Study Medicine in Canada from Nigeria 2024

Every year, thousands of students worldwide, including in Nigeria, seek to study medicine in Canada.

It is because Canada offers high-quality medical education through seasoned professionals in the field and state-of-the-art facilities.

Studying medicine in Canada is not the same as in other countries.

It may be a challenging experience, but it would be worth it in the end as you would need to go through different stages to become a successful doctor.

If you are wondering how you can go about your medical studies in Canada as a Nigerian, then it’s good that you are here.

In this article, we will be discussing how you can study medicine in Canada from Nigeria.

Study Medicine in Canada as a Nigerian

The following are why you should study medicine in Canada as a Nigerian.

1. Reputable Universities
2. High Employability Rate
3. Affordability
4. English taught Courses

Reputable Universities

Canada is home to some of the world’s top universities.

Specifically, twenty-six (26) Canadian universities feature in the 2019 QS World University Rankings, and twenty-seven (27) are among the top schools highlighted in the World University Rankings.

It is to show you that Canadian universities stand out globally.

It is mostly due to their strong focus on theoretical and practical training, research and development.

These universities have standard facilities and furnished halls of residence for students and teachers that are well versed in the medical field.

High Employability Rate

It is common knowledge that Canadian medical education is recognized worldwide.

Hence, getting your medical degree from any Canadian university could open doors to career opportunities for you.

You would stand out among your peers and have a high chance of being employed in top hospitals.

Affordability

Canadian medical schools are less expensive than UK and US schools.

You can also apply for financial aid, including grants, scholarships, etc., to cut costs despite the affordability.

English taught Courses

English and French are the official languages in Canada. Most courses are taught in English for the sake of international students. Hence, as a Nigerian, you would have no problems learning and adapting to the environment, and there should be no language hitches in your academic journey.

Studying Medicine in Canada

As highlighted above, Canadian medical education is quite different from other countries.

The MBBS program is called Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Canada.

MD is usually the undergraduate program, although most students already have a degree before they apply to study medicine in Canada.

Hence, for the Bachelor level, you may take medical programs such as BMSc (Bachelor of Medical Science), BSc Medicine, UGME etc.

In Canada, MBBS is a three (3) to a five (5) year degree program, and you can also take programs in Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry etc.

To practice as a medical doctor in Canada, you should be certified by a body called the Medical Council of Canada (MCC).

This body gives qualified graduate doctors the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC).

Apart from the exam, students must go through a clerkship period where they work in hospitals with certified doctors to gain practical experience.

Remember that admission into Canadian medical schools is very competitive and challenging, especially if you are an international student.

It would help if you were exceptionally brilliant to stand a chance to be admitted.

Requirements to Study Medicine in Canada as a Nigerian

Each school’s criteria may include interviews, personal statements, GPA etc.

The following are the general requirements for studying Medicine in Canada from Nigeria;

1. Undergraduate Degree
2. English Proficiency
3. MCAT

Undergraduate Degree

Before you can study medicine in Canada, you should have completed a degree in a science-related course, for instance, Physics, Biochemistry, Microbiology etc.

A Second Class Upper (2:1) and above would also be a plus in your application.

Some provinces require a two (2) year post-secondary education.

However, Quebec requires candidates to complete the CEGEP training.

English Proficiency

To study medicine in Canada, you must have a sound knowledge of the English language.

You would be required to take English language proficiency exams and pass them with good scores.

MCAT

If you have completed your undergraduate studies in Nigeria and want to study medicine in Canada, then you should take the MCAT.

MCAT stands for Medical College Admission Test.

Your results would determine if you would be accepted into any medical schools, as these schools hold academic excellence in high esteem.

However, the required score for the MCAT varies depending on the university, so you must check the website of your desired university.

Other Requirements

Other Requirements include:

• Two letters of recommendation
• Identity documents
• Passport-size photographs
• Extracurricular activities certificates and achievement
• Statement of Purpose
• Resume
• Academic certificates and transcripts
• Tuition fees
• Voluntary work in the health field (optional)
• A foundation programme may be required depending on the university
• Essay

Universities to Study Medicine in Canada

The following are the Universities to Study Medicine in Canada;

• University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta)
• University of Toronto (Toronto, Ontario)
• The University of British Columbia (Vancouver, British Columbia)
• McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario)
• Queen’s University (Kingston, Ontario)
• Dalhousie University (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
• Western University (London, Ontario)
• McGill University (Montreal, Quebec)
• University of Ottawa (Ottawa, Ontario)
• Université de Montréal (Montreal, Quebec)

Cost to Study Medicine in Canada as a Nigerian

The cost of studying medicine in Canada varies by university. Below is the estimated cost per university:

Canadian Medical School	Cost per year (CAD)
University of Montreal Faculty of Medicine	$3,601 / $11,193
University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine	$28,500
University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine	$21,006
Queen’s University School of Medicine	$27,473
Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine	$23,000
McMaster University School of Medicine	$26,126
University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine	$24,835
Northern Ontario School of Medicine	$24,173
University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine	$18,945
Faculty of Medicine, University de Laval	$4,070 (students in Quebec) $12,550 (students outside Quebec, including international students)
Western University School of Medicine & Dentistry	$25,456
Memorial University Faculty of Medicine	$13,260
Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary	$16,063
University of Sherbrooke Medical School	$4,767 (students in Quebec) $12,285 (students outside Quebec, including international students)
University of Alberta College of Medicine & Dentistry	$12,887
University of Manitoba College of Medicine	$10,000
McGill University Faculty of Medicine	$8,036 (students in Quebec) $19,720 (students outside Quebec, including international students)

Work While You Study Medicine in Canada

Can you Work While You Study Medicine in Canada?

Students are allowed to work while they study.

However, you should note that studying medicine is challenging and demanding.

If you want to combine your job and your studies, you need to be careful, so your studies will not be affected.

You can work on or off campus, whichever suits you.

You are also allowed to work after you have graduated, but you must first apply for a post-graduate permit.

Conclusion

If you have decided to make Canada your study destination for your medical degree, then you have made a good choice.

Canadian medical programs stand out globally and are recognized everywhere. However, you may be confused or even frustrated if you don’t know how the program works.

I hope this article has helped you understand what medicine is like in Canada and the requirements you need to meet to be admitted into a medical school.

Let me know in the comment box below if you have any questions or need further clarifiations.