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Planning a career in the medical field is a popular choice amongst Indian students over the years. While MBBS is undoubtedly the most popular choice, the fierce competition, limited seats, and expensive cost of studying can make it a difficult choice of study, especially in India. For this reason, many students opt for MBBS abroad however, the competitive NEET exam is again a big challenge for several students. Aspiring medical students have plenty of options for alternative medical courses other than MBBS abroad. These courses are offered at popular destinations to study abroad and offer great career opportunities. In addition, some of these courses do not require a NEET score. It is important to understand that there are essential healthcare roles in specialized fields that are becoming increasingly important around the world. In this article, we will discuss some of the best alternative medical courses other than MBBS abroad for Indian students.
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Among several medical courses offered abroad, MBBS is considered one of the popular courses. However, the competitive entrance exam and high tuition fees pose a challenge for Indian students. For this reason, Indian students can explore the following alternate medical courses abroad.
Dentistry focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating various oral diseases and dental problems. Pursuing a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or a career in Dentistry is a prestigious and rewarding experience. The BDS course typically lasts between 4 to 5 years, with an additional 1 year of internship. Studying dentistry abroad can offer the following career paths that you can explore.
General Dentist
Orthodontist
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Cosmetic Dentist
Some of the top countries for Dentistry are the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.
Pharmacy is another alternative medical course other than MBSB abroad. You can opt for the Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) or the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs. These courses dive into the preparation, dispensing, and safe use of medications. Studying abroad gives students a chance to explore both clinical and industrial sides of pharmacy. The BPharm typically takes about 4 years to complete, while the PharmD in the USA is for 2 years. Here are some career paths you could take after pharmacy abroad:
Clinical pharmacist
Drug researcher
Hospital or retail pharmacist
Regulatory affairs specialist
The top countries for pharmacy include the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany.
One of the great alternative courses for MBBS is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc Nursing). It is a prominent degree in the healthcare field. Pursuing a nursing degree abroad focuses on clinical training and patient care. The duration for the Nursing course abroad is 3-4 years. This field offers career opportunities like:
Registered nurse
ICU/ER nurse
Nurse practitioner
Public health nurse
Top destinations for nursing are the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
If you are considering a BSc in Biotechnology or Biomedical Science, then it is a great option as an alternative medical course for MBBS. It offers a great mix of biology and technology to create innovative solutions in healthcare, research, and related fields. The course duration is 4 years for your Bachelor's degree and around 2 years for a Master's. Career paths in this field include:
Biotech researcher
Geneticist
Biomedical lab scientist
Pharmaceutical developer
Top study destinations for this field are Germany, USA, UK, Australia, and Singapore.
The veterinary branch of medicine concerns preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases in animals. Studying veterinary science abroad offers you the chance to gain advanced clinical training, work with a variety of species, and conduct essential research. The course lasts for about 5- 6 years. Career options in veterinary science include:
General Veterinarian
Veterinary Surgeon
Animal Nutritionist
Wildlife Veterinarian
Veterinary Pathologist
The best places to study veterinary science are the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada, and Germany.
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Taking a forensic science course abroad offers to work in areas like evidence analysis, crime investigations, and supporting legal processes. These programs range from certifications to PhDs and cover subjects, including biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and engineering. They focus on building practical skills through lab work, engaging case studies, and exercises that promote critical thinking. A Bachelor's degree duration ist 3 to 4 years, while a Master's degree duration is 1 to 2 years. Career opportunities in forensic science include:
Forensic Analyst
Crime Scene Investigator
Forensic Toxicologist
Digital Forensics Expert
DNA Analyst
Top destinations for studying forensic science are the UK, the USA, Australia, Canada, and China.
Paramedical Sciences is also considered a great alternative course for MBBS abroad. This medical course includes topics like radiology, physiotherapy, nursing, and medical laboratory technology. The paramedics course duration is 3-4 years for a bachelors course and 2 years for a masters course. There are good career options after a paramedical course, such as:
Radiologic Technologist
Physiotherapist
Medical Laboratory Technician
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Respiratory Therapist
To study paramedical sciences, students can aim for top destinations like Canada, Australia, UK, Germany, and USA.
Choosing an alternative medical course other than MBBS is a great pathway to fulfil your medical career. It can lead you to a variety of specialized and highly regarded roles in the healthcare field. For Indian students, there are fantastic opportunities abroad that provide great financial, academic, and professional benefits. However, before applying for any medical course abroad, make sure to research, understand the specific requirements for the country, and look into future licensing or registration rules if you are considering working in India or abroad.
Best countries for MBBS abroad for Indian students:
Alternate medical courses other than MBBS include a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS), a Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS), Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS), Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Bachelor of Pharmacy etc.
In India, the MBBS degree is seen as an undergraduate professional qualification, whereas a Doctor of Medicine (MD) is considered equivalent in many other countries.
MBBS is the traditional route to becoming a doctor, however, there are plenty of other medical fields that not only offer good salaries but also diverse career opportunities. Some of them include orthodontics, cardiology, dermatology, and psychiatry.
Several medical fields are considered less stressful because of factors like predictable work hours, fewer emergency cases, and more routine patient care. These include
Dermatology
Ophthalmology
Physical medicine
Rehabilitation
Psychiatry
Pharmacists
No, a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) is not the same as an MBBS degree. While both are professional doctorate-level degrees, PharmD produces pharmacists, while MBBS graduates are medical doctors.
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