MBBS in Canada

Please note that there is a misconception that the undergraduate medical degree from Canda is valid in India and you will get an exemption from the screening test if you study MBBS in Canada. Here is what the FMGE 2019 notice reads –

“Candidate seeking provisional or permanent registration shall not have to qualify the Screening Test if he/she holds an Under Graduate medical qualification from Australia/Canada/New Zealand/United Kingdom/United States of America and the holder thereof has also been awarded a Post Graduate medical qualification in Australia/Canada/New Zealand/ United Kingdom/United States of America and has been recognized for enrolment as medical practitioner in that country.”

Therefore, if you wish to get an exemption from FMGE, you need to have UG as well as PG degree from Canada. Also, you must be enrolled as a medical practitioner in Canada.

Canada has set an impeccable academic standard when it comes to MBBS. It still is one of the most popular countries for many courses like engineering and MBA but, not all colleges accept applications from international students for MBBS. Also, you should degree is known as MD (Doctor of Medicine) which is equivalent to MBBS.

Other than that, you can’t go straight to Canada to do MBBS after completing 12th, not like Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, etc. Canada is a reputed country in North America and most of the students dream to study MBBS here, so obviously, by all means, they try to tighten the competition as much as they can. Or, extinguish the fire of international students, once and for all by setting high eligibility requirements.

Let’s see what is the eligibility requirement for an Indian student trying to study MBBS in Canada-

• Undergraduate Degree

To qualify for MBBS in Canada, a student has to have an undergraduate degree after 10+2 in Biology or Science. Although, if you want to apply for a university in Quebec, then you need your 10+2 along with a 1-year certificate in CEGEP.

Students should have at least 60% in their B.Sc or BS degree.

• Language Proficiency Test

A student has to give IELTS or TOEFL before applying in Canada for any course. This proves that the candidate is proficient in English and can live in a state filled with people speaking English.

• MCAT Exam

NEET is compulsory for Indian students, but to apply for MBBS in Canada, one has to also give the MCAT Exam, that is, the medical entrance exam to enter a medical school in Canada. Other than that, some universities can also conduct their own entrance tests after MCAT.

The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) represents Canada’s 17 faculties of medicine and is the national voice for academic medicine. Here are the guidelines by AFMC for MBBS in Canada for international students –

“Not all universities accept applications from international students. Conversely, some faculties of medicine have contracts with international governments or institutions to accept applications for “supernumerary” positions.

The conditions of admission may require that the university will be compensated for the entire cost of medical education, the student will not apply for post-MD (residency) training in Canada and these graduates will return to their countries of origin to practise medicine.

Information about contract positions is available from the educational institutions or governments that have negotiated such contracts. International students planning to study medicine in Canada are personally responsible for obtaining the necessary student authorization and student visa to enter Canada for the purpose of the study. All matters related to entering Canada must be taken up at the Canadian embassy, High Commission or consulate nearest to the student.”

Between 2012-18, not even a single Indian student has appeared for FMGE after MBBS in Canada.

For admission in the MD program in Canada (MBBS), you are required to do 2-4 years of Bachelors degree first. After that, you can apply for MBBS in Canada.

Unlike most of the more chosen destinations like Ukraine, Russia or China, Canada offers a 4-year MBBS degree with compulsory 3-7 years of residency. So, in total it can range anywhere from 7-12 years, depending on the specialisation. 

If you take the eligibility requirements into consideration, that’s all there is in the admission process. Only those students who have completed their Bachelor’s Degree can apply for MBBS in Canada.

Let us break it down the admission process for you in points.

• A student has to pass NEET first and then MCAT to apply for colleges in Canada.
• After clearing MCAT, one can apply for the colleges or universities of choice. Students must also satisfy the admission criteria which are set by the particular University.
• Before applying or sometimes after applying, the student has to pass the English proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL. 
• Along with the English proficiency tests, one has to submit the Letter of Recommendations, if any. But, believe us, LORs go a long way. 
• The student has to get his affairs in order regarding visa and transcripts of bachelor degree and 10+2.
• After applying, a student has to pass a personal interview round to get selected finally.
• Canadian universities ask you to set up a unique account in their name from which you will get monthly allowances. You also have to show a stipulated amount in the account.

You cannot apply for MBBS in Canada after 12th. The universities will only accept those students who have completed their Bachelor’s Degree. Canadian citizens or PR holders can apply after 12th, but for Indian or international students, you must have a Bachelor’s Degree.

You need to check the requirements of each university individually. You must also check MBBS in Canada fees beforehand, the budget generally is in excess of ₹1 crore. For that kind of budget, it makes more sense to take admission in a private college in India.

Let us see what are the documents required by you-

• Certificate of MCAT and NEET (mandatory for Indian applicants)
• Transcripts of 10+2 and Bachelor’s degree
• Need to have a valid passport and Visa to seek their admission

There are tons of advantages doing an MBBS from Canada, not much for Indian students though, but still, there are a few. They are –

• Canada’s weather throughout the year is beautiful. Most of the Indian citizens leave for Canada just for its weather and standard of living.
• It will feel like home and yet unique.
• Can brush up on French.
• The standard of MBBS from Canada is globally recognized
• The scope for a scholarship is very wide as there is more number of scholarships than any other country.
• Can get a work permit and visa quite easily.
• No language constraints.
• The Canadian education system is considered top-notch.
• Easy jobs after completing MBBS in Canada.

Like anything else, studying MBBS in Canada has advantages and equal and forceful disadvantages. Let’s see them too.

Here are the disadvantages of studying MBBS in Canada:

• Most of the universities do not accept international students.
• The eligibility criteria are so high that 99% of Indian students do not see a point to study MBBS from Canada and most won’t even be eligible.
• You can study MBBS in Canada after 12th. First, you need to do a Bachelors degree.
• The duration gets super long.
• Just MBBS from Canada will mean that you have to sit for the licensing exam in India.
• Canada’s academic fee structure is quite high. It may cost you in excess of ₹1 crore, with this budget, the more sensible option is to do MBBS in India.
• The cost of living in the city is quite higher than in the suburbs. Like Calgary is cheaper than Toronto or Quebec.
• Very few MCI approved colleges.
• Students’ families don’t prefer to spend so much money to send their kids abroad when they can do it at almost the same cost here in India.
• In some cities, French is the preferred language. 

Every year, the AFMC or the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada issues a guide which mentions the admission requirements for Canadian as well as international students. As Global Medical Foundation does not provide admission for MBBS from Canada for Indian students, we are not in touch with the universities and we could not find a better source to mention the fee structures or information,

You can check MBBS in Canada fees here –

AFMC 2020 Admission Guide

• MBBS in Ukraine
• MBBS In Philippines
• MBBS In Kyrgyzstan
• MBBS In Russia
• MBBS In Bangladesh
• MBBS In China
• MBBS In Georgia