The five years that a doctor spends in their MBBS journey is just the beginning of their medical career. In fact, for some, this degree is enough to start their own practice. However, most doctors usually go for a postgraduate degree because the demand for a general physician is quite less when compared to a specialist doctor. In today’s times, having a PG medical degree is more of a necessity rather than a compulsion.
But, this demand for a PG degree is more when it is from a foreign university. Hence, most students find it difficult to select the right country before starting with their applications. So, here are the top 5 countries which must be on a candidate’s checklist before selecting their MD/MS programs.
1. USA
The United States has always attracted Indian students with its academic excellence, generous funding and the right hands-on training. Candidates, aiming for a US medical school, have to go through the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) which is a very competitive exam. In addition to good marks, students must also have an excellent CV. However, even after finishing their degree, they can stay back in the US and get temporary employment permission via Optional Practical Training (OPT). Some of the popular universities include Harvard, Stanford, Southern Illinois University, etc.
2. Canada
The MD or Doctor of Medicine degree in Canada is of a duration of 3 to 4 years. However, to enroll in any of the medical universities, students must hold a Bachelor’s degree of at least 4 years. The reason why Canada is a top-sought country for medical is that it offers a high pay grade that can go up to 300,000 Canadian dollars. Sometimes, the reason why it gets difficult to get into a Canadian Medical School is that the visa plays a greater role than the medical prowess of the candidates. The best universities in the country are Toronto, McGill, British Columbia, etc.
3. United Kingdom
Students usually get an easy entry into the UK with the help of systems like PLAB or MRCP/MRCS. Moreover, to get into the pathway of internal medicine, students need to excel during their PG medical degree in the UK. Nevertheless, the training period can be longer and if one plans to return to India, then they must definitely complete their training. Scholarships at the UK range as high as 14 lakhs. The top-sought universities are Oxford, Cambridge, Birmingham, etc.
4. Germany
The Indian medicine aspirants have always preferred Germany for their MD/MS degrees because the public universities are almost free of cost and the living expenses are much cheaper. In fact, the training and money that the student receives are good enough for them to stay back there. However, the candidate must have a good grasp of the German language. Universities like Heidelberg and Ludwig Maximilian are some of the best ones.
5. New Zealand Students aspiring to study for a Medical PG degree in New Zealand must sit for the New Zealand Registration Exam (NZREX). Most medical schools in the country follow an updated and comprehensive study format. Moreover, the study environment is such that students can learn and grow at the same time. In terms of English language requirements, candidates must have an IELTS score of not less than 7. The most sought universities are Auckland, Otago, Canterbury, Victoria Wellington, etc.
