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Table of Contents
1. What Is Medicine?
Medicine is all about diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses, diseases, or injuries. Practitioners, such as doctors and nurses, are vital in providing patients with the appropriate care. These experts strive to relieve patients from their ailments and set them up for recovery.
Why it matters?
- You can be at the forefront of preventive measures to ensure that society stays healthy.
- You will also be part of the bigger picture in working to contain potential epidemics, and play an important role in finding cures.
- You can also make a difference by shaping the health policies of your community with the knowledge you have gained.
2. Where To Study Medicine Courses In Malaysia?
Here are 10 best universities to study Medicine / MBBS courses in Malaysia.
- 1. Monash University Malaysia
- 2. International Medical University (IMU)
- 3. MAHSA University
- 4. SEGi University
- 5. University of Cyberjaya (UOC)
- 6. Quest International University
- 7. AIMST University
- 8. Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM)
- 9. Taylor’s University
- 10. UCSI University
3. Medicine Course Pathways & Entry Requirements
Now that you are set to study a medicine course in Malaysia, you can start taking steps to turn passion into an occupation. Let us explore the popular pathways to study medicine courses in Malaysia.
The requirements to study a Medicine Course or commonly referred to as a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Course in Malaysia is set by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC). This is the recommended pathway:
Pathway: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Pre-University/Foundation ➔ Medicine/MBBS Degree
The most common pathway into a medicine course is to enter a Pre-University course (A-Level, SACE, STPM) or a Foundation course offered by the university of your choice.
As an SPM/O Levels School leaver, you will need the following to enter Pre-University or Foundation:
- 5Bs (SPM or Equivalent) or 3 B4 (UEC),
- B Grades in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths/ Add-Maths and one other subject)
- C Grades in BM and English
A Pre-University or Foundation course usually takes 1-2 years to complete, and you must have B Grades in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics/ Maths to be eligible to study Medicine/MBBS in Malaysia. Refer to this list to see what your academic criteria are.
| Qualification | Minimum Requirements |
| A-Level / STPM | Minimum Grades: BBB/ ABC/ AAC, or CGPA 3.0 in the above subjects. |
| UEC | B4 in the above subjects with Mathematics and Advanced Mathematics. |
| Foundation in Science | CGPA 3.0 and at least C grades in the above subjects. |
| AUSMAT / SACE | Aggregate or the equivalent B in the above subjects or ATAR 80% with the above subjects |
| CIMP | A minimum average of 80% in the above subjects. |
| International Baccalaureate Diploma | At least 33 overall points with Biology, Chemistry and Maths at Higher Level (HL) and at least 5 points in Biology, Chemistry, and Maths. |
4. Steps & Accreditation To Be A Doctor In Malaysia
It takes about 7 to 10 years to be a qualified doctor in Malaysia, which includes the Medicine Course and serving in the government healthcare system.
Step 1: Enrol Into A Medicine/MBBS Degree Course
A recognised Degree in Medicine in Malaysia usually takes 5-6 years to complete.
However, before you can even enter, you have to pass an interview to earn a place at the university. This is another important gateway you must pass, apart from meeting the minimum entry requirements.
You’re in luck because we have prepared some tips for you to blow the interviewers out of the water.
Step 2: MMC Registration
Anyone who wants to study medicine must register with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC). These include
- Examination for Provisional Registration (EPR) to gain your Provisional Registration
- Provisional Registration to practice medicine during your housemanship
- Full Registration to practice medicine independently
Step 3: Housemanship
A housemanship training (HO) is a 2-year service or internship at a hospital. HO further builds your skills, knowledge, and experience. During this time, you will learn from medical experts and explore various areas of healthcare.
*Note: Check this list to see which hospitals are MOH-accredited.
Step 4: Compulsory Service
Once you have applied to become a registered medical officer, you must complete another 2 years of compulsory service with the government. Upon completing your service, you are now a qualified general practitioner!
After that, you are ready to begin working as a doctor or further your studies.
Step 5: Specialisation
Should you wish to specialise in a specific area of medicine, you can continue with postgraduate studies. At this stage, you can work towards a more advanced profession, including an anaesthesiologist, a gynaecologist, or a paediatrician.
Note that this may add 4 -5 years of studies to your calendar, after which you will undergo 2-4 years of supervised training.
Thinking Of Studying Medicine Abroad?
Uni Enrol’s experienced counsellors help you compare the pros and cons of studying a Medicine Course at different universities and different locations.
5. What You Learn In A Medicine Course
Here are some of the subjects that you will see in your syllabus when you are taking your undergraduate Medicine course. Of course, they may vary from one university to another.
- Acute Medicine & Trauma
- Alimentary and Genitourinary
- Anaesthesia
- Anatomy
- Basic Mechanisms Of Diseases
- Basic Medical Sciences
- Biochemistry
- Cardiovascular System
- Central Nervous System
- Clinical Postings
- Community Medicine
- Dermatology and Aesthetic
- Ear, Nose & Throat
- Emergency Medicine
- Endocrine And Metabolism
- Epidemiology And Biostatistics
- Family Medicine
- Forensic Medicine
- Foundation of Clinical Skills
- Gastrointestinal & Hepatobiliary System
- Genetics
- Genitourinary System
- Haematology System
- Haematopoietic System
- Immunology
- Internal Medicine
- Medical Ethics
- Medical Immunology
- Medical Microbiology
- Molecular Medicine
- Musculoskeletal System
- Nervous System
- Nutrition
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Ophthalmolgy
- Orthopaedics
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Paediatrics & Neonatology
- Palliative Medicine
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Primary Care Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Reproductive System
- Respiratory System
- Surgery
- Urinary System
6. Why Should I Study Medicine?
- You Like The Idea Of Lifelong Learning – Technological advancements and research breakthroughs can also influence how illnesses are treated and patients’ quality of life. Hence, your days are full of absorbing and exploring new knowledge.
- You Want An In-Demand Career – Healthcare will always be essential. Compared to other industries that could fluctuate due to economic trends, medicine remains a necessity.
- You Can Craft Your Path In Medicine – A medical degree can also open doors for you in other fields. There are over 60 medical fields, giving you opportunities to specialise and further study.
- You Can Make A Difference In People’s Lives – When you work with different patients and be a part of their recovery, you positively impact their lives. It is an incredibly humbling and self-rewarding work to ease the other person’s suffering.
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7. RIASEC Compatibility To A Medicine Course
The John Holland Theory of Career Choice states that in choosing a career, people will choose one similar to their personality to ensure job satisfaction, job performance, and career success. The test generates 6 different personality types:
- Realistic (R)
- Investigative (I)
- Artistic (A)
- Social (S)
- Enterprising (E)
- Conventional (C)
With the RIASEC Test, the 6 personalities can generate up to 720 combination possibilities to provide career compatibility. You can try the test yourself here.
As you consider taking a medicine course, there are 3 main personality traits you should ideally have:
INVESTIGATIVE
- You need to be analytical, curious, and have an affinity to solve complex problems. If this is a dominant trait, you are more inclined to be in the medical research, diagnostics, and treatment planning.
SOCIAL
- You need strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and effective communication when dealing with patients daily. Strong scores on this trait excel in roles like patient care, counselling, and medical education.
REALISTIC
- You enjoy more practical, hands-on work and solving mechanical and technical problems. If you score high here, you could excel in medical technology, or surgery.
8. Career Opportunities For Medicine
Here are the various areas of opportunity where the medicine course skills can be put to good use:
| Areas of Opportunity | Types of Roles |
| General Medical Practice | General Practitioner (GP) |
| Medical Specialisations | Anaesthesiologist, Cardiologist, Neurologist, Oncologist, Paediatrics |
| Surgical Specialisations | General Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Neurosurgery |
| Interdisciplinary & Niche Roles | Addiction Medicine Specialist, Forensic Medicine Specialist, Sports Medical Specialist, Palliative Care Expert, Pathologist |
| Emerging Fields | Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell Therapist, Precision Medicine Specialist |
| Research & Academia | Clinical Research Scientist, Epidemiologist, Medical Statistician, Lecturer |
| Entrepreneurship | Business Owner |
Recommended Course Guides
Looking for other related courses? Here are various medical and health sciences-related course guides you should check out:
If you’re still not sure what to study, we have many other Course Guide articles that will shed more light on the subject matter. Share with your friends!
We also took the liberty to compile all our University Guides and Course Fees Guides so you don’t have to go anywhere else!
About the Author:
Ken Hoong is the co-founder of Uni Enrol and a contributing writer. Drawing on his close work with Uni Enrol’s counsellors, he brings keen insight into Malaysia’s evolving private higher education landscape and the shifting preferences of students in learning and career choices.
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