Doctors are respected and honored in many countries because they save lives, treat illnesses, and provide first aid to people who need care. This is one of the reasons many people, young and old, dream of becoming a doctor or working in a similar health-related profession. However, becoming a doctor is difficult and requires patience, discipline, and determination because the process is long and demanding. If doctors are to be role models, future doctors must also earn that responsibility by studying well, developing strong clinical skills, and meeting professional standards.
With that being said, you will need to find a learning institution that can help you reach your goals by providing the right medical education and training. You should carefully assess whether your first medical school will give you a strong foundation for the next stages of your career. Undergraduate medical programs in Saudi Arabia commonly take six years, and graduates must also complete internship and licensing requirements before practicing independently. Once you start studying medicine, learning does not really end because medicine requires continuous study and professional development.
If you are not sure which country or institution to consider, Saudi Arabia can be a practical option for students who want to study in a country with established universities, research centers, and teaching hospitals. Saudi universities are part of a higher education system that attracts students from many countries, and some Saudi medical programs are taught in English.
This country may also offer good opportunities after graduation, but students should understand that completing a medical degree is only one part of the process. To practice medicine in Saudi Arabia, graduates must meet the licensing and professional registration requirements of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. To further help you understand what to expect when applying to a medical university in Saudi Arabia, here are some important things to know before studying medicine in Saudi Arabia.
1. What are the requirements to study medicine in Saudi Arabia?
The documents needed to study medicine in Saudi Arabia vary by university, program, and student status. In general, applicants should expect to provide an application form, a high school diploma or equivalent, academic transcripts, a passport or other identity document, certified or attested academic records when required, proof of English proficiency for English-taught programs, and any entrance exam or interview results required by the university.
For example, the official Study in Saudi listing for Alfaisal University’s Medicine & Surgery (MBBS) states that the program is open to international students, is taught in English, lasts six years, and requires a high school diploma and an English language test such as TOEFL, IELTS, STEP, or Cambridge English Test. Students who need a Saudi study visa should also check the Student Visa in Saudi Arabia page, which lists requirements such as a valid passport, acceptance from a licensed and accredited educational institution, proof of financial ability or a financial guarantee, medical documentation, medical insurance, and proof of proficiency in the language of study for long-term study.
2. How many medical schools in Saudi Arabia?
There are a total of 28 medical schools in Saudi Arabia. However, not every medical school is necessarily open to international undergraduate applicants, and admission rules can differ between public universities, private universities, scholarship routes, and paid study programs. Students should always check the university’s official admissions page and the Study in Saudi portal before applying.
3. What are the components of Saudi Arabian medical curriculum?
The medical curriculum in Saudi Arabia varies by university, but many undergraduate medical programs lead to an MBBS degree and take six years to complete. For example, Alfaisal University’s College of Medicine describes its MBBS as a six-year program with a spiral curriculum. Its study plan includes preclinical and clinical phases, 183 undergraduate credit hours, and an internship year.
In general, students begin with basic medical sciences, normal human structure and function, and introductory clinical and professional skills. They then move into disease mechanisms, clinical skills, and integrated medical subjects before entering clinical clerkships in areas such as medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, subspecialty medicine, and ambulatory care. The final stage includes an internship year or hospital attachment, depending on the university’s structure.
4. Can you study medicine in Saudi Arabia as an international student?
Yes, it is possible to study medicine in Saudi Arabia as an international student, but options are limited and depend on the university and the admission route. The official Study in Saudi portal lists Alfaisal University’s Medicine & Surgery (MBBS) program as available for international students.
Students should also be careful with public university scholarship routes. The Saudi Ministry of Education states that students may apply for available specializations in government universities, except health and medical specialties, for the post-secondary stage. This means that international students should not assume that all Saudi public medical colleges are open to them through scholarship programs. Always confirm directly with the university and the official Study in Saudi portal before applying.
5. In what language do you study medicine in this country?
The language of instruction depends on the university and program. Some medical programs in Saudi Arabia are taught in English. For example, Alfaisal University’s MBBS program is listed in the Study in Saudi portal as an English-taught program, and the portal requires an English language test such as TOEFL, IELTS, STEP, or Cambridge English Test.
Al-Baha University’s Faculty of Medicine is also listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as offering an MBBS program with English as the language of instruction. However, students should still check each university’s official admissions page because language requirements and accepted English tests may change.
6. What do you need to become a doctor in Saudi Arabia?
After studying medicine in Saudi Arabia, becoming licensed to practice medicine requires more than completing the MBBS degree. Graduates must complete the internship year and meet the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties requirements for professional practice.
The official Saudi Commission for Health Specialties states that professional practice licensure exams assess the competencies required to obtain a professional practice license after the internship year. Applicants also need professional classification and registration through the SCFHS system, which may require documents such as the qualification to be classified, internship certificate, academic record, clinical training completion documents, identity documents, and other verification requirements.
Therefore, the exam should be described as the Saudi professional medical licensure exam or SMLE rather than simply the “Prometric exam.” Passing the exam alone does not automatically make someone “officially an MD.” The MBBS is the academic medical degree, while the right to practice depends on completing internship, passing the required licensure exam, and obtaining SCFHS classification and registration. If you want to specialize, you will then need to apply for residency or board training in your chosen field.
I hope this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Available Courses for International Students and the Scholarships Page.
