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Studying medicine abroad offers lower costs, early clinical experience, and exposure to different cultures. However, thorough research is required to ensure the credibility of the school, financial planning, and recognition of international studies upon returning home. The International Directory of Medical Education and Avicenna are reputable databases for vetting schools. English proficiency is required for licensure in the UK, Canada, and the US. Graduates must also evaluate how their education will be recognized in their home country.
Students often consider studying medicine abroad for a variety of reasons, including lower offers, opportunities for early clinical experience, and exposure to different cultures. Planning to study medicine abroad takes a lot of research and thought, as you must ensure that the school you attend is credible and that you have enough money to pay all your expenses while living abroad for several years. You must also ensure that your international studies are recognized when you return to your home country to practice medicine.
As you prepare to study medicine abroad, the first step in the process is to thoroughly vet the schools before committing. Make sure the medical schools you are interested in applying to are listed in the International Directory of Medical Education (IMED), an authoritative database containing pertinent information on medical schools recognized as fully accredited in their regions. The medical school you attend must be in this database in order to have your education certified in your home country, which is important if you decide to return and practice medicine locally. Avicenna is another reputable directory of medical schools maintained by the World Health Organization (WHO) in association with the University of Copenhagen.
Financial planning is required to study medicine abroad, including cost considerations such as housing, tuition, and school supplies, as financial assistance is generally not provided to international students. Private lending companies provide loans to students studying abroad at certain medical schools, but the interest rates tend to be very high. Assistance may be available in your home country, especially if you are enrolled at an institution that will offer credit for work completed abroad.
For students planning to practice medicine in the UK, Canada or the US, the international medical school you attend must teach in the English language. Otherwise, it may be difficult to obtain licensure in your region, or you may be able to prove English proficiency through additional assessments if that is not your native language. All licensing exams are conducted in English; therefore, you will need to read, write and speak well, especially if you want to study medicine abroad in these countries.
If you plan to return to your home country to practice medicine after completing your studies, find out how your education will be evaluated and what you will need to do to successfully obtain your medical license. This is particularly true for those heading to the United States, as some regions will not extend residency or medical license to someone educated at certain foreign medical schools. Apply for Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification, a requirement to qualify for U.S. residency that includes passing several exams. For students returning to the UK, the General Medical Council sets standards for passing international medical graduates.
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