World Med Compare: Exploring Medical Education Globally

UK

Duration: 5 to 6 years in length. 
Degree Name: MBBS/MBChB/BM Bch/MB Bch BAO
Curriculum: Students enter medical school directly from high school. The first two years typically focus on basic medical sciences, followed by clinical training in hospitals in the following years.
Residency: After graduation, medical graduates enter the Foundation Programme, which consists of two years of general training. Following this, they enter core specialty training for 3-8 years depending on the speciality.
Tuition Fees: £28,00 to £67,194 per year
Living Cost: £10,000 to £12,000 per year
Academic criteria:Outstanding high school grades in A levels/IB/CBSE/ISC/High school Diploma with Biology and Chemistry as mandate subjects
Standardised Tests: UCAT and IELTS Academic
Non-Academic Criteria: Personal statement, recommendation letters and MMI(multi mini interview)
Application Deadline: 15th October 2024 for 2025 entry in UCAS
Intake: September
Healthcare system and accreditation : National Health Service(NHS) is the publicly funded healthcare system of the United Kingdom. The General Medical Council (GMC) is a public institution that maintains the official register of all doctors at any position from GP to consultant within the United Kingdom. It also regulates the standards for medical schools in the UK.

Ireland

Duration: 5 to 6 years in length.
Degree Name: MB Bch BAO
Curriculum: Students enter medical school directly from high school. The curriculum usually combines preclinical and clinical studies. 
Residency: After graduation, medical graduates complete 1 year of internship. Following this, they enter core specialty training for 4-8 years depending on the speciality.
Tuition Fees: €56,280 to €58,000 per year
Living Cost: €7,000 to €12,000 per year
Academic criteria:Outstanding high school grades in (A levels/IB/CBSE/ISC/High school Diploma with Biology and Chemistry as mandate subjects
Standardised Tests: IELTS Academic. No other entrance tests  required for international students.
Non-Academic Criteria: Personal statement, recommendation letters and panel interviews
Application Deadline: Feb 1st 2025 for 2025 entry
Intake : September 
Healthcare system and accreditation :All medical school programmes offered in the Republic of Ireland are recognised by the GMC. Upon graduation, you are eligible to apply for registration with the GMC, which will allow you to work in the NHS. Medical schools in the Republic of Ireland are accredited by the Medical Council of Ireland. Ireland has a public healthcare system funded through general taxation, along with private healthcare options. The Health Service Executive (HSE) oversees the delivery of healthcare services in Ireland.

Europe

Duration: 6 years in length.
Degree Name: MD(Doctor of Medicine)
Curriculum: Students enter medical school directly from high school. The curriculum usually combines preclinical and clinical studies. 
Residency: After graduation, medical graduates complete 1 year of internship. Following this, they enter core specialty training for 3-7 years depending on the speciality.
Tuition Fees: €2,500 to €23,000 per year
Living Cost: €5,000 to €22,000 per year
Academic criteria:Outstanding high school grades in A levels/IB/CBSE/ISC/High school Diploma with Biology and Chemistry or Physics or Maths as mandate subjects
Standardised Tests: IELTS Academic.Entrance tests in Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Application Deadline: May 2024 for 2025 entry
Intake : September 
Accreditation: There is a key accreditation body for medical programs known as the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA). However, the responsibility for accrediting medical education programs may be at the national level in many countries, and different countries have different bodies that oversee this process.

Australia

Duration: Typically 5 to 7 years, depending on the program.Undergraduate courses are (usually)5 to 6 years long. Graduate entry courses are 4 years long.
Degree Name: Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine
Curriculum: Medical schools in Australia offer both undergraduate and graduate entry programs. The curriculum includes both basic sciences and clinical rotations.
Residency: After completing medical school, graduates enter the internship year, followed by residency training.
Tuition Fees: A$55,000 – A$87,000 per year
Living Cost: A$25,000 per year
Academic criteria:Outstanding high school grades in A levels/IB/CBSE/ISC with Chemistry as mandate subjects
Non-Academic Criteria: Personal statement, recommendation letters and interview
Standardised Tests: ISAT /UCAT-ANZ/MCAT  and IELTS Academic.
Application Deadline: June to September 
Intake : February
Accreditation: The Australian Medical Council (AMC) is responsible for accrediting education providers and their programs of study for the medical profession

US

Duration: Typically 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 4 years of medical school.
Degree Name: Doctor of Medicine(MD)
Curriculum: Pre-medical education followed by the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required for admission to medical school. The medical curriculum includes basic sciences in the first two years and clinical rotations in the final two years.
Residency: After completing medical school, graduates must complete a residency program, which can range from 3 to 7 years depending on the specialty.
Tuition Fees: $25,000 – $75,000 per year for pre-med
Tuition Fees: $52,000 – $85,000 per year for MD
Living Cost: $15,000 per year
Academic criteria:Outstanding high school grades in A levels/IB/CBSE/ISC with Biology,Chemistry and Mathematics as mandate subjects
Non-Academic Criteria: Essays and recommendation letters. Interviews for MD program
Standardised Tests: SAT/ACT and IELTS/TOEFL for pre-med . MCAT for MD
Application Deadline: Oct 2024 to Jan 2025 for pre-med for 2025 entry
Intake : August
Accreditation: The LCME(Liaison Committee on Medical Education) is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an accrediting agency for medical education programs leading to the MD degree.


Canada

Duration: 3 to 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 4 years of medical school.
Degree Name: Doctor of Medicine(MD)
Curriculum: Pre-medical education is followed by the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and admission to medical school. The medical curriculum is similar to that of the United States, with preclinical and clinical years.
Residency: After graduating from medical school, graduates must complete a residency program, which typically lasts 2 to 7 years depending on the specialty.
Tuition Fees:C$25,000 – C$65,000 per year for pre-med
Tuition Fees: C$55,000 –C$95,000 per year for MD
Living Cost: $15,000 per year
Academic criteria:Outstanding high school grades in A levels/IB/CBSE/ISC with Biology,Chemistry and Mathematics as mandate subjects
Non-Academic Criteria: Essays and recommendation letters. Interviews for MD program
Standardised Tests: IELTS/TOEFL for pre-med . MCAT for MD
Application Deadline: Nov 2024 to Jan 2025 for pre-med for 2025 entry
Intake : September
Accreditation:  Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools(The CACMS).accredits complete and independent medical schools whose students are geographically located in Canada for their education, and which are offered by universities that are chartered and operated in Canada.

By: Sheetal Ratnakar, Senior Admissions Counsellor