Once you’ve graduated with your MBBS degree, you’re posed with a conflicting choice for your career ahead. An MD or a DM? Pursuing either one is often inevitable for a long-term career. The best way to start is to find and understand the difference between MD and DM. An MD is a Doctor of Medicine, whereas a DM means a Doctorate of Medicine.
You can see the in-depth difference between MD and DM in the following sections!
Difference Between MD and DM: Overview
To get a quick idea of the difference between MD and DM, refer to the table below, which summarises the points between the two medical degrees.
| Particulars | MD | DM |
| Meaning | Doctor of Medicine | Doctorate of Medicine |
| Level of Education | Primary medical degree: Postgraduate | Specialisation medical degree: postdoctorate |
| Eligibility | MBBS or equivalent | MD or equivalent |
| Scope of practice | General care | Specialised care |
| Duration of programme | Two to four years | Three years |
| Academic roles | Broad range of opportunities | Research and teaching opportunities |
| Hospital roles | General roles, physician, etc. | Specialised consultant |
| Average starting salary | 8 LPA per year | 10 LPA per year |
| Common degrees | MD in Anesthesiology, MD in Psychiatry, MD in Obstetrics and Gynecology, MD in General Medicine, and MD in Pediatrics | DM in Neurology, DM in Immunology, DM in Clinical haematology, DM in Medical Oncology, and DM in Cardiology |
What Is An MD?
As mentioned above, an MD refers to a Doctor of Medicine. It is essentially a master’s degree offered to candidates who have completed their MBBS and fulfilled the prerequisites to practise as a licensed doctor. However, some countries also consider it similar to a PhD. Typically, its duration is two to four years. Acquiring an MD is often considered a benchmark for any qualified doctor, whether a physician, surgeon or specialist.
Here are some of the popular MD degrees:
- MD in Anesthesiology
- MD in Physiology
- MD in Forensic Medicine
- MD in Aviation Medicine
- MD in Psychiatry
- MD in Obstetrics and Gynecology
- MD in General Medicine
- MD in Biochemistry
- MD in Radiology
- MD in Ophthalmology
- MD in Geriatrics
- MD in Biophysics
- MD in Radio Diagnosis
- MD in Pediatrics
- MD in Health Administration
- MD in Community Medicine
- MD in Radiotherapy
- MD in Pathology
- MD in Hospital Administration
- MD in Dermatology
- MD in Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases
- MD in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
- MD in Microbiology
- MD in Venerology
What Is A DM?
A DM, or a Doctorate of Medicine, is a postgraduate super speciality degree of three years. It is typically a specialist degree where doctors attain their specialisation in a specific domain of medicine. Several doctors choose to pursue a DM after completing their MD. A DM programme allows the doctor to acquire intensive, research-focused knowledge to become an expert in a particular field.
Find some of the popular DM degrees here:
- DM in Pulmonary Medicine
- DM in Gastroenterology
- DM in Endocrinology
- DM in Medical Gastroenterology
- DM in Neuroradiology
- DM in Nephrology
- DM in Rheumatology
- DM in Clinical Pharmacology
- DM in Neonatology
- DM in Neurology
- DM in Immunology
- DM in Clinical haematology
- DM in Medical Oncology
- DM in Cardiology
Eligibility Criteria
One of the most significant aspects of any degree is eligibility. Similarly, when looking at the difference between MD and DM, it’s essential to analyse their eligibility criteria. Look at the following points for the standard eligibility criteria for MD and DM in medical fields:
Eligibility For An MD
The following points are considered for a standard MD in any university or institution.
- An MBBS or relevant bachelor’s degree in the medical field.
- Results of standardised tests
- GPA
- Letters of recommendation
- Interviews
- Practical tests
Eligibility For A DM
The following aspects are considered for any standard DM in famous universities.
- Candidates are often required to have an MD.
- Results of standardised tests
- GPA
- Letters of recommendation
- Interviews
- Practical tests
- Some institutions may require work experience.
- Academic records
Thus, it is evident that even though a few requirements for DM, MD are similar, a Doctorate of Medicine requires further qualifications and details.
Top Universities For A Medical Degree For MD And DM
Source: @https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/05/08/johns-hopkins-2020-planning-task-force/
When exploring the best institutions for acquiring an MD or a DM, several aspects, like the global rankings, cost of tuition, the standard of education, facilities, and teaching staff, must be analysed. Consider the table below to find the top universities in the world for completing an MD.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2024 | Average cost of tuition (in USD) |
| Harvard University, USA | 4 | USD 69,300 |
| Oxford University, UK | 3 | USD 37,637 |
| Stanford University, USA | 5 | USD 58,746 |
| John Hopkins University, USA | 28 | USD 62,850 |
| Cambridge University, UK | 2 | USD 12,367 |
| University College London, UK | 9 | USD 47,674 |
| Karolinska Instituet, Sweden | 10 (2023) | USD 36,519 |
| Imperial College London, UK | 6 | USD 63,227 |
| University of California, Los Angeles, USA | 29 | USD 49,559 |
| University of California, San Francisco, USA | 8 – by subject | USD 52,606 |
Future Scope
One of the significant points of the difference between MD and DM is the future scope and career opportunities. Having varying degrees, it’s evident that they would have different prospects for career growth. An MD often brings up a more comprehensive range of job prospects than a DM because of its generalisation. On the contrary, DM graduates experience fewer job prospects but often hold reputed positions as experts in speciality hospitals and institutions. The average starting salary for an MD graduate in India is 8 LPA per year. On the other hand, a DM graduate usually gets a starting salary of 10 LPA per year.
To explore your options further, refer to the most common career opportunities after an MD below:
- Clinical practice as a general practitioner or physician
- Hospitalist roles
- Research and teaching
- Healthcare Administration
Similarly, here are the most common career options for a DM graduate:
- Specialised clinical practice
- Research and teaching
- Hospital Leadership
MD Or DM: Which One To Choose?
After completing your bachelor’s degree or MBBS, deciding which degree to pursue is often tough. Although both are medical degrees, they both have different career opportunities, future prospects, etc. Thus, the decision is often best made by analysing the intricacies of the degrees and what you can achieve through them. In case you’re confused about the decision, ask yourself the following questions:
| MD – Doctor of Medicine | DM – Doctorate of Medicine |
| Do you want more flexibility? | Do you want to gain a higher specialisation? |
| Do you want to care for a range of patients? | Are you interested in specialised fields? |
| Do you want to keep your specialisation on hold? | Do you want to pursue research or teaching? |
| Do you wish to start practising faster? | Do you want to be an expert in your field? |
Ultimately, the decision to pursue an MD or a DM completely depends on your personal choices and career goals. The major difference between MD and DM is the specialisation and depth of study. However, that doesn’t necessarily entail that you stick to one degree. Several students proceed to acquire a DM after graduating with an MD. If you feel you can invest as many resources as required to get an MD and then a DM, that’s often the best course of a long-term career. However, if you wish to start your practice as soon as possible, get an MD and start working!
FAQs
Q1. Which is higher MD or DM?
Ans: DM, or Doctorate of Medicine, is the higher degree when compared to an MD, or Doctor of Medicine. In most cases, an MD is a mandatory requirement for gaining entry to a DM programme.
Q2. Can I do DM without MD?
Ans: Completing an MD or an equivalent degree is often a mandatory entry requirement for DM programmes and courses.
Q3. How long is DM after MD?
Ans: A DM degree is usually three years long after an MD. This also includes the test period.
Q4. Can MD doctors do surgery?
Ans: Doctors with an MD cannot perform surgery in India. They need to complete specific specialisation courses for surgery.
Thank you for reading our guide to the Difference Between MD and DM! Let us know your queries and opinions in the comments below!
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