Students are assessed on the same standards as internal students. Therefore, the degree awarded is exactly the same as the on-campus degree. The only exception is the University of Wales degree, which is a validated degree because this university is a federal university.
Unlike most other Private Education Organisations, MDIS is a not for profit organization affiliated with 50 universities all over the world who recognize our courses.
We are also the oldest institute in Singapore at 50 years of age and operate independently. We generate our own resources and are involved in community work, giving out over S$500,000 a year.
We are managed by voluntary professionals with a vision of continual growth.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) in Singapore will accept any degree awarded by the universities as criteria for employment in the Civil Service so long as they are accepted by their home government. A criterion to determine this recognition is to verify whether the university is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) for both UK and Australian Universities.
As for American universities, as long as the US Government or the North Central Association (NCA) accredits the university, the programme is recognised.
Fundamentally, this means that optimum surpluses or profits MDIS earn will be channeled and ploughed back towards community service and towards our members in terms of better quality education.
All surplues are retained in MDIS and used for improving infrastructure, community projects and upgrading and improvement purposes.
MDIS has a strategic alliance with Telecom Credit Cooperative (TCC) who is not for profit and give financial support to our students and provides them with preferential loan rates.
Yes. You may seek for admission to UniSIM based on your Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications. However, it is subjected to the university assessment for your admission.
Fully taught - students must attend lectures and tutorials as scheduled. Contact with the lecturers are on a more frequent and regular basis.
Distance learning - studnets are in contact with their tutors through intensive bloc sessinos over a limited period of time. In a distance learning mode, students are required to read their course materials at their own time. During the session, students will seek clarifications on issues that need further understanding.
Yes. You need to fulfill 90% attendance as a full-time student and 80% attendance as a part-time student.
For international student, 90% attendance is compulsory to meet the ICA requirements.
However, if you have to be away for business trip, reservist training, medical reasons wih a valid medical certificate, you can be excused from the requirement. All documentary proof must be submitted to MDIS with the leave of absence form (subjected to institute's approval).
Yes, but first you would need to complete our Foundation Certificate in Biomedical Sciences (FCBS). After that, you would be able to move on to the degree programme.
The full time (Day) programme runs Monday to Friday from 9 to 5pm (with a 2hr lunch break). The Part-time (Evening) programme is scheduled for 4 times a week, from 7-10pm.
Direct entry into the degree courses is available only for those who have successfully completed the FCBS or who have relevant GCE ‘A’ level qualifications. Without these certificates, you would not be eligible, until and unless you had completed the FCBS. This programme will ensure that you had acquired sufficient background in the fundamentals of the life sciences before recommending you to apply to the more challenging degree programmes.
Depending on your passing grades and background, you may be able to enroll into the degree programmes after attending additional tutorials in selected science subjects. In this event, you would be granted conditional entry into the programme pending completion of the tutorials.
This would depend upon your transcripts and the module descriptors from your previous course of study. Exemption will be granted by the university if the module coverage is considered as an equivalency to the degree level. There is no reduction in course fees for modular exemptions, although full year advanced standing does result in a reduced fee for the programme.
You should consider our unique programme in Pharmaceutical Management. This direct Honours programme covers aspects of management, marketing, operations and pharmaceutical science. The programme aims to produce “scientifically-aware” managers with skills and academic qualities geared towards significant roles in an effective management culture. Opportunities for graduates with good management skills and a breadth of knowledge in the pharmaceutical sciences are wide and varied. Possible job opportunities include management, sales & marketing or operations in the pharmaceutical, biotechnological, food and healthcare sectors. These combined talents are rare and vital in the life sciences, and the industry is calling for more entrants to fill the gap.
We believe that all of our students should be given the opportunity to excel. Part of this is the right and ability to change direction without abandoning their educational goals. For such reasons, we have designed considerable flexibility into our programmes. Hence, after clearing year 1 of the Pharmaceutical Management programme, you are able to request a transfer into year 2 of the Biomedical Sciences Honour programme (subject to clearing bridging modules in Biochemistry and Genetics). You may also choose to enter directly into the second year of the Macquarie University Biotechnology degree.
For the Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology programme with Macquarie University, students have the privilege of spending 4 weeks on the Sydney campus, where they will undergo intensive practical training for their third year modules. In addition, members of the University faculty visit MDIS on teaching assignments for each cohort. Each of these aspects of the Biotechnology degree offer excellent learning opportunities to the students and are, therefore, compulsory to attend before the completion of the degree programme.
The Biotechnology degree is currently offered at MDIS via advanced standing only. The entire programme is made up of 68 - 72 credits in a modular structure. For most advanced standing entrants, this would mean a minimum of 12 modules (although this may vary depending on accredited prior learning etc).
All students are advised to select a programme based upon value and recognition, not merely speed to completion. However, we understand that time is a crucial consideration. Our programmes are thus designed to allow multiple entry points and speeds of progression (based upon prior learning and abilities). Hence, for example, if you have a diploma in Biotechnology, Medical Technology or Biomedical Sciences, you may apply for:
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences (Accelerated pathway) - 2 year - Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Management (Advanced standing) - 2 year - Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology – modular programme of about 2 years (depending on the number of modules taken per semester).
Career opportunities in the life sciences are enormous and growing at an incredible rate locally, regionally and globally. The job types opened by qualifications in the life sciences are wide and varied, but can be loosely classified into the following broad areas:
- Lab–based, for example:
- Fundamental Research - Lab Management - Lab Technology - Healthcare - Pharmaceuticals - Clinical Trials - Quality Control/Quality Assurance - Industrial applications - Environmental and waste systems - Cosmetics and beauty
Yes, if you have successfully completed the entire FCBS programme (12 modules). You would be able to enter either the direct Honours programmes under the University of Bradford, BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences or Pharmaceutical Management. FCBS graduates have also been able to progress to non-affiliated degree programmes locally and in the US, Australia and the UK.
MDIS offers several schemes that take the form of fee waivers or discounts for those who are members of certain organizations/associations (such as SAFRA, CDANS, etc). Study loans are also available through The Telecom Credit Co-operative (TCC) and SDF subsidies are available for selected programmes. In addition, MDIS and its partner universities offer full or partial scholarships to those in need (and of a high academic standing) under our Bursary and Scholarship programmes.
In addition to our full-time lecturer (a qualified veterinarian and microbiology specialist), our Associate trainers include retired university professors and professionals from module-relevant life science industries, such as the local hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry. These work experiences, in addition to the (commonly) PhD qualifications of our faculty, add considerable value to the learning experience offered to our students - by sharing “real life” examples and applications and making the learning come alive and remain up-to-date. We have had great success in this with several First Class Honours graduates, an inductee into the Golden Key International Honour Society and a Biotechnology prize winner among our first graduating cohorts.
Well, we do not award the degrees – the University you have enrolled with does! However, both our university partners are members of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and degrees awarded by them are widely recognized in both the public and private sectors (locally, regionally and globally). Our graduates have a very high success rate in seeking new careers or being promoted in their current one! Here are a couple of examples of our recognition from the private sector:
- "MDIS is proud to welcome GlaxoSmithKline as direct sponsors for the top graduate prizes from our BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Management degree programme."
- “We have found graduates from the Life Sciences courses at MDIS to be well versed and experienced in many applications relevant to a modern research laboratory and graduates are well prepared for a career within the life sciences.” - Dr Michael Richardson, Head of Pre-Clinical Development, Vanda Pharmaceuticals
- "I am very impressed with MDIS's programs, always encouraging and endeavoring to give students every opportunity to attain excellence. At the Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, we are honored to participate with the MDIS School of Life Sciences to provide hands-on research experience to further enhance the skill sets of their students." - Mohan K. Balasubramanian, Deputy Director and Senior Principle Investigator, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL), Associate Professor, National University of Singapore
Yes! We take pride in our extra-curricular offerings – which include a Journal Club and an Additional Laboratory Practice Scheme (in each of which, our lecturers take a guiding and participatory role). In addition, we have established a Student Committee, with student body representatives across every programme, to be the voice of our students – to whom the School truly belongs. We further provide research and industry tours for our students, talks from guest speakers (recently and most notably, amongst our speakers we were honoured to welcome Professor Alan Colman of “Dolly-the-Sheep” fame) and internship opportunities. Our students are also full members of the University into which they have enrolled (with all the rights that affords – library and web info access, etc) and of the MDIS. Membership of MDIS affords discounts in various areas and entitles full use of our UniCampus facilities. See the relevant webpages for more information.
a) Academic English Courses - PCIE (Full-time) - IELTS Academic Preparatory & Express
b) Non-Academic Course (Short Courses) - Business English 1 – Boosting Your English Basics - Business English 2 – Effective Customer Communications - Business English 3 – Impactful Presentations - Foundation English – Saying It Right Levels 1 & 2 - Conversational Mandarin (Levels 1 & 2) - Intermediate Mandarin for Daily Communication - Intermediate Mandarin for Character Writing - Advanced Level for Chinese Essay Writing - Communication Skills for Business Mandarin - Business Mandarin (Levels 1 & 2) - Intensive Business Mandarin Writing - Basic Translation (English to Chinese)
c) Seminars - For written, verbal communication & presentation skills - For English and Mandarin (For full menu, check mdis website under Language Centre)
d) In-house Training - For written, verbal communication & presentation skills
e) Summer Camps - For group enquiry only - 1-4 weeks - Customised training on English Communication skills
f) Teacher Training Programme - For group enquiry only - 1 – 4 weeks - Customised training on English Communication skills and classroom management
We will conduct a short test on the last lesson to give the students the opportunity to assess the level of improvement they have accomplished for the past weeks of tutorials.
No. The Business English course is designed to fine-tune your written and verbal communication skills. It is a self-enriching programme only.
To enroll for academic programmes, you may enroll for our IELTS (Academic) Preparatory course to prepare for IELTS Examination conducted at The British Council.
MDIS is a not-for-profit organisation. We partner with overseas universities to provide academic courses (Diploma, Degree, Post Graduate, Doctorate and English language courses). The certificate is directly awarded by our university partners from UK, USA, Australia and France.
At MDIS Language Centre, we offer the PCIE programme for international students. It is a full-time course registered with MOE and ICA. It is also a programme in collaboration with University of Bradford, UK. Our students receive an academic certification that is equivalent to IELTS 6.0 or 6.5 after completing the Advanced Level only.
a) We provide committed and experienced trainers with excellent ratings. b) Small tutorial class sizes c) Practical, relevant and effective lessons d) Conducive learning environment e) One-stop solution for your personal and professional training needs. f) Excellent customer service (eg. SMS reminder for classes)
We differentiate ourselves by providing qualified, committed and experienced trainers with excellent ratings. The lessons are based on practical approaches and the class size is kept to a maximum of 15 students only.
We have many courses and seminars with pre-approved SDF grant.
To apply for SDF grant, applicants need to be fully sponsored by their companies and to make enrolment of grant via the SDF website at http://www.sdf.gov.sg.
If you are not a registered SDF Easynet, you will have to go into the SDF website (www.sdf.gov.sg) to register as a user. After registration, you may proceed to apply for the SDF Grant.
At this moment, we have not received any pre-approval for SRP grant. However, we hope to register more short courses and seminars on such schemes in the near future.
MDIS believes in and promotes life-long learning. To stay relevant in the job market and to excel in your profession, it is definitely recommended you acquire new skills, strong language skills and to continuously improve your communication skills.
With the certifications, your future employers would recognize your efforts and attitude in learning; you are definitely more employable than other applicants.
MDIS Language Centre is a private language school registered with Ministry of Education, dedicated to providing language development for the members and students of MDIS.
All application, registration, membership entrance and membership subscription fees paid to MDIS are non-refundable. Only the paid course fees are refundable on the following conditions:
Percentage of refund of course fees
Requirements
100%
Written notice of withdrawal is received more than 60 days before course commencement.
75%
Written notice of withdrawal is received 30 days to 60 days before course commencement.
25%
Written notice of withdrawal is received less than 30 days to 1 day before course commencement.
10%
Written notice of withdrawal given from 1st day to 14th day after course commencement.
0%
Written notice of withdrawal given more than 14 days after course commencement.
There is no replacement of lesson. However, we would encourage our students to make appointment with our trainers and to sit in earlier for the next coming tutorial class to go through the tutorial that they have missed. In addition, during break time, they could approach our trainers for any clarification.
