Here it is again, the season of admissions! And with it comes the anxiety of securing a good seat and choosing the right field. This process can be an overwhelming one for both students and parents, especially when the area of interest is the medical one.
Are you confused about choosing between MBBS and MD? Here is everything you need to know about it.
Difference between MBBS and MD
The similarities between MBBS and MD have always been a point of debate. Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), is an undergraduate program for which students from class 12 are considered to be eligible. Whereas Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a postgraduate course for which students who have graduated with a degree of MBBS are eligible.
You don’t need an MD degree for practicing as a physician. Having an MBBS degree is the only mandate for practicing as a physician. If you are someone who wishes to start a clinic as soon as possible, then MBBS is the right option for you. If you are someone who is looking to work as an expert in a particular field, then MD is the right option for you. But you need to bear in mind that for pursuing any specialization as a doctor, it is mandatory first to pursue MBBS.
The course structure
Understanding the course structure will help you understand the degree. It will give you an idea of about what to expect from the course and how much prep is needed. Five and a half years are required in order to pursue MBBS in India, the final one year of which consists of a mandatory internship. The preceding four and half years are purely academic. There are nine semesters for the whole course, which includes the following subjects:
- Human Anatomy
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Specializations
- General Medicine
- Obstetrics
- Orthopedics
- Anesthesiology
- Human Physiology including Biophysics
- General Surgery
- Biochemistry
- Introduction to Humanities and Community Medicine
- Forensic Medicine including Toxicology
- Ophthalmology
- Radiotherapy
- Gynecology
- Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Psychiatry
- Ear, Nose, and Throat
- Pediatrics
The MBBS internship learning schedule revolves around various departments of the hospital.
MD is a three-year course and is based on acquiring knowledge in the desired field of specialization. The course has six semesters and is more practical-based. The course does not focus much on theoretical knowledge. Some of the many types of specialties you can do are Radiology, Pharmacology, Neurology, Cardiology, and Oncology. A thesis is the most crucial part of the MD course and is a research project that you have to do under the counsel of a recognized postgraduate teacher.
Admission procedure
There is a fixed admission procedure for both MBBS and MD in India.
For MBBS, you need to have a qualifying score in any of these three examinations:
- NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test): A score in this examination can enable you to take admission in around 500 private and government medical and dental colleges all over India. These colleges do not include the ones that are controlled by AIIMS and JIPMER.
- AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences): AIIMS is considered as one of the most prestigious medical colleges in India and has 800 seats available all over the country. These seats are from various AIIMS institutions situated in New Delhi, Jodhpur, Bhopal, Nagpur, Raipur, Rishikesh, Bhubaneshwar, Guntur, and Patna.
- JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research), Puducherry: This examination facilitates admission to the 150 seats available in the institution.
Admission process for MD varies as per colleges and states and cities all over the country. Following are the exams that facilitate admission to the MD courses:
- NEET PG Entrance Exam
- PGIMER Entrance Exam
- JIPMER PG Entrance Exam
- CMC Vellore PG Medical Entrance Exam
- COMEDK PGET PG Entrance Exam
- MU OET PG Entrance Exam
- AIIMS PG Medical Entrance Exam
- AIPGMEE
Course fees
The course fees for MBBS vary as per the institutions. The institutions funded and run by the central government only have around Rs 10,000 as their annual fees. Whereas, the annual fees of a private institution ranges from Rs 50,000 to 2, 00,000.
The course fees for MD also vary according to the institution and are strikingly different for the private and government institutions. The average annual fee ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs 3, 00,000.
Which course should you pursue?
Now that you know about both the courses, it is time to give a thought to your preferences. If you wish to work immediately after graduating, then MBBS is the right degree for you. The possible job profiles you can have after MBBS are a junior surgeon, physician, lecturer, medical analyst, a junior doctor, researcher, and many more.
After pursuing MD, you have a chance to work for both the private and government sectors at distinctively high salaries. You can also be an Associate Professor. And lastly, all the passionate doctors can continue saving people’s lives with their discipline-specific skills.
MBBS or MD, both the degrees are equally respected and honored! Make a choice based on the years you are willing to devote and your interest in specializing.