Study Medicine in Abu Dhabi

Gaining entry into foreign universities to study medicine abroad can be very competitive owing to the high demand for the programs and stringent admission policies of the host institutions. Highly ranked universities tend to accept only the best of the applications received for admission, considering academic potential, standardized test scores, recommendations, personal statements, interview performance, etc. 

Personal research into the student reviews and international rankings of the institution you are enrolling into will give you an idea about the quality of the education you can expect. Further, consultation with established study abroad consultants can give you important insights into the global recognition of the qualification you would receive. Finally, you can check with the governing body of the medical profession in your home country about the acceptability of your degree after the study in medicine abroad.

The Latin coinage Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae when translated into English becomes Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery or commonly MBBS. the MBBS degree is conferred after 5 – 6 years of post-secondary studies in the UK. The degree is essentially an undergraduate qualification paving the pathway to a postgraduate specialty in the UK-style educational systems. MD or the Doctor of Medicine, on the other hand, is a graduate degree that students in the American system of medical education are awarded with. You can enroll for an MD program only after the completion of 3-4 years of pre-medical or a bachelor’s degree program. Despite MD is a postgraduate degree, you can proceed to specialize in your chosen medical field only after its completion in the USA.

Application document requirements to study in medicine vary with countries. However, in general, you will have to submit the following documents along with your application for medicine abroad.

• Identification document (passport)
• All academic records and official transcripts 
• Proof of language proficiency 
• Entrance test scores
• Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose 
• Resume 
• A valid passport which has its validity intact
• Passport-sized photos
• Proof of funds sufficient to support your education and living costs abroad

It is advisable to check with the university you are applying to study medicine abroad about the specific documents required before submitting of application. 

The nomenclature of the qualifications you acquire in medicine abroad will differ with country. For example, in the UK or the educational systems that follow the British model, you can study for MBBS at the undergraduate level and MD at the postgraduate level. In several other countries, you may come across degrees titled MB ChB, MB BCh, and BMBS – all at the bachelor’s level of Medicine. In Finland and France, you will be awarded a Licentiate degree and a Diplôme d’Études Spécialisées or DES, respectively after successful completion of undergraduate study in medicine.

In the USA, however, the first medical degree that you earn is at the postgraduate level and termed as either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).