Healthcare Merit Award / Scholarship (Degree Conversion): 2026 Profile
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)05 Oct 2025, 13:25 Z
TL;DR\ MOHH's Healthcare Merit Award/Scholarship (Degree Conversion) helps nursing and allied health diploma holders upgrade to a recognised degree with full tuition, monthly allowance, and leadership development—followed by a three-year bond serving Singapore's public healthcare clusters.
Scholarship Snapshot
- Status: Application Cycle Open (1 Sep 2025 -- 20 Mar 2026)
- Official Listing: Healthcare Merit Award
- Who It Targets: Singapore Citizens or PRs (who will accept citizenship) holding a Diploma in Nursing or allied health and ready to pursue an MOHH-endorsed degree conversion programme at SIT or approved overseas universities
- Eligibility: Diploma with merit/distinction, strong co-curricular and leadership record, passion for public healthcare, and readiness to assume senior clinical or operational responsibilities
- Tenable Institutions: Singapore Institute of Technology and MOHH-approved overseas universities offering nursing degree conversion pathways
- Bond: Three-year service commitment with a public healthcare institution, whether studies take place locally or overseas
Award Components
- Full payment of tuition and compulsory fees, with back-pay applied where required by the conversion curriculum
- Monthly allowance throughout the degree conversion course to support living expenses
- Pre-study allowance for laptops, uniforms, and essential materials before the programme starts
- Return economy airfare for overseas conversion tracks approved by MOHH
- Sponsorship for leadership and professional development programmes curated by MOHH
- Commencement and distinction awards (for graduates achieving at least Second Class (Upper) Honours or equivalent)
- Salary support for eligible allied health professionals undertaking the conversion while employed in the community or public healthcare sector
Eligibility Highlights
- Citizenship: Singapore Citizens or PRs who will assume citizenship by the time the bond is executed
- Academic strength: Diploma with merit/distinction and a proven ability to excel in degree-level coursework
- Professional readiness: At least one semester of diploma study completed (for current students) or meaningful work experience if applying post-diploma
- Service mindset: Demonstrated commitment to patient care, interprofessional teamwork, and healthcare innovation
Application Roadmap
- Assess conversion eligibility: Confirm the MOHH-approved universities and conversion programmes that align with your practice area.
- Compile evidence: Gather transcripts, clinical evaluations, leadership testimonials, and service-learning reflections that demonstrate readiness for degree-level study.
- Submit the application: Apply via the Healthcare Scholarships portal between September and March, indicating the degree conversion track.
- Attend interviews: Prepare for scenario-based interviews exploring patient-centred care, teamwork, and leadership in public healthcare settings.
- Finalise award and deployment: Successful scholars sign a three-year bond, plan their conversion schedule with MOHH, and align post-graduation postings with cluster manpower needs.
Preparation Playbook
- Bridge academic skills: Refresh research methods, pharmacology, and evidence-based practice to excel in degree-level modules.
- Show leadership impact: Highlight ward leadership, quality improvement projects, or patient experience initiatives you have led.
- Align with Healthier SG: Explain how your practice will support preventive care and population health objectives.
- Plan career progression: Map how the conversion degree positions you for advanced practice, management, or education roles in public healthcare.
