Study medicine in Canada
The issue of competition to study medicine in Canada and get into medical schools in Canada is one of the prominent challenges, as applicants must ensure that they meet the admission requirements of each college in their application.
This is not only limited to academic aspects, but deadlines must also be respected. Do not discard applications or papers submitted after the deadline.
Students interested in studying medicine in Canada, of which there are 17 universities offering various programs such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and nursing, should consider several important advantages:
- Relatively less competition: The opportunity to study in Canada is less competitive compared to some other countries, which gives students a greater chance of getting into medical programs.
- Education in English: Allows students to learn in the world language, English, which contributes to their communication and interaction with the global community.
- Globally recognized degree: Degrees awarded by Canadian universities are globally recognized, giving graduates international recognition for their skills and knowledge.
- Bachelor's degree is mandatory: Students must have a completed bachelor's degree before applying, which enhances the quality and preparedness of students for medical programs.
- Excellent teaching: Teachers have high skills and teaching abilities that contribute to the guidance and development of students.
- Advanced infrastructure: The colleges have a modern and advanced infrastructure that provides excellent educational places and research facilities.
- Diversity and Multiculturalism: Canada is known for its cultural and social diversity, which provides an outstanding environment for learning and interaction.
- Post-graduation opportunities: Graduates from medical programs in Canada enjoy a wide range of career opportunities including employment and further education.
- Scholarships: Many scholarships and opportunities are available to support outstanding students.
In short, studying medicine in Canada is a valuable opportunity that offers many exciting and distinctive aspects to aspiring students in the age group of 18 to 30 years.
Duration of studying medicine in Canada
The duration of studying medicine in Canada depends on the university and the background of each student, and usually ranges between 3 to 5 years. The 5-year medical program provides the first year as preparatory for students who do not have a bachelor's degree in a relevant science.
For the 4-year programme, entry requires the student to have a bachelor's degree in biology or a similar field.
Conditions for studying medicine in Canada:
- The cumulative grade point average (GPA) must be at least 3.5 out of 4.0.
- Pass recognized English language tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB, CAEL.
- Providing full funding for education for international students who do not have permanent residency in Canada.
- Obtaining a student visa that allows you to study in Canada.
- Submit an essay or plan that explains the student’s achievements and motivation to study medicine in Canada.
- Letters of recommendation from previous institutions or organizations demonstrating the student’s skills and ability to interact positively in the field of medical study.
- MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) results for admission to medical programs at some universities.
Medical Admissions Test in Canada (MCAT):
The MCAT test is a benchmark for international students who aim to study medicine in Canada. It is a multiple-choice exam designed to assess problem-solving, critical thinking, and writing skills. The test reflects the student's abilities to meet the challenges of the medical field.
CASPer Test:
CASPer is an online test that takes about 90 minutes. The test primarily aims to evaluate the student's personal aspects, in addition to his professional skills that qualify him to succeed and graduate in the field of medicine. The test consists of 12 stations, some of which include answering questions after watching videos or reading texts in a limited time, while some stations focus on the student’s ability to self-analyze and evaluate situations.
Overall, tuition costs and necessary exams are an important part of the journey to study medicine in Canada, and these investments help provide students with the opportunities and knowledge needed to succeed in the field of medicine.
Acceptance rate of medical students in Canada:
Only as few as 15% of students wishing to study medicine gain admission into medical schools in Canada. This narrow percentage is due to the difficult admission requirements and high requirements that must be achieved, which require a lot of work and diligence from students.
In general, studying in medical schools in Canada requires achieving a set of strict standards and requirements, which is a step that deserves good preparation and seriousness in working.
Costs of studying medicine in Canada:
The costs of studying medicine in Canadian universities vary depending on the university, city, and type of program chosen. For example, studying in Sherbrooke costs around $27,379, while studying medicine in Toronto can cost around $72,840 per academic year. These prices are affected by the location of the university and the type of program chosen.
Medical universities in Canada
There are 17 universities to study medicine of all types (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing…), but only 8 of them open their doors to international students to benefit from their program.
- University of Manitoba
- Western Ontario University
- Queen's University
- Canadian Mennonite University
- University of Waterloo
- Trinity Western University
- Fraser Valley University
- University of Calgary
- University of Alberta
- University of Victoria
Canada is famous for its medical colleges all over the world. Due to the highly technical and professional training provided by these institutes, most of the international students aspire to get a seat there. The table below is the best medical schools in Canada:
Memorial University
Canada's premier medical university, Memorial University of Newfoundland, a public university based in St. John's, was founded in September 1925 as a living memorial to the Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who died in World War I. Memorial is one of the largest universities in Atlantic Canada, and to gain admission into medicine at this university, the following must be submitted:
- Required GPA: 3.85/4.0
- MCAT Test: Required
- CASPer test: Not required
- Number of seats in the Faculty of Medicine: 80 seats
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University It is ranked second in the study of medicine. It is a famous Canadian public university located in the city of Halifax in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was founded in 1818 by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, George Ramsay. Delhousie is considered one of the oldest Canadian universities and was established during the British colonial era of the province. To obtain admission to medicine at this university, the following must be submitted:
- Required GPA: 3.86/4.0
- MCAT Test: Required
- CASPer test: required
- Number of seats in the Faculty of Medicine: 110 seats
Laval University
Laval University is a public university in Canada, founded in 1663. Located in Quebec City, it is the oldest university of higher education in Canada as well as the oldest French-language institution of higher education on the North American continent. . To obtain admission to study medicine at this university, the following must be submitted:
- Required cumulative GPA: Not actually determined by the university
- MCAT Test: Not required
- CASPer test: required
- Number of seats in the Faculty of Medicine: 220 seats
University of Sherbrooke
In 2009, the number of students studying at the university was 38000 and the teaching staff was 3600. The university employs 7100 people and has more than 110,000 graduates. The University of Sherbrooke offers 46 undergraduate programs, 48 master's programs and 27 doctoral programs.
The most important characteristic of this university is that it relies in its primary selection on the first and secondary university academic results, without adopting other types of grades and tests.
- Number of seats in the Faculty of Medicine: 199 seats
University of Montreal
The University of Montreal Faculty of Medicine is located in the Canadian city of Montreal. The medical teaching program ranges from 4 to 5 years, depending on the student’s prior knowledge, and is in the French language. Admission to it depends on the candidate’s file and secondary school results.
- Number of seats in the Faculty of Medicine: 291 seats
McGill University
The university with the best acceptance rates for studying medicine in Canada is an international public research university located in the city of Montreal. It is distinguished McGill University With its distinguished research that has won many prestigious awards in various research fields, the university belongs to many research organizations both within Canada and around the world. It provides its male and female students with the opportunity to obtain academic degrees and certificates in more than 300 fields of study, including medicine and law. To obtain admission to medicine at this university, the following must be submitted:
- Required GPA: 3.5/4.0
- MCAT Test: Required
- CASPer test: required
- Number of seats in the Faculty of Medicine: 179 seats
University of Toronto
It is called the Free Study University, as it provides scholarships annually to anyone who wishes to study medicine in Canada. The University of Toronto in Canada is a university located in the city of Toronto, Canada. More than 47 thousand students study at the University of Toronto. To obtain admission to medicine at this university, the following must be submitted:
- Required GPA: 3.6/4.0
- MCAT Test: Required
- CASPer test: Not required
- Number of seats in the Faculty of Medicine: 259 seats
McMaster University
McMaster University A Canadian university founded in 1887 AD, located in the city of Hamilton, Ontario. The McMaster University School of Medicine includes a 3-year medical program taught in English. To obtain admission to medicine at this university, the following must be submitted:
- Required GPA: 3.0/4.0
- MCAT Test: Required
- CASPer test: required
- Number of seats in the Faculty of Medicine: 203 seats
Conclusion
Of course, studying medicine in Canada presents great challenges and requires great dedication and effort. Indeed, obtaining a seat in a medical school in Canada requires intense effort and strong will, especially with the intense competition for these seats.
In addition, the costs of studying medicine in Canada are often high, and students need to think carefully about how to cover these costs. Searching for scholarships or funding opportunities can help ease the financial burden. As I mentioned, considering another country to study in can be a good option if costs are a major barrier.
Ultimately, what is most important is to carefully evaluate your options and set personal priorities. Achieving a dream in the field of medicine comes with its challenges and sacrifices, and there may be different options that suit each individual’s personal and financial circumstances.
