Medical school admissions committees typically look for candidates with a solid foundation in a variety of subjects including biology, chemistry, physics, sociology, psychology, and calculus. The choice of majors and minors plays a crucial role in preparing for a career in medicine. However, the specific subjects required to become a doctor can vary from country to country. In most cases, aspiring doctors must first obtain a degree in medicine (MBBS) before undergoing further training as a junior doctor.

To be admitted into medical school, prospective students must meet certain basic requirements. These typically include a strong academic record, completion of prerequisite courses in science and math, letters of recommendation, and a competitive score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Additionally, candidates may be required to demonstrate relevant clinical or research experience, as well as a commitment to the field of medicine through extracurricular activities or volunteer work.

When applying to medical school, the admission process can be highly competitive. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants are often evaluated based on personal statements, interviews, and other factors that demonstrate their readiness for a career in medicine. Admissions committees look for well-rounded individuals who possess not only academic excellence but also strong communication skills, empathy, and a genuine passion for helping others. Successful candidates must navigate the rigorous admissions process to secure a spot in medical school and ultimately pursue their dream of becoming a medical doctor.

Subjects To Choose In Pre-Med

Medical school admissions committees place a lot of importance on your academic performance in pre-med. Considering that pre-med courses are a stepping stone to med school, it’s essential you choose relevant subjects and score well in them. Medical school admissions committees usually prefer candidates with a strong background in biology, chemistry, physics, sociology, psychology, and calculus. Choose your majors and minors accordingly.

Before entering medical school, you need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and score well. Admission into a college depends on how well you score in this test, among other criteria. So it’s recommended you take classes in subjects that will help you prepare for the test. Subjects covered in the test are:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Microbiology
• Epidemiology
• Pharmacology
• Genetics
• Human anatomy
• Psychophysiology

Most medical schools require two letters of recommendation from your undergraduate professors, with at least one from a science subject.

What Subjects Do You Need To Do To Become A Doctor

Preparing yourself to become a doctor takes several years. This includes not only years of college and residency training, but also encompasses the classes you take in high school. Take classes that will prepare you to succeed in your college classes as early as possible. This will help you to graduate on time and begin practicing as a physician.

Science

Take as many science courses as you can during high school. Focus on the life sciences if your school offers several choices of sciences in high school. Take as many levels of biology as possible. Chemistry is another very helpful course to have under your belt before you apply to college and medical school. Physics is also an important science to study in high school for future doctors.

Math

Upper-level mathematics courses will also prepare you for college entrance examinations and standardized tests, such as the SAT and ACT. Concentrate on getting to the highest level of calculus and other similar math courses during your high school career.

English

Advanced Placement or honors English courses can prepare you to communicate effectively in a written format. You will take plenty of notes and create written records for your patients as a doctor. It is vital that you understand how to speak not only to others in the medical community about patients, but that you can communicate with your patients in a way they can understand as well.

Electives

Choose electives that genuinely interest you. Doctors use their hands all the time, so a course in art –woodworking or sculpting, for example — can help you hone your motor skills. If you take theater or journalism, you can develop your communication skills, which are important for a doctor.

medicine course subjects

Whilst each university selects their own subject combination and grade requirements. There are some general rules that can be taken to ensure you’ll be eligible to apply to Medical School. For the purpose of this piece, subject choices and grades will be split into pre-16 study (GCSEs, National 5s etc) and post-16 study (A-Levels, IB, Highers and Advanced Highers).

Pre-16 study

At this stage, there is very little choice in what subjects you study. Schools do most of this deciding for students with the core subjects (Science, English and Mathematics) being compulsory. At this level, the importance is put on having achieved certain grades in selected subjects. Typical minimum requirements are: 5 grades between 4 and 9 including English, Maths and two Sciences. Equivalent grades are required for national 5s. Contact university admissions’ individually for advice on international examinations.

These requirements are set as they prove that prospective applicants have basic groundings in these subjects, which are key to performing well as a Doctor. Written English is key for effective and clear communication, numeracy for things such as drug dilutions, and Science for understanding the basic foundations of Medicine.

Post-16 study

Subject choice here is key. Without the correct choice, you’ll be ineligible and will either have to do a foundation year or a degree before starting Medicine. Typically, at this level for A-Level, Higher Level IB and Advanced Higher, a combination of Chemistry and/or Biology and a Second Science/ Mathematics subject and a third subject are required.

Post-16 subject choices should not be taken lightly. They do provide tangible benefits when at Medical School. I can speak from personal experience and attest to the fact that my A-Levels in Biology and Chemistry have had crossover content with my medical school studies. Universities are requesting these subjects for a reason and they will help at university. Ensuring that all students have a base line of knowledge means that universities can focus on teaching more complex biological concepts from the get-go. This is why students with inappropriate post-16 subjects are required to sit a foundation year to get their knowledge up to scratch.

Degree subjects and becoming a Doctor

With degree choice, universities do not list specific subjects. However, relevant degrees i.e. medical physiology will give you a greater chance of gaining an offer than subjects not allied to Medicine such as history or art. Typically a minimum of a 2:1 grade is required.

Final words on subject choices for medicine

➢ Scientific baseline knowledge will help you. Make sure to consider this when choosing post-16 studies or a degree prior to entering Medicine.

➢ For full breakdowns of grade requirements and subject combinations, check our ultimate guide on this matter.

What Does a Medical Doctor Do

Medical doctors (MDs) are physicians who work in hospitals, clinics, medical centers, or private practices. MDs treat people for illnesses and injuries. They also prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, diagnose ailments, and record patient information. Doctors of medicine often have a specialization such as general practice, gynecology, dermatology, pediatric medicine, orthopedics, or many others. All surgeons are medical doctors.

Medical doctors’ jobs vary by specialty and work environment. While emergency room physicians will work in fast-pace, high-stress environments, many family doctors are able to set their own schedules in a private medical care practice. Helping people in illness and injury can be very rewarding, but the job can be stressful and carry an emotional toll, as well.

MD Degree & Career Requirements

Degree Level	Doctorate
Degree Field	Medicine
Licensure/Certification	U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) for state licensure; board certification by the ABMS is optional
Experience	Most doctors complete a residency that lasts at least three years
Key Skills	Able to pay attention to detail; empathy, critical thinking, physical stamina, leadership, and communication skills; knowledge of medical software, Microsoft Excel, accounting software; ability to use a variety of medical and diagnostic equipment such as Ophthalmoscopes
Mean Salary (2019)	Greater than or equal to $208,000 annually (for all physicians and surgeons)

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET Online

In order to become a doctor, you will need to obtain a doctorate degree in medicine. You will also need to get a medical license. Most doctors complete a residency that lasts at least three years.

What does doctor of medicine do? Key skills needed to be a medical doctor include being able to pay attention to detail, empathy, critical thinking, physical stamina, leadership, communications skills, knowledge of medical software, Microsoft Excel, accounting software, and the ability to use a variety of medical and diagnostic equipment such as ophthalmoscopes.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2018 the mean salary for all physicians and surgeons was $203,880 annually.

How to Become a Medical Doctor

What are the steps to becoming a medical doctor? If you’re wondering how to become an MD or how to practice MD medicine, you aren’t alone. Becoming a medical doctor is one of the longest career paths available. The seven steps necessary to complete the doctor requirements and doctor degree requirements, outlined below, can take 10 years or more to complete. Becoming a doctor requires time, money, energy, and dedication to achieve with success.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Most medical school applicants complete a bachelor’s degree program before they apply to medical school. Students can choose a variety of majors for undergraduate study; however, students should be sure that their course load includes a significant amount of science studies. Students are also expected to complete undergraduate work in the social sciences, English, and mathematics.

Step 2: Take and Pass the MCAT

Take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). The MCAT performance scores are required by almost all U.S. medical schools. Content areas that are tested on the MCAT include biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. Anyone planning on applying to medical school can take the MCAT up to three times in a year.

The MCAT is a lengthy (7.5 hours), difficult exam that requires adequate time and preparation, since it is one of the most important factors that determine the competitiveness of your medical school application. You should plan to study for around 200-300 hours before taking this exam. There are a variety of study resources available, such as tutors, online courses, and preparatory books.

Step 3: Apply to Medical School

Once you’ve completed (or nearly completed) your bachelor’s degree and taken the MCAT, you can apply to medical school. Many students wait until after finishing their bachelor’s degree to apply, but you can also apply during the fourth year of your undergraduate education. Most applicants select around 12-15 schools that offer an MD degree to apply to. The application process includes several rounds, and you’ll need to submit your grades, test scores, activities, and essays at first. Then, you may be selected for an interview where you’ll travel to a school and interact with students and professors at the medical school.

Step 4: Complete Medical School

If you’re wondering how to get an MD or how to get a medical degree, medical school is the answer. Medical school takes four years to complete. In the first two years, students take foundational coursework in the practice of medicine, bodily systems and diseases. Doctor of medicine course details include anatomy, microbiology, physiology, and pharmacology. During the last two years of medical school, students rotate through various hospital specialty departments and gain experience in patient care under faculty supervision. Students must also pass a series of examinations in their final year, which may include the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination.

Step 5: Complete a Residency

The next step in the order of medical training is to complete a residency program. Individuals choose residency programs based on their career interests. These programs usually last from three to eight years and cover general medical principles and specific medical specialties. Residents perform a variety of extensive duties, such as conducting physical exams, taking patient histories, attending conferences and interpreting lab information. The National Resident Matching Program uses individual preferences to match residency applicants to programs.

Step 6: Obtain Licensure

The last of the requirements to become a doctor of medicine is licensure. Before practicing medicine, all doctors must obtain a license. To qualify for licensure, candidates must earn a degree from an accredited medical school. Candidates are also required to complete a residency program and pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Each state has different requirements to become licensed; for example, some states may only give candidates a certain number of attempts to pass the USMLE, while others have no limit on USMLE attempts.

Here’s a success tip: continue education after receiving a license. Continuing education is required before doctors can renew their licenses. Licensure renewal is usually required every couple of years. The specific education requirements and time restrictions vary by state.

Step 7: Consider Earning Certification in a Specialty Area

Earning a specialty certification is not required, but it may increase employment opportunities. Certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties is voluntary and involves an extensive process of evaluations and assessments. Doctors who wish to keep their certification must continue their education before testing for certification renewal.

If you want to be a medical doctor, you must first get a bachelor’s degree, taking as many science classes as possible. Then you must complete medical school, get a medical license, and maybe obtain certification in a specialty area.

how many years of study to become a doctor

Doctors must complete a four-year undergraduate program, along with four years in medical school and three to seven years in a residency program to learn the specialty they chose to pursue. In other words, it takes between 10 to 14 years to become a fully licensed doctor. Once you finish your medical education, including your residency program, you need to take an exam for the state you plan to practice medicine in.

While the amount of time and money it can take to become a doctor is high, you also have a high earning potential as a doctor—especially if you decide to open a private practice. The average annual salary for a doctor is $163,908 per year, but salaries can increase if you live in an area with a higher cost of living.