MBBS Degree vs. MD Degree: A Guide

In Commonwealth countries, such as Great Britain and India, students who want to study medicine and become doctors earn their MBBS degree, which stands for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. MBBS is a professional undergraduate degree that students can begin after finishing their secondary education. 

In the UK, an MBBS degree is not equivalent to an MD degree in the United States (a professional degree you earn after first completing your bachelor’s degree). With the MBBS, you do not need to earn a traditional bachelor’s degree. Instead, you will gain a medical education from your degree programme before completing additional training (called the Foundation Programme) and finishing with either general practice or specialty training.

The process for applying to an MBBS programme and becoming a doctor in the UK differs from what medical students face in the US. Learn some key facts about the MBBS degree, how it compares to an MD degree in the US, and what you can do with it. 

MBBS degree: Key facts

The MBBS is usually a five-year undergraduate degree that Commonwealth students complete when they want to become doctors. However, some programmes take six years to complete because the institution expects you to earn a Bachelor of Science (BSc) as part of your training. 

By the time a learner applies to a medical programme, they have likely taken several foundational science courses as part of their secondary education. For example, in the UK, medical applicants are often expected to receive high scores on their General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSEs) and A-levels. 

Earning an MBBS certifies you to care for patients as a resident doctor, but you will not have any specialised training. When you graduate, you must complete two years of additional training, rotating through different specialties. Once you identify a speciality you like, you can apply for additional training, which can take anywhere between three and eight years. 

MBBS coursework

Many medical programmes follow a progressive education that begins with classroom training before moving into practical clinical training. Over the course of your first and second year (and, in some, your third), you can expect to learn about patients’ health needs and how to care for them. 

Some common themes you may encounter throughout your initial time in an MBBS programme include: 

• Basic medical sciences 

• Patients and populations

• Life cycle

• Life support

• Population health 

• Professionalism and ethics

• Professional skills

• Communication principles for effective health care

Whilst each programme differs, in a five-year programme, your final two or three years tend to focus on transitioning you into practice. During this time, you may get the opportunity to begin learning about specialties—like psychiatry, obstetrics and gynaecology, or neurology—and complete an internship or apprenticeship to gain real-world experience. 

Medical specialties with an MBBS

After you have earned your MBBS degree and completed the required additional training, you can either train to become a general practitioner or study a specific area of medicine—called a specialty. 

The length of your training will depend on your programme. In the UK, general practitioner training takes three years, whilst other specialties take between five and eight years. 

Common specialties include: 

• Anaesthesia 

• Clinical oncology 

• Occupational medicine

• Emergency medicine

• General practice

• Internal medicine

• Surgery 

• Neurology

• Obstetrics and gynaecology 

• Paediatrics

• Pathology 

MBBS vs. MD

MBBS graduates are considered resident doctors who can treat basic health matters, whilst continuing to acquire additional training. In that regard, you will be similar to MD graduates in the US, who must complete a three-year residency after finishing medical school. 

In the US, the path to becoming a doctor often begins as an undergraduate. Many learners choose a medical major or one in the natural sciences to gain foundational knowledge before applying to medical school. They must also take the MCAT entrance exam. 

Given how competitive med school can be, some students enrol in a post-baccalaureate programme after earning their bachelor’s to improve their grades, better prepare to take the MCAT, and overall strengthen their chances of being accepted.

Once accepted to med school, earning an MD typically takes four years. As students prepare to graduate, they begin applying for a three-year residency at teaching universities and hospitals around the country. Once “matched” with a programme, they take their state’s licensing exam to begin practising medicine as part of their residency programme. 

Length of time to become a doctor

In the US, it takes about 11 years to become a general practitioner, from undergraduate to residency. On the other hand, learners in the UK typically take about ten years to complete all requirements, from MBBS to general practice (GP) training. However, becoming a specialist can take much longer (up to 14 years).

MD academic degrees

In the UK, an MD (Doctor of Medicine) is a postgraduate research degree pursued by those who are already practising physicians and want to add a specialisation. Before applying, students must have a UK medical degree and meet other requirements as per the university. 

Can US students apply to MBBS programmes?

US students can apply to MBBS programmes, but the requirements and enrollment cap for each university differ. Conversely, if you’re interested in attending medical school outside of the US, it’s best to research the application requirements and contact the admissions office with any questions you may have as a prospective international learner. You may have to apply for a visa to study internationally if accepted.

It’s also worth noting that many Commonwealth countries classify university fees into two categories, one for “home” students and one for “overseas” students. Depending on your status, you may face higher fees. 

MBBS degree in the US

MBBS graduates interested in practising medicine in the US must usually complete a three-year residency to finish their training. You may need to apply for a visa before submitting your residency applications, and it’s recommended to apply to at least 25 residencies. 

MBBS degree alternatives 

If you want to work in health care, you can earn several other advanced degrees if a medical degree doesn’t seem like the right choice or the time commitment isn’t feasible. 

• Nursing: You can earn a nursing degree at different levels, including bachelor’s and master’s. Nursing is a fast-growing career in the UK, with the potential for high income. The median annual base wage for an advanced nurse practitioner, which often requires a master’s in nursing, is £41,588 per year [1]. 

• Public health: Earning a master’s in public health can be an excellent way to move into senior roles dedicated to working alongside communities and other larger populations. Within public health, you can concentrate in one of several areas, such as physical health, epidemiology, or environmental health. An epidemiologist, for example, earns a median annual salary of £41,177 [2]

• Social work: You can pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) to become a qualified social worker. Other related postgraduate degrees, such as counselling or social policy, can also lead to a career as a social worker specialising in certain areas of public health. Social workers earn a median base salary of £38,066 yearly [3].

• Health service management: Health service managers keep medical practices and hospitals operating smoothly. Roles in this field typically combine an understanding of business with a deep knowledge of health care. To work in this role, you will likely need to earn a master’s degree in health service management. A health service manager earns a median base salary of £31,178 [4].

Prepare for MBBS degrees and more 

A career in health care can be very rewarding. Consider enrolling in an online course to help you pursue a career in the medical field. Online courses are ideal for busy people who want to launch a new career or learn more about degrees like the MBBS or MD degree. 

If you're interested in working in health care, you have a number of options on Coursera. Learn more about earning a Master of Public Health online from the University of Michigan, or enrol in the Global Master of Public Health course offered by Imperial College London, both available on Coursera.