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Study Medicine abroad

About this subject

  • Subject overview
  • Degree profile
  • Entry requirements
  • Where to study?
  • Careers
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The study of medicine involves the research of ailments, diseases and conditions affecting the body and mind, together with their diagnosis and treatment. As with all sciences, it is a constantly evolving practice which develops alongside technological and scientific advancements.

Although it is used as a synonym for pharmaceuticals, the study of medicine extends further than this and also includes areas such as surgery, psychotherapy and toxicology. If you want to become a medical doctor or surgeon, a degree in medicine is the only way to achieve this.

As such, these degrees are highly competitive but extremely valuable, setting you on an immensely satisfying career path known for its competitive salaries and high job security. A qualification in medicine will prepare you to work in a range of busy and unpredictable settings, such as hospitals, GP surgeries and even the armed forces. As such, successful applicants must demonstrate excellent communication skills, the ability to work under pressure and a scientific mindset.

Subjects related to medicine include biomedical science, dentistry, medical sciences, nursing, pharmacology and veterinary medicine.

Is this the course for me?

Studying medicine overseas will typically take four to six years, depending on your study location, degree and study mode. In the UK, the typical route to becoming a doctor is a five-year MB in medicine. In the USA, you will usually need to complete a related four-year undergraduate degree, followed by four years in medical school.

To become a doctor, you must ensure your degree is recognised by a relevant professional body in the country you wish to practise. For example, the Medical Board of Australia. Medicine can be studied as a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or as a PhD. Diplomas in medicine are also available.

Medicine is typically taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials, alongside laboratory and practical sessions. You will likely be offered work placement and job shadowing opportunities as part of your studies.

Some areas you may cover in your medical degree include:

1. Anatomy

2. Cell biology

3. Clinical procedural skills

4. Health behaviours

5. Ethics and law in clinical practice

6. Genetics

7. Pathology

8. Research methods in medicine

Some specialisations within medicine include:

1. Anaesthesiology

2. Emergency medicine

3. Geriatric medicine

4. Neurology

5. Ophthalmology

6. Oncology

7. Orthopaedics

8. Paediatrics

9. Pathology

10. Radiology

11. Surgery

Careers prospects

To study medicine abroad as an international student, you must meet basic entry requirements. These will vary between institutions, but generally speaking, for an undergraduate degree in medicine, you will need:

1. Three A-Levels (or equivalent qualifications)

2. Grades equivalent to AAA at A-Level / International Baccalaureate score of 36 points

3. A-Levels (or equivalent qualifications) in chemistry and biology.

A third science or maths subject may also be required. To study medicine at the postgraduate level, you must have at least a 2:1 in a closely related undergraduate degree in addition to the requirements listed above.

In some countries, you may have to take a specific entry test to be accepted on a medicine course, such as the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)* in the USA. To study medicine at the degree level, you must have an IELTS overall score of 7.0 with no band score lower than 6.5, or an equivalent qualification.

Studying Structural Engineering

If you hope to study as an international student, you may be wondering where the best places to study medicine are globally. According to the QS World University Rankings by subject, the top universities for medicine are:

1. Harvard University (USA)

2. University of Oxford (UK)

3. Stanford University (USA)

4. John Hopkins University (USA)

5. University of Cambridge (UK)

If you dream of studying medicine in Canada, the top schools for medicine there, according to the QS World University Rankings by subject, are:

1. University of Toronto

2. McGill University

3. University of British Columbia

How about studying medicine in Ireland? According to the QS World University Rankings by subject, the best Irish universities for medicine are:

1. Trinity College Dublin

2. RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

3. University College Cork

Where to study?

Doctors continue to be in high demand globally. As such, a degree in medicine will give you international career opportunities alongside a competitive salary. The average annual wage for doctors and surgeons in the USA is USD 230,000, according to the US Bureau of Labour and Statistics, with highly experienced specialists earning considerably more.

However, trainees and less-specialised professionals can expect lower wages, with the average graduate salary for medics in the UK being GBP 29,000 to GBP 33,000. Before you can practise as a licensed doctor or surgeon, you must:

1. Undertake medical residency or doctor speciality training. This requirement will vary between countries, but is similar to a paid internship and will usually take three to eight years, depending on your area of specialisation.

2. Register with the relevant accreditation body, for example, the General Medical Council* in the UK. Once you are a registered doctor or surgeon, it will be your responsibility to stay up to date with current practice through top-up courses and research throughout your career.

Although many doctors and surgeons work in clinical settings such as hospitals or GP surgeries, other employers may include:

1. Armed forces

2. Charities and NGOs

3. Government agencies

4. Insurance companies

5. Pharmaceutical companies

What Medicine courses are there?

1

Medical Sciences

2

Medicine (General)

4

Occupational Therapy

Top 10 study destinations for Medicine

1
210
UK
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2
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Australia
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3
32
Canada
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4
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USA
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5
134
New Zealand
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6
154
Ireland
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7
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Malaysia
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8
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Hong Kong
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Singapore
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10
131
Netherlands
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