Overseas Elective Medical Students

​​Introduction

The National Skin Centre (NSC) welcomes overseas medical students who wish to undertake an elective in Dermatology. NSC does not accept direct applications. All overseas applicants must apply through either:

• National University of Singapore (NUS), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, or
• Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine)

for placement consideration.

Only students in their clinical years (Year 3 and above) are eligible to apply. Due to NSC's limited training capacity, submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance. All placements are subject to institutional approval and clinic availability.

Elective durations may range from 1 to 8 weeks. Each student will be assigned a dermatologist supervisor. The elective programme is tailored to each student's learning needs, taking into account their current level of dermatology knowledge and objectives. Depending on suitability and clinic capacity, students may also receive exposure to specialised dermatology sub‑specialty clinics.

​Objectives​

During the elective, students will be able to:

• Understand key factors and descriptors used in the evaluation of dermatological conditions.
• Describe skin lesion morphology and recognise common eruption patterns.
• Diagnose common skin diseases and understand their management principles.
• Identify dermatological emergencies and recognise common malignant tumours.
• Understand the evaluation of suspected sexually transmitted infections.
• Be familiar with the management of common STIs such as herpes simplex infection, syphilis, gonorrhoea, non‑gonococcal urethritis, and candidiasis.​

Learning Modules

​Depending on duration, supervisor planning, and clinic capacity, students may be scheduled for the following attachments:

• STI Clinic Attachment (subject to availability; not guaranteed)
• National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) Ward Round
• Phototherapy Clinic Attachment (subject to availability; not guaranteed)
• Clinical Laboratory Attachment (subject to availability; not guaranteed)
• Treatment Room Attachment
• Sub‑specialty Dermatology Clinics (e.g., psoriasis, eczema, pigmentary disorders, paediatric dermatology) — depending on suitability and capacity

Application Details

All overseas elective applications must be submitted through the respective Singapore medical schools: