The practice of Medicine has a long history, going back to the ancient civilizations of Babylon, Egypt, and India. And while much has changed since then, one thing remains the same: a medical career is considered one of the most prominent in the world.

This reason, among many others, has made Medicine an in-demand course around the globe. Many are even heading abroad to get the best medical education possible. In this article, we will be looking at some of the best countries to study medicine abroad.

If you’re one of these future doctors, you should set your sights on any of these countries.

Which Country Is the Best to Study Medicine?

The best country to study medicine would be the United States. Not only does this country have top-ranking medical institutions in the world, but the same colleges and universities are also staffed by the most brilliant faculty and leading researchers in the field of medicine.

In addition to the high-quality education, the graduates are often trained in top-class medical facilities to further hone their practical skills, and this type of learning environment gives them the real-life experience of various internships, which further increases their worth in the future job market.

Check Also: Available Programs for International Students

Which Country Is the Cheapest to Study Medicine?

One of the cheapest countries to study medicine would be India. In addition to the low tuition in India, the cost of living in India is also cheap due to its low inflation, which means that stuff in India would cost less than the stuff in the United States. Not only that, your currency would be worth more in India, which means that your money will last longer, which is always good news for an international student.

Check Also: Free Medical Schools in the World

Best Countries to Study Medicine

1. United States of America

  • Reasons: Top-Notch Medical Schools, World-Class Hospitals, Various Learning Opportunities, Progressive Research, Expert Faculty

The US, without a doubt, is the best country to study medicine. As per the QS Top Universities ranking, the top ten list includes Harvard University, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, UCLA, Yale University, and UC-San Francisco.

At Harvard, for one, qualified students may opt to take either a Pathways or Health Science & Technology track. You may take any of the 200 available courses, which can help you find the niche you love.

Likewise, these American medical schools emphasize the importance of research. They develop more than just skilled clinicians – they mold them to be expert researchers as well.

The best training hospitals are based in the US as well. As such, US medical school graduates may hone their skills in world-class facilities such as the Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic.

Read Also: Study for Free in the USA

2. United Kingdom

  • Reasons: Prominent Medical Schools, Advanced Hospitals, Shorter Program, Research

Coming in close to its American compatriots are the medical schools of the United Kingdom. Many of them are listed as the world’s best, including that of the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.

At Oxford, for one, students are taught the fundamentals of medicine – with an emphasis on research.

Compared to most Western countries, finishing Medicine in the UK is a little faster too. Here, all you need to do is take a three-year undergraduate course, followed by three years of medical school.

As a UK university graduate, you have the opportunity to undergo training in some of the world’s best hospitals. These include St. Thomas Hospital and the University College Hospital, to name a few.

3. Australia

  • Reasons: Reputable Medical Schools, Shorter Medical Programs, Innovative Medical Treatments

Australia is an excellent country to study medicine. And why not? There are many renowned medical schools in Australia and prominent programs, among many other things.

This popularity is obvious in the statistics. Out of the almost 4,000 medical students to date, more than 650 are international enrollees.

All of these students get to enjoy outstanding medical education, as evidenced by Australian university rankings. The QS Top Universities list includes the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, and Monash University.

Depending on your program, you may get to finish in just five to six years. To do so, you will need to qualify for the ultra-competitive MBBS program.

Australian universities also offer four-year post-graduate MDs, in case you already have a Bachelor’s degree.

4. India

  • Reasons: Wide Array of Medical Schools, Shorter Program, Cheap Tuition

India is one of the most popular countries for international students who wish to study medicine. To date, there are more than 1,700 foreign nationals enrolled in Indian medical schools.

The demand, for one, is not surprising. There’s a wide array of cheap medical schools available for locals and foreigners alike. There are 542 medical colleges at the moment, so you’re sure to find a school that will cater to your need.

Completing a medical degree is faster in India, too. You only need 5.5 years to complete your MBBS.

Best of all, medical schools in India are pretty cheap. For example, in government medical schools, you only need to pay as much as $10,000 a year.

5. Canada

  • Reasons: Prominent Medical Schools, Dual Programs, Excellent Hospitals, Emphasis on Research

There are 17 medical schools in all of Canada. While it’s hard to get into, especially if you’re an international student, it’s worth a try. After all, it’s one of the best countries to study Medicine.

Canadian medical schools offer a unique curriculum, including two years of pre-clinical courses and two years of clinical training (rotation.)

Qualified students may also take on dual majors, such as those offered at the University of Toronto. Here, students may complete an MD program alongside a Ph.D., M.Eng., or MSc.

Future doctors also get to train their knowledge and skills at some of Canada’s best hospitals, including the Hospital for Sick Children and the Center for Addiction and Mental Health, among many others.

6. The Netherlands

  • Reasons: World-Class Medical Schools, Cheap Tuition Fees for EU students

Studying in European medical schools usually comes with a language barrier. But this isn’t much of a problem in the Netherlands, where you can study your three-year pre-medical course in English. Medical schools that offer such courses include the University of Groningen and Maastricht University.

As for the three-year MSc in Medicine, competition is tough. That said, international students can still get into the program. At Groningen, for example, 100 out of 410 slots are dedicated to non-Dutch speakers.

Once you get a slot, though, you will have to work on your Dutch-speaking skills. Knowing the native language is essential, especially when you do your rotations in the hospital.

If you’re from the EU, you can take hold of the cheap tuition available. Compared to the EUR 32,000 ($37,125) that foreigners pay, you only have to shell out EUR 2,200 ($2,255) a year. There are also many scholarships for international students available.

7. Sweden

  • Reasons: Top-Ranked Medical Schools, Shorter Course Duration, World-Class Hospitals

Sweden is home to some of the best medical schools in the world, making Sweden one of the best countries to study medicine. At the top of the list is the Karolinska Institute, followed by Lund University and Uppsala University.

The largest medical academic and research center, Karolinska is considered the holy grail amongst many local and international students. The only caveat, however, is that everything is taught in Swedish.

If you are indeed proficient in Swedish, you’ll enjoy the shorter program that Swedish medical schools bring. Like the UK, the entire medicine program only takes about six years.

Similarly, Sweden features world-class hospitals where you can train and specialize.

 

In conclusion, international students who want to pursue tertiary education in medicine abroad are spoiled for choice. There are many countries that offer medical courses and are very welcoming to international students. The final choice will boil down to the students’ financial means or the culture they feel they can fit into.

It is worth mentioning, for those who lack the financial means, that there are many medical schools that offer their programs completely free of charge, so make sure to check out these 12 Free Medical Schools with No Tuition.

Studying medicine in any of these countries is a dream for many and may seem nearly impossible given the competitive nature of the program itself. You can look at this list of prestigious medical schools with the highest acceptance rates to find schools that can ease your chances of getting into your dream profession.

We hope this article on the best countries to study medicine was informative and insightful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

Share this article via

Leave A Comment