Need Help...!!!

[simply_me]

Hi everyone

I live in BC, Canada. I m currently in grade 12 and will be graduating next year. I want to apply for medical faculty in UK (Cambridge or Oxford). Their requirements include A-levels, but there is no such thing as A-levels in Canada. So, could someone please explain what are the courses (in canada) that are equivalent to those A-levels? Can I get admission to Uk medical school right away after my grade 12?

I was also wondering, if I do my medical studies in UK, would it be possible to come back and practice in Canada (BC)??

and if I do my medical schooling in Canada, how long is the process?

If anyone has any information, please please reply as soon as possible.
Thank you...

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[Who M.D.]

I was also wondering, if I do my medical studies in UK, would it be possible to come back and practice in Canada (BC)??

Yes. But you'd be at a very significant disadvantage in getting a residency spot. Basically, your chances of getting into anything competitive would be small.

and if I do my medical schooling in Canada, how long is the process?

Between 6 and 8 years. Most likely 8.

 

[ssc_396]

Hi everyone

I live in BC, Canada. I m currently in grade 12 and will be graduating next year. I want to apply for medical faculty in UK (Cambridge or Oxford). Their requirements include A-levels, but there is no such thing as A-levels in Canada. So, could someone please explain what are the courses (in canada) that are equivalent to those A-levels? Can I get admission to Uk medical school right away after my grade 12?

I was also wondering, if I do my medical studies in UK, would it be possible to come back and practice in Canada (BC)??

and if I do my medical schooling in Canada, how long is the process?

If anyone has any information, please please reply as soon as possible.
Thank you...

The international baccalaureate exams are generally considered equivalent to some A-levels. The process of becoming a fully qualified specialist in Canada (called a consultant in the UK) takes roughly the same amount of time (10-15 years) in both countries.

As someone who has just spent 4 years at Oxford and will be returning to UBC for med school I would recommend you visit these places first before you think of applying. Mind you, it is equally competitive to gain a place at Oxford as it is at med school in Canada so you could apply and see what happens.

I believe the training in Canada is superior in some respects to what you would receive at Oxford (I can’t speak for Cambridge). And unless you have UK citizenship the tuition here is £12000 - 22000 per year for 6 years (184000 CDN$). Unless you want to practice in the UK you’re better off staying in Canada IMO.

 

[ssc_396]

Yes. But you'd be at a very significant disadvantage in getting a residency spot. Basically, your chances of getting into anything competitive would be small.

That's not true. As of this year IMGs will be able to apply in the first round of the residency match along with Canadian grads:

http://www.carms.ca/jsp/main.jsp

 

[megaman1x]

That's not true. As of this year IMGs will be able to apply in the first round of the residency match along with Canadian grads:

http://www.carms.ca/jsp/main.jsp

Yes thats true, but there is still going to be an internal bias towards hiring Canadian Medical Graduates over IMG's. By openly stating IMG's can compete is good protection from any lawsuits regarding discrimination.

However, one has to be extremely niave if they think that IMG's will have a true equal opportunity in Canada. Who do you think would get chosen? An IMG who has no experience with the health care system in Canada or a Canadian med student who knows the canadian healthcare system very well and any issues that are prominant in Canada?

I believe the only IMG's this change will benefit are those IMG's who have years of previous medical experience and are already well-established doctors with good backgrounds. Those IMG's will have good chances due to there previous experiences. Whereas freshly graduated IMG's will not have as great a chance as freshly graduated Canadian med students.

Of course this all my opinion. Not fact-based. Take it as you will.

 

[simply_me]

thanx everyone for the replies....that helped me..!!!
i'll visit canadian universities first ..then UK universities..!!!
but the problem is it takes wayyyy too long in canada...but i guess thats how it is..!!

anyways..thanx everyone..!!!

 

[ssc_396]

thanx everyone for the replies....that helped me..!!!
i'll visit canadian universities first ..then UK universities..!!!
but the problem is it takes wayyyy too long in canada...but i guess thats how it is..!!

anyways..thanx everyone..!!!

In Canada for a standard 5 year specialty it takes: 3-4 years UGrad + 4 years MD + 5 years residency + 1 year fellowship = 13-14 years.

In the UK: 6 years MD + 3 years house/jr doc + 4-5 years specialty training = 13-14 years.

Unless you want to be a GP it takes about the same amount of time in both countries.

 

[ssc_396]

However, one has to be extremely niave if they think that IMG's will have a true equal opportunity in Canada. Who do you think would get chosen? An IMG who has no experience with the health care system in Canada or a Canadian med student who knows the canadian healthcare system very well and any issues that are prominant in Canada?

That might be true if it were an openly competitive system which I favor. But it’s not, it will be largely parallel. So IMGS will have specialty spots beyond just FP reserved for them and will not be competing at all with Canadians.

 

[megaman1x]

That might be true if it were an openly competitive system which I favor. But it’s not, it will be largely parallel. So IMGS will have specialty spots beyond just FP reserved for them and will not be competing at all with Canadians.

You are right. Parallel system makes for no competition between IMG's and CMG's. But Parallel systems are not in every province. Manitoba for example will have an openly competitive system.

 

[simply_me]

In Canada for a standard 5 year specialty it takes: 3-4 years UGrad + 4 years MD + 5 years residency + 1 year fellowship = 13-14 years.

In the UK: 6 years MD + 3 years house/jr doc + 4-5 years specialty training = 13-14 years.

Unless you want to be a GP it takes about the same amount of time in both countries.

hi there...

thanx for that calculation... is it true that it takes 4 or more yrs just for the specialty? i thought that its 2-3 yrs...

and is it possible that i complete medical school in UK (without having to do 3 yrs house/jr doc) , come back to canada and finish the residency??

also, do u know how long it takes for the residency program for some specific specialties (such as dermatologist, opthamologist, cardiologist, pediatrician, etc..)?? i'd reallyy appreciate if someone let me know that.
thanx everyone...

 

[simply_me]

You are right. Parallel system makes for no competition between IMG's and CMG's. But Parallel systems are not in every province. Manitoba for example will have an openly competitive system.

hey megaman,

does BC have parallel system?
and would u be soo kind to explain more abt this parallel system?
thanx...

 

[megaman1x]

hey megaman,

does BC have parallel system?
and would u be soo kind to explain more abt this parallel system?
thanx...

You can have two types of systems when incorporating IMG's into CARMS:

1) parallel system - This is when residency spots are set aside specifically for IMG's. This means that IMG's are not competing with CMG's (Canadian Medical graduates) for residency spots. CMG's compete with other CMG's for residency spots. IMG's compete with other IMG's for residency spots.

2) Competitive system - This is when IMG's and CMG's are in direct competition. There are no special spots reserved for IMG's and no spots reserved for CMG's. It is a truly competitive system.

As for if UBC has a parallel system? I have no idea. But the answer to that question and your other question regarding the length of residency programs can be found at:

www.carms.ca

However, ssc_396 is right when he says 4-5 years for specialty training.

 

[SMRT]

That might be true if it were an openly competitive system which I favor. But it’s not, it will be largely parallel. So IMGS will have specialty spots beyond just FP reserved for them and will not be competing at all with Canadians.

Yes but with a parallel system it will still be exceedingly difficult for IMG's to match. There will be literally thousands of IMG's competing for a few hundred spots.

This whole change in the match is so that CaRMS can avoid any discrimination law suits, but at the end of the day, it will still be very difficult for an IMG to practice in Canada. So if your goal is to work in Canada, then go to a Canadian med school.

 

[simply_me]

You can have two types of systems when incorporating IMG's into CARMS:

1) parallel system - This is when residency spots are set aside specifically for IMG's. This means that IMG's are not competing with CMG's (Canadian Medical graduates) for residency spots. CMG's compete with other CMG's for residency spots. IMG's compete with other IMG's for residency spots.

2) Competitive system - This is when IMG's and CMG's are in direct competition. There are no special spots reserved for IMG's and no spots reserved for CMG's. It is a truly competitive system.

As for if UBC has a parallel system? I have no idea. But the answer to that question and your other question regarding the length of residency programs can be found at:

www.carms.ca

However, ssc_396 is right when he says 4-5 years for specialty training.

thanx a lot megaman for the information... that really helped me!!!

but would someone plz answer this question: is it possible that i complete medical school in UK (without having to do 3 yrs house/jr doc) , come back to canada and finish the residency??

 

[megaman1x]

thanx a lot megaman for the information... that really helped me!!!

but would someone plz answer this question: is it possible that i complete medical school in UK (without having to do 3 yrs house/jr doc) , come back to canada and finish the residency??

I'll "attempt" at answering your question.

First of all.....I have no idea what a house/junior doctor is....lol

And second...as long as your degree is equivalent to an MD degree then you may be eligable to apply to CARMS for a residency spot. But be warned, it will be extremely hard. The only IMG's that really stand a chance are those with hardcore years of experience or those IMG's who want to do family medicine in a small remote community and promise to stay there for a few years, lol.

It's very difficult. I don't evenk know if that UK degree (without doing 3 year house/jr doc) is equivalent to a Canadian MD.

Who would you ask if it certainly is equivalent? I have no idea. What I can do is point you in this direction:
http://p090.ezboard.com/bpremed101

This is a WAY better site for Canadians or for people who want info on coming to Canada. They will most certainly answer your question.

 

[rskhan29]

Do you really want to study in the UK, or do you only want to do this because you think it will be easier? I've never studied in the UK, but what I gather from heresay is that British schools make north american schools look like a joke. If you aren't prepared for that, there's a good chance you'll be weeded out or that the next few years of your life will be miserable. Why not just stay in Canada? The timeline is almost the same. Besides, whats the rush? You aren't even out of high school yet!

 

[simply_me]

I'll "attempt" at answering your question.

First of all.....I have no idea what a house/junior doctor is....lol

And second...as long as your degree is equivalent to an MD degree then you may be eligable to apply to CARMS for a residency spot. But be warned, it will be extremely hard. The only IMG's that really stand a chance are those with hardcore years of experience or those IMG's who want to do family medicine in a small remote community and promise to stay there for a few years, lol.

It's very difficult. I don't evenk know if that UK degree (without doing 3 year house/jr doc) is equivalent to a Canadian MD.

Who would you ask if it certainly is equivalent? I have no idea. What I can do is point you in this direction:
http://p090.ezboard.com/bpremed101

This is a WAY better site for Canadians or for people who want info on coming to Canada. They will most certainly answer your question.

thanx a lot megaman for the link....

 

[simply_me]

Do you really want to study in the UK, or do you only want to do this because you think it will be easier? I've never studied in the UK, but what I gather from heresay is that British schools make north american schools look like a joke. If you aren't prepared for that, there's a good chance you'll be weeded out or that the next few years of your life will be miserable. Why not just stay in Canada? The timeline is almost the same. Besides, whats the rush? You aren't even out of high school yet!

hi rskhan...

i know studying in UK is not at all easier... i was considering this option coz they dont require the undergraduate degree before medical school... i know this reason looks very lame... no shortcut to success... but it was just an idea... i was thinking to complete medical school in uk and come back to canada for the residency... i hope thats possible...!!!
anyway...thanx for ur opinion!!