Events (2026-27)

WORKING IN SG TALK

29 August 2026, Saturday

This year, SMSUK’s annual Working in Singapore Talk adopted a new format, combining the formal talk and open dialogue segments from last year into a single session.

The session began with an overview of the Singapore healthcare system and postgraduate training pathways, followed by a panel discussion featuring six doctors who graduated from UK medical schools and have since returned to Singapore to practise. Our panellists shared their experiences of transitioning back to Singapore, working within the local healthcare system, navigating specialty applications, and progressing in their careers. Participants were also able to submit questions throughout the discussion, allowing the panel to address a wide range of practical concerns and perspectives on returning to Singapore.

We would like to thank our six panellists for generously sharing their experiences and perspectives with our participants. We hope this year’s Working in Singapore Talk provided participants with a clearer understanding of the pathways available to them and helped them feel better equipped to make informed decisions about their future careers in Singapore.

On-Call workshop

15 August 2026, Saturday

On 15 August, SMSUK hosted the 11th edition of our annual On-Call Workshop! This year, we had 37 participants most of whom were students in their clinical years or house officers.

The event began with speeches by Prof Darren Koh, and Prof Jason Chang. The workshop then began in full swing as participants were split into groups of 4-5 so they could work alongside and learn from their peers. Participants rotated through a total of 8 stations which lasted 25 minutes each, including urinary catheter insertion, intubation and responding to a Code Blue. Midway through, there was a refreshment break which gave everyone the chance to mingle and catch up with friends.

We hope this event helped participants hone practical clinical skills while being enjoyable and interesting! We would like to thank Dr Kiki Teo and Singhealth for supporting the organisation of the event.

MED(UK)ATED 2026 and day 2 dinner

24-26 July 2026, Friday - Sunday

The annual Orientation Camp is SMSUK’s biggest event of the year, serving as an introduction for our freshers, as well as a key platform for them to connect with their fellow UK medical students and seniors before heading to the UK. The theme for this year’s Orientation was “SMSUK Labs” - an allusion to the zombie apocalypse that plagued orientation!

On the morning of 24th July, 45 freshers, led by 26 orientation group leaders gathered at the balmy Palawan Beach, before splitting into Orientation Groups (OGs) named after historical healthcare pioneers and fictional doctors. The day began with icebreakers, an engaging introduction to their compatriots heading to the UK. This was followed by painting particularly inspired and intricate designs for their OG flags, together with energetic, comedic cheer performances. The various groups then had lunch together, before partaking in an afternoon of competitive games, a good opportunity to enjoy the tropical sun before they head to the gray of Great Britain.

The next morning began in Changi Chalet 4, with another round of games, this time, a much more laid back and cerebral affair. A short journey to Jewel and a delicious lunch later, the participants explored the gleaming airport in a high stakes amazing race, navigating between stations to complete various challenges.

In the evening, the activities resumed at the chalet, where 23 seniors joined for a tantalising buffet dinner. Old friends caught up and new bonds were forged between freshers and seniors. This was followed by Night Games, a riveting detective mystery, where participants tried to piece together the story behind how the zombie apocalypse began at the SMSUK Labs, by completing various puzzles and games in exchange for clues.

On the final day, participants braved the inclement weather, heading to the open area under the Rhu Cross Bridge for the War Games. Participants dodged incoming water attacks to steal flags from rivals- and protected their precious potato ring necklaces. It was a fittingly climatic conclusion to 3 days of festivities. Many OGs stayed together well past the closing of the camp, having one last bonding session over a sumptuous meal, a testament to the strength of the bonds forged during the camp.

We would like to thank MOHH for their partnership, without which this event would not have been possible.

SMSUK Goes bouldering

28 August 2026, Friday

SMSUK recently hosted a bouldering event that brought together members of our medical community for a day of challenge, participation and shared enthusiasm for the sport.

Held at Boulder Planet Sembawang on 28 Aug 2026, the event welcomed climbers of varying levels of experience, providing an opportunity for participants to test themselves on a range of bouldering problems while enjoying the supportive and social atmosphere that makes the climbing community so distinctive.

The event was proudly sponsored by Boulder Planet, whose support played an important role in making the occasion possible. Their contribution helped SMSUK deliver an engaging and enjoyable event for everyone involved.

Throughout the day, participants demonstrated determination, skill and encouragement for one another, with the event offering a balance of friendly competition and community spirit. Beyond the climbing itself, it provided an opportunity for attendees to meet fellow climbers, share experiences and strengthen connections within the wider community.

SMSUK would like to thank Boulder Planet for their generous support, as well as everyone who attended, contributed and helped make the event a success. We look forward to building on the event and welcoming the community back for future SMSUK activities.

JC/Pre-u talks

July - August 2026

The JC Talks and Pre-University Online Talk remain SMSUK’s flagship outreach programme for prospective students interested in studying Medicine and Dentistry in the UK. Working alongside junior colleges and schools across Singapore, we engaged students through in-person talks, outreach booths, and an online seminar, providing a platform for them to learn more about studying in the UK and to interact directly with current medical and dental students. This year, our outreach reached 10 schools, making it our largest programme yet. Throughout the series, our members shared their experiences navigating applications, adapting to university life, and studying across different UK institutions. These conversations gave students practical insights beyond admissions requirements, helping them gain a clearer understanding of what pursuing Medicine or Dentistry in the UK entails. The programme concluded with our Pre-University Online Talk, which brought together students from across Singapore. The session covered key aspects of the UK admissions process, including UCAS applications, admissions tests, university selection, and student life. A highlight of the session was the diverse range of student speakers, whose personal experiences provided attendees with valuable insights into studying across the UK. Participants particularly appreciated the sharings from Chester Ling, who spoke about life as a dentistry student in London; Shiv Dewan, who shared his experiences of studying in Scotland; and Wildon Tan, a final-year medical student who discussed his journey, including his intercalated degree at the University of Cambridge. We are immensely grateful to all our volunteers, speakers, and partner schools for their support in making this year’s outreach a success. We hope the sessions empowered students to make informed decisions as they take the next steps towards studying Medicine or Dentistry in the UK.

PEG Information Session 2026

27 June 2026, Saturday

SMSUK conducted its annual Pre-Employment Grant Information Session this year, aiming to provide prospective applicants with a comprehensive overview of what to expect for the submissions and interview process. This year we were delighted to invite 3 PEG Holders: Yin Jie, Sanskar and Andrew, to talk about their experience with the application phase.

This session was attended by both pre-clinical and clinical students from universities across the UK - including freshers who were keen to explore this option in the future.

The event started off with a brief summary of the application timeline, eligibilty criteria, and interview structure. Following that, we had a panelist seminar, where our speakers answered frequently asked questions submitted by the participants before the session. They openly discussed their motivation for applying, preparation for the interview as well as how their interview experience. The speakers also provided insights into what the interviewers were looking for in applicants, and the skills required to tackle their questions.

We concluded with an interactive Q&A where attendees submitted follow-up and burning questions to our speakers, who gave frank and honest answers. Many attendees found the session highly informative and felt more confident in taking the next step to apply for the grant.

We would like to sincerely thank our PEG speakers for taking the time out of their busy schedule to help out with this event. This event would not be possible without their generosity and willingness to share their experience. We also hope that more students have been inspired to apply for the PEG and have a clearer idea of what to expect in the months ahead.

Dental dinner

17 August 2026, Monday

SMSUK held its Annual Dental Dinner this year, once again collaborating with SMSI to create a space for dental members and alumni to come together, connect and network. This year, we were delighted to invite four speakers to share their experiences and insights from their journeys as both students and dentists. We would like to thank Shannon Low, Dr Aveline Chow, Dr Chan Chee Hon and Dr Ow Tjin-Xin Christopher for taking the time to share their experiences with us.

The evening started with a few icebreaker games, giving attendees the opportunity to loosen up, get to know one another and connect with fellow members of the dental community. This was followed by our speaker sessions, where our speakers shared their personal experiences, lessons learnt along the way, as well as useful tips and advice for navigating dental school and the transition into a career in dentistry.

The event was also generously sponsored by Q&M Dental Centre and HC Hogo, the exclusive Admetec Loupes distributor in Singapore. Our attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the current employment landscape in the dental industry, as well as the importance of loupes in clinical practice. They were also given the chance to try out a pair of loupes on site, making for a fun and interactive experience.

We would like to sincerely thank our speakers and sponsors for their time, generosity and support. We would also like to thank SMSI for another wonderful collaboration, which helped make this year's Dental Dinner another successful and enjoyable event.

We hope that our members and alumni found the evening both enjoyable and valuable, gaining useful insights and a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead in their dental careers. Most importantly, we hope the event provided a meaningful opportunity for everyone to connect, exchange experiences and build lasting relationships within the dental community.

Freshers, Members & Alumni (FMA) Dinner

5 August 2026, Wednesday

The Singapore Medical Society of the United Kingdom (SMSUK) welcomed its incoming freshers, current members and alumni for an evening of networking, sharing and fellowship at the annual Freshers, Members & Alumni (FMA) Dinner, held in conjunction with our Pre-Departure Talk (PDT).

The evening began with our Pre-Departure Talk, where senior students from across the UK shared their experiences and practical advice with our incoming freshers. This year, the briefings were organised into two regional sessions covering London and South/Wales, as well as Midlands/North and Scotland/Northern Ireland. These sessions provided freshers with practical insights into studying and living in different parts of the UK, while also giving them an opportunity to meet seniors and fellow students who would be studying in the same regions.

Following the briefings, freshers, current members and alumni came together for a networking dinner. The evening provided an opportunity for attendees from different universities and stages of training to reconnect with old friends, meet new people and strengthen the wider SMSUK community.

We were also delighted to welcome Adjunct Professor Shirley Ooi, Director of the Early Career Guidance Centre at National University Health System. Professor Ooi delivered an insightful sharing on career pathways and opportunities in Singapore, followed by a Q&A session. The sharing was well received by our attendees, who engaged actively with questions about returning to Singapore and navigating their future careers.

The evening concluded with an interactive pub quiz, bringing together freshers, members and alumni for a final round of fun and friendly competition.

SMSUK would like to extend our sincere appreciation to National University Hospital for graciously providing the venue and for their continued support of our students. We would also like to thank Professor Ooi for taking the time to share her experiences and insights with our members.

Above all, we are grateful to everyone who joined us and contributed to making this year's FMA and PDT a meaningful and memorable evening for the SMSUK community.