Medicine involves diagnosing, treating and preventing sicknesses or diseases.

The medical field as a whole is very broad and contains multiple disciplines working together to prevent and cure diseases in the complex human body. In fact, there is almost a type of specialist doctor for every single major organ of your body.

A Degree in Medicine will teach you extensive scientific knowledge and the necessary skills needed to contribute to the medical field and the society as a whole. You will also be given sufficient practical exposure and training to prepare you for your chosen specialisation later on.

To pursue a Degree in Medicine, the typical entry requirements are:

• A-Level: Minimum BBB, ABC or AAC in Biology, Chemistry and Physics / Maths; or
• STPM: Minimum BBB, ABC or AAC in Biology, Chemistry and Physics / Maths; or
• Australian Matriculation: Minimum of ATAR 80 or average of 80% in Biology, Chemistry and Physics / Maths; or
• Foundation in Science: Minimum CGPA of 3.0 including Biology, Chemistry and Physics / Mathematics

You will usually also need to have at least 5Bs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths / Add Maths and one additional subject at SPM, O-Level or equivalent.

That said, the entry requirements may vary depending on the university, so be sure to do your research!

To pursue a Degree in Medicine, you need to have an SPM qualification or equivalent and a Pre-U qualification. You must also meet the minimum entry requirements of the university.

A Degree in Medicine is usually 5 years long.

Upon completing a Degree in Medicine, you will usually go through a two-year compulsory service with the government.

After that, most medical officers will work for a few years before choosing an area of specialisation, such as orthopaedics, gynaecology and paediatrics. To be a registered specialist, you will need to take study another 4-5 years of postgraduate study, as well as another 2-4 years of supervised training.

The standard path upon completion of your Degree in Medicine is to be a medical doctor.

Various employment opportunities await Medicine graduates, such as:

• Government Hospitals
• Private / Public Clinics
• Community Health Centres
• Medical Colleges and Universities
• Medical Journals

Different students may have different preferences when it comes to choosing the right university. Here are some questions to consider when making a decision.

• Is the institution’s Medicine Degree accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)?
• Is the institution’s Degree in Medicine recognised by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC)?
• Do you understand the fees of the course, and are the costs affordable to you?
• Are you comfortable with the location of the university?
• Have you visited the campus, and do you like the campus environment and facilities?
• What support services does the institution have to help you in and beyond university?

If you’re not sure if studying a Degree in Medicine is right for you, here are some articles that may help you:

• Your Guide to a Medicine Course in Malaysia
• 5 Lies about Being a Doctor That No One Warns You About
• You Are Wrong If You Think Doctors Are the Only Ones Working in the Hospital [Infographic]
• The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best College Programme (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)

Not sure if you should study Degree in Medicine? Take our Medicine Quiz and find out if it’s a good fit for you in 3 minutes!