FAQ

YOUR QUERIES ANSWERED

Allied health.
Diverse roles, many opportunities.

Rewarding in every way

In addition to the emotional fulfilment of making a difference in others’ lives, a career as an Allied Health Professional (AHP) is full of opportunities. AHPs care for patients and, in some cases, make independent assessments about the choice of treatment for them. Experts in their fields of practice, AHPs are an integral part of Singapore’s healthcare system.

"My patients’ nickname for me is 'foot doctor' "! Seeing how they return with lesser pain in their feet validates what I have striven to do for them – to improve their quality of life."

Kimberley Leow

Podiatrist

Sengkang General Hospital

Which course is right for you?

I have finished my A levels. What are my next steps if I want a career in allied health?

Here are your options when you choose allied health as a career:

To be a/an	You need a	From	Duration	Professional body
Audiologist You will specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss and balance disorders.	Bachelor’s degree in audiology	Overseas institutions recognised by the Ministry of Health	Three to four years	Society of Audiology Professionals Singapore
	Master’s degree in audiology (entry level)	National University of Singapore	Two years	Society of Audiology Professionals Singapore
Diagnostic Radiographer You will work with sophisticated medical equipment to produce radiographic images that aid the healthcare team in its diagnosis.	Bachelor’s degree in diagnostic radiography	Singapore Institute of Technology Parkway College Overseas institutions recognised by the Allied Health Professions Council	Four years	Singapore Society of Radiographers
Dietitian You will use scientific knowledge of food and human nutrition to help individuals, groups and communities maintain and achieve good health.	Bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics	Singapore Institute of Technology Overseas institutions recognised by the Ministry of Health	Four years	Singapore Nutrition and Dietetics Association
	Postgraduate diploma in dietetics Master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics Additional requirements: A six-month clinical internship for all graduates		One to two years	Singapore Nutrition and Dietetics Association
Medical Social Worker You will provide psycho-social support to patients and their families. Services include advising caregivers in the family, providing financial counselling and making referrals for other services.	Bachelor’s degree in social work Bachelor’s degree in arts, majoring in social work Graduate diploma in social work (entry level)	National University of Singapore Singapore University of Social Sciences Overseas institutions recognised by the Ministry of Health	Three to four years	Singapore Association of Social Workers
Medical Technologist You will use sophisticated equipment to analyse blood, cells, DNA/RNA and body fluids to aid doctors in diagnosing clinical conditions.	Diploma in biomedical sciences/ biotechnology / molecular biotechnology Bachelor’s degree in science (biomedical science/ biological sciences / laboratory medicine / life sciences / medical laboratory science / molecular biology)	Local polytechnics and universities Overseas institutions recognised by the Ministry of Health	Three to four years	N/A
Occupational Therapist You will help patients develop and maintain the capacity to perform day-to-day tasks (eg. showering, eating and walking) and live more productively.	Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy	Singapore Institute of Technology Overseas institutions recognised by the Ministry of Health	Four years	Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists
Orthoptist You will assist ophthalmologists to assess, diagnose and treat patients with visual dysfunctions, binocular vision disorders, defective eye movement and eye coordination issues.	Bachelor’s degree in orthoptics/ophthalmic sciences Bachelor’s degree in applied sciences and master’s degree in orthoptics	Overseas institutions recognised by the Ministry of Health	Three to four years	N/A
Physiotherapist You will work with patients to relieve their pain, improve muscle strength, joint range and mobility, thus improving their cardiorespiratory fitness and function.	Bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy	Singapore Institute of Technology Overseas institutions recognised by the Ministry of Health	Three to four years	Singapore Physiotherapy Association
Podiatrist You will diagnose, prescribe and administer appropriate treatment for various types of lower-limb conditions.	Bachelor’s degree in podiatry	Overseas institutions recognised by the Ministry of Health	Three to four years	Podiatry Association (Singapore)
Prosthetist & Orthotist You will assess and treat the physical and functional limitations of people resulting from illnesses and disabilities, including limb amputations. You will prescribe, design, fit and monitor orthoses (mechanical braces) and prostheses (artificial limbs).	Bachelor’s degree in prosthetics and orthotics	Overseas institutions recognised by the Ministry of Health	Four years	Singapore Chapter of The International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics Foot Care & Limb Design Centre
Clinical Psychologist You will help patients overcome their emotional distress and enhance their psychological well-being.	Master’s degree in psychology Note: A bachelor’s degree in psychology is required for entry into the master’s programme, with preference given to a bachelor’s degree (with honours)	National University of Singapore Overseas institutions recognised by the Ministry of Health	Two years	Singapore Psychological Society
Radiation Therapist You will treat cancer patients using state-of-the-art technology to accurately deliver the prescribed dose of radiation.	Bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy	Singapore Institute of Technology Overseas institutions recognised by the Allied Health Professions Council	Four years	Singapore Society of Radiographers
Respiratory Therapist You will be part of an interdisciplinary team, assessing and managing patients with respiratory conditions such as asthma or lung cancer.	Bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy	Overseas institutions recognised by the Ministry of Health	Four to five years	Association of Respiratory Therapists (Singapore)
Speech Therapy You will assess and treat people with speech, language, communication or swallowing problems.	Bachelor’s degree in speech therapy	Overseas institutions recognised by the Allied Health Professions Council	Four years	Speech and Language Therapy Singapore
	Master’s degree in speech/ language pathology (entry level) Note: A bachelor’s degree in a related discipline is required for entry into the master’s programme at NUS	National University of Singapore	Two years	Speech and Language Therapy Singapore

Download allied health brochure

What are the career opportunities in allied health?

Are there scholarships/sponsorships for allied health courses? How do I apply for them?

Yes, the public sector offers scholarships and sponsorships for aspiring AHPs. Find out more from the Healthcare Scholarships’ website.

The Healthcare Merit Award (HMA) is awarded to promising students with a strong academic track record and a passion to pursue a fulfilling career in public healthcare.

The Healthcare Merit Scholarship (HMS)* is awarded to outstanding individuals who are passionate about Singapore’s public healthcare system while demonstrating academic excellence, strong leadership qualities and community spirit.

Eligibility

Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident who will take up Singapore citizenship before embarking on his/her studies
Have excellent A-level results or relevant diploma results or equivalent qualifications
Have a good co-curricular activities record and strong leadership qualities
Have a passion for public healthcare and possess excellent communication skills

*All HMA recipients will be monitored for their suitability for an upgrade to HMS, depending on factors such as their academic excellence and involvement in activities that demonstrate their leadership potential.

Healthcare Merit Award (Mid-Term) is offered to outstanding students currently pursuing a diploma in relevant health science disciplines at a local polytechnic or pursuing a relevant health science degree at local universities or MOHH-approved overseas universities.

Eligibility

Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident who will take up Singapore citizenship before the award is confirmed
Have outstanding academic results and on track to graduate with at least a diploma with merit/distinction (for current diploma students), or at least Second Class (Upper) Honours or equivalent (for current undergraduates)
Have completed at least one semester of study in health science disciplines at local polytechnics, local universities or
MOHH-approved overseas universities
Have a good co-curricular activities record and strong leadership qualities
Have a passion for public healthcare and excellent communication skills

Health Merit Award (Degree Conversion)* is offered to outstanding third-year diploma holders or recent diploma graduates in relevant healthcare disciplines who are keen to pursue a degree conversion course at the Singapore Institute of Technology or MOHH-approved overseas universities. It is awarded in the form of a HMA.

Eligibility

Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident who will take up Singapore citizenship before embarking on studies
Have outstanding academic results, expecting to graduate with at least a diploma with merit/distinction
Have a good co-curricular activities record and strong leadership qualities
Have a passion for public healthcare and excellent communication skills
Must not be under any existing sponsorship bond with any public healthcare institution

*Applicable for Diagnostic Radiography, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Radiation Therapy.

Healthcare Graduate Studies Award is offered to final-year undergraduates or recent graduates who are keen to pursue a master’s degree in selected health science or healthcare-related disciplines.

Eligibility

Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident who will take up Singapore citizenship before embarking on studies
Have a good university degree with at least Second Class (Upper) Honours or equivalent
Have a good track record of work achievements (if applicable)
Have strong leadership qualities
Have a passion for public healthcare and excellent communication skills

Community Care Manpower Development Award (CCMDA) caters for entry-level and advanced skills training in a range of clinical and non-clinical areas. CCMDA covers short courses, formal academic programmes and attachments to local or overseas healthcare and community care facilities.

To apply for the CCMDA, you should be presently working in the community care sector, a student or a mid-career switcher with a strong motivation to make a difference to the lives of seniors.

The CCMDA’s Visiting Expert scheme also funds the invitation of a local or overseas expert to visit your organisation for training. The expert should possess skills and knowledge that are relevant to the community care sector.

Eligibility

If you aspire to join the sector:

Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
Be offered a place for a relevant training programme
Have secured a job offer from a community care organisation that will sponsor your studies. It is required to offer you full-time employment upon your completion of the programme/graduation.

If you are currently working in the sector:

Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
Supported by your hiring organisation
Have a good performance grade in your annual performance
Have not completed your study programme at the point of application

The public healthcare clusters* also offer sponsorships to students who wish to study selected allied health disciplines at the degree level in local universities. The sponsorships provide students with a monthly allowance throughout their studies and graduates will serve in the public healthcare clusters upon their graduation from the programmes.

*National Healthcare Group, National University Health System, Singapore Health Services and Agency for Integrated Care

Where can I work?

What is the starting salary of an AHP?

Monthly starting base salary for Public Healthcare Institutions (PHIs)

Fresh AHP degree graduates seeking employment at PHIs can look forward to these starting base salaries. New local mid-career entrants* will be able to draw higher starting salaries depending on their years of prior work experience. Figures shown exclude fixed allowances and overtime pay, and increments for Honours or National Service for eligible males. Publicly-funded community care organisations have also been supported by the Ministry of Health to match the salaries of entry-level staff in the PHIs. Beyond starting salaries, there are annual increments factored into pay, and increases in salaries as staff move up and progress in their career and their skills/competencies.

Starting monthly base salary in PHIs
Fresh Degree Graduates	Mid-career entrants via Career Conversion Programmes*
$3,650 – $4,050	Up to $4,930

*From Career Conversion Programmes for Allied Health Professionals. Please refer to WSG’s website for more information:
Career Conversion Programme for Allied Health Professionals

What are their working hours? Are AHPs able to enjoy a good work-life balance?

How can I apply for a job attachment to learn more about allied health professions?

How do I get started?

FOR STUDENTS

For mid-career switchers

Scholarships & Sponsorships

Download allied health brochure