M.D. - Colleges, Courses, Fees & Scope

Overview

Doctor of medicine is popularly called as M.D which is a Latin term called Medicinae Doctor. The degree has different meanings in different countries. For example in US, Canada, the degree is given as a professional graduate degree after the candidate graduates from the medical school, in countries like the UK, Ireland and other countries, MD is given as a research doctorate, higher doctorate or honorary doctorate to those who already have a professional degree in medicine hence the degree is equivalent to MBBS or Bachelor’s of medicine.

This course is based on gaining in-depth knowledge of the candidate’s field of specialization. The duration of the course is usually 3 years which includes both theory and practical skills. This course is more practical oriented and research based as compared to MBBS degree. It has been very popular since a very long time where the candidates take mind-boggling subjects as their specialization and get a high pay after they become doctors.

There are various specializations done in this field like General medicine, cardiology etc. Let us take a look at some of the specialization

• Clinical Haematology
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Endocrinology
• Medical Oncology
• Nephrology
• Neurology

Let us now take a look at the top universities abroad for medicine

Admission Process and Eligibility

There are many good universities for medicine in Europe/UK. The fees and eligibility are given as follows –

The table tells the overall fees required by most of the colleges for bachelor's and master’s degree in average. It also tells us exclusively about the master’s degree cost. 

In the US a special test is taken by the students if they wish to pursue medicine in the US for courses like Veterinary, Allopathic, Osteopathic, and Podiatric. A special preference is given to those candidates who have pursued MBBS degree.

This exam scores minimum cut – off depends from college to college. 

Most of the colleges consider the documents like Statement of Purpose (SoP), Letters of Recommendation (LoRs), entrance exams and/or entrance interviews. This process assesses the candidate’s interest and capability towards the course. 

• A few colleges ask their applicants to submit financial records of the family along with the registrations so as to ensure that the family can pay the tuition fees and miscellaneous expenses over the course of the first year. If the university is offering a scholarship you’re eligible for, you can apply for it and show it as a financial support to the course taken.
• In addition to this, many colleges permit their students to intern and do part-time jobs so as to be able to handle their expenses as in case of Canada. It is important to be noted that pursuing a Masters’ education in the USA would require 16 (12+4) years of education which often poses a problem for Indian students who’ve completed their bachelors in 3 years or so.
• Foreign countries also require their international students to submit scores of tests like IELTS, GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, SATs, etc. in order to prove fluency in the English language.

Degree Course Details

The degree can be specialized into the following along with specialized certificate courses which are usually a yearlong or a few months.

Course Syllabus

The field of doctors requires some other skills other than the theory and practical, those subjects are also mentioned below along with the theoretical subjects. 

Career and Job Prospects

M.D is a respected degree after the candidates have pursued MBBS. Both the degrees are very hard to pursue in the first place and those who do are reputed doctors and usually open their own clinics to treat their patients with certain amount of time in hospitals. There are two kind of specializations the students can do while studying medicine abroad

1. Basic Medical Sciences (those holding an MBBS degree)

• Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Physiology

1. Clinical Disciplines

• Anaesthesiology
• Community Medicine
• General Medicine
• Paediatrics 
• Psychiatry
• Radiotherapy
• Dermatology

Average Salary

Doing an M.D degree from abroad is prestigious and hence give the candidates an unique opportunity to open their own clinics or get associated to reputed hospitals. Along with that some other job descriptions are given below with their salary.