. Students first build a robust foundation in theory and technical skills before embarking on a personalized capstone project, which may be academic, research-oriented, or industry-based.
This flexible, mentored placement system extends globally and can be tailored to individual career goals — whether in academic research at NUS, collaborative projects with premier institutions around the world, or hands-on experience with health technology companies and pharmaceutical leaders. This approach not only accelerates readiness for the workforce but also equips graduates with agility and leadership skills to thrive in a rapidly shifting healthcare environment.
Flexibility is also built into the program's DNA. The program structure allows for both full-time and part-time study and even offers a stackable format option. It welcomes a diverse cohort that includes clinicians, pharmacists, nurses, scientists across biomedical, computer, data, AI, and social disciplines, engineers, and working professionals from around the globe.
Graduates emerge well-prepared for a wide spectrum of careers, including roles in clinical implementation of precision medicine, medical research, big data analytics, health policy, digital health entrepreneurship, as well as leadership positions in biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Many also use the program as a springboard to pursue doctoral studies, drawing on the unique interdisciplinary perspectives offered.
For students from the US, Europe, and beyond, the MScPHM at NUS offers more than a world-class education — it provides a gateway to the future of healthcare, with a truly global, cross-cultural perspective that is increasingly vital in today's interconnected world.
"We are excited to welcome students from all backgrounds who are eager to drive change and innovation in healthcare, both in Asia and globally," Lee said. "Our graduates leave with not only the technical skills, but the strategic insight and global perspective needed to lead in this rapidly evolving field."
Applications for the August 2026 intake are now open.
