See here for Pharmacy and Dentistry

International Medical Options

When international students talk of wanting to be a doctor, there are several key questions:

1) Where are they legal allowed to practice? (Clue: Their passport country). Students are usually best served by pursuing their medical degree in their home country.

2) Do they have the academic preparation? In general, the key course is Chemistry, followed by Biology.

3) Do they have practical experience? It could be a first aid course or volunteering in a clinic or any summer program focusing on medicine. Read a more detailed explanation for gaining work experience.

4) Do they want to get a degree first (Canada and The US) or go direct entry (UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, Australia, Europe)?

5) What are their back up plans? Medicine is one of the hardest majors to pursue with admission rates of only single digits. In my experience, future doctors boil down to two types of motivation: Those that want to heal people and those that are fascinated by the science side of disease and health. For the scientist, a back up plan can focus on medical research or bio-eningeering. For the healer types, an allied health profession such as nurse, chiropractor, physical therapist etc. may provide sufficient satisfaction. Check out this page from King’s College London for guide to careers in medicine, healthcare and sciences.

Click here to explore ways to increase your medical knowledge. 

Country specific information

Check before-hand if the degree will be recognised by your country using this tool

North American

Canada

• First degree required (from any country, should meet essential science classes–Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biology, Calculus)
• MCAT required at most schools.
• Highly Selective for internationals
• In 2013, the Association of American Medical Colleges lists 17 accredited MD-granting medical schools in Canada. For a list, see here.

US

• First degree required (from any country, should meet essential science classes–Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biology, Calculus)
• MCAT required. A higher MCAT does help with admissions:
  • Students with highest MCAT band (greater than 517) gained admission 82.5% of the time while those in the next band (514 to 517) came in at 72.8% compared with an overall admit rate of 41.9%
  • But grades are also important: students with the highest GPA (greater than 3.79) earned admissions 65.5% of the time compared to 47.3% of the time for the next mark band (3.6 to 3.79)
  • See a complete chart here.
• Highly Selective for internationals —Johns Hopkins offers more insight. 
• In 2012, the Association of American Medical Colleges and American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine listed 193 accredited M.D.-granting and 30 accredited D.O.-granting medical schools in the United States. For a list, click here.

Here is a compare and contrast of Canadian vs US Medical schools:

US Medical Education overseas (like the Caribbean).

• In 2011, the International Medical Education Directory listed 59 current medical schools in the Caribbean. 54 grant the MD degree, 3 grant the MBBS degree, and 2 grant either the MD or MBBS degree.
• 30 of the medical schools in the Caribbean are regional, which train students to practice in the country or region where the school is located. The remaining 29 Caribbean medical schools are known as offshore schools, which primarily train students from the United States and Canada who intend to return home for residency and clinical practice after graduation. At most offshore schools, basic sciences are completed in the Caribbean while clinical clerkships are completed at teaching hospitals in the United States.
• An excellent resource is this article by Johns Hopkins

UK

• Direct entry possible straight out of high school.
• May require entry tests (UKCAT or BMAT)
• Most will require Interviews
  • The MedicPortal does a fantastic deep dive on questions you can use to practice with.
  • BeMO gives us a thorough exposure to MMI type interviews including their expert responses.
• Admissions for international students is highly competitive and capped at 7%
• A useful chart of who requires what. And download this PDF on Entry Requirements. This report complied by ICS goes into a lot of detail.
• There are currently 32 institutions that offer medical degrees in the United Kingdom
• Typically, a degree lasts 6 years.
• Learn more about Vet science and Dentistry
• Here is a list of UK Medical Schools and contact information
• More great information (Webinars, podcasts etc.) here.

Fantastic Webinar on UK Medical schools

Podcasts with David Hawkins, The University Guy

TheMASG offers this short, useful guide to Medical Schools in Scotland.

Europe

Europe provides a growing set of opportunities to pursue medicine at an affordable price. The Medical Portal provides a sample of schools and costs. Apparently there are 100 different programs taught in English according to MedLink.

Bulgaria

• Medical University Pleven
  • Plovdiv Medical University, Bulgaria

Croatia

Medlink offers a nice overview of the 3 options in Croatia.

• University of Split
• University of Zagreb
• University of Rijeka
• And a little more with MedHead, who also give insightg to Dentistry.

Cyprus

• University of Nicosia, Cyprus
  • University of Nicosia Medical School, Cyprus
  • Video Introduction here
  • Entry requirements:
    • Academic review of existing academic achievement and Predicted grades
    • Online Interviews MMI
    • Students are informed one week after interview.
    • Deadline: Rolling
• European University Cyprus

Czech Republic

Several great options:

• Charles University
  • Entry requirements:
    • Examinations held at the university or inUK, Hong Kong or Brazil (Or at the university) focusing on Chemistry & BiologyMaths or Physics
    • Exam graded immediately; Interviews held onsite
    • Students are informed of outcome on the day.
    • ○No personal statement
    • ○No reference
    • Deadline: April 30
  • Locations:  Charles University has five distinct medical programs. Each operates independently.
    • Faculty of Medicine, Hradec Kralove
      • Founded in 1945, the University runs a 6 year medical course in English. Again, there is an entrance exam testing scientific knowledge, followed by an oral interview which assesses a candidate’s motivation and suitability for medicine. Again, this is split up into two years of theoretical science, two years pre-clinical and two years entirely clinical.
      • Video Introduction here
    • First Faculty of Medicine, Prague
      • As the oldest university for medicine in central Europe, and one of the oldest universities in general, this institution has a great history which translates to it’s impressive medical program. With a faculty of over 1000, the medical school has a great focus on teaching the core scientific knowledge and then encouraging students to apply their knowledge in clinical practice.
      • Video Introduction here
    • Second Faculty of Medicine, Prague
      • This institution continues the history of the faculty of paediatrics at Charles University. The first three years are preclinical where students are taught the theoretical disciplines, and this is followed by a three year clinical course. There is an opportunity to spend a term abroad, in places such as the UK and Germany.
      • Video Introduction here
    • Third Faulty of Medicine, Prague
      • Established in 1953, the third faculty adopts an integrated teaching programme, with early exposure to patients. It has an entrance exam which is based on assessment of biology, chemistry and physics knowledge. Success in this will then result in an invitation to interview from which applicants are selected.
    • Charles University in Pilsen: Founded in 1945, the course is similar to that of the second faculty. There is teaching of science, followed by pre-clinical teaching. Students get extensive clinical experience from the third year. There is an entrance exam is a multiple choice test assessing knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics.
• Masaryk University
  • As the second largest University in the Czech Republic, Masaryk has a rich history in teaching medicine.
  • Video Introduction here
• Palacky University
  • Video Introduction here
• University of Ostrava
  • Video Introduction here.

Estonia

• University of Tartu

Germany

• Read this article on Becoming a Doctor in Germany
• University Targu Mures

Hungary

There are four English taught degrees available.

• University of Debrecen: The University has a history dating back to the 16th century but the faculty of medicine itself was established in 1951. It has a large medical department composed of 25 clinical departments. The medical school is also home to the city’s hospital. This means that students studying at the University of Debrecen gain extensive clinical experiences throughout their time. Find out more on the University website.
• University of Pécs Medical School: As the oldest University in Hungary, the Pécs programme is highly renowned worldwide. It is one of the largest institutions in the world and has been teaching the English medical programme since 1985. It is a beautiful city, and was the 2010 European Capital of Culture, initiating large renovations across the city. Find out more on the University website. 
• University of Szeged: With a rich history dating back to 1581, the University has a rich history. Many famous medics have studied there, such as Albert Szent-Györgyi, who won a Noble prize for extracting vitamin C. It is him that the medical school is named after. Find out more on the University website.
• Semmelweis University: This is the only English speaking medical school of Budapest, Hungary’s capital city. There is a University of Veterinary Medicine in Budapest, one of the oldest vet schools in the world. Semmelweis University itself was founded in 1635, but the studies at the University of medicine date back 250 years. The medical school is actually named after Ignac Semmelweis, famous for discovering that washing hands significantly reduced the number of women dying in childbirth. Essentially, he was the pioneer of antiseptics. Find out more on the University website.

Ireland

• There are six medical schools in Ireland. For a good concise description, see here.
• Typical a degree last 6 years
• An excellent overview can be found here
• Apply through https://www.atlanticbridge.com/medicine/
• Here is a guide for EU students applying to Ireland.

National University of Ireland, Cork, Medical Faculty *
http://www.ucc.ie/ucc/faculties/medical/
Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork
Tel: +353 21 490 2809, Fax: +353 21 427 0339

National University of Ireland, Galway, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
http://www.nuigalway.ie/med/
Clinical Sciences Institute, Galway
Tel: +353 9152 4268, Fax: +353 9175 0519

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Medical School
http://www.rcsi.ie/
123 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
Tel: +353 1402 2100, Fax: +353 1402 2460

University College Dublin, Faculty of Medicine
http://www.ucd.ie/~medicine/
Bellfield Campus, Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1706 7440, Fax: +353 1475 3655

University of Dublin, The Trinity Center for Health Sciences
http://www2.tcd.ie/Health_Sciences/
St. James Hospital, Dublin 8
Tel: +353 1608 1727, Fax: +353 1671 3956

Italy

I have pulled together a overview of the 25 medical school options taught in English.

There are currently 12 public universities and 4 praivate that have medical programs in English plus one for Dentistry.

• Humanitas University
  • Humanitas University, Italy
• IMS Milan
  • Universita Degli Studi Di Milano, Italy
• University of Bari
• Universita di Bologna: https://corsi.unibo.it/singlecycle/MedicineAndSurgery 
• Universita Catolica del Sacre Cuore: https://international.unicatt.it/ucscinternational-undergraduate-programs-medicine-and-surgery 
• Universita di Milano: https://www.unimi.it/en/education/international-medical-school-ims 
• University of Naples Federico II: http://www.unina.it/documents/11958/25329007/Medicina_chirurgia_lingua_inglese.pdf
• University di Padova: https://www.unipd.it/en/educational-offer/single-cycle-degrees?tipo=CU&scuola=&ordinamento=2019&key=ME2491 
• Universita di Pavia: https://apply.unipv.eu/en_GB/courses/course/140-harvey-medicine-and-surgery 
• University of Rome La Sapienza: https://corsidilaurea.uniroma1.it/en/corso/2022/30893/home
• University of Rome Tor Vergata: https://web.uniroma2.it/en/contenuto/medicine_and_surgery-51346
• Universita di Torino: https://apply.unito.it/en_GB/courses/course/462-medicine-and-surgery 
• Unicamillus Medical University: https://www.unicamillus.org/degree-in-medicine-and-surgery/ 

Brochure

The total of EU seats in public universities is 543, and 244 for non-EU seats. As for private universities, there are 135 EU seats and 145 Non-EU seats.

University	Region	EU seats	Int. seats (non-EU seats)	Tuition
The University of Poli Marche	Ancona	20	60	€156
The University of Bari	Apulia	69	11	€1912
The Cattolica University of Bolzano	Bolzano	50	10	€18,000
The University of Cagliari	Cagliari	80	20	€2337
The University of Catania	Catania	30	30	€2350
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University	Milan	86	64	€20140
The Humanitas University – Hunimed	Lombardia	140	50	€20,000
The University of Milan-Bicocca	Bergamo	30	18	€3576
University of Milan	Lombardia	55	15	€3940
The Humanitas University – MEDTEC	Lombardia	80	20	€20,000
Federico II University of Naples	Campanie	25	45	€1600
Luigi Vanvitelli University	Campanie	60	50	€2704
The University of Parma	Piacenza	75	45	€2625
University of Pavia	Lombardia	103	40	€4845
University of Rome Tor Vergata	Lazio	60	20	€6105
University of Rome: La Sapienza	Lazio	45	13	€3000
University of Rome: La Sapienza (Dentsitry)	Lazio	19	6	€3000
Cattolica University	Lazio	40	70	€8900
Uni Camillius	Lazio	425	Same	€21140
Campus Bio-Medico University UBCM	Lazio	72	36	€18140
The Medtech – Campus Bio-Medico University	Lazio	68	12	€18140
University of Siena (Dentistry)	Tuscany	?	?	€4496
University of Siena	Tuscany	23	12	€4496
University of Turin	Piemont	70	32	€2800
The University of Padua	Venice	75	25	€2622
University of Bologna	Emilia Romagna	130	20	€3472
University of Messina	Sicily	55	56	€2285
University of Padova	Veneto	75	25
MARCHE POLITECNICA (ANCONA)		20	60

Latvia

• Riga Stradins University
  • Riga Stradins University, Latvia

Lithuania

• Lithuania University of Health Sciences, Lithuana

Malta

• Queen Mary University of London, MBBS

Poland

TheMASG offers this short, useful guide to Medical Schools in Poland taught in English.

You can study medicine or dentistry at these public medical universities in Poland:

• Medical University in Gdansk
• Wroclaw Medical University
• Medical University in Lodz
• Medical University in Bialystok
• Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin
• Medical University in Bydgoszcz – Collegium Medicum
• Medical University of Lublin
• Medical University of Warsaw
• School of Medicine, Jagiellonian University in Krakow
• University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn
• Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce
• Medical University in Silesia (Katowice) – the university offers both September and Spring intake with a capacity of 60-80 students
• Faculty of Medicine – University of Rzeszów
• Faculty of Medicine – Academy of Silesia

Apart from that, you can also study medicine or dentistry at these branches of Ukrainian universities with branches in Poland:

• Kyiv Medical University (private medical university)- KMU Polish Campus – with seat in Bytom and campuses in Katowice and Chorzow – https://kmu.edu.ua/en/kmu-polish-campus-2/
• International European University, Poland – https://ieu.com.pl/

• Medical University of Lodz
• Medical University Warsaw
• Poznan University of Medical Sciences

MedHead’s offer a detailed look at each Medical School. Medlink is another source as is Study Medicine In Poland.

Romania

The nine universities at which you can study are:

• Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest. The faculty of medicine is the oldest in Romania. This school has a wealth of history which has translated into an excellent teaching programme. Bucharest is the capital of Romania. The course offers a one-year preparatory course in the Romanian language so students can adapt to life in a foreign country.
• Craiova University in Medicine and Pharmacy. Craiova has a rich history but is a very financial city and thus there are also many modern aspects, with large shopping centres and a bubbly nightlife. Rent is very cheap, so your living expenses will be low, while tuition fees are 5000 euros per year, significantly cheaper than a Western University.
• Titu Maiorescu University of Bucharest. As a slightly newer faculty of medicine, there is a great focus on teaching medical students the skills and knowledge to be a doctor in the present day. Students are encouraged to participate in research, which is an invaluable opportunity. Medical students can also undertake part of their degree at sister universities in Paris, Vienna and more. Students complete clinical placement in more than 20 hospitals, and the degree programme offers early exposure, with the aim of introducing students to the idea of a multidisciplinary team. Tuition fees are slightly higher, at 7000 euros per academic year.
• Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad. Arad is another financial city which is one of the fastest growing cities in Romania. The facilities are very modern, and the course structure is three years pre-clinical and three years clinical. Tuition fees are 5000 euros per academic year.
• Ovidus University Constanta. It is a modern medical school in a city of 300,000 people. It has a great history with fantastic architecture and a library with 500,000 publications, so you’d never be short of material! Again, the course is split into three years pre-clinical and three years clinical, where students undergo rotations in surgery and general medicine. Tuition fees are 5000 euros per academic year.
• Iulio Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy. This university, of Cluj Napoca, offers courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine, and has no entrance exam. Cluj Napoca is a large city in Romania so there will be plenty to do in the times when you are not busy with your studies. Tuition fees are 6000 euros per academic year.
• Oradea Medical University. With 14,000 students, Oradea is home to one of the largest universities in Romania. The faculty of medicine was founded in 1991, and runs a 6 year english medical course which again is split into 3 years pre-clinical and 3 years clinical. Tuition fees are 5000 euros per academic year.
• Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine of Iasi. Established in 1879, it is one of the oldest universities in Romania. It is set in a beautiful location with valleys surrounding the city. There are 50,000 students, so the city has really developed to accommodate these, with many places to work and socialise. Tuition fees are 5000 euros per year.
• Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara. Founded in 1944, it was initially part of the Western University (Vasile Goldis) but has since become independent and now has a faculty of over 700 staff. It is in the running to be the 2021 European Capital of Culture. Again, the course has three years pre-clinical covering scientific knowledge and basic medicine – anatomy, histology, physiology and biochemistry. Then, there are three clinical years, and this medical school focuses specifically on surgery and preventative medicine. Tuition fees are 5000 euros per academic year.

Solvakia

A nice overview of the opportunities and experience that await you.

• Comenius University in Bratislava – The oldest and largest university in Slovakia, with a well-established medical faculty offering programs in General Medicine and Dentistry in English.
• Slovak Medical University– Founded in 2002, it has quickly grown to become a modern, respected and prestigious medical university in Slovakia which offers medicine programme in English.
• Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice – Known for its modern facilities and strong emphasis on research, this university provides General Medicine and Dental Medicine programs in English.
• Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin – Part of Comenius University, this faculty is internationally recognized for its research and academic excellence, offering a General Medicine program in English.

Spain

• CEU Valencia, Spain
• Universidad de Navarra

The Netherlands

• Groningen University, the Netherlands
• Maastricht University, the Netherlands

Learn more about studying medicine and dentistry in English in Europe from our friends at Medical Doorways:

Medical Doorways has a great series of Webinars here.

The Ukraine

Searchable database can help arrow down English taught programs in Medicine (

This article is helpful for understanding some the nuances of studying medicine in the Ukraine.

• Bogomolets National Medical University –is in Kiev, the capital city of Ukraine.
• Bukovinian State Medical University
• Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University
• Dnipropetrovsk State Medical Academy
• Donetsk National Medical University
• Higher Educational Communal Institution of Lviv Regional Council “Andrei Krupynskyi Lviv Medical Academy
• International Humanitarian University
• Ivan Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine
• Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University
• Kamianets-Podilskyi Ivan Ohiienko National University
• Kharkiv National Medical University
• National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsia—-Sample medical curriculum   Dentistry (Curriculum Dentistry), Pharmacy (Curriculum Pharmacy)
• Odessa State Medical University;
• National University of Pharmacy
• Oles Honchar Dnipro National University
• Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University
• Poltava State Medical University
• Private Higher Education Institution “International European University”
• Private Higher Educational Establishment «Kharkiv International Medical University»
• Private Higher Educational Establishment “Kyiv Medical University”
• Private Higher Educational Institution “Kyiv International University”
• Private higher education institution “International academy of ecology and medicine”
• Sumy State University–is in Sumy city in the North-East of Ukraine.
• The State Institution “Institute of Neurosurgery named after acad. A.P.Romodanov of NAMS of Ukraine”
• V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University
• Zaporizhzhia State Medical University–is a leader in the field of medical education and innovation in Ukraine.
• Zhytomyr Medical Institute of Zhytomyr Regional Council

 

Asia

Hong Kong

• Hong Kong has only two comprehensive medical faculties, the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong and the Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and they are also the sole two institutes offering medical and pharmacy programs.
• Degree last 5 or 6 years depending on students academic preparation
• Note: Students need to be fluent in Cantonese.

Malaysia

• International Medical University Malaysia
• Monash University Malaysia
• Newcastle University Malaysia

Qatar

• Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
• Weill Cornell Medicine

Singapore

• Nanyang Technical University
• National University of Singapore

Oceania

Australia

• Australia has recently changed medical schools. Very few offer the traditional direct entry, opting for a 3+3 undergraduate Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine. More details here.
• Most require you take UCAT-ANZ entry exam. Some will require the ISAT.
• Grade requirements vary between universities between ABB and A*A*A, or between 35 and 43 in the IB. Please note that achieving (or being predicted) the minimum grades required makes you eligible to apply; it does not guarantee you a place.
• Undergraduate programs typically last 5–6 years, and by-definition, admit secondary school matriculants. Applicants are usually assessed by a combination of high school leaving certificate performance, UCAT – University Clinical Aptitude Test score and an interview.
• Roughly 20% of seats are taken by international students. Many public universities offer undergraduate and graduate entry full fee places to international students. Private universities are able to offer full fee places to Australian students. On average, a standard full-time year of study in the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) can cost over $60,000 for domestic students and $75,000 for international students. You can see a detail report of number of international students here.

See detailed chart of medical schools and more information here.

New Zealand

• University of Auckland
• University of Otago

Americas

• St George’s Grenada

Africa

South Africa

• Free State University, Bloemfontein
• Medical University of South Africa, GaRankuwa
• Pretoria University
• Stellenbosch University
• University of Cape Town
• University of KwaZulu/Natal, Durban
• University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
• Walter Sisulu Medical School, Umtata

Veterinary Sciences