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How to Become a Medical Doctor in Spain (Step by Step) | 2023
There are several benefits to being a medical doctor in Spain, such as working with cutting-edge medical technology.
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In healthcare, Spain is regarded as one of the best. Because of the great quality and prestige of their private medical centers and the supply-demand balance in this industry, it is becoming more frequent for doctors to seek employment in Spain.
For most people, working as a doctor in Spain is an excellent career choice. The additional benefits outweigh the respectable salary.
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Moving to Spain and pursuing a medical degree there have various advantages. Spain has a wide variety of medical degrees, making it a popular destination for students.
As a result, this article will help you understand how to become a doctor in Spain and what it takes to study medicine in Spain.
Studying Medicine in Spain:
Spain boasts a world-class higher education system that is well-known for its classroom instruction and groundbreaking research.
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In terms of diversity, the meeting of cultures, and personal growth, Spain has a strong foreign student population that provides it a distinct advantage.
As an international student in Spain, you’ll have access to a wide range of educational opportunities. Several medical schools in Spain are open to foreign students, and many of them are located in Madrid.
As an international student in Spain or any other country, you must meet a variety of standards, including those connected to your prior education, your student visa, and your language proficiency.
Students who have previously studied outside of Spain should first apply to the Spanish consulate in their home country to verify their credentials.
If you want to study medicine in Spain, you’ll likely need to be fluent in Spanish, as most courses are taught in Spanish.
Can I Study Medicine in Spain in English?
To study medicine in English in Spain, students are expected to have some knowledge of the Spanish language.
Only a few colleges provide medical programs in both Spanish and English, which is the language of instruction for the vast majority of students.
At private universities, you’re more likely to find English-taught medical programs. Thus, as a medical student, you should absolutely explore Spain’s higher education expertise if you’re willing to learn Spanish (or already speak Spanish).
Read more: How to Become a Medical Doctor in Korea (Step by Step)
Requirements for becoming a Medical Doctor in Spain:
1. Language Requirements:
You must be fluent in Spanish to pursue a career in medicine in Spain. Learning Spanish, however, might be difficult but not impossible.
With an average of one hour of practice every day, you should be able to achieve conversational fluency in 8 to 12 months.
About 250 – 350 hours of work are required to complete this task. Most large institutions offer some English-language courses, but they are mostly for exchange students or one-time programs.
2. Academic Requirements:
It takes at least six years in Spain to acquire a medical degree and specialize in a certain profession.
All prerequisites must be met before you may begin your undergraduate degree if you are an international or foreign student.
Just like studying medicine in Korea, the documents for academics include:
- Your high school report card
- Previous educational history
- Do not have a criminal record
- Passport and university application paperwork
- A Spanish language proficiency test and a student visa
- If you attended a non-English school, you might be required to take an IELTS or a TOEFL to demonstrate your ability in English.
3. Curriculum Requirements:
To Become a Medical Doctor in Spain, the Bologna process countries (students) must have a high school diploma and transcript or its equivalent to study medicine in Spain.
Students pursuing medical, dentistry, biomedical and veterinary degree programs can take the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT), used by universities around the world to assist choose applicants.
Students are tested on their knowledge of scientific and mathematical concepts, critical thinking and written communication abilities.
After meeting these conditions, an application must first be preregistered. Applicants’ grades are taken into account at this school, which accepts applications from all throughout the United States.
The standard cut-off is 12.5, however the better the markings, the better the cut-off. The MIR test, which serves as a gateway to residency in Spain, must be passed before you may graduate from medical school.
There are 4-5 years of residency when this is completed and accepted into the program of your choice (depending on the specialization you have chosen).
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How to Become a Medical Doctor in Spain:
Spain is a great choice if you’re seeking a high-quality medical program at a fair cost.
This country is becoming more than just a tourist destination; its educational institutions are broadening their perspectives and offering lessons taught in English to international students.
You may also enjoy a warm and sunny climate in Spain, making it one of Europe’s best places to live and study.
Here are the tips on how to become a medical doctor in Spain:
1. Learn to Speak Spanish:
Even though Spanish is romance rather than German, English speakers will have little trouble picking up the language but thanks to the influence of Latin on many of the language’s vocabulary words.
Spanish shares its alphabet with English, and many of its words are pronounced verbatim. Most other languages have fewer grammatical issues than Spanish.
Even native Spanish speakers find it challenging to understand the infinitive in Spanish because it differs from other languages’ lack of gender in nouns and irregular verbs.
There are 480 hours in total required for conversational fluency if you are a beginner and spend one hour a day working on your Spanish.
2. Study Medicine in Spanish:
To become a medical doctor in Spain, aspiring doctors in Spain can begin their studies in the country, which will help them learn the language and culture and prepare them for their future careers.
It is estimated that it takes six years to complete a degree.
During the first two years of medical school, students will learn the essentials of pre-clinical medicine, such as biology, physics, and the fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology.
This is usually the only opportunity students have to master the principles of medicine.
Having completed pre-clinical training, students will then work with real patients under the guidance of medical professionals. When a student has completed six years of study, they can move on to specialize in their area of study.
3. Take Assessments:
The MIR test, which serves as a gateway to residency in Spain, must be passed before you may graduate from medical school.
There are 4-5 years of residency when this is completed and accepted into the program of your choice.
The MIR can be taken by anyone who has completed medical school and wants to apply for a residency position.
Non-EU students are subject to quotas set at 4%, but European citizens, such as Spaniards, are included in the national students.
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4. Medical License:
Obtaining a medical license begins with registering with the College of Physicians in the province where you practice.
Depending on where you plan to practice medicine, each province has its own set of criteria and laws to follow when registering for a medical license.
A medical license can only be issued to those who have graduated from medical school, are recognized by the Ministry of Health of Spain as a doctor, speak fluent Spanish, and have confirmation that they live in the province where they are applying.
5. Get a Work Permit:
More and more people are choosing to live and work in Spain on a long-term basis. Work-life balance is one of the country’s strengths, according to the OECD.
Expats from throughout the world are drawn to the city because of its year-round sunlight, rich culture, and dynamic cuisine scene.
Of the country’s approximately 5.5 million citizens, 45 percent hail from South and Central America, 30 percent are natives of the European Union, and 25 percent are from elsewhere in the globe.
In the event that you’re a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you can easily relocate to Spain and engage in lawful employment, education, and research.
However, most non-EU/EEA citizens, commonly known as third-country nationals, require a work permit and must first establish an employment contract.
After Brexit, UK residents who want to live and work in Spain will need a residency and work visa.
How to be a Medical Doctor in Spain as a foreigner:
If you’re a foreign-trained doctor with a degree from an EU/EEA nation or Switzerland, all you need to do is register with the College of Physicians and begin searching for employment opportunities.
But if your degree is from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland, you will need to go through a formal process to have it recognized by the Ministry of Education.
If you want to work as a specialist, you will also need to demonstrate your fluency in Spanish, as well as your residency or work visa.
Residencies may be required in some instances if you want to practice medicine (even if you have a medical degree already). A medical license can be obtained by completing all of the preceding requirements.
Top 10 Medical Schools in Spain | 2023
1. University of Barcelona:
The University of Barcelona is one of the best medical schools in Spain. The Medical School is proud of the quality and tradition of its medical education and training.
For almost a century, this Faculty has educated numerous generations of exceptional physicians who have provided and continue to provide the finest possible service to society.
They have a long history of educating medicine and the medical profession with distinction, effort, and dedication.
Their educational program includes rotations and clinical practice in primary care and specialty care in a variety of primary care centers and hospitals linked with the Faculty, where the top professionals interact with students and patients daily.
2. Pompeu Fabra University:
Pompeu Fabra University is one of the best medical schools in Spain. The medical degree is given in conjunction with the Autonomous University of Barcelona in a multidisciplinary setting.
The UPF’s bachelor’s degree in medicine prepares doctors who combine superior scientific knowledge and critical thinking abilities with the ability to adapt, learn, and advance in their careers in a variety of contexts.
They also empathize with their patients, assisting them throughout the course of their disease and, if feasible, assisting them in regaining full health.
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3. University of Seville:
Seville University, formerly known as Colegio de Santa Mara de Jess, is one of Spain’s top medical institutions.
It was established in 1505 and has been one of Spain’s most prominent educational institutions for about 500 years, providing superior education and experience.
This university doubles as a museum, displaying an unparalleled legacy and history through impeccably preserved relics. They collaborate with a variety of hospitals and universities throughout the country, including Harvard.
4. College of Navarr:
College of Navarr is one of the best medical schools in Spain. The University of Navarra School of Medicine gives its students the option of completing their study in medicine with a Diploma in Biomedical Research or a Diploma in Surgery.
Because Spanish degrees are internationally recognized, this combination of theoretical and clinical training may prove advantageous in future job searches.
Additionally, this university features a teaching hospital where medical students can gain practical experience while being supervised by eminent physicians and professors.
5. University of Zaragoza:
The University of Zaragoza is one of the best medical schools in Spain.
The school is now delighted to be regarded as one of Spain’s major hubs for technological innovation, luring students and experts to this university. Additionally, it is one of Spain’s greatest medical schools.
They teach Spanish to international pupils, which means the language is developed to meet the needs of a complete beginner.
6. The Complutense University of Madrid:
The Complutense University of Madrid is one of the best medical schools in Spain.
The University Smart Card TUI-UCM identifies you on campus and enables quick access to all student, faculty, and staff services.
The school was founded in 1293 in Alcalá and relocated to Madrid in 1836, making it one of the oldest organizations in the world.
It is a huge university with roughly 86,000 students and a varied range of subjects provided on a sprawling campus in the Ciudad Universitaria neighborhood of Madrid.
7. University of Salamanca:
The University of Salamanca is one of the best medical schools in Spain.
Salamanca University has a long tradition of producing great graduates and maintaining strong religious ties, but it has become increasingly secular over time.
The Medical and Health Program is designed for students interested in health-related fields like medicine, nursing, health management, pharmacology, and biology who wish to spend a semester in Salamanca.
As one who wants to become a Medical Doctor in Spain, Salamanca now has the largest student population in all of Spain and a considerable international student community.
8. University of Valencia:
The University of Valencia’s Degree in Medicine provides in-depth instruction that guarantees students a comprehensive understanding of the sciences and practices involved in preventing, diagnosing, and treating disorders.
This demands a thorough understanding of human beings’ basic traits and the critical nature of their interaction with their physical and social environments.
Finally, students must gain sufficient clinical experience to prepare them for professional practice after graduation.
9. University of Granada:
The University of Granada’s Faculty of Medicine has a long and illustrious national and international legacy. It is one of the best medical schools in Spain.
They aspire to equip students with the tools necessary to develop into outstanding professionals capable of successfully meeting the expectations and needs of contemporary society.
The University of Grenada enrolls over 47,000 students, including over 4,000 international students. They provide some instruction in English, but most subjects are still taught in Spanish, so be prepared to pick up a new language.
10. Autonomous University of Madrid:
The Autonomous University of Madrid has a dedicated Medicine campus in northern Madrid, near the La Paz teaching hospital, one of the numerous institutions where students can obtain clinical experience.
Although this medical school in Spain teaches in Spanish, exchange students can enroll in some English-language courses.
The Department of Biochemistry at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid is affiliated with the combined Autónoma University-Spanish Council for Scientific Research (UAM-CSIC) center and the Alberto Sols Institute of Biomedical Research (Alberto Sols Biomedical Research Institute).
Read more: Only 4 Best Medical Schools in South Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Become a Medical Doctor in Spain:
How many years does it take to become a doctor in Spain?
It will take about six years in Spain to complete medical school and become a doctor.
Is Spain good for medical students?
Spain is a great place to go if you seek an affordable medical program. International students are being accepted, and English-taught programs are being offered in this country, which is no longer solely a tourist destination.
Is Spain MBBS valid in India?
Studying MBBS in Spain is both risk-free and cost-effective for students from India. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience among the professors at the local MBBS universities. The Indian Medical Council recognizes Doctors who complete their MBBS in Spain.
Do doctors in Spain speak English?
There are a lot of English-speaking doctors in Spain because of its large ex-pat and tourist population.
Conclusion:
Getting into a medical school in Spain is no different than getting into one in any other country.
Showing an interest in giving back and collaborating with members of other communities is essential if you want your application to be successful.
Volunteering, learning a new language, or discovering a new culture can help you be accepted into a new school.
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