Medical studies in the United Kingdom
Students start their medical studies immediately after secondary school after their A levels.
They have to apply to a medical school and take tests and interviews.
The most prestigious medical schools in the UK are at the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and University College London (UCL). Depending on the school, the curriculum is between 4 and 5 years long.
The required diploma is a Bachelor of Medicine or Bachelor of Surgery.
After graduation, junior doctors enter “Foundation programme” for 2 years as a “Foundation House Officer” (FHO) or “Foundation Doctor” in a public hospital.
After that, they have to become registered medical practitioners at the General Medical Council (GMC).
Medical studies in the USA
In the USA, students start their medical studies at the graduate level. Students usually have a bachelor of science in biology or a “pre-med” degree. They have to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
The most prestigious medical schools in the USA are Harvard, Stanford and Johns Hopkins.
Medical school is 4 years long. During the first two years, students mostly learn theory and prepare for the first part of United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Licensing is mandatory to practice medicine in the USA.
During the last two years, they start to have experience in clinics and hospital under the supervision of senior doctors and they take the second part of the USMLE.
Then they have to spend between three to seven years in residency in a hospital or clinic during which they take the third part of the USMLE.
Finally, to practice as a doctor in the USA, doctors have to be licensed in the state where they want to practice.
