Medicine is the scientific study of the human body, diseases, and treatments. It utilises scientific research and evidence-based practices to restore a person’s physical and mental well-being.

When you fall sick, a doctor makes a diagnosis by taking your medical history, i.e. asking you a series of questions to collect information. If needed, the doctor may request tests like blood tests and x-rays. Once a diagnosis is made, the doctor can then suggest treatments and prescribe medication to help you get better.

To practice Medicine in Malaysia, you need to obtain a medical degree from an institution that is recognised by the Malaysian Medical Council and meet a series of requirements, which are explained in this post below.

There are many specialties available in the field of Medicine. Let’s look at some of the common ones:

• Anaesthesiology
Deals with pain relief before, during and after surgery. Types of anaesthesia include general anaesthesia (patient is completely unconscious), regional anaesthesia (specific areas of the body are numbed), and local anaesthesia (small area is numbed).


• Emergency Medicine
Focuses on caring for patients that require urgent and immediate medical attention, such as head injuries and fractures from car accidents, poisoning, serious burns and strokes.


• Internal Medicine
Deals with a wide range of conditions affecting the internal organs of the body. Common conditions that internal medicine physicians treat include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases.


• Orthopaedics
Focuses on the health of the female reproductive system, pregnancy, childbirth and various gynaecological conditions (e.g. menstrual disorders, vaginal infections, and gynaecologic cancers).


• Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Focuses on treating the musculosketal system which comprises bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Common musculosketal issues include bone fractures, back pain and sprains.


• Paediatrics
Provides medical care for babies, children and teenagers. Some of the common conditions Paediatricians encounter are respiratory infections, ear infections and developmental delays.


• Psychiatry
Focuses on diagnosing and treating mental disorders. Psychiatrists use various treatment methods including psychotherapy and medication to help patients regain mental health.


• Surgery
Treats diseases and injuries through surgical interventions. Surgeons perform operative procedures using various techniques, including traditional open surgery, minimally invasive surgery and robot-assisted surgery.

1. Strong Desire to Help People
Many medical professionals join this field because they are motivated by a calling to save lives and contribute towards society. By walking this path, you will be able to alleviate the pain and suffering of the people and help them regain their health.


2. Keen Interest in Medical Science
Do you love Science subjects like Biology and Chemistry? Are you fascinated by the complexity of the human anatomy? By studying Medicine, you get to delve into various areas of Medical Science such as Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology and Pathology. It is a lifelong journey in learning that is also filled with surprises!


3. Respected Profession
If having a prestigious profession is at the top of your list, then nothing is more suitable than a career as a doctor. Despite numerous challenges in this field, doctors tend to be rewarded with a sense of achievement, high social status, and greater earning potential.

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

SPM / O-Level students must first complete Pre-U before enrolling in a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme. The entry requirements you need to fulfil are as follows:

• A-Levels: Min. BBB, ABC or AAC in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics/Mathematics
• STPM: Min. BBB, ABC or AAC in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics/Mathematics
• Foundation in Science: Min. CGPA of 3.00 in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics/Mathematics (must also have 5Bs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics/Additional Mathematics, and another subject at SPM or O-Levels)
• Diploma in Health Sciences: Min. CGPA 3.50 with min. 2Bs in Biology/Chemistry/Physics (must also have 3 credits in English, Mathematics/Additional Mathematics, and another subject at SPM or O-Levels)

UEC students generally need to obtain a minimum of B4 in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Additional Mathematics.

Note: A credit in Bahasa Melayu is required for entry into government service. You also need to fulfil the English Language requirement to enter the MBBS programme.
Contact us for clarification before you apply!

After completing the 5-year MBBS programme, the next step is to undergo Housemanship training for 2 years. During this phase, you will receive supervised practical training and gain clinical skills by rotating through different departments, such as Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and Orthopaedics. After that, you need to achieve a full registration with the Malaysian Medical Council. Subsequently, you must complete 2 years of compulsory service with the government. Following this, you can seek employment as a medical officer in the public sector or as a general practitioner in the private sector. Once you have accumulated several years of work experience, you can consider pursuing postgraduate studies to become a Specialist in your chosen field.

These are some of the skills you need to perform well in your MBBS programme:

1. Critical Thinking Skills
Medical students must take patient history, analyse symptoms, find suitable diagnoses and make treatment plans. Having critical thinking skills allows you to make sound medical decisions without being overwhelmed by the vast amount of information.


2. Teamwork and Collaboration
The ability to work in a team is essential for medical students because teamwork is linked to improved patient outcomes and a better work environment in the healthcare industry.


3. Good Time Management
While medical studies can be demanding, you won't need to sacrifice your social life if you can manage your schedule well. Being organised and sticking to good habits allow you to enjoy personal time amid lectures, clinical rotations and other commitments.

Here is a list of careers within the field of Medicine:

• Medical Officer
• Specialist
• Strategic Planner
• Researcher
• Professor / Lecturer
• Administrator

Now that you’ve read this post, you have a better idea about the pathway to study Medicine. The next step is figuring out the right universities to pursue your studies while considering other factors (e.g. budget, scholarships, accommodation).

We can help you with that – for FREE!

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