Medicine Schools and Programs in Jamaica
Medicine Studies in Jamaica
You can study medicine in Jamaica at the University of West Indies.If becoming a doctor, and helping others live a healthy lifestyle has always been your passion, then you should consider studying medicine. If you are an international student and want to pursue your education in this course abroad, you should consider doing that in Jamaica. This is because as a country, Jamaica attracts students from across the world and the universities offer high quality programs taught by highly qualified and professional lecturers. Besides acquiring a good education, students also get an opportunity to explore the beautiful beaches and engage in numerous sea activities. Students also get to enjoy the country’s rich culture and history, and the relaxed Caribbean lifestyle as well.Studying Medicine in Jamaica
In Jamaica, a student applying to study medicine has to be at least 18 years of age and he or she has to meet the relevant minimal admission requirements, either at the normal or lower level. A student also needs a minimum of five GCE, CSEC, or CXC O-level subjects in Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and English Language. A student also needs passes in one two-unit A-level or CAPE subject and two two-units of Chemistry and Biology. A student can also apply for medicine if he or she has a Basic Sciences degree with credits acquired in Chemistry and Biology and one other subject.There are also other non-academic requirements for medical students in Jamaica. All applicants are expected to submit a 300-words autobiographic sketch giving the reasons for their chosen career. Students are also required to give evidence of their participation in significant co-curricular/ extra-curricular activities, voluntary community service, and socially-oriented projects in the year before their application.
Applicants who are straight from High School do a Pre Med program (Associate Degree in Health Sciences) which runs for four semesters so as to meet the requirements needed for enrolling in the Medicine program. After successful completion of this program, students are enrolled for a four year MD program. Those admitted to the MD program study the first two years in Jamaica and they are taught on Basic Sciences and how they are applied in clinical medicine. The modes of teaching include laboratory exercises, didactic lectures, and community health and hospital visits. They also practice physical examinations and history taking with patients.
In years 3 and 4, students are taken through the Clinical Sciences program. During this period, learners are trained on the care and study of patients in the hospitals. The training is made up of 96 weeks of clinical elective and core subjects. Afterwards, students are expected to pass the CS and USMLE Step 2CK exams. Students who complete years 3 and 4 and pass in these exams receive the ECFMG certification.