It is a noble profession no doubt, deserving of all the respect and recognition it receives. However, with its benefits comes the much-dreaded aspect: the funding and commitment
The conviction to pursue a career path in medicine can either be swayed or reaffirmed when the question of funding is raised. It is always a herculean task for some as the cost of completing medical school is way over the top, leaving a lot of medical graduates with student loan debts
Are You Certain?
If after considering these factors and you realize that you still have the passion to study medicine, it is therefore important that you read this article.
Read through to discover the best countries to study medicine for free.
Now that you are certain of your decision, it is important to note that you do not have to give up on your dream of becoming a medical doctor because of funding. There are various tuition-free medical schools in various countries where one can study medicine for free. There are various grants and scholarships available for medical students as well.
Can I Get to Study For Free in Medical School?
Yes, there are schools in the US, Europe, and all over the world that allows students to study medicine for free. These schools understand the plights of medical students and remedy such by providing partial or fully funded scholarships and in most cases, tuition-free medical programs to both national and international students.
Mostly, schools offer scholarships that allow eligible students to study medicine for free based on their intellectual excellence, others however, require proof of financial aid to complete medical school.
Top 9 Countries To Study Medicine For Free
If you want to study medicine for free or looking for a subsidized amount for tuition maybe it’s time to look beyond your country. There are top-ranking schools all over the world offering quality free education. You can achieve your dreams by checking out this list of the top 10 countries to study medicine for free.
This article will cover the top 10 countries to study medicine for free and list schools that offer free medical education.
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The US
The US is the best country to study medicine for free. It has the highest number of top-ranking medical schools in the world and is the best country to study medicine for free. It is no secret that the US has the best medical curricula, state-of-the-art medical facilities, and the best healthcare system in the world.
Furthermore, US medical schools have a worldwide reputation for excellence. There are many opportunities available in the US medical schools. Each school has its unique scholarship and scholarship requirements. The scholarships can range from partially to fully funded scholarships to some or all students.
However, to apply to medical school in the US as an international student, you must have obtained a bachelor’s degree in a scientific or health-related discipline from a recognized university.
Structure of The US Medical Program
The US medical schools award either of these two degrees; Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).
Most schools start with two years of classroom and lab instruction, followed by two years of clinical rotations at a teaching hospital where students meet patients from various specialties. Before practicing medicine, graduates must complete a residency.
Schools to Study medicine for free in the US
To study medicine for free in the US, below is the list of medical schools to check out.
- Washington University School of Medicine
- New York University School of Medicine
- Cornell’s Medical School
- UCLA Medical School
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine- Case Western Reserve University
- Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine
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Germany
Germany is the second on the list of Best Countries to Study Medicine for free. Germany is known for its world-class quality and affordable education.
Public schools in Germany are widely available, and many provide tuition-free or significantly reduced-cost programs to both domestic and international students.
MBBS tuition in Germany depends on your nationality and whether you attend a public or private university. EU students pay about 300 EUR per year for the administrative cost, whereas non-EU students pay a low tuition rate for MBBS in Germany compared to other top study locations.
German is majorly the language of instruction. Students from other countries who are interested in studying medicine first need to take a yearlong language course. Nonetheless, there are a few classes that come in both English and French, and language proficiency is required in such cases.
Structure of the German Medical Program
The duration of the German medical program is 6 years. It involves a 2-year pre-clinical, 3-year clinical, and 1-year practical phase.
The student is required to sit and pass the state examination upon completion of the program after which he can apply for the medical licence to practice Medicine
Schools to Study medicine for free in Germany
Despite the abundance of opportunities, it might be challenging for international students seeking an MBBS to secure funding to study in Germany. Below are some schools in Germany that offer tuition-free MBBS
- Heidelberg University Faculty of Medicine
- University of Munster Faculty of Health Science
- University of Hamburg
3. Sweden
Sweden has a limited number of medical schools but is known for its world-class quality education. The Swedish medical school system places a significant emphasis on both clinical rotations and academic research.
Free medical education is offered by a variety of institutes throughout Sweden, especially public schools. However, to take advantage of this cost-free education, the foreign student must be a citizen of a country that is either a member of the European Union or the European Economic Area.
Swedish is the language of instruction for all Swedish medical school undergraduates. Therefore, Proof of Swedish proficiency is required for admission to medical school.
Structure of the Swedish Medical Program
The duration of the Swedish Medical program is 6 years. It is divided into 3 years Bachelor’s degree and 3 years Master’s degree.
Medical graduates are only licensed to practice Medicine after the completion of a compulsory 18-month Residency.
Schools to Study medicine free in Sweden
- Umea University Faculty of Medicine
- Lund University
- Karlstad University
- Goteborg University
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Norway
Norway is one of the best countries to study medicine for free. It is one of the European countries, which offers tuition-free medical programs to students beyond EU/ EEA nationals.
Norwegian public universities offer tuition-free programs in medicine to students of any nationality. However, the students are required to cover a small amount of the semester fee.
Like most EU countries, the language of instruction is the official national language; Norwegian. Undergraduate medical programs are taught in Norwegian and a language proficiency is required for admission.
Structure of the Norwegian Medical Program
Norway’s medical school program is a 6-year-long program. The candidate of medicine (Cand.Med.) is the result of a 6-year medical education in Norway. The Cand.Med degree is considered the same as an M.D. or D.O.
Norway is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Its cand.med.-graduates no longer need to complete the mandatory 1.5-year internship required by other countries.
Thus, Norwegian health officials have begun issuing licenses to recent graduates, giving them parity with their international counterparts. The internship experience is becoming a standard element of graduate study.
Schools to Study medicine for free in Norwegian
- University of Oslo, School of Medicine
- University of Bergen
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology
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Denmark
Denmark is an additional top pick when considering the best country to study medicine at no cost. It is fastly becoming very popular amongst international as a study destination because of its technological and research advancements.
Students from EU and EEA member countries and Switzerland are eligible to study for free in Denmark. International students of other nationalities outside these areas are to pay tuition fees.
The language of instruction is Danish and there is a need for language proficiency.
Structure of Denmark Medical Program
The duration of the Denmark Medical program is 6 years. It is divided into 3 years Bachelor’s degree and 3 years Master’s degree.
Schools to Study medicine for free in Denmark
- Aarhus University
- University of Southern Denmark
- University of Copenhagen
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Finland
If you are of EU/EEA origin, then Finland should be your top pick country to study medicine for free. This is because Finland’s public schools are tuition-free for both EU and EEA nationals.
Medical programs are taught majorly in Finnish or Swedish and in most cases both. Therefore, there is a need for proficiency in either of the languages.
Structure of Finland’s Medical Program
The Finland medical program is unlike any other medical program. The program is not classified under Bachelor’s or Master’s program.
Licentiate in Medicine is the degree awarded to successful medical graduates after a 6-year study program. It is the minimal qualification for medical doctors. Master’s degrees are not available in medicine, and bachelor’s degrees only qualify for practical training to become licentiates.
Licentiate coursework is above master’s but below doctoral. Licensed licentiates might pursue a Doctor of Medicine to engage in research.
Schools to Study medicine for free in Finland
- Tampere University (Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology)
- University of Helsinki (Faculty of Medicine)
- University of Eastern Finland (School of Medicine)
- University of Turku
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Saudi Arabia
This Middle Eastern country has risen to an enviable height not just in its economic and infrastructural development, but also in its medical sector. Medical schools in Saudi Arabia compete favorably with their oversea counterparts.
Most Medical Schools in Saudi Arabia partner with top-ranking schools in the US, UK, and Canada to train students to become world-class doctors. Saudi Arabia offers scholarships to both national and international students.
Structure of the Saudi Arabian Medical Program
Saudi Medical Schools offer medical programs at the undergraduate and Postgraduate levels. Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S) is the degree obtained at the end of the undergraduate program
Schools to Study medicine for free in Saudi Arabia
- King Saud University (College of Medicine)
- Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University
- King Abdulaziz University
Other recommended Countries and Schools Include;
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Poland
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences
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Austria
- The University of Medicine, Vienna