Studying Medicine in the United States vs. Europe

 Studying outside one’s home country offers a new and unique experience. But aside from this, there can be several other benefits to schooling abroad. More and more students in recent years have been exploring schooling options in Europe due to the numerous advantages it offers. However, if someone is looking to explore this option for medical school, it is also necessary to know how studying there differs from pursuing a medical education in the United States.

Studying medicine in Europe involves a much different system. In the United States, students must first complete an undergraduate degree, which includes prerequisite courses. These courses may vary by school but usually include organic chemistry, biology, and general chemistry. An applicant should also have a good score on their Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). In granting admission, medical schools consider MCAT grades along with undergraduate GPA. Medical school in the US takes four years to complete.

However, in Europe, although there are differences between countries, there is generally no need to complete a pre-med undergraduate degree. Students proceed directly to medical school after their secondary or high school education. Many countries like Poland, Spain, and Italy only have academic requirements for entry. Students take an entrance examination, usually both oral and written, which covers the core science subjects of biology, physics, and chemistry. The schools consider student performance along with secondary school grades. Some countries, however, combine non-academic criteria as well. The length of medical school education in Europe is typically six years.

One of the major pros of schooling in Europe, as opposed to the United States, is the financial advantage. There is a huge disparity in the cost of education in these two regions. Students can get a quality education in Europe for considerably less. While a student in Europe would pay between $60,000 to $90,000 for their complete medical tuition, in the United States tuition costs from $140,000 to as high as $240,000. Students in the US usually have to rely on loans, which they proceed to carry for many years or in some cases decades.

Residency programs, which are entered after medical school, may take from three to seven years in the US, depending on one’s specialty. Thus, the entire schooling process can take up to 15 years. In contrast, studying in Europe, including residency, takes from eight to 10 years. Residency in most European countries does not require any prior examination. Instead, hospitals admit students based on vacancies. In the US, applicants must first pass the United States Licensing Exam (USMLE), which consists of four different tests.

Studying in Europe may, however, raise some concerns for students. For example, they may wonder whether their degree would be recognized in the US. Europe is home to numerous universities that operate on par with top institutions in North America and offer degrees that are recognized internationally. Thus, as a student, one can go to school in Europe and work in the US as well as anywhere in Europe. There is also the concern of language barriers. However, more than 20 universities across Europe offer medical programs in English, including Poland.

Studying abroad may be a huge decision. However, aside from the various schooling benefits, it allows students to explore new horizons, meet new people, and gain international exposure. With Europe's open borders, students can also travel and explore during their vacation periods.