Difference between MBBS and MD (MBBS vs MD) Explained

Medical education is the most sought out degree across the world for science students. Every county offers Medical education promoting future doctors to support their nation and the global healthcare system. Across the world, Medical education degrees are awarded in Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral levels. Nonetheless, a medical degree popularly known to be MBBS, in a few countries offers the same under different names. Let’s have comprehensive research on various Medical degrees awarded across the globe, which are equivalent to MBBS. 

MBBS— Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery also described as BMBS sometimes, derived from Latin: Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae. MBBS in Malaysia is an undergraduate-level program.
MD— Doctor of Medicine, offered at different levels the reason for the confusion in medical student’s minds. Few countries MD is a post-graduation specialization degree, and in few, it is offered at the doctorate level. However, in US-based curriculum, MD offered at the undergraduate level is equivalent to an MBBS degree. 
MD in Malaysia— Most of the Universities of Malaysia offer either MBBS or MD programs at undergraduate level. The students graduated from this program, called as general physicians subject to the medical registration of the countries they practice. This entirely is an undergraduate level course offered by various institutes of Malaysia not Post-graduate level program offered in India or some other countries. 

Universiti Malaya (UM) is an exemption, as it is the only university of Malaysia offering MD at Doctorate level instead of undergraduate. 

MBBS vs MD in Malaysia

To understand the difference and commonness of MBBS and MD in Malaysian universities, we need to verify the eligibility, course curriculum, and other relevant information involved like:

A list of Malaysian Universities that offer Undergraduate Medical Degrees

MBBS vs MD in India

In India, MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) is the basic undergraduate medical degree required to become a licensed medical practitioner. It is a 5.5-year program that includes 4.5 years of classroom and clinical training, followed by a one-year internship in a hospital. The MBBS curriculum covers basic medical science subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and community medicine, as well as clinical subjects such as medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and ophthalmology.

MD (Doctor of Medicine) is a postgraduate degree in medicine that can be pursued after completing an MBBS degree. It is a three-year program that offers advanced training in a specific area of medicine, such as internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, dermatology, psychiatry, or radiology. The MD program is more research-oriented and includes a research component, such as a thesis or dissertation. In addition to MD, there are other postgraduate medical degrees in India, such as MS (Master of Surgery), DM (Doctorate of Medicine), and MCh (Master of Chirurgiae).

In India, MBBS is the minimum qualification required to practice as a medical doctor, while MD is a higher qualification that provides specialized training and knowledge in a specific area of medicine. Both degrees are highly respected and can lead to rewarding careers in healthcare. After completing their degrees, medical graduates can work in hospitals, clinics, private practices, research organizations, and other healthcare settings.
Although the road of becoming a doctor is lengthy and difficult, there are always people who want to take it. It is selfless that puts others before oneself, yet it is also one of the most personally rewarding paths to take.