Due to differences in education systems around the world, there are numerous types of medical degrees. While some students in Canada obtain a Medicinæ Doctorem et Chirurgiæ Magistrum (MDCM), a Doctor of Medicine (MD) is the more common degree for Canadian physicians and the one that may give aspiring physicians the most opportunity.
When determining what medical schools to apply to, do some research to ensure you select institutions with high academic standards, strong licensing exam scores, a history of successful alumni, and a strong record of graduate placements in Canada. Application requirements vary by school, but typical requirements include a strong academic record and exam scores as well as English language proficiency.
It is important to know that MD programs outside Canada, including those in the Caribbean, Australia, and Ireland, have provided a pathway for aspiring physicians to practice in Canada. For example, St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine, which has locations in the UK and Grenada, has helped a growing number of graduates on the path to success. According to data as of September 2020, 97 percent of SGU’s non-US, non-Canadian students who took the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 for the first time in 2019 obtained a passing score.
Becoming a Doctor in Canada is no easy task and takes a lot of hard work and dedication. The first step is to obtain a university degree as before getting into medical school you need a good education unless you go through the straight route but that is very hard and unlikely to happen.
The education you need includes a degree from an accredited university and must be a bachelor’s degree as most medical schools prefer to accept people who have a bachelor’s. There are 17 medical schools in Canada and these schools require you to take the MCAT before acceptance. The MCAT or the Medical College Admission Test is a test that all medical schools want and is a difficult test.
After being accepted to medical school you spend 4 years there until you must take an MCCEE test or Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination, this test is even more difficult than the MCAT. Once passed you begin your residency and after residency, you may now become a doctor. This process takes around 10 years from the start of your education till becoming a doctor.
Being from Canada is not a requirement to practice medicine there, which is great news for aspiring physicians who wish to practice in the country. Whether they want to work in a particular region, are pursuing a highly specialized field, or simply desire a new challenge, many students from other countries have their sights set on becoming a doctor in Canada.
To secure a medical residency in Canada, students will apply to programs through CaRMS. Before this step, however, it is important to look into provincial criteria to address the specific requirements for all the programs you are considering. Again, it is also a legal requirement to be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada.