1. United States of America
- Reasons: Top-Notch Medical Schools, World-Class Hospitals, Various Learning Opportunities, Progressive Research, Expert Faculty
The US, without a doubt, is the best country to study medicine. As per the QS Top Universities ranking, the top ten list includes Harvard, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, UCLA, Yale, and UC-San Francisco.
At Harvard, for one, qualified students may opt to take either a Pathways or Health Science & Technology track. You may take any of the 200 available courses, which can help you find the niche you love.
Likewise, Harvard and other American medical schools emphasize the importance of research. They develop more than just skilled clinicians – they mold them to be expert researchers as well.
The best training hospitals are based in the US as well. As such, US medical school graduates may hone their skills in world-class facilities such as the Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic.
2. United Kingdom
- Reasons: Prominent Medical Schools, Advanced Hospitals, Shorter Program, Research
Coming in close to its American compatriots are the medical schools of the United Kingdom. Many of them are listed as the world’s best, including that of Oxford and Cambridge.
Compared to most western countries, finishing Medicine in the UK is a little faster too. Here, all you need to do is take a three-year undergraduate course, followed by three years of medical school.
As a UK university graduate, you have the opportunity to undergo training in some of the world’s best hospitals. These include St. Thomas Hospital and the University College Hospital, to name a few.
3. Australia
- Reasons: Reputable Medical Schools, Shorter Medical Program, Innovative Medical Treatments
Australia is an excellent country to study medicine. And why not? It’s home to excellent universities and prominent programs, among many other things.
This popularity is obvious in the statistics. Out of the almost 4,000 medical students to date, more than 650 are international enrollees.
All of these students get to enjoy outstanding medical education, as evidenced by Australian university rankings. The QS Top Universities list includes the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, and Monash University.
Depending on your program, you may get to finish in just five to six years. To do so, you will need to qualify for the ultra-competitive MBBS program.
Australian universities also offer four-year post-graduate MDs, in case you already have a Bachelor’s degree.
4. India
- Reasons: Wide Array of Medical Schools, Shorter Program, Cheap Tuition
India is one of the most popular countries for international students who wish to study medicine. To date, there are more than 1,700 foreign nationals enrolled in Indian medical schools.
The demand, for one, is not surprising. There’s a wide array of medical schools available for locals and foreigners alike. There are 542 medical colleges at the moment, so you’re sure to find a school that will cater to your need.
Completing a medical degree is faster in India, too. You only need 5.5 years to complete your MBBS.
Best of all, medical schools in India are pretty cheap. For example, in government medical schools, you only need to pay as much as $10,000 a year.
5. Canada
- Reasons: Prominent Medical Schools, Dual Programs, Excellent Hospitals, Emphasis on Research
There are 17 medical schools in all of Canada. While it’s hard to get into, especially if you’re an international student, it’s worth a try. After all, it’s one of the best countries to study Medicine.
Canadian medical schools offer a unique curriculum, including two years of pre-clinical courses and two years of clinical training (rotation.)
Qualified students may also take on dual majors, such as those offered at the University of Toronto. Here, students may complete an MD program alongside a Ph.D., M.Eng., or MSc.
Future doctors also get to train their knowledge and skills at some of Canada’s best hospitals, including the Hospital for Sick Children and the Center for Addiction and Mental Health, among many others.
6. The Netherlands
- Reasons: World-Class Medical Schools, Cheap Tuition Fees for EU students
Studying in European medical schools usually comes with a language barrier. But this isn’t much of a problem in the Netherlands, where you can study your three-year pre-medical course in English. Institutions that offer such include the University of Groningen and Maastricht University.
As for the three-year MSc in Medicine, competition is tough. That said, international students can still get into the program. At Groningen, for example, 100 out of 410 slots are dedicated to non-Dutch speakers.
Once you get a slot, though, you will have to work on your Dutch-speaking skills. Knowing the native language is essential, especially when you do your rotations in the hospital.
If you’re from the EU, you can take hold of the cheap tuition available. Compared to the EUR 32,000 ($37,125) that foreigners pay, you only have to shell out EUR 2,200 ($2,255) a year.
7. Sweden
- Reasons: Top-Ranked Medical Schools, Shorter Course Duration, World-Class Hospitals
Sweden is home to some of the best medical schools in the world, making Sweden one of the best countries to study medicine. At the top of the list is the Karolinska Institute, followed by Lund University and Uppsala University.
The largest medical academic and research center, Karolinska is considered the holy grail amongst many local and international students. The only caveat, however, is that everything is taught in Swedish.
If you are indeed proficient in Swedish, you’ll enjoy the shorter program that Swedish medical schools bring. Like the UK, the entire medicine program only takes about six years.
Similarly, Sweden features world-class hospitals where you can train and specialize.
I hope this article on the best countries to study medicine was informative and insightful. Make sure to also check out our Scholarships Page for different information on scholarships and universities across the globe!
