Why study Clinical Medicine and Surgery ( MBBS ) in China

Introduction:

MBBS is an acronym stands for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, the abbreviation comes from Latin words in full means Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae ( abbreviated in many ways, e.g. MBBS, MBChB, MBBCh, MBBChir (Cantab), BM BCh (Oxon), BMBS). The current report from Ministry of Education of People’s Republic of China showed that 52 universities have been approved to enroll and deliver undergraduate medical education or MBBS for international students with English as medium instruction language. This is a huge opportunities for international students to come to take their medical MBBS education in the country with good infrastructure, and quick development in every sector. Medical schools in China are recognized by World Health Organization and China Medical education is ranked at 4th by recent WHO survey, Medical degree recognized globally. As the second largest economy in the world, China also has become the third largest destination country for international students overseas studies after USA and UK. Previous observation showed that most of students who pursued MBBS course in MBBS Medical Schools, MBBS Colleges in China, they easily succeed medical practice examination when they return in their home country, this give them right to start practicing their noble career because after passing such exam they get registration number.  Studying in the medical schools which met the international standards is a key for that success.   

They are reasons and factors behind the rising number of international students who join MBBS program in various medical colleges here in China, the following are the documented factors provide by some MBBS students at MBBS Medical Universities in China, to get those information various student have participated in quick qualitative interview composed only by one question “Briefly what are main reasons which makes you to pursue MBBS in china?”.

Low Cost： 

The first reason mentioned by interviewed MBBS students is the lower MBBS fee and cost, to explain this most students compare the tuition fees here in China and tuition fee in their home country where they said that medical MBBS education is very expensive in their home country and their parents could not afford the tuition fee and other related expenses. Living cost here in China is less expensive compared to their home countries. Affordable tuition fee for medical education in China give most young people from all over the world a hope of achieving their everyday dream of becoming medical doctor. 

High Quality and International Recognition:

Quality of MBBS education is essential, especial for a person who will deals with the life/health of someone else, MBBS program in medical schools follow the international standards. Qualified and experienced teachers make the program attractive. China is striving to build more world-class universities with medical schools, and investing heavily in higher education, specifically in Medicine. Many universities offer MBBS degree programs English in order to meet international students’ requirements. There is no doubt that Chinese medical schools produce younger medical doctors with enough and competitive skills better than some medical schools in western countries. 

Quick MBBS Admission Process:

MBBS entrance exam in Medical colleges and other MBBS admission requirements are complicated in many countries because of lower capabilities in many basic requirements to have a good medical education those include poor infrastructure, few teachers, in most of counties have only few medical schools means the countries could not met high demand of students who want to join medical colleges comparable to the existing resources. But most of medical colleges in China has no MBBS entrance exam; this makes international students to start their MBBS courses immediately after registration. MBBS courses include theory courses, and practical courses which mostly take place in hospital or Laboratories. 

Scholarship Opportunities: 

Other factor mentioned by most of students is that in China when you get a good grade you can get a MBBS scholarship or some fee waiver within your studies. Study MBBS in China could be seen as advantage to obtain scholarship for postgraduate studies in China because a student is already familiar with Chinese medical education system and familiar with living style and environment in general. 

Today the numbers of international students who join MBBS program have been raised, this will continue if the medical universities here in China continue to maintain and improve the quality of medical education that they provide to their students.  MBBS program in Medical colleges allow a students to do their hospital residency or medical rotation in China or their home countries, this is done to show that the students have an ability to perform well in their medical practice everywhere in the world. 

Future Perspective: 

Medical schools with MBBS English program provide Chinese language course for all international students, this is viewed as an addition to medical skills, because better understanding of Chinese language lead them to better practice or Internship in the hospital in China, where they can easily communicate with the patients, and provide a good treatment based on the patient condition. Not only here in China, as we know Chinese business including those in medical/ health domains are now growing and expanding all over the world, a MBBS international medical graduations who had studied in China will have a strong ability to work with Chinese in medical field in their home country or elsewhere. 

MBBS Study Duration:

MBBS program for international students take six years in most of medical universities in China, five years for medical courses and one year for hospital internship, the program is designed in such way that a successful medical student could go directly into medical practice. Therefore having solid medical knowledge and outstanding clinical skills, to respond to the medical needs in their home country or other countries increase confidence of the students who completed mbbs degree in China. 

Upon completion of required MBBS courses and MBBS internship, the MBBS graduation take place in June each year in most MBBS Universities, Colleges and Schools in China

MBBS Degree Awarded in China:

MBBS degree: upon graduation, students need to pass the HSK 3. On completing the requirements of the teaching program and passing the graduation examinations successfully, international medical undergraduates will be granted a graduation certificate and conferred a medical degree, if they meet the degree regulations of the university. The English copy of the degree will state MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery).

MBBS Admission Qualification and Eligibility Requirements in China:

An applicant who is （ a ） minimum a high secondary graduate with good health and without criminal record  (b) Applicants must have passed Grade twelve (10+2) or equivalent , (c) minimum 60% score in science subjects (PCB): Physics, Chemistry, Biology (d) Among all the subjects, English Language is as a compulsory one and the level is good 

MBBS Admission Document Required in China:

English version scan of document by email attachment as below:

(1). scan of Certificate of Senior Higher School or above, (2). along with Transcript (mark result slip), (3). scan copy of Passport (or ID if PP is not available), (4). Passport size picture 

MBBS Program Curriculum:

First two years, Basic Medical Science, main subjects include:

Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology, Pharmacology 

Community Medicine , Chinese Language

Last three years, Clinical Medicine, main subjects include:

Medicine, Psychiatry, Dermatology, Toxicology, Forensic Medicine, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology (ENT), Surgery, Orthopedics, Anesthesiology, Radiology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Stomatology

Final year is one year internship

MBBS Academic Year and Semester Division: 

The academic year is from September to July, one academic year cover two semesters

First semester: September - mid of January  ( Feb: winter vacation )

Second semester: March - mid of July  ( July and August: summer vacation )

Every end of Semester there is examination

MBBS Internship ( practice):

After 5 years study at Medical universities in China, International MBBS students can choose internship in China, or students’ home country, or the third country. If student choose internship out of China, Student shall submit related document to the university after finished internship, it includes: hospital qualification certificate, and internship letter issued by hospital which clarify student internship subjects, hours as well as performance, and then student go through MBBS final examination and receive MBBS degree Certificate if passed the final exam.

MBBS Degree Authentication after graduated in China:

The procedure for MBBS degree authentication：after graduation from China, submit related document to the Embassy of student’s country in China for degree authentication

Conclusion:

This information could be used as guide to help admission offices, Medical schools management in many Medical universities here in China to improve the services provided to the international students who join their program every year.

Affordable cost of medical education, living cost, quick MBBS admission process, and international standard MBBS curriculum continue to be the major attracting factors for international students in Medical Colleges in China.

Today China is a Place for Successful People in Medical Career!