Key Differences More Students Opting for Overseas Medical Schools

Are more students studying abroad at overseas medical schools?

The number of students advancing to overseas medical schools without attending a Japanese medical school has been increasing recently. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, out of the 9,716 successful candidates for the national medical examination last year, 145 were graduates of overseas medical schools, accounting for 1.5% of the total.

Considering that the number was 95 in 2018, the figure has increased by 50 over the past five years. Why are more people aiming for overseas medical schools? What are the advantages of overseas medical schools? We asked Kazuko Hirota, the principal of NIC International College.

NIC (International College in Japan), established in 1988, is a prestigious institution known for its unique educational methods aimed at helping students advance to and graduate from overseas universities. It has sent over 10,000 students abroad.

Since 2018, NIC has partnered with the University of Malta, a public university where students can take medical courses in English, and together they will launch a new medical course in 2024. According to Principal Hirota, the specialized medical course taught in English in partnership with overseas universities is unique in Japan.

About 20 students from NIC are aiming to enter overseas medical schools in countries like the UK and Malta next year, which is 1.5 times the number from the previous year. Principal Hirota explains the reasons for the increasing demand:

“There are more opportunities for medical activities abroad, such as with Médecins Sans Frontières. The advantage is that you can work on a global scale, not just in Japan. At NIC, we tend to attract people with clear goals.

One of our graduates mentioned that in academic conferences, Japan is the only country where English is not used. Most other countries use English. So, by learning medicine in English, it’s easier to access the latest research information.”

While there are ways to use a Japanese medical license to work abroad, such as through bilateral agreements or joining JICA’s medical teams, these opportunities are limited. If someone is determined to work abroad, it’s better to enter an overseas medical school from the start. Additionally, there are financial benefits to studying abroad.

What are the surprising features unique to overseas medical schools?

“Private medical schools in Japan range from 5 million to 10 million yen per year. In comparison, overseas options tend to be cheaper. For example, Sofia Medical University in Bulgaria costs around 1.2 million yen, and the University of Malta is about 4 million yen.”

Another benefit is that, compared to the strict entrance exams in Japan, entry to overseas medical schools is relatively easier.

“In Japan, only about 10% pass the entrance exams. It is said that if you repeat for more than three years, it can negatively affect mental health. Instead of repeating for years, knowing that there is an option to become a doctor with a global perspective might bring hope.

At the University of Malta, an online English interview is required. The interview assesses English proficiency and specialized knowledge in English. However, with the joint curriculum with NIC and the University of Malta, preparation is possible, so students will be fine.”

To clarify, entrance exams vary by university. In countries like Bulgaria and Hungary, many medical schools have written exams. However, progressing to the next stage is generally more difficult abroad compared to Japan.

“However, the atmosphere is not competitive in the same way as in Japan, so it feels different in terms of strictness. At NIC, we focus on creating programs that prevent students from feeling discouraged.”

For UK universities, after graduation, students are registered as doctors and can register to practice medicine in Australia and Asia. Also, graduates from EU universities can practice medicine only within the EU, and those from US universities can get a US medical license.

However, it is also possible for graduates of overseas medical schools to take the Japanese national medical examination and, if they pass, work as doctors in Japan. As mentioned earlier, 145 people took the exam last year. Due to Japan’s shortage of doctors, the number of overseas graduates entering the medical field is increasing.

“The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has started offering advice on a website for overseas medical students taking the exam, and I feel that there is a shift in awareness. Considering the lack of doctors who speak English in Japan, overseas medical schools are a good option for those who want to work in Japan’s healthcare system. If this option becomes more recognized, the number of hopeful applicants will definitely increase.”

Incidentally, Eastern Europe offers relatively easy admission if you have English proficiency. However, most classes are taught in the local language, so language acquisition becomes key. On the other hand, in the US, there are no undergraduate medical schools; medical education begins after university graduation at a medical school. Since US citizens are given priority for admission, entering these schools is highly competitive.

If you are determined to work as a doctor abroad, considering overseas medical schools might be a good option.

NIC official website: http://www.nicuc.ac.jp/