How Much Does It Cost To Become a Doctor in Canada

Last Updated on May 28, 2024 by Team College Learners

Medical school tuition in the USA and Canada has been steadily rising over the years, with Canadian citizens and permanent residents paying an average of around $16,798 annually at Canadian medical schools. However, in the United States, the cost of medical school has significantly increased, with public universities charging over $37,000 and private universities charging over $60,000 per year. Non-residents can expect to pay at least $60,000 per year, regardless of whether the school is private or public.

For admission to medical school in both the USA and Canada, there are basic requirements that applicants must meet. These typically include having a bachelor’s degree, completing prerequisite courses in subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics, and taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Additionally, applicants are often required to submit letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and participate in interviews as part of the application process.

The admission process for medical schools can be highly competitive, with schools in both countries receiving a large number of applications each year. Admissions committees consider a variety of factors when evaluating applicants, including academic performance, MCAT scores, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. It is important for prospective students to carefully review the admission requirements for each school they are interested in and to submit a strong application that highlights their qualifications and passion for pursuing a career in medicine.

Why Become a Doctor in Canada?

If you ask a Doctor why they chose to work in the “Medical Profession”, they’ll give more answers than the “flexibility of hours” you often see on websites.

Over the past years, more than 100 U.S. doctors have relocated to Windsor Ontario. Meanwhile, the Canadian Institute for Health Information reports that the country has been gaining more doctors and physicians from international migration.

There are many reasons doctors stand to achieve from pursuing a career in Canada, from Flexibility of Hours, Work-Life Balance to Growth Opportunities.

Here are some of the major benefits of becoming a doctors in Canada:

Flexibility of Hours

Job Satisfaction

Quality of Education

Job Security

High Paying Salary

What SkillSet Do I Need to Work as a Doctor in Canada?

To become a professional Doctor in Canada, there are specific skill set you must possess.

Based on your job description, you need the following skills to become efficient:

• Intellectual ability is required to successfully complete the required academic training and to continue learning life long
• Ability to get along with people and instill confidence
• Stamina required to work long hours
• Ability to work effectively in a health care team
• Emotional strength and maturity
• Good communication skills
• Ability to find solutions to problems, and
• Ability to coordinate the work of others.

Doctors in Canada are of differents types; Allergy Doctors, Anesthesiology Doctors, Cardiology Doctors, Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Critical Care Medicine Specialists, Gastroenterology Doctors, Geriatric Medicine Doctors, Family Doctors.

requirements to become a doctor in canada

Many universities in Canada require a high school syllabus comprising science, chemistry, or biology courses. However, some simply require any undergraduate degree as long as the course can aid you in your future career as a doctor.

There are over seventeen medical schools in Canada, from coast to coast. Many of them do have residency requirements, this means that majority of their admission comes form in-state- applicants.

Yet some have admission allocations for international students, but these are usually limited and the entrance requirements are always higher.

Also, most universities in Canada use the MCATs (Medical College Admission Test) as a way to test their applicants. And MCAT testing takes place at various times of the year.

The MCAT scores are always one of the major requirements though how it is applied varies from school to school.

So to be sure of gaining admission, verify the school’s admission requirements. Because not all medical schools in Canada require the MCAT score.

In addition, most medical schools request transcripts, essays, and personal interviews from applicants. Make sure you do thorough research about each school’s admission requirements to ensure you are eligible to apply.

Keep in mind that only a quarter of the students who apply to Canadian medical schools are accepted, so having outstanding credentials and a high university GPA will work in your favor.

In general, the major requirements to become a doctor in Canda is undergraduate degree, transcripts, essays, and personal interviews, MCAT score.

How Much Does It Cost To Become A Doctor In Canada?

The first hurdle is gaining admission to medical schools in Canada. The next challenge is how to pay for it.

To attend medical schools in Canada, you have to prepare for it because the price is on the high side.

This is not in a bid to scare you, but to create this awareness and consciousness of what you will experience.

What exactly is the cost of becoming a doctor in Canada?

Well, it depends on the med school you choose to attend. The fees range from about $6,000 to $16,000 per year for Canadian residents. And approximately $20,000 for International students.

The cost of attending medical schools in Canada varies significantly from school to school. Sometimes, the cost can even be influenced by the length of your program.

Yes! Medical schools in Canada are considerably expensive. From the tuition to rent and residency expenses, you have quite a lot to pay.

However, the Canadian Government is attending to this by making provision for scholarships and financial aids to help med students.

medical school fees in canada for international students

how to become a doctor in canada international students

To become a doctor or physician in Canada requires skill, patience, a desire to learn, and a lifelong commitment to improving patient health.

Because doctors play a critical role in the health care system and virtually many people rely on these doctors’ experience and skill.

Becoming a doctor in Canada can be very stressfull, yet satisfying.

If you think practicing medicine is what you desire, you need to know the right steps to becoming a doctor in Canada.

#1. Obtain Your University Degree

The first step to becoming a doctor in Canada is to acquire a degree from an accredited university. This must be a bachelor’s degree, and most medical schools will prefer that your degree must have a basis in science.

Though a bachelor’s degree is not compulsory as some people think, they benefit you by enhancing you with the basic understanding of concepts like biology and chemistry.

However, most medical schools in Canada have a list of prerequisite courses, most of which are science courses. So, be sure that you take these courses while at university.

#2. Take an Entrance Exam

Many medical schools across the country will require you to sit for and pass the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), so this is also an important step.

#3. Go to Medical School

Attending medical school is the third step to becoming a doctor in Canada at a lesser time.

In general, there are 17 medical schools in Canada to make your choice from, but most of them require applicants to be residents, citizens of the country, in order to attend.

Basically, medicals schools in Canada usually last for four years; the first two take place in the classroom and lab, and the last two years will be in the medical center. Here you will be working with patients under the careful supervision of licensed doctors.

#4. Take and Pass Your Licensing Exam

After you must have completed your four years of training in a medical school, the next step is passing the licensing examination. This is in a bid to prove your knowledge and competency before you can effectively work as a doctor in Canada.

Basically, the exam is the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE), and it is the hardest exam medical students will ever take during the course of their study.

Students in their final year of studies must participate in examinations set by the Medical Council of Canada. Without this exam, any medical student can not be licensed in Canada

So, it is advisable for students to begin preparing and studying early by utilizing several study methods.

Check out our 21 High Paying Medical Jobs with Little Schooling

#5. Complete Your Residency

Finally, once you have passed the MCCEE examination and become licensed, Canada law requires you to complete a residency program before you can start practicing properly.

The aim is to allow newly-licensed doctors to learn from more experienced ones and to allow them to adapt to their new career choices.

For family doctor, the residency lasts for two years, but for specialists, it takes over four years to acquire residency.

In general, it takes 10 years of education and reidency to become a doctor in Canada. But, with enogh dedication and diligence, you can be one of the Canada’s next sucessful doctor.

Where Can I Work as a Canadian Doctor?

Canada holds great opportunities and places where you can work. Your place of work will totally depend on you, whether you want to work in the hospital, become a family doctor or general practitioner.

But whatever is your choice, you can always find a place to work. Because unlike other countries, doctors are one of the most sought professions in Canada.

Basically, Medical doctors in Canada usually work in private practice, including group or team practices, hospitals, and clinics.

There are jobs available across Canada and in major cities such as Toronto and Vancouver, but the highest demand is in remote or rural areas and outer metropolitan areas. In the province of Alberta, 18% of people don’t have a GP and in French-speaking Quebec, it’s 26%.

From recent research, the provinces of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec have the highest number of physicians and doctors, while Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island had lowest.

Hence, when looking for the right place to work in Canada, concentrate on rural areas, where there is a higher demand for family doctors and other types of physicians.

As the population of the county keeps growing, employment for doctors in Canada is still expected to increase over the next several years.

This offers a greater chance of getting where to work. If you want to study and work in Canada, then click HERE.