Medical degree

A medical degree is a professional degree admitted to those who have passed coursework in the fields of medicine and/or surgery from an accredited medical school. Obtaining a degree in medicine allows for the recipient to continue on into specialty training with the end goal of securing a license to practice within their respective jurisdiction. Medical graduates may also pursue non-clinical careers including those in basic research and positions within the healthcare industry. A worldwide study conducted in 2011 indicated on average: 64 university exams, 130 series exams, and 174 assignments are completed over the course of 5.5 years. As a baseline, students need greater than an 85% in prerequisite courses to enrol for the aptitude test in these degree programs.[1]

Undergraduate medical degrees

The MBBS is also awarded at the graduate level, meaning the applicant already has an undergraduate degree prior to commencing their medical studies (graduate entry).[2][3]

Graduate medical degrees

Comparison of allopathic and osteopathic medical degrees

Medical degree type Undergraduate

(Post-secondary)

Graduate

(Post-baccalaureate)

Graduate

(Post-baccalaureate)

Graduate

(Post-baccalaureate)

Degree name Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery;

or

Bachelor of Medicine

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery Doctor of Medicine Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Degree abbreviation MBBS, BMBS, MBChC, MBChB, MBBCh;

or MB, BM, BMed

MBBS, BMBS, MBChC, MBBCh MD DO
Admission Follows secondary education (standard course) Follows an undergraduate degree (graduate-entry) Follows an undergraduate degree (professional doctorate) Follows an undergraduate degree (professional doctorate)
Duration 5 to 6 years 4 years (accelerated) 4 years 4 years
Countries offering the degree (not exhaustive list) United Kingdom, Ireland, India, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Australia, and China, Saudi Arabia[4] United Kingdom[5] and Ireland[6] United States, Canada, Israel, UAE, Australia United States

Some countries, especially Eastern European and former Soviet republics (Russia, Ukraine, Armenia) offer post-secondary, undergraduate, 6-year medical programs, which confer the title Doctor of Medicine as their medical qualification.

Post-graduate medical degrees

Alternative medical degrees

See also

References

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