Pathways for Applying to Overseas Medical Schools

 

For international students hoping to earn a medical degree abroad, there are two main pathways:

 

The Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS/MBChB) and the Doctor of Medicine (MD).

 

MBBS/MBChB Pathway

 

• In the UK, a medical bachelor's degree typically takes about 5 years to complete, followed by 2 years of foundation training in local NHS hospitals. After that, students can choose to pursue further training in a specialized field, such as becoming a surgeon.
• In Hong Kong, the system is similar to the UK. After graduation, every medical student must complete 1 year of training in a public hospital.
• In Japan, universities offer a 6-year undergraduate medical program, which includes 2 years of training at a university hospital. Afterward, students must pass a final exam and complete 2 years of internship at a hospital.
• In Italy, students can apply directly to medical school after high school through a 6-year combined program (often referred to as an international MD or LM-41 degree). After graduation, they must pass a state licensing exam and then enter residency, which also follows PGY levels depending on specialty length.
• In Spain, students also begin medical education directly after high school with a 6-year undergraduate medical degree. Upon graduation, they are required to take the MIR (Médico Interno Residente) national exam, which determines placement into residency programs. The residency phase follows similar PGY-style progression.

 

MD Pathways

 

• In the United States and Canada, students must already have a bachelor’s degree before applying to medical school. The program usually takes 4 years, followed by 3 to 7 years of residency.
• Although some universities in Australia offer MBBS/MBChB programs, MD degrees are more common. After earning an MD, students must complete an internship year, followed by a residency program.

 

BS/MD Program

 

Some U.S. schools offer a combined BS/MD program, which usually takes 7 to 8 years to finish. Upon graduation, students receive both a bachelor’s and a medical degree, and can go directly into hospital internships.

 

A key advantage is that students don’t need to take the MCAT or reapply to medical school after completing their undergraduate studies.

 

PGY/Residency

 

Residency is organized by Post-Graduate Years (PGY), starting with PGY-1, which may be a general internship year or the first year of residency. When within a specialty program, these years are also labeled as R1 to R7 (e.g., R1 = first year resident). All R-levels are PGYs, but not all PGYs are considered part of a specialty residency (e.g., a PGY-1 transitional year). As a result, it takes at least 11 years to become a licensed doctor. 

 

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How do students apply to study medicine?

 

Medicine is one of the most competitive degrees to get into. Many countries place limits on the number of international students who can be accepted into medical schools. This means the application process is very strict, and deadlines are often earlier than for other subjects.

 

In addition to the standard application process, students usually need to complete the following:

 

Entrance Exams

 

Some countries require students to take entrance exams that assess reasoning and decision-making skills. These exams often require extensive preparation. They may be nationally recognized tests (such as the MCAT in the U.S., the BMAT or UCAT in the UK, and the GAMSAT or ISAT in Australia) or exams set by individual universities.

 

It’s worth noting that some countries, like Germany and the Netherlands, do not require entrance exams for medical applicants, so students should carefully check the specific requirements of each university they are applying to.

 

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Interviews

 

If students pass the first stage of the admissions process (the written application), universities will invite them for an interview. The purpose of the interview is to help admissions officers see whether the student has the interpersonal and logical skills needed to become a good doctor.

 

While there’s no single format for medical school interviews, common topics may include:

 

• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Logical reasoning and numerical ability
• Communication skills and compassion
• Empathy and ethical decision-making
• Understanding what it means to pursue a career in medicine

 

What subjects should students study in high school?

 

A strong foundation in chemistry and biology is essential for future medical students. Some schools may also require advanced credits in physics and mathematics.

 

If students want to return to Taiwan to practice medicine after graduation: 

 

Those who earn a recognized medical degree in one of nine approved regions — the U.S., Japan, Europe, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, or Hong Kong — can take Taiwan’s national physician licensing exam.

 

To qualify, their degree must meet one of the following requirements:

 

• A medical program that lasts at least 6 years
• A post-bachelor medical program that lasts at least 4 years

 

In addition, the curriculum must include basic medical sciences and clinical internships with a minimum number of training hours.

 

For degrees earned outside of the nine approved regions, students must first pass a degree evaluation by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education before they are allowed to take the licensing exam.

 

閱讀中文版文章：海外醫學院申請 Pathways

 

High School Counseling & College Application Guidance

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