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A medical degree is a professional degree admitted to those who have passed coursework in the fields of medicine and/or surgery from an accredited medical school. Obtaining a degree in medicine allows for the recipient to continue on into specialty training with the end goal of securing a license to practice within their respective jurisdiction. Medical graduates may also pursue non-clinical careers including those in basic research and positions within the healthcare industry.
The MBBS is also awarded at the graduate level, meaning the applicant already has an undergraduate degree prior to commencing their medical studies (graduate entry). [1] [2]
Medical degree type | Undergraduate (Post-secondary) | Graduate (Post-baccalaureate) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Osteopathy | ||||
Degree name | Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery; or Bachelor of Medicine | Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery | Doctor of Medicine | Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine |
Post-nominal letters | MBBS, BMBS, MBChC, MBChB, MBBCh; or MB, BM, BMed | MBBS, BMBS, MBChC, MBBCh | MD | DO |
Admission | Follows secondary education (standard course) | Follows an undergraduate degree (graduate-entry) | Follows an undergraduate degree (professional doctorate) | Follows an undergraduate degree (professional doctorate) |
Duration | 5 to 6 years | 4 years (accelerated) | 4 years | 4 years |
Countries offering the degree (not exhaustive list) | United Kingdom, Ireland, India, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Australia, and China, Saudi Arabia [3] | United Kingdom [4] and Ireland [5] | United States, Canada, Israel, UAE, Australia | United States |
Some countries, especially Eastern European and former Soviet republics (Russia, Ukraine, Armenia) offer post-secondary, undergraduate, 6-year medical programs, which confer the title Doctor of Medicine as their medical qualification.