Study Medicine in Saudi Arabia: 6 Things You Should Know

Doctors are very respected and honored in any country or place that you might be in. They are thanked for and given respect whenever they save lives, cure illnesses, or give first-aid to those who need them. This is one of the reasons why many people young or old dream to become a doctor or anything similar to one. However, it is also known that being a doctor at this age is difficult and needs patience and determination because of the long and tedious process of becoming one. Because, if doctors are to be our role models, you will need to earn your right to also become a role model by studying well and getting achievements in the medical field.

With that being said, you will need to find a learning institution that will help you achieve your goals by providing the best and necessary education. You will need to carefully assess if the first step of becoming a doctor will be enough to continuously progress towards your goal. Your first institution will develop all your basic and raw medical skills so it is a very important decision to make, especially that you will be staying in that institution for at least six years or more. Always know that once you start studying to be a doctor, in some sense, it will never end because it is a continuous process of learning and improving your knowledge and skills.

If you do not know in which institution or country should you start looking into, always find the richest countries with advanced technology because most likely, these countries have the universities and the resources to help you get that degree and license. Among the richest countries, Saudi Arabia will be a good choice if you want to experience studying in an institution with many state-of-the-art facilities, hospitals, and laboratories.

This country will also give you a good head start after finishing your degree because of the good opportunities that could arise after having a degree in medicine. So, to further help you with getting in or applying for a medical university in Saudi Arabia, here are some things and information you might want to know before considering studying medicine in Saudi Arabia.

1. What are the requirements to study medicine in Saudi Arabia?

The documents needed for studying medicine in Saudi Arabia are somehow almost similar to the documents or requirements that other degrees are asking from the students.

They will only differ in the grade or entrance exam score requirement that is needed to get before admitting a student to the medical program. Just to run down, the usual requirements needed to apply for a medical program include two proofs of identity and nationality like a passport or a birth certificate, your educational records and background documents from your previous institution such as report cards, certificate of good moral, and your graduation certificate from high school, and lastly, the other documents and fees like application forms, fees, and student visas.

2. How many medical schools in Saudi Arabia?

The current number of medical schools in Saudi Arabia is very few at 21. Not all these medical schools are for international students but as the country takes continuous steps towards internationalization, the number of schools for international students will increase as the demand for the course increases.

3. What are the components of Saudi Arabian medical curriculum?

The medical curriculum in Saudi Arabia is only based on the other medical curriculums of other countries having the same number of years (6). Like other medical curricula, each year is designated for a different kind of medical study or practice.

For the first two to three years of studying medicine in Saudi Arabia, the students will tackle theoretical studies and ideas of previous medical research along with the basics of medicine. For the next one to two years, the student will undergo clerkship and the last one to two years of their curriculum will be for their internship.

4. Can you study medicine in Saudi Arabia as an international student?

Yes, but universities accepting international students are very few and limited. Since Saudi Arabia has once become a very strict country where being a foreign student or visitor is very discriminated against by the citizens, the country is still in the process of shifting its principles that is why there are only a few institutions that are only for international students. Medical universities for international students are the Al Baha University Medical College, the Alfaisal University College of Medicine, Riyadh, etc.

5. In what language do you study medicine in this country?

Due to the increase in demand for general international education and the increase of non-Arabic citizens in Saudi Arabia, many institutions, including medical universities, have already shifted in programs with English as their medium of instruction. From being a very strict country for foreign citizens, Saudi Arabia is slowly adapting and becoming an open country for foreign countries so this is a huge step for them.

Many locals are still adapting to certain policies made for foreign visitors or students but they are slowly accepting these. One medical university for English speaking international students is the Alfaisal University College of Medicine. They require international students to take an English Proficiency Test.

6. What do you need to become a doctor in Saudi Arabia?

After studying medicine in Saudi Arabia, becoming a doctor in this country is very hard but it is achievable. After getting your medical degree for six years, you will need to take the Prometric exam which will determine if you are eligible to practice medicine for the public. If you passed the exam, you will be considered officially as an MD. If you still want to specialize in a medical field, the decision will be up to you.

 

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