Alumnus Nicholas Soo Earns Coveted Place at UCL Medical School

Nicholas Soo, a distinguished KTJ scholar, has achieved a remarkable milestone by gaining admission to the University College London (UCL) Medical School, ranked 8th globally in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2025.

Competing against nearly 3,800 applicants for only 334 places, Nicholas secured one of just 24 international spots in UCL’s prestigious undergraduate medicine programme — a testament to his academic excellence, determination, and resilience.

In recognition of his outstanding accomplishment, Nicholas was awarded the Biasiswa Cemerlang Kerajaan Negeri Sabah by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor during a ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centreearlier this year. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the State Government for its commitment to supporting educational excellence, describing the Chief Minister as “soft-spoken, approachable, and deeply empathetic to students’ challenges.”

Now settling into university life in London, Nicholas remains focused on his goal of becoming a doctor dedicated to serving communities and contributing to the vision of strengthening Sabah’s healthcare system.

“I am profoundly grateful to the State Government for the unwavering support in enabling me to pursue my dream,” Nicholas shared.

Nicholas’s academic journey is marked by excellence — 11 straight A’s in SPM at Tshung Tsin Secondary School, followed by three A grades at A-Level. His success continued when he topped Malaysia’s University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) and ranked in the top one per cent globally among nearly 38,000 test-takers for the 2025 entry cycle.

He credits rigorous preparation, the support of his parents, and the mentorship he received during his time at KTJ for his success in UCL’s demanding selection process.

The KTJ community takes immense pride in Nicholas’s exceptional achievement. His journey stands as an inspiration to current and future students — a shining example of how dedication, hard work, and integrity can open doors to the world’s leading universities.