Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) VS Doctor of Medicine (MD)

MBBS is an undergraduate degree and the first medical qualification awarded to students pursuing a career in medicine. The curriculum is comprehensive, covering foundational subjects like Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Biochemistry, Pathology, Pharmacology, and Microbiology, along with clinical subjects such as Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Surgery, and Medicine.

Duration: Typically 5 years, divided into 2 ½ years of pre-clinical and 2 ½ years of clinical training.

Award: Upon completion, students are awarded the title of Dr./Doctor and are eligible to practice medicine after passing the country’s medical licensing exam.

Example: In India, students complete a 5.5-year MBBS program, including a one-year internship, before taking the licensing exam.

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree is perceived as a postgraduate or master’s qualification in many countries. However, in the USA, Canada, Europe, and some Eastern European countries like Belarus, Armenia, Latvia, and Georgia, the MD degree is considered a bachelor’s degree.

Duration: Typically 6 years, including 3 years of pre-clinical and 3 years of clinical study, along with a one-year internship.

Award: Graduates are awarded the title of Dr./Doctor and can practice medicine after passing the country’s medical licensing exam.

Example: In the USA, the MD is a postgraduate degree that requires a bachelor’s degree and completion of a 4-year medical program, followed by residency training in a specialized area of medicine.
Comparison

Structure: MBBS is an undergraduate degree, while MD can be either a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree, depending on the country.

Curriculum: Both degrees cover similar subjects, but the specific courses and duration may vary.

Prerequisites: MBBS typically requires strong grades in biology, physics, and chemistry at the high school level, while MD may require a bachelor’s degree for postgraduate programs.

Post-Graduation: Both degrees allow graduates to practice medicine after passing the country’s medical licensing exam.

In Sri Lanka, foreign medical students can practice after obtaining either an MD or MBBS degree from a university registered under the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC). It is essential to ensure that the chosen university is listed under the SLMC when studying medicine abroad.

The general entry requirements to study MD/MBBS, according to the SLMC, include specific grades in biology, physics, and chemistry at the GCSE, Cambridge, or Edexcel Advanced level examinations.

Understanding the differences between MBBS and MD degrees can help aspiring medical students choose the right path for their career in medicine.

The general entry requirement to study MD/MBBS according to SLMC is 2C’s & 1S / 1D for GCSE, Cambridge or Edexcel Advanced level examination for biology, physics & chemistry in a single sitting.

Countries that offer MD or MBBS

Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS): Australia, China, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Nepal, UK / United Kingdom, India, Bangladesh, Russia, Ukraine, Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan

Countries that offer Doctor of Medicine (MD): Australia, Belarus, Canada, Georgia, Latvia, Russia, USA / United States, Armenia, United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Poland, Italy, Czech Republic.