Biology helps students understand living organisms and their relationships with the environment. When combined with fields such as psychology, chemistry, and data science, it can also support interdisciplinary study and research.
Singapore has a varied post-secondary education landscape and a substantial biomedical sciences sector. Students can pursue biology-related programs through autonomous universities, polytechnics, and private education institutions.
Below, we review top institutions in Singapore that offer biology and related life-science programs. Let’s take a look!
Top Schools Offering Biology in Singapore
1. National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore offers undergraduate and graduate study in biological and life sciences through its Department of Biological Sciences.
Its flagship undergraduate program is the Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Life Sciences, offered by the Faculty of Science for students enrolled in the College of Humanities and Sciences. Life Sciences is available as a primary major, second major, and minor.
Life Sciences majors can specialize in Biomedical Science or Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity.
Students may also explore related options, including minors in Aquatic Ecology, Bioinformatics, Botany, Environmental Sustainability, and Forensic Science, as well as second majors in Marine and Freshwater Ecology and Forensic Science.
At the graduate level, the department offers three coursework-based Master of Science degrees: Biotechnology, Biodiversity Conservation and Nature-based Climate Solutions, and Forensic Science.
The Ph.D. in Biological Sciences is organized around three principal research areas: Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology; Ecology, Biodiversity and Environmental Biology; and Biophysical Sciences, Computational and Structural Biology.
The Ph.D. program has two annual intakes, in August and January.
2. Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in biological, biomedical, and interdisciplinary fields through its School of Biological Sciences.
Undergraduate options include the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, the Bachelor of Chinese Medicine, the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Psychology, and the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and BioBusiness. The invitation-only Accelerated Bachelor Programme in Biological Sciences can be completed in three and a half years.
Current second-major options for Biological Sciences students include Biomedical Structural Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, Future Foods, Data Analytics, Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship. The Entrepreneurship second major is not available upon admission; eligible students may apply after completing one year of study.
NTU also lists the CN Yang Scholars Programme and the NTU-University Scholars Programme among its flagship undergraduate programs. The NTU-University Scholars Programme provides a multidisciplinary academic experience emphasizing global learning, critical thinking, and leadership.
The School of Biological Sciences currently lists four graduate programs: a Ph.D. by Research, a Master of Science by Research, a Master of Science in Biomedical Data Science, and a Master of Science in BioBusiness and BioEntrepreneurship.
3. Republic Polytechnic
Republic Polytechnic’s School of Applied Science offers applied learning through laboratory work, research projects, and industry exposure.
Its diplomas are post-secondary qualifications that can provide pathways to relevant degree programs at local and overseas universities.
Students interested in biology can consider the Diploma in Biological Sciences or the Diploma in Biomedical Science.
Diploma in Biological Sciences students choose between majors in Biotechnology and Food and Agricultural Science. Diploma in Biomedical Science students choose between Biomedical Research and Medical Laboratory Technology.
Republic Polytechnic also offers a Work-Study Post-Diploma leading to a Specialist Diploma in Biomedical Technology. Designed for fresh polytechnic graduates, the program combines relevant employment and on-the-job training with further study.
4. Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Ngee Ann Polytechnic traces its history to 1963 and currently has eight academic schools.
Its Diploma in Biomedical Science offers three tracks: Medical Bioscience, Clinical Laboratory Science, and the Integrated Clinical Training Programme.
Graduates may apply to university degree programs, including medicine, subject to each university’s admissions requirements. Ngee Ann Polytechnic reports that graduates from its School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology have progressed to medical programs at the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University.
Ngee Ann Polytechnic offers scholarships and awards for eligible students. Scholarship holders may also be invited to join the Christieara Programme, its signature talent development program, which includes leadership activities, university and scholarship preparation, and selected overseas learning opportunities.
Current offerings from the School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology include the Diploma in Biomedical Science and the Diploma in Environmental Science and Sustainability, along with programs in chemical and biomolecular engineering, landscape design and horticulture, and pharmaceutical science.
Students can gain practical experience through laboratory and field-based training, capstone projects, internships, and other forms of industry exposure.
5. PSB Academy
PSB Academy is a private education institution in Singapore rather than a university. It delivers diploma programs and degree programs awarded by its overseas university partners.
Its School of Health and Life Sciences offers the Foundation Diploma in Life Sciences in both full-time and part-time formats.
La Trobe University awards four life-science bachelor’s programs delivered through PSB Academy: the Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Pharmaceutical Science, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science. All four are available in full-time and part-time formats.
The University of Newcastle, Australia, also offers a Bachelor of Biomedical Science through PSB Academy. This program is currently listed as full-time.
Graduate students can pursue La Trobe University’s Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics. The program is currently available part-time; its course page states that the full-time mode is unavailable.
Whether you are seeking a diploma, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or Ph.D., these institutions collectively offer a range of biology and life-science study options in Singapore.
We hope this article on the best biology universities in Singapore was informative. Make sure to also check out the guide to Study in Singapore and the Available Programs for International Students!
