Admission to medical schools is highly competitive and includes strict entry criteria that can vary considerably around the world. When pursuing application to medical school a student must consider entry criteria, program structure, teaching methodology, the type of medical programs offered and the entrance requirements for standardized assessments that schools use as selection criteria for candidates.
The United States and Canada use a medical education model that requires several years of study at the university and graduate level prior to admission to medical school and the medical programs are provided at a graduate and post-graduate level. Other countries offer a variety of medical programs that utilize very different educational models.
European countries, such as India, China, Japan, and Myanmar, graduate medical students in undergraduate medical degree programs that do not require completion of prerequisites or other undergraduate course work. However, the trend in foreign medical degree programs is to adopt programs that are more similar to the graduate level medical education programs found in the United States and Canada.
The United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and South Korea employ medical programs that require a minimum of 1-3 years of pre-requisite courses with several years of study required at the university level, prior to obtaining a medical degree. Individuals who obtain foreign medical degrees and wish to practice in the United States are required to complete some degree of training in the United States prior to being considered for licensure.
Many times students that are unable to get into a medical school in their own countries, as a result of low GPA's, highly competitive admissions, financial limitations and admission requirements, pursue foreign medical programs. Many students consider applying to medical programs in India, Europe, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
Each country offers medical education programs that vary greatly in their teaching methodology, educational quality and admission and graduation requirements. Each countries government regulates medical schools, both schools that are supported by the government and private universities. Medical school graduates require licensing by government authorities prior to being granted legal rights to practice. Students should know the licensing requirements in the country they wish to practice in and have a plan in place to meet those requirements when looking for foreign programs.
Careful consideration should be given to attending medical school in a foreign country. All medical school programs are not created equal. Medical education programs are very costly and in some cases program costs may be inflated due to an increased demand for admission, not necessarily better quality teaching and learning programs. Students wanting to study abroad should make good decisions by being well informed. It is important to study at universities with accredited medical degree programs that can provide the necessary clinical and internship programs for degree completion in order to gain licensure to practice as a physician in the country or state of choice.