Healthcare & Medical Courses Abroad: Eligibility, Cost & Scope
Medical and healthcare profession is one of the most valued and rewarding professions, with the possibility to make a real difference in the life of people and communities. With the world becoming more globalized by the day, numerous students are keen on studying their medical courses abroad. The opportunity to study in institutions of global standards and get exposure to different healthcare systems can be of immense value. Nevertheless, studying healthcare and medical courses abroad is not without its shortcomings. In this blog, we will look at the key aspects of studying healthcare and medical courses abroad, i.e., eligibility, cost, and career prospects in the future.
- Why Study Healthcare & Medical Courses Abroad
The possibility of pursuing studies in healthcare or medicine overseas provides students with a special combination of academic, cultural, and professional advantages. Learning in world-class universities in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany exposes students to learning from some of the finest healthcare systems and institutions in the world.
Apart from this, most of the foreign universities also have modern facilities, clinical exposure, and the option for hands-on training. Moreover, medical students also get exposure to emerging technologies and research, which can be beneficial to develop their knowledge and skill set. Foreign education also offers students the opportunity to interact with peers and faculty members from other cultures and backgrounds, hence giving a more globalized perspective.
Also, foreign medical qualifications are widely accepted worldwide, providing scope for a variety of career prospects, either in the native country or abroad
- Eligibility Criteria for Overseas Healthcare & Medical Courses
Eligibility criteria for overseas medical and healthcare courses differ from country to country and college to college. But there are certain general guidelines that most universities adhere to:
Academic Qualifications:
- A majority of foreign medical schools expect students to have high school education with a scientific foundation in topics like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- For MBBS/Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the undergraduate level, students are generally expected to achieve a minimum percentage or GPA, usually between 60-75% (country-specific).
- Some countries also require a foundation course or a pre-med course for students who are not meeting direct entry requirements.
Entrance Exams
- Most countries also require students to pass entrance exams in order to be admitted to medical schools. For instance:
- The USA requires students to appear for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).
- India also administers tests such as NEET for students who might be interested in studying medicine abroad but wish to practice in India.
- In UK, students are required to take biomedical aptitude tests UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) or BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test) as part of the entry.
There are also specific admission requirements and medical school tests for Australia and Canada.
Language Proficiency:
Most of the medical courses are conducted in English, and hence students might need to demonstrate their English language skills by passing tests like the TOEFL or IELTS.
Other Requirements:
- For postgraduate education, applicants can be asked to possess a suitable undergraduate degree (e.g., BSc in Medicine or Nursing) and prior experience in the healthcare sector.
- Apart from that, other countries and institutions will need prospective applicants to provide proof of hospital experience or healthcare internships.
3. Health & Medical Study Abroad Courses Fees
Pursuing a medical degree abroad can be expensive. The cost of education is very variable depending on country, institution, and whether or not it is the undergraduate or postgraduate level. Let us dissect the fees for some of the top most popular countries to study abroad:
USA:
- The USA possesses some of the world’s top medical schools. However, tuition is expensive in the USA, and medical studies can range from $20,000 to $60,000 per year. Private institutions are more expensive than public institutions.
- Besides tuition, students have to factor in living expenses, medical care, transportation, and textbooks that could cost between $10,000 and $20,000 per year.
UK:
- Medical courses in the UK usually run 5-6 years, and fees range from £20,000 to £50,000 per annum based on institution. International students pay the upper end of the scale.
- Living expenses in the UK can range from £10,000 to £15,000 per year, depending on the location (London is significantly more expensive than other cities).
Canada:
- In Canada, the fee for medical school is approximately CAD 20,000 to CAD 40,000 annually for international students.
- Living expenses vary from place to place but are typically CAD 10,000 to CAD 15,000 annually.
Australia:
- Australian medical schools charge international students AUD 30,000 to AUD 70,000 annually for postgraduate or undergraduate studies.
Living costs, however, also need to be borne by the student, and these range from AUD 15,000 to AUD 25,000 annually, depending on the city.
Germany:
- Foreign students receive comparatively low-cost education in Germany. Public university medical courses are low or zero tuition fees, but the student may have to pay a semester fee of between €150 and €350.
- The cost of living in Germany varies by cities, and the average cost of living is around €800 to €1,200 per month.
Although the initial investment will appear expensive, the majority of the universities provide scholarships, financial assistance, or loan facilities that reduce the cost burden for international students
4.Scholarships and Financial Aid Opportunities
Due to the exorbitant price of pursuing medical education overseas, scholarships need to be made available in order to make medical and healthcare courses affordable. Colleges and universities provide scholarships to international students that can lower tuition fees and living expenses considerably.
University-Specific Scholarships:
- Many universities offer need-based or merit-based scholarships to international students. For example, the University of Oxford’s Clarendon Scholarship and the Harvard Medical School offers international students various sources of funding.
Government Scholarships:
- A few nations provide state-funded scholarships to international students seeking medical education. For example, the Fulbright Scholarship in the United States of America and the Chevening Scholarship in the United Kingdom provide substantial funding to some countries’ students.
Private and Non-Profit Organizations:
- Private organizations, foundations, and medical schools also provide scholarships to medical students. They are merit-based, need-based, or can be awarded based on certain needs like learning certain topics in medicine.
Students must search for scholarship opportunities before the applications and obtain funding from different sources to lighten their loads.
5. Scope and Career Prospects after Studying Healthcare & Medical Courses Abroad
The field of health and medical profession is broad with many specialization and working areas in public and private sectors. Foreign-educated physician graduates are comparatively in high demand because they are exposed to other nations’ health systems as well as higher level medical training.
Clinical Careers:
- Physicians upon graduation can be specialists (surgeons, cardiologists, neurologists, etc.), pediatricians, and general practitioners (GPs) depending on the specialization.
- Some countries require graduates to sit for licensing exams and also receive extra training or internships before practicing medicine.
Non-Clinical Careers:
- Most healthcare graduates are employed in non-clinical careers like healthcare management, healthcare policy, public health, medical research, or medical writing.
- Career prospects are available in the government health agencies, private firms, NGOs, and research institutions.
International Opportunities
- Foreign medical graduates usually find themselves in a position to practice anywhere in the world, since many global medical institutions accept their credentials.
- For example, doctors and medical practitioners from the USA, UK, or Canada tend to get better chances of getting employed in nations with comparable health systems or via global medical relief organizations.
Seeking medical and healthcare education from overseas is a fulfilling choice that provides students superior world-class education, rich clinical exposure, and foreign professional opportunities. It may be expensive, but long-term returns as a career along with as a personal pursuit make such an investment worth making. Prospective students ought to examine rigorously eligibility guidelines, charges involved, study aids one could win, as well as the pros offered when thinking of seeking opportunities. Abroad study in medicine or healthcare can be a rewarding experience, providing the skills and qualifications to become a leader in the global healthcare world.
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