SG · Bachelor's
National University of Singapore
Bachelor of Science (Life Sciences)
National University of Singapore
Course Overview
NUS is ranked #8 globally in QS World Rankings (2026 edition) and #11 globally for Biological Sciences in QS World Rankings by Subject — Asia's leading life-sciences faculty. The 4-year Honours BSc Life Sciences offers majors in Biomedical Science, Environmental Biology, Molecular & Cell Biology, and a unique Anatomy specialisation linked to the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. Students work in research labs from year 2, with summer placements at A*STAR's institutes (BII, GIS, IMCB), Mechanobiology Institute, and the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore.
Sri Lankan applicants — particularly those targeting MBBS, Master's in Genomics / Bioinformatics, or pharma careers — choose NUS Life Sciences for the academic prestige, the proximity to Sri Lanka (3.5h flight, no time-zone change), the SGD-pegged fees (lower than UK / US / AU/Canada), and Singapore's clearly defined Employment Pass post-study work pathway. NUS Life Sciences also feeds directly into the Duke-NUS Medical School MD programme — Singapore's graduate-entry medical pathway.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle A Level: AAB-A*AA with Biology + Chemistry + one of Mathematics or Physics. Most successful Sri Lankan applicants hold 3 A* / A grades.
- check_circle IB Diploma: 38-42 points with HL Biology + HL Chemistry, 6 or 7 in each.
- check_circle Sri Lankan local A Level (Bio stream): A-A-A in Biology, Chemistry and Physics — competitive cohort.
- check_circle Personal statement plus academic awards / Olympiad placings strengthen applications.
- check_circle Interview by Faculty of Science for borderline candidates.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (min 6.5 in each band).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 92 Overall.
- check_circle Sri Lankan A Level applicants with A/B in General English Language are typically accepted without IELTS.
- check_circle Waived if your secondary schooling was in English-medium for at least the last 4 years.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (SGD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year, post-MOE Tuition Grant) | SGD 41,000 | Rs. 9,840,000 |
| Living Expenses (per year, Singapore) | SGD 12,000 | Rs. 2,880,000 |
| Student Pass & Insurance | SGD 200 | Rs. 48,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | SGD 53,200 | Rs. 12,768,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for the Singapore Employment Pass (1 year post-study work search visa for university graduates). Top hirers: A*STAR research institutes, GlaxoSmithKline Singapore, Roche, Bayer, Sanofi, plus Duke-NUS Medical School (graduate-entry MBBS pathway). PR pathway via Singapore's Skills-Based Permanent Resident framework. Singapore Life Sciences graduate salaries: SGD 4,200-5,500/month (USD 50,000+ annualised).
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