Study Medicine
Study Medicine
As Hippocrates said, “Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity,” and this is what makes medicine special. Many students recognize the numerous reasons to study medicine and commit their time, money, and energy towards becoming good doctors, surgeons, etc. Medicine is a meaningful and fulfilling career, with plenty of benefits regarding salary and job stability.
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Erudera’s Complete Guide to Studying Medicine
Medicine is one of the noblest professions, empowering you to help people while also being a fulfilling career in high demand and salary. Medical students might have to go through more years of higher education than students who have chosen different career paths, but the result is worth the time and effort at the end of the day.
Medicine offers a wide range of career options: surgery, pediatrics, radiology, neurology, cardiology, and many more specialties. Medical professionals earn quite a satisfying salary; in fact, it is one of the highest-paid professions in the world. While high-demand offers job opportunities, a good salary provides stability and comfort.
How Much Does a Medical Career Pay?
Medical careers have some of the world’s highest salaries compared to other professions. Anesthesiologists have one of the highest-paid jobs in medicine, which pays an average of $265,990. Surgeons, gynecologists, and physicians are also paid high salaries, with surgeons earning an average of $251,890 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In contrast, physicians earn approximately $208,560 per year and gynecologists around $235,240. Overall, all medical professions are paid well and are in high demand. Pediatricians and pharmacists are also highly paid, with the former earning around $187,540 per year, while the latter making a mean annual wage of $121,710.
Reasons to Study Medicine
1. Getting to Help People
Choosing a medicine profession means getting to use your knowledge and expertise to help other people. A career in medicine is about making a change for the better, positively impacting the world and the people around you. You get to alleviate people’s pain and resolve their health concerns. People get to live healthier lives because of you.
2. Numerous Career Paths
The field of medicine offers a wide range of career paths; whether you want to be a physician, medical assistant, surgeon, anesthetist, nurse, laboratory technician, radiologist, etc., you have plenty of options to choose from during your studies. But beyond these specialties, you may also choose to teach or even help create medical apps and devices. There is plenty to choose from.
3. Challenging But Fulfilling Career
Medicine is a challenging career, but it is also fulfilling in its challenges. As a medical doctor, you will have plenty of opportunities to learn more, even during your career. Those who are curious, critical thinkers, and problem-solvers thrive in this career. You will use these skills to examine each situation carefully, and you will keep learning daily.
4. High Demand
If there is anything that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us is that there are never too many health-care professionals. The world will always need doctors, and they are in high demand. For example, in a World Health Report by WHO in 2006, it was estimated that there was a shortage of over 4 million health care workers, including doctors, nurses, and midwives, among others.
5. Satisfactory Salary
Medical professions are among the highest paid, with physicians earning a median salary of approximately $196,000 per year or surgeons earning an annual median salary of around $250,000. A good salary is a great reason to study medicine because you get to pursue a comfortable life and a fulfilling career at the same time.
How Long Does a Medical Degree Take?
Pursuing a medical profession usually takes more time because doctors must complete a four-year undergraduate program followed by four years in medical school. Then, a further three to seven years in a residency program, which depends on the specialty the doctor decides to undertake. In general, to become a fully licensed doctor, you should be prepared to spend somewhere between 10-14 years of tertiary education. In addition to the residency program, you will also have to undertake an exam in the state you plan to practice your career in to obtain your medical license.
Top Countries to Study Medicine
Medicine is one of the most competitive study programs, and many students decide to pursue their medical career goals somewhere abroad. Choosing the right study destination abroad is not an easy task, especially when it comes to studying medicine. Some of the best countries to pursue your degree, offering innovative and state-of-the-art degree programs, are listed in the below sections.
Here are the top countries to study medicine around the world:
1. United Kingdom
The UK is one of the best study abroad destinations for international students who want to study medicine because it has some of the most prestigious universities, known for their academic excellence, expertise, and credibility. Annual fees range from $13,000 to $50,000, depending on the university and your country of origin.
2. United States
Studying medicine in the United States means you will get to study the field using some of the latest developments in technology and medicine. The US is one of the most popular study destinations for international students. Although studying medicine in the US might be challenging and intellectually stimulating, US qualifications are valued worldwide.
3. Germany
Germany is one of the most favored countries to study medicine in Europe, known for its research, innovation, and technology. Studying medicine in Germany is highly affordable, considering it is often free in many state universities. This country is home to more than 350,000 international students across all study fields.
4. China
China is known for the quality of its higher education sector, including that in the field of medicine. China has some of the most modern health facilities globally, excellent medical universities, and affordable living costs. The tuition cost is also among the cheapest, especially compared to countries like the US or UK.
5. Australia
Recognized for its groundbreaking medical research for years now, Australia is quite a favorite when it comes to international students in the field of medicine. There are numerous universities to study medicine in Australia, some of which only offer undergraduate courses. Others, such as Monash University, provide postgraduate courses as well.
How Much Does a Medical Degree Cost?
The cost of a medical degree varies from one country to another. It tends to be more expensive in countries like the US or UK and largely quite more affordable in other European countries like Germany, where tuition-free education is possible in many public universities. For example, in the US, the average cost of tuition fees in medicine annually is approximately $58,668 for out-of-state students and $34,592 for in-state students. The cost increases in private universities, while state universities are typically more affordable. On the other hand, in Europe, you will be required to pay approximately $8,000 per year in tuition fees.
