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If you're a student in Singapore considering pursuing medicine in the UK, one of the most important questions you'll likely have is: How much does medical school cost in the UK for Singapore students?
The fees for studying medicine in the UK can vary significantly depending on the university, course duration, and whether you're an international student. In this blog, we'll explore the UK medical school fees of institutions recognised by the Singapore Medical Council, providing an overview of what to expect in terms of tuition, as well as additional costs that may come with studying abroad. We’ll also share information on scholarships and financial aid to help make your medical education more affordable.
Like many institutions all around the globe, the cost of attendance as an international student is higher than that for home students. In reality, you’ll have to account for at least two costs: your actual tuition fees and living expenses.
Often, these can differ on a case-by-case basis. However, you might notice that the fees for medical schools at different UK universities can vary substantially. For instance, Nottingham Medical School's fees are around £30,200, while Oxford charges about £46,600 for its pre-clinical programme. This difference in cost is influenced by several factors, such as
If you’re considering medical schools in the UK, but want to practise in Singapore, it is compulsory to hold a degree that is recognised by the Singapore Medical Council. With new additions for 2025, let’s delve into the tuition fees of the 23 medical schools in the UK that have earned a spot on the list!
Alongside the cost of your tuition, you’ll also have to account for your living expenses in the UK. Broadly, this includes things like paying for transport, accommodation, food, and personal expenses. Of course, this will vary depending on your lifestyle and the city you’re in – you can expect that living in central London and frequenting restaurants, for example, will be more costly than living in Manchester and cooking your own meals!
The great thing about living in the UK as a student, however, is that student discounts are abundant! Making use of these can do wonders in helping you keep your costs down. Most public establishments, such as cafes or movie theatres, will allow you to simply flash your student ID for a discounted price. Alternatively, apps like UNiDAYS provide helpful, curated information on student discounts for everything from tech equipment you might need for class to checkout codes for delivery food – a real lifesaver during particularly busy seasons.
We’ve put together some yearly averages for the cost of living as an international student in some of the listed cities in the UK. While thinking about costs can feel quite overwhelming, it’s best to have this knowledge at your fingertips so you can budget appropriately and enjoy your experience as a student!
In London, Imperial College estimates that its students will spend about  £21,171 (~ SGD 36,142) on living expenses in a year, including private sector accommodation, food, travel in and around central London, and personal expenses.
Oxford University estimates that its international students will spend between £16,140 (~SGD 27,553) to £23,460 (~ SGD 40,049) on their cost of living in a year, also taking into account its college accommodations, food, personal costs, and study costs such as the purchase of textbooks. As Oxford is well known as a walkable city, it’s unlikely that you’ll have to spend too much on transport within the bounds of the city itself. However, if you’re planning to take weekend trips around the UK, train tickets can get quite pricey, so make sure to grab them in advance!
Up in Manchester, the university estimates that its first-year undergraduates will spend about £12,435 (~ SGD 21,228) in a 41-week year as of 2024, covering everything from accommodation and transport to takeaways.
Outside of England, the University of Edinburgh estimates that its students will spend between £11,040 (~ SGD 18,847) to £27,084 (~ SGD 46,236) in a year, though this number depends heavily on the kind of accommodation you opt for. However, they do note that if you are applying for a student visa, you’ll need to provide evidence to show that you have enough money to cover the required minimum monthly cost of living, which stands at £1,023 for each month you will be studying in the UK.
On the other hand, Cardiff, which has been named one of the most affordable university cities in the UK, estimates that its international undergraduates will spend about £10,809.65 (~ SGD 18,454) in a 39-week year in 2024 if they were to opt for university accommodation.
Now that we’ve got all of the information you’ll need when it comes to calculating the cost of studying medicine in the UK, here are some of the average totals you’ll likely be looking at over the course of your degree.
Name of University | Tuition Fees (for all 5-6 years, in SGD) | Cost of Living (for 5-6 years, in SGD) | Total cost (in SGD) |
---|---|---|---|
Imperial College London | $571,998 | $216,852 | $788,850 |
Oxford University | $554,116 | $240,294 | $794,410 |
University of Manchester | $426,883 | $106,140 | $533,023 |
University of Edinburgh | $532,644 | $162,708 | $695,352 |
Cardiff University | $155,300 (Fees are for years 1 and 2 only; years 3–5 are not included.) | $92,270 | $247,570 |
*Please note that the costs mentioned are based on the current exchange rate at the time of writing and may change over time.
Across organisations, there is a common understanding that medicine is one of the more costly degrees to pursue. As a result, many scholarships are available to fund the next generation of doctors, offered by government organisations, private institutions, and the universities themselves.
MOH Pre-Employment Grant: A merit-based scheme which functions to encourage Singaporean medical students studying abroad to return and practise locally. You can apply for this grant if you’re studying at one of the schools recognised by the SMC, midway through your course. The grant covers up to 60% of the remaining years of tuition fees, capped at $50,000 per year, up to a maximum sum of $150,000.
The Lee Foundation Overseas Medical Bursary Educational Fund: Administered by MOHH on behalf of the Lee Foundation, the bursary is a merit-based, bond-free financial aid scheme that supports Singaporeans studying medicine abroad at a school recognised by the SMC. Recipients would receive S$30,000 in the year of award, if successful. However, do make sure to note the eligibility criteria pertaining to household income and year of study!
Though medical faculties across the UK do offer their own specific scholarships, these tend to be aimed at postgraduate students who are performing their own research, or specialising in a specific area. These include prestigious scholarships such as the Rhodes Scholarship offered by Oxford University, or the Chevening Scholarship offered by the UK government.
Now that you have a better understanding of the UK medical school fees and what to expect in terms of costs, are you excited to begin your journey toward studying medicine? With the competition for medical school spots being fierce, it's crucial to have the right strategy in place. Crimson Education can help guide you through every step of the process, from UCAT preparation and medical interview coaching to building a standout profile with extracurriculars and leadership opportunities. Reach out to us today for a free consultation, and let's discuss how we can help enhance your chances of securing a spot at a top UK medical school.
*Please note that the costs mentioned throughout this blog are based on the current exchange rate at the time of writing, and both the costs and exchange rate may change over time. For the most up-to-date information, please check the official websites.