The benefits of studying abroad are almost endless.

Michelle Obama

Leaving your home country and having an adventure abroad is, more often than not, worth it. Choosing to study in another country is an adventure on its own and one that you probably won't regret. Aside from getting to study medicine in a foreign country, you will get to immerse yourself in the culture of a new place while learning exciting and novel things. While many people who have studied overseas brag about the quality of education that they have received abroad, there is no harm in being uncertain as to whether studying medicine overseas is worth it for you or not.

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Why Study Medicine Abroad?

Each year, approximately
2500

students are accepted into first-year medical programmes in South Africa.

This means that only a select number of students are accepted into university for the first year of South African medical courses, while many more matric graduates wish to enter the medical field. For this reason alone, we don't blame South African students for choosing to study medicine abroad.

By taking your NBT exam online and not in person, you could lose your chance of getting accepted into a pharmacy or medical course in South Africa, so why not explore the opportunity of studying abroad? As with everything in life, there are pros and cons to studying medicine abroad. For South African students who do not get accepted into a university in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, or Cape Town, studying to be a doctor overseas can be one of the best choices.

With various options for international students, there could be many reasons why a South African student would choose to pursue studies in Europe or in the United Arab Emirates, for example. When considering studying medicine abroad, tuition fees usually become the deciding factor, as entry into a medical course overseas will depend on your ability to pay the tuition fees and living costs.

Gaining International Accreditation

The international accreditation offered to South African students studying medicine in the United Arab Emirates is undeniably rewarding. Students can enjoy English-medium education and access sophisticated medical technologies in the UAE. After completing their medical studies in the UAE, qualified doctors from South Africa can gain jobs in the Gulf region, where healthcare services are in high demand. If you study medicine in the UAE, you can even join the medical staff in the Museum of the Future, where the focus falls on the future of healthcare, with experts in the field of precision medication, AI ethics, and biotechnology advancing medicine daily. Soon, you could work alongside doctors like Dr. Patrick Merel.

Cost aside, South African medical students who can make the investment and study in countries like Australia and New Zealand are choosing their dream destinations to complete their studies. With an interesting medical history and key developments in the medical field abroad, you can gain a top-notch education. Check out the application requirements for medical schools Down Under and elsewhere.

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Studying Medicine Abroad Brings New Opportunities

Dr Patrick Merel chose to study medicine in Europe at the University of Bordeaux in France. He is now working in the United Arab Emirates with a vested interest in the future of healthcare, biotech, and longevity. Like Dr Merel, you too can have a fruitful career in medicine with an international education.

local_hospital
Where Can You Study Medicine Overseas?

Both France and Poland offer some of the best medical courses and high-end medical facilities.

While France and Poland are great places to consider for studying medicine, there is no reason why China should not also be on your list. The myth that living and studying in China will lead to bad doctors in South Africa does not hold. Studying medicine in China requires hard work and can be just as rewarding.

From Romania, Bulgaria, to China, each university has its unique profile. Trakia University upholds its cultural spirit and is considered to be one of the most prestigious universities, rated as a top university in Bulgaria. Varna Medical University is another university in Bulgaria that is known for training excellent medical specialists.

With so many universities making it to the top of the list of places to study medicine in Europe that are best for English-speaking students, it may be hard to decide where exactly to study. With a welcoming vibe, you would surely reap many benefits from deciding to study at one of the famous medical schools abroad, should you be able to overcome the numerous challenges when it comes to accessing some of the most expensive medicine or dentistry programmes for international students.

With competition being rather stiff for medical students and graduates in South Africa, it can surely be advantageous for those who can cope with the fees and living costs associated with studying medicine abroad. If you want to study medicine abroad, our guide will help you with what you need to know about English-taught programmes for medical students wishing to go abroad.

Other Benefits of Studying Abroad

smiling doctor in lab coat, wearing a surgical mask with stethoscope in her hand
You can train at globally renowned institutions. Image: Gustavo Fring

Study abroad is the single most effective way of changing the way we view the world.

Chantall Mitchell

The Plovdiv Medical University, which is dedicated to humanity, not only has incredible faculties in Medicine, but also amazing faculties in pharmacy and languages too. Pleven Medical University is also an excellent choice for South Africans wanting to study in Europe. One benefit of studying abroad is getting to choose among the best universities in the world, but another benefit is that studying abroad will also make your CV stand out in South Africa and beyond.

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Stand Out From the Crowd

International graduates seem to make a great impact on potential employers, as they are seen as being dedicated and able to persevere despite challenges.

There are numerous other benefits of going abroad for studying, including:

Getting out of your comfort zone and having new experiences.
Enabling you to travel and learn about people and cultures different from your own.
Encouraging you to build an international network as well.
It could set the stage for better international work opportunities once you graduate.

If studying abroad is on your mind, start searching for scholarships, and getting the application process started is important. If you can find an international university offering affordable tuition fees, you are already on your way to achieving success, whether you choose to study medicine, dentistry, or something else. While the future is bright for medical students studying in South Africa, the future shines just as bright for international students, paving the way forward.

Funding Opportunities

smiling doctor in lab coat with stethoscope around her neck and carrying ipad
Image: Shkraba Anthony

Needless to say, students from South Africa should not become despondent, as many international medical universities offer scholarships and bursaries to international students as well. For those who are not lucky enough to receive a bursary to attend an international medical school, the initial investment in their studies may be rather hefty, but still well worth it in the long run. The initial cost incurred when studying abroad will pay itself off over time.

Commonwealth scholarships are offered to South African students who require university funding in the UK, Europe, and even places closer to home, like Mauritius.

Where Else to Study Medicine Abroad?

Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability.

William Osler
doctor wearing lab coat looking at x-rays
Think about your area of specialisation when choosing a medical school abroad. mage: Firvntivcus

Serbia is a great place to study medicine, as it offers several high-ranking private and public universities. However, there are many good universities in Georgia, too. The good news is that many universities and government programmes are offering medical scholarships for South African students, particularly targeting those students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

Many South Africans also study in Australia, as there are numerous similarities between South Africa and Australia. With Japan gaining much attention lately, you may even consider one of the top medical schools in Asia that is located in Japan. While Australia may easily feel like home, you may experience a bit of a cultural shock if you venture to study medicine in an Asian country.

Cultural shock or not, the experience of studying medicine in any country abroad can be well worth it. Find your way to personal and professional growth by deciding to study medicine abroad. Medicine is the science of uncertainty and we don't blame you for feeling uncertain along the way. However, there is a high probability that you will do well if you pursue your medical studies abroad.

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Laila Abramjee

Laila is an enthusiastic English educator and a fun-filled freelance writer. She has accomplished her dream of getting her first book published and has managed to write over 1 000 000 words since beginning her freelance career. In her free time, she is a travel blogger who explores all South Africa has to offer.