Can I Study Medicine in Canada?
If you are an applicant wishing to study medicine in Canada, but you are not a Canadian Citizen and neither a Permanent Resident, keep in mind that not all faculties of medicine accept international students as applicants for the Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program. In a contrasting way, however, some faculties of medicine have entered into a contract with other governments to accept applicants for supernumerary (over the required number of) positions.
The contracts entered into by some faculties require compensating the faculty of medicine for the entire medical study cost, the students will not apply for post-MD residency training in Canada, and the foreign student graduates should return to their home countries and practice medicine there.
Suppose you are an international student who wants to become a doctor in Canada. In that case, you should begin researching medical schools while identifying the best financing options that you think will work best for you.
Table of Contents
- Why Should One Study Medicine in Canada:
- Best Universities to Study Medicine in Canada
- How Many Years to Study Medicine in Canada?
- Cost to Study Medicine in Canada
- Tuition Fees
- Cost of Living in Canada
- Eligibility Criteria to Study Medicine in Canada
- Exams Required to Study Medicine in Canada
- Medical Scholarships in Canada for Medical Students
- Career After Medicine in Canada
- How To Study Medicine in Canada
- Conclusion
Why Should One Study Medicine in Canada:
There is no better place to go for international students who are medical aspirants than Canada. It is home to the best universities that offer several undergraduate and postgraduate level courses in medicine. The best motivation for studying medicine in Canada is the country's focus on research and development practices. Other reasons why you should consider studying medicine in Canada are the following.
* Many of Canada's medical institutions are ranked in QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Ranking. Canada's MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) schools have world-class infrastructures. They have wholly furnished campus accommodations for international students. These schools have large libraries with a collection of different course readings, books, references, diaries, etc.
* The medical colleges in Canada have an instructive foundation with quality education norms for academic excellence.
* A medical degree in Canada is globally recognised so that you can find a job anywhere in the world.
* The medical courses are taught in English and French, allowing international students to pursue their courses. This attracts students worldwide because it will be easier to study their medical courses and interact with the other students.
* The educational expenses in Canada, compared with the US and the UK, are generally more affordable.
* A medical course in Canada offers international students career opportunities. You can choose from the many job opportunities offered to those who have completed their MD or MBBS.
Best Universities to Study Medicine in Canada
When you get accepted into a medical school, you can already consider it a big win. Selecting the best medical school for you may be overwhelming. You try to balance all the information such as student life, course structure, extracurricular activities, etc.
University Name |
QS World Ranking |
City |
University of Toronto |
18 |
Toronto |
McGill University |
49 |
Quebec, Montreal |
University of British Columbia |
30 |
Vancouver |
Queen’s School of Medicine |
379 |
Kingston, Ontario |
University of Alberta |
119 |
Edmonton |
University of Calgary |
235 |
Calgary |
University of Manitoba |
601 |
Winnipeg |
McMaster University Medical School |
126 |
Hamilton. Ontario |
University of Ottawa |
279 |
Ottawa |
University of Montreal |
118 |
Montreal |
How Many Years to Study Medicine in Canada?
It takes 4 Years to Study Medicine in Canada
Cost to Study Medicine in Canada
The Cost of Medicine in Canada is given in two sections. One is Tuition fees, and the other is the Cost of living.
Tuition Fees
University Name |
Program |
Duration |
Tuition (CAD) |
University of Ottawa |
MD |
3 years |
28,500 |
Queen’s University |
MD |
4 years |
27,473 |
McMaster’s University |
MD |
3 years |
26,126 |
University of Toronto |
MD |
3 years |
24,835 |
University of British Columbia |
MD |
4 years |
21,006 |
University of Calgary |
MD |
3 years |
16,063 |
University of Alberta |
MD |
4 years |
12,887 |
University of Manitoba |
MD |
4 years |
10,000 |
McGill University |
MD |
4 years |
8,036/19,720* |
University of Montreal |
MD |
4 years |
3,601/11,193* |
Cost of Living in Canada
The cost of living in Canada for international students differs greatly from city to city. Your expenses should depend on where the school you're applying to is located. The following table estimates your living expenses minus your tuition fees and pre-arrival expenses. This can help you prepare your budget for your study of medicine in Canada.
Expense |
Amount/Month |
Health Insurance |
70 CAD |
On campus rent |
600 |
Apartment Rental |
1,000 – 1,500 |
Mobile phone (basic package) |
30 |
Public transit pass |
40 |
Groceries/Food |
500 |
Entertainment (movies, etc) |
50 |
Clothes/Gifts |
100 |
Car Fuel |
200 |
If you look at other study destinations and compare, you will spend less if you study in Canadian medical schools. For your tuition fees, you will need around CAD20,000 to CAD30,000, depending on your course/university/city. Apart from this, you will also need to prepare for your living expenses at around CAD10,000.
Eligibility Criteria to Study Medicine in Canada
1. A-level high school certificate with at least 2 Science subjects. (Physics, Biology, Chemistry (which is a must most of the time), Math, etc.
2. It can be a great advantage if you have a bachelor's degree - an honours degree in Science at 2:1 or equivalent.
3. Proficiency in the English language (usually an IELTS of 6.5 to 7.0 or equivalent in TOEFL or CI Advanced Language Certificate.
4. GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3 or higher.
5. Academic Achievement. You need to show your transcript of record.
6. MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) result. This is a locally recognized medical exam.
Exams Required to Study Medicine in Canada
Exam |
Minimum Band Requirement |
*IELTS (International English Language Testing System) |
6.5 - 7 |
*TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) |
85 |
*MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) |
124 in each section |
*NEET (For Indian Students) |
360 |
CASper |
6.5 – 7.5 |
Medical Scholarships in Canada for Medical Students
Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Scholarship
Description: Important medical scholarship for international students
Eligibility: Students studying for bachelor's, master's, and PhDs
Amount : CAD500 - CAD1,000
Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship Plan
Description: Covers travel, housing allowance, and payment for compulsory tuition
Eligibility: High intellect candidates from Commonwealth countries applying for Masters's and PhD degrees
Amount : CAD10,000
Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program
Description: a prestigious scholarship under the Medical Scholarship in Canada for International Students
Eligibility: for graduate students in a broad spectrum of discipline
Amount: CAD5,000
Career After Medicine in Canada
The health care and medical industries can generate the most employment. Because the Canadian population is ageing, there has been a surge of opportunities for medical and healthcare practitioners.
Job |
Average Salary in CAD |
Specialists |
Up to CAD 465,000 |
Registered Nurses |
55,000 – 65,000 |
Dentists |
120,000 – 240,000 |
Pharmacists |
90,000 – 120,000 |
General Practitioners |
120,000 – 240,000 |
Veterinarians |
80,000 – 120,000 |
How To Study Medicine in Canada
Here is the step by step process that you should take if you want to study medicine in Canada
1. Choose the medical university in Canada to apply to.
2. Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements.
3. Be ready with the necessary documents:
Graduation certificate or diploma
Language proficiency test scores
Evidence that you have the finances to support yourself while studying in Canada
Letter of recommendation from your previous school
Academic CV
1. Apply to the university that you have chosen
2. Get a study permit
3. Move to Canada and begin your university.
Look at the requirements and the processes. You can see that there are so many factors to consider and too many things to do before studying abroad. AECC Global can help you set your career up for success. You will learn all your options and find the best medical university that best suits your goals with us
Conclusion
Our student advisors at AECC Global are immigration experts. They will be happy to assist you from the start to the finish of the process. You will easily find the right pathway to Canada through our assistance, considering your budget, needs, and goals. We will handle all the required paperwork to make sure that you submit a flawless application optimized for success.