MBBS vs MD – a comparison of degrees
Introduction
There are several academic routes that can be followed to become a medical doctor. These are called pathways. The (British/Indian) MBBS is one pathway, while the (American) MD is another. In this section we will compare the MBBS and MD degrees. At first glance it appears that they are the same because they are both pathways to becoming a medical doctor. However, there are similarities and differences.
Before we begin it is important to point out that the MD degree is often misunderstood because it has a different meaning in the British system of education (UK and British Commonwealth, India) as compared to the US system (USA and Canada).
The British system awards the MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) is the Primary Medical Qualification, and the British system awards the MD (Doctor of Medicine) as an (academic) higher postgraduate degree.
In the US system (USA and Canada) the MD (Medical Doctor) is the Primary Medical Qualification, just as the MBBS is in the British system. It is the starting medical qualification for a medical doctor.
At SAIU, we follow the American academic system. We offer a (undergraduate) Bachelor of Science (BSc) and the (professional graduate) MD degree. SAIU also has post graduate education. To avoid any misunderstanding, we call our post graduate degree a Doctorate of Medicine. The Doctorate is a professional postgraduate degree that focuses on specialization in specific fields of medicine.
Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ)
For every aspiring medical student it is also important to know the meaning of what is considered the Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ).
Different countries have different systems of education. Amongst them are the British and the US (American) systems, but there are other systems as well. Every independent country has the right to establish its own system of education. It is therefore important to be able to compare academic systems and the degrees awarded to be able to evaluate what is considered to be equivalent.
When it concerns medical education, the WHO (World Health Organization) – the organization to which most countries of the world are affiliated - maintain detailed records and comparisons of what is considered to be the equivalency primary medical education in the medical profession. This is referred to as the Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ).
Besides the WHO, the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) in the US, maintains detailed records on all medical education worldwide, and sets the standard for evaluating the qualifications of international medical graduates (IMGs) entering the US health care system. ECFMG certification is one of the pre-requisites to take the US Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE).
MBBS degree
There are a range of pathways to becoming a doctor. One of these pathways is the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Science or MBBS. The MBBS qualification is an undergraduate medical degree. This degree is received by students in the UK and Commonwealth countries. It is considered a primary medical qualification (PMQ).
The MBBS is a 5 ½ (five and half) year course at university after having completed a challenging high-school with sciences, or any of the following:
- A-levels (British)
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Higher Secondary Certificate (10+2) (India)
- V.W.O. (pre-university high school - Dutch system)
Teaching styles may vary across different universities, some taking the traditional route, where you are taught the scientific content for the first few pre-clinical years before moving into a clinical setting, whilst other universities prefer to integrate classroom teaching and clinical environments from the start.
The MD degree
In the US the (Doctor of Medicine) MD program is a 4-year graduate program that is accepted as the primary medical qualification (PMQ). In order for students to qualify for the MD program they must first complete the pre-requisite of at least 96 credit hours (2-3 years) of a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree (preferably with sciences). The MD degree is commonly awarded in the United States and Canada.
The MD degree is taught in different formats depending on the institution. At SAIU the MD degree consists of two parts: Basic Sciences (BS) and Clinical Medicine (CM). The first part (BS) consists of four (4) semesters of intense classroom learning in which medical theory is covered in detail. That is followed by a fifth semester that includes a summary of medical theory in combination with an introduction to the clinical aspects of the program.
In the fifth semester students must choose the clinical pathway they will continue with. At SAIU we offer three pathways: the US pathway, the European pathway and the Host Hospital pathway. At the end of the fifth semester students are required to take an examination based on the pathway they have selected. All students must complete the examination before moving on with the clinical portion of the program.
Those students that select to continue with their clinical studies in North America (USA or Canada) will have to complete the USMLE step 1. All other students must take SAIU’s PMQ examination. This examination is modeled after the USMLE step 1 and is administered by SAIU.
Students that select to continue their clinical studies in Europe have to complete a language requirement depending on the country they have selected. For SAIU the host country is usually the Netherlands. The language requirement is basic (conversational) level Dutch.
The Clinical Medicine portion of the MD program consists of exposure to several areas of clinical medicine. Students take 6 or 12 week modules and rotate in various areas such as surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology and obstetrics, and psychology. Students are required to complete 72 weeks of clinical rotations. Once students have completed their rotations they must select an area of interest and write a thesis on this subject as part of their graduation requirements.
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
It is appropriate to spend some time on the Bachelor of Science (BSc) program which is a pre-requisite for admittance to the MD program. Based on the US system of education a BSc consists of 120 credit hours. In Europe this equates to 180-240 ECTS.
SAIU offers a BSc program based on the US model of 120 credit hours. Each credit hour requires about 40 hours of work of which 15 contact hours (classroom) per semester. Most courses consist of 3 to 5 contact hours per week (45-75 contact hours per semester).
Accelerated BSc/MD program
SAIU offers an accelerated BSc program of 96 credit hours that can be combined with the MD program. Students that join this program are expected to follow a set curriculum based on sciences and maintain a 2.80 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for automatic admission to the MD program. The combined (accelerated) BSc/MD degree is a pathway to getting licensure as a physician as it complies with individual state requirements in the US.
SAIU is able to admit students that have completed a challenging high school program (A levels, 10+2, VWO, IB) to their accelerated BSc/MD program.
Doctorate of Medicine
A Doctorate degree is a higher postgraduate research or specialization degree that typically takes several years of full-time study. It is distinct from the MBBS or MD degree or other undergraduate medical degrees that individuals obtain to become licensed medical practitioners.
As a Doctorate degree is a higher research degree, applicants often need to have a certain level of clinical experience before applying. To be eligible, individuals typically need to have completed at least two years after medical school; however, entrance requirements may vary.
Additional FAQs
MBBS vs MD degree (US)
Is the MBBS equivalent to the MD degree? The short answer is no. Both the MBBS and the MD are considered a primary medical qualification (PMQ); however, there are difference between the programs. The MBBS is an undergraduate degree, while the MD is a graduate degree.
Is MBBS Accepted In the US?
Yes, graduates of foreign medical schools, including those with an MBBS qualification, can apply for a certification to practice and may be eligible to pursue further training in the US.
Is MBBS Accepted in the UK?
Yes, the MBBS degree is widely accepted in the UK. Most doctors in the UK hold an MBBS or equivalent primary medical qualification.
Can I Pursue MD Before MBBS?
Usually you chose to either complete MBBS or MD. If you select MD, you must must first complete a minimum of undergraduate course work (90 hours of BSc) before pursuing a (graduate) MD degree. Both MBBS and MD are considered the primary medical qualification (PMQ).
When can I complete my Doctorate in Medical Sciences?
The Doctorate is a postgraduate course of study that can be started only after completing either MBBS or MD degree (both considered PMQ) and a minimum amount of experience in the field of medicine.
