United Kingdom

Pre-Med & Medical School Foreign Medical Education
1

Hi guys-

I am looking into international medical schools (since I can’t study abroad), and I find myself a bit confused by the British medical system. It looks like a lot of universities there are designed for undergraduates who just jump right into medical school (though I am not sure if this is an accurate interpretation). Do any colleges or universities in the UK have programs that are essentially equivalent to medical schools in the US?

Thanks!

2

Most European medical schools are 6 year programs that admit students directly from high school.

There are some medical programs in Ireland that are modeled on the American system. And small number of British med schools offer post-graduate admission (which is sort of like US med school).

Are you a US citizen or an international?

Where are you planning to practice medicine?

There are a number of 4 year programs taught in English and modeled on the US system in various European countries (Poland, Ireland, Eastern Europe, etc.)

http://www.valuemd.com/european-medical-schools.html

There are also American style med schools in the Caribbean.

http://www.valuemd.com/caribbean-medical-schools.html

3

Yes, the majority of UK medical schools start doing medicine as an undergraduate degree (then there are years of ongoing training while working as a junior doctor). There is a fairly new programme for those who have done some other bachelor’s degree first, but places are so few that admission is, if anything, even more competitive. If you are not an EU citizen, places are very very very limited in any case.

Here’s a basic overview (excluding the international student aspect):

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/i-am/considering-or-university/studying-medicine/applying-medical-school/medical-school-courses

And here is a guide for overseas applicants:

http://www.medschools.ac.uk/Students/howtoapply/international/Pages/default.aspx

4

Assuming you are an American looking to be a doctor in the USA, this is a terrible idea. Voluntarily going abroad for medical school is one of the most damaging things you can do for your medical career. If study abroad is not an option and it’s that important to you do a gap year or two and spend a year abroad before doing medical school in the states.