For many recent high school graduates, a place to study medicine is the dream. However, this dream is supposedly quickly over when the rejection letters from the American universities are sent out. In addition to alternatives such as training to become a paramedic or in nursing, studying abroad offers another popular option. The particularly popular countries include the Europe countries of Austria and the Czech Republic, as well as other countries such as Hungary and Latvia. But even these locations only have limited study places available. So how does it look in more distant circles? Is it worth studying medicine in North America or Asia? You can find out why you should refrain from doing so in the following article.
Study medicine abroad: advantages and disadvantages
In the US, as a prospective student at state universities, you usually cannot avoid an NC (Numerous Clauses). For more appropriate assistance, you can consult professional medicine interview tutors online. This is where a major advantage of many universities abroad comes into play: the NC usually plays no or only a minor role there. However, it is still not that easy to study human medicine. Instead of an NC, you have to successfully complete a wide variety of admission requirements such as language certificates or admission tests such as the MedAT, GMAT or the BMAT test (BioMedical Admission Test). The tuition fees are also usually significantly higher compared to European universities.
The foreign language can also be a hurdle. In Hungary, for example, medical studies are also offered in other languages, but the language of instruction in other countries is usually English or a mixture of English and the national language.
Probably the most important and one of the most relevant factors for you is the recognition of the license to practice medicine that you obtained as part of your medical studies abroad. If you choose an EU country or Switzerland as your place of study, you can be sure that your application for a license to practice medicine in the USA will be approved. Outside the EU, this can be a bit more difficult if the degree you obtain after studying abroad is not equivalent to the American medical degree. You should therefore find out very precisely before you start your studies how the status of the complete recognition of your training is.
Medical Study Abroad: UK
Studying medicine in Great Britain scores with its high level of practical relevance. You will be introduced to patients very early on and can gain experience as part of the treating team. Unfortunately, as an international prospective student, there are a few hurdles to overcome: Medical study places are also in great demand in the UK. There are around 20 applications for every free study place!
As far as admission requirements are concerned, British universities are given a lot of room for maneuver. You will find entrance tests like the BMAT at almost every university. The entire application profile including letters of motivation and references and commitment through internships etc. will be taken into account. The admission requirements are strict and the allocation of study places is not regulated centrally. Each university decides for itself who to allocate its places to. International students have a hard time there.
There are a few things to consider: You no longer pay the same tuition fees as British students, but have to pay the international fees. In addition, you are not entitled to British student finance and must apply for a visa. Tuition fees can be up to £20,000 a year. Just like the fees, the cost of living is tough. You can plan annual costs of 12,000 to 15,000 pounds here. Food and rent aren’t exactly cheap in the UK either, so you can pay a good £200 a week for a dorm room in London.
Medical study abroad: China
China is enjoying increasing popularity as a place to study. However, the Middle Kingdom has some differences to medical studies in America. If you want to study medicine in China, you will be surprised at first because the course is divided into a bachelor’s and a master’s section. Overall, the course lasts 6 years. Many study places are now offered entirely in English. If you want to study in Chinese, you have to be able to show very high language certificates.
The tuition fees for international students are significantly higher than for local students, with amounts of up to $7000 per semester to be expected. If you want to work and earn money alongside your studies, you need a special visa, which your employer must apply for onsite. You usually have to pay both the visa and the tuition fees at once and in cash, which can cause financial difficulties at the moment.
All in all, studying medicine in China is possible and, in comparison to other non-EU countries, it is generally easier to realize. However, the completely different culture and potential language barriers in everyday life are still a significant factor that needs to be carefully considered.
Medical Studies Abroad: North America
USA
The USA is not only a popular travel destination, but can also be an alternative to studying medicine in United Kingdom. However, if you want to study in the USA, you have to be aware that a long and rocky road awaits you. Human medicine is also a very popular subject for Americans!
In order to be admitted to medical school in the USA, you need a completed bachelor’s degree and a successful completion of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). It can be professionally advantageous for you to study a scientific subject in your bachelor’s degree, but in principle there are no restrictions as far as the subject is concerned. The MCAT tests your knowledge in the areas of biology, chemistry, physics and language comprehension.
There are only a few universities in the USA that accept international students at all. If you have found a university, it usually also requires permanent residence in the USA and a US degree. The hurdles don’t stop there, because the issues of visas and tuition fees can give you a lot of headaches. The F1 visa, which you need for a full course of study, is only limited to your training period and you have to meet some requirements for it. And now you have to stay strong: Medical studies in the USA cost an average of USD 30,000 per semester. You cannot avoid student loans.
All in all, there are definitely countries abroad where you will find it easier to start your long-awaited medical studies. The USA should rather remain a holiday destination than a place of study.
Canada
First of all, Canada does not have a uniform education policy. The admission and study conditions can vary depending on the province and you must inform yourself thoroughly in advance.
In order to be admitted, you also need a bachelor’s degree and a passed MCAT test. Just like in the USA, there are only a small number of universities that enroll international students at all. In general, many Canadians interested in medicine are drawn abroad to study abroad, as it is already very difficult for them to get one of the coveted university places. As an international applicant, you have almost no chance here.
Another point that you should not ignore: the cost of living in Canada is significantly higher than in the USA. Here you can count on 10,000 dollars per academic year! The tuition fees are also more in the high-price segment at $6,000 to $14,000 per semester.
Study medicine abroad: conclusion
Many applicants from different parts of the world decide to study medicine abroad. There are a plethora of countries to choose from for those considering the thought of life as an international student. Making the right personal choice here is not that easy. However, if you consider factors such as admission restrictions, chances of acceptance, tuition fees and living expenses, you can quickly filter out which alternatives are really worthwhile. If you want to avoid application frustration and excessive money worries, you should look around in countries like Poland , Bulgaria or Romania instead of Great Britain, USA and Co. This is how you finally get into your long-awaited medical studies.