As is evident in the last couple of years, a profession in the healthcare industry is arguably one of the most sought-after. If you are currently studying in higher secondary or at graduation level and are considering a career in medicine, it might be an appropriate time to start researching different colleges and universities for the same. Many popular countries like the United States and Canada have a very long and rigorous process for becoming a professional in the healthcare industry. On average, around 7-8 years are required to become a proper practising doctor at the least. Factors like the time required, opportunities for practice, your financial background, and many more should be taken into consideration before coming to a sound decision. Pursuing this field in popular countries with more opportunities increases your chances at a better and brighter future manifold. Hence, our guide below, which compares studying medicine in the US vs the UK, will help you chart out the similarities and differences to make the correct choice.
Studying Medicine In The US Vs The UK: Comparing The Curriculum
In the United States, students are required to complete a 4-year undergraduate degree before they proceed to apply to medical school. After which, the medical school itself is further divided into two years of core science classes and two years of clerkships or clinical rotations. In the first two years, students are taught the different modules and bodily systems through a combination of traditional lectures and labs. These classes are supposed to prepare them for the following clerkships. In the third year, a series of clinical rotations are arranged for the students to pursue. While some universities might give you the option to select which clinical rotation you wish to pursue, others do not necessarily provide the flexibility, and students can only choose the additional subjects. Lastly, in the fourth year, once students are done with their clerkships, placement opportunities in the specialities of their interest are organised, where students are asked to choose an elective.
This is where the universities of the UK have leverage since they do not require any undergraduate degree to be completed beforehand. The curriculum is quite similar to that of American universities, although it is stretched over five years instead of four. The first two years majorly cover core science subjects and modules taught via traditional lectures and lab work. Along with this, students also have early patient exposure through family medicine placements. The last three years include clinical placements. These placements initially cover the basic core specialities like respiratory and cardiology and are later divided into sub-specialities like ophthalmology further down the line.
Quality Of Education
After comparing the education system, taking the quality of education into account is also an important step while analysing the differences between studying medicine in the US vs the UK. As is evident, the medical curriculum in both countries is quite comparable and involves a lot of self-training and direction. American universities put a higher emphasis on examinations since they play a crucial role in making future career decisions, due to which this curriculum tends to be more knowledgeable. Speciality training is also better here. On the contrary, since the postgraduate training in the UK is more rigorous, and the rotations are mandatory during the foundation years, the doctors are more well-rounded and have a deeper comprehensive understanding of different specialisations. Also, because the entire process occurs on a national level, hospitals do not feel specifically responsible for ensuring appropriate training, which can, in turn, result in certain hospitals not providing adequate training time.
Studying Medicine In The US Vs The UK: Eligibility
The criteria for eligibility usually vary depending on the university you apply to or the course you select. However, in both the United States and the United Kingdom, valid scores on an English language proficiency test like IELTS or TOEFL are required for all international students. In the US, the cut-off score for the qualifying examination is a GPA of 3.0. But this might differ from college to college. Along with this, the applicants also need a good score on the Medical College Admission Tests or the MCATs. Since the courses are usually designed as master’s degrees, a background in medical science may increase your chances of admission.
Similarly, in the United Kingdom, you need to have a minimum score of 32 points in the International Baccalaureate programme. While completing the university application, students must specify that they wish to choose medicine as their course. Since UK students usually apply for medicine as their undergraduate degree, any kind of previous experience in medicine isn’t required. However, in both countries, an impactful personal statement increases the chances of admission manifold. Although the effect of this personal statement comes into the picture only after the successful completion of all eligibility requirements, an unconvincing personal statement can seriously affect your chances. Hence, it is important to emphasise your reasons for joining the medical science course.
Colleges & Cost Of Study
In the US, there are over 150 colleges and universities that offer medical science courses. All of these colleges are accredited by the Association of American Medical Colleges or American Medical Association. On average, the cost of education in any of these universities ranges from $50,000 to $10,00,000 per year.
On the other hand, the United Kingdom has far fewer medical colleges, that is, around 40 universities. Since the choice is much lesser, the competition for admission in the UK is much higher. Universities here are accredited by the General Medical Council. The annual cost of study can range anywhere from £9,000 to £50,000. This is another crucial aspect while comparing the opportunities for studying medicine in the US vs the UK.
Studying Medicine In The US Vs The UK: Time Taken To Become A Doctor
It is important to consider the time taken to become a doctor in each of these countries. Although the total time is somewhat similar, the actual breakups of time can differ slightly. In the United States, it generally takes between 10 and 13 years to become a fully qualified doctor. The first four years are spent acquiring an undergraduate degree. The next four years are dedicated to medical school. Lastly, it takes another four years to complete your residency, which brings the total number of years to 12.
On the other hand, in the United Kingdom, it takes between 10 and 14 years to become a fully qualified consultant. Initially, five years are spent in medical school, two years are spent as foundation years, and around seven years are required for registrar training. The total of which is 14 years. It is usual to take some extra time after your education to boost your resume since the medical professions in the UK are extremely competitive.
Average Salary
On average, doctors in the US earn more. The starting salary for doctors in the US is around $68K, whereas the average salary is around $294K per year. The average working hours can go up to 55 hours per week. Residents are allowed to work for a maximum of 80 hours a week, as stated by the guidelines set by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. According to several surveys conducted, junior doctors in the US work twice as much per week as they do in the UK.
The starting salary for doctors in the UK is £28K, and the average salary is around £66K per year. Junior doctors work an average of 45 hours per week. However, there are several occasions when the shifts are much longer and stretch around 13 hours too.
Studying Medicine In The US Vs The UK: A Comparative Summary
The following table compiles all the major points of similarities or differences between studying medicine in the US vs the UK.
| Sr. No. | Particulars | US | UK |
| 1. | Curriculum | Two years of study for core subjects, one year of clerkships, one year of specialisation | Two years of study for core subjects, three years of specialisations and clinical placements |
| 2. | Eligibility Test | MCAT | International Baccalaureate programme |
| 3. | English Proficiency Tests | IELTS, TOEFL | IELTS, TOEFL |
| 4. | Cost Of Study | $50,000 to $10,00,000 per year | £9,000 to £50,000 per year |
| 5. | Time Taken To Become A Doctor | 4 years undergraduate + 4 years medical school + 4 years residency = 12 years | 5 years medical school + 2 years foundation years + 7 years registrar training = 14 years |
| 6. | Starting Salary | $68K per year | £28K per year |
| 7. | Average Salary | $294K per year | £66K per year |
| 8. | Average Working Hours | 50 to 60 hours per week | 40 to 50 hours per week |
FAQs
Q1. Is medical school tougher in the US than in the UK?
Ans: Medical schools, in general, are longer in the UK but also less intense comparatively. In the UK, a minimum of 5 years is required to complete the residency, whereas it can be done in 3 years in the US.
Q2. Is an MBBS degree from the UK valid in the US?
Ans: The UK medical degree is a part of the World Directory of Medical Schools and hence is recognised in the US as a valid degree.
Q3. Do doctors earn more in the US or the UK?
Ans: The average earnings of a doctor in the US are significantly higher than that of a doctor in the UK.
Q4. Which branch of doctors is the highest paid in the US?
Ans: The highest-paid doctors in the US are in surgical specialities like plastic surgery, orthopaedic surgery or cardiology.
Q5. Which country has a higher demand for Indian doctors?
Ans: The United States and the United Kingdom both have a high demand for Indian doctors and are preferred by international students.
Thank you for reading our guide to comparing the differences in studying medicine in the US vs the UK! Let us know your queries or suggestions in the comments section below.
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I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further