Want to study medicine abroad? Canada could be the best study destination for you. Find a list of universities with the best medical faculties in Canada only on NewBalanceCanada.ca!
Medicine is a competitive study program and is much sought after by international students. Most of them choose medicine because they aspire to become health professionals such as general practitioners, surgical specialists, or consultants.
If you feel like you fall into this category, it would be a good idea for you to consider studying medicine in Canada. In this article, the NewBalanceCanada.ca team will discuss universities with the best medical faculties in Canada and why this country could be the perfect study destination for you.
What are the reasons to study medicine in Canada?
There are many reasons why Canada is a popular country for international students. First of all, Canadian society is very welcoming of new arrivals and this is certainly attractive for international students who want to blend in with the surrounding environment at their study destination.
Second, Canada has beautiful views, from clear lakes to snowy mountain peaks, making it a magnet for nature lovers. Canada also has an international reputation as a country with a superior education system. This means you can study in a beautiful country and still gain a prestigious academic qualification.
Another attractive factor is the opportunity to work in Canada. In this country, the average salary of doctors is CAD 257,000 per year. This fact brings Canada to 5th position on the list of countries that provide the highest salaries for doctors according to Medic Footprints 2020.
With a work culture that values work-life balance , Canada is certainly an ideal destination for those interested in medical study programs who want to pursue a career outside country of origin.
Canada has 18 medical faculties included in the 2021 QS World University Rankings . However, there are only seven faculties that accept international students and three of them only offer programs in French.
So, to help you understand the best places to study medicine in Canada, we will discuss 3 Canadian universities that have the following 3 criteria:
- Ranked in the top 50 on the list of universities with the best medical faculties in the world;
- Accepting international students;
- Using English for teaching and learning activities.
University of Toronto
According to the QS World University Rankings 2021 , this university has a medical faculty that is in 14th position in the world and first in Canada. This institution also has a reputation as one of the sources of medical discoveries in the world.
The University of Toronto offers a 4-year medical study program with a field experience component. It should be noted that all prospective medical students in Canada must first complete an undergraduate program in the relevant field of study.
Entry requirements:
GPA: 3.6
MCAT score : 125 in each section (only 1 section is allowed to get a score of 124)
McGill University
This Montreal-based university has one of the best medical schools in Canada, so students are sure to receive high-quality education and training and have the opportunity to be involved in cutting-edge medical research. McGill University’s faculty of medicine is now ranked 25th globally and offers a medical study program in English and French with a duration of 4 years.
Entry requirements:
GPA: Students who successfully enter the medical study program at this university have an average GPA of 3.9.
MCAT score: 508-509 (only required for students who previously took an undergraduate program outside Canada)
McMaster University
McMaster University’s medical faculty is ranked 45th in the world and 4th in Canada. The medical study program at this university is 3 years long. Uniquely, medical students at this institution are allowed to work in a clinical work environment from the first month of study. This aims to enable them to practice the theory they learn in the real world.
Entry requirements:
GPA: Minimum 3.0
MCAT Scores: This university will only take into account scores for the Verbal Reasoning component (minimum 6) or the Critical Analysis and Reasoning component (minimum 123).
As mentioned above, most Canadian universities do not accept international students in their medical faculties. This means the level of competition will be quite high for students from outside Canada, so make sure you do your best to get grades that meet the entry requirements.
Other Entry Requirements
We need to remind you that all prospective medical students in Canada must have completed a relevant undergraduate program to be considered eligible for entry.
Therefore, you should take an undergraduate program in science first because it can provide a good foundation for studying medicine.
Apart from good academic achievements or entrance exam results for medical study programs, of course there will be other requirements that international students must fulfill.
Each university has its own requirements, but in general you will be asked to fulfill the following requirements:
- Have proof of English language fluency ( IELTS/TOEFL );
- Provide a personal statement ;
- Have a student visa;
- Provide proof of financial capability;
- Provide reference letters.
Medical College Fees in Canada
Medicine is one of the most expensive majors for international students in Canada. Currently, the average annual tuition fee for medical school in Canada is CAD 32,450.
This fee will vary depending on the university and area you are going to, so make sure you check the official website of the university of your choice to get the right amount.