China is one of the oldest civilzations in the world having a written history of more than 4,000 years, rich culture and a respected educational tradition. That tradition continues to this day, especially in the field of medicine: China is now one of the fastest growing destinations for international students studying medicine in the world.
In order to guarantee a high-quality and standardized educational experience for international students, the Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE) first published the 'Interim Provisions for Quality Control Standards in Undergraduate Medical Education' in English for international students in 2007. It is now reviewed and published annually. It lists the 49 medical schools which have been authorized by the Chinese government to accept international MBBS students. Institutions that are not listed are not permitted to enroll international students for undergraduate clinical medical programs in English. (Check 2015 Top Chinese Universities in Medicine)
In recent years, a lot of students from different parts of world are also opting China for medical education. Last year, more than 10,000 students came to China to study medicine, most of them selecting an English-medium MBBS program. You may have the doubts on why they unhesitatingly to choose China as their medical career starting way, it is believed that the following are the beneficial reasons:
1. Eligible for any medical licensing examination.
The 49 approved medical schools are public universities under the supervision of the Chinese Government. All are listed in the World Health Organization (WHO)'s "Directory of World Medical Schools". This listing means that graduates are eligible to attend national medical screening tests such as MCI, PMDC, USMLE, PLAB, HPCSA, SCHS, etc.
2. Graduate with a globally recognize medical degree.
On completing the requirements of the teaching program and passing the graduation examinations successfully, international medical undergraduates will be granted a graduation certificate and conferred a medical degree by the university. The English copy of the degree will state MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery). International students can take your graduate diploma and required documents to the embassy of your home country for accreditation if needed.
3. On par with western higher education in medicine.
Most of China's medical universities are ranked among the top 500 universities in the world and highly reputed for being at the forefront of the field of modern medicine. Moreover, English-medium MBBS programs have been taught for years, and there are now lots of graduates pursuing a further education in China or being a doctor in their own country. According the students' actual requirements, each university will develop its own featured teaching system and course schedule based on the national standard regulations.
4. Easy getting admission to a top medical university.
Compared with some universities or colleges in US, UK, Europe, even India and Pakistan, it is so easy to get admission by a top rank China's university to study MBBS. Furthermore, the entrance requirements for bachelor's medicine study in China are also much lower than any other countries. By choosing China, you can avoid the burden of fierce competition or heavy application pressure.
5. Living costs and tuition are considerably lower in China
Studying towards an MBBS in China is 70% cheaper than undertaking a similar program in the US or UK. The US MD program course (equivalent to MBBS) cost around USD 160,000-200,000. This excludes four years of Pre-med study. While a student can complete an MBBS course from any of the China's medical university list for 6 years for only USD 30,000 – 50,000. Compared to the rest of the world the fees charged for MBBS courses in China are expansively reasonable. The charges of tutoring in the universities in China are subsidized by the Ministry of Public Health of the Chinese Government. All in all, It is very economical for international students to study in China.
6. Immersing yourself into an international studying environment.
As more and more foreign students come to China for higher education, Chinese universities are becoming increasingly international. When you study in China, you are likely to find yourself meeting students from all over the world. Besides explore the China's traditions, you can also experience various international culture. Many countries are represented on the campus and each student makes a unique contribution to the life of the institution.
7. Plenty of quality hospitals for internship.
All of China's universities which are approved to enroll international students for English medium MBBS must meet minimum standards set by the Ministry of Education. The affiliated hospital where students undertake internships must be with the tier of Grade III, Level A, which have the most advanced international-standard medical instruments and also lots of patient beds. As well all know, China has the largest population in the world. Therefore, the medical market of China is developing at a rapid speed and becoming one of the world's largest medical markets.
8. Colourful and fulfilling campus life.
The weather varies from location to location in China, so each university has its own beauty in each season. Students can enjoy their study life on campus or travel around the city on vacation. Meanwhile, to help international students to learn the magnificent and attractive Chinese culture and custom, most Chinese universities organize all kinds of special activities, which is also beneficial for them to settle into life in China. International students can experience not only the cultural history of China but also the spirit of a new generation in China.
9. Study in a society with excellent public security.
China is a peaceful place with social harmony and good public security. In order to guarantee people live in a comfortable and secure society, the Chinese government takes a tough stance on crime and law and order. According the official statistics, the violent crime rate is dropping year by year. The government also takes special care to provide international students with a safe study and living environment on campus.
10. Explore the long-standing history and profound culture.
With the staggering achievements that China has made during its 30 years of opening up to the outside world, more than 260,000 international students are enrolled in China's universities and colleges each year, making it one of the most popular places to study as an international student. Regarded as both a representative of an ancient and mysterious culture and a vibrant new economy, China has something for everyone
