How Many Years Do You Need to Get a Medicine Degree and How to Finish Fast?

By now, you may be already determined the reasons why you want to be a doctor, but you also still wondering about the time you will need to complete your journey and reach your goal. If you’re considering a career in medicine, you’re probably heard about the time and commitment that it takes to be a professional doctor.

People may already tell you that “It’s a long road”. To a certain degree, this is true. Indeed, you may spend your entire twenties and thirties trying to complete the requirements needed to be a specialized doctor. Next, we will discuss this subject thoroughly so you can get a realistic expectation about the journey ahead.

How Many Years Do You Need to Get a Medicine Degree?

n the United States, if a student seriously wants to be a doctor, they must first finish a four-year undergraduate degree, by four years of medical school. Following graduation, they can apply for a residency through the electronic residency application service (ERAS), so they can apply electronically for residency positions in accredited US programmes.

Depending on their specialties, students need to spend three to seven years as a resident to complete the residency steps. And it doesn’t end here! you must pass a license test in the state or province where you intend to practice medicine. This makes studying medicine in the US a bit tiring and exhausting process. For this reason, students begin to investigate other alternatives in other countries in Europe, especially Bulgaria.

Because Bulgaria is a member of the European Union, if you choose to study medicine there, you will receive a master’s degree that is globally recognized. Medicine is taught in English at six Bulgarian universities. The tuition fees range from 7000 to 8000 EUR per year, and students commonly need around six years to finish their education.

Once you finish your studies, you can apply for numerous job opportunities in Europe, thanks to the globally recognized diploma and high level of higher education and practical experience that you will receive in Bulgaria. This is a fantastic chance for those who want to work or study abroad after finishing their degrees and want to explore various job opportunities throughout the world.

Many medical students choose to become specialists in their fields by working abroad or enrolling in a Ph.D. program. Regardless of the path that you’re going to select, you will benefit a lot from the abundance of employment opportunities in Europe as many countries face doctor and nurse shortages.

To summarize, it takes an average of 12 years to become a physician in the United States, assuming a four-year residency. If the average student age is 18 years when they begin their undergraduate studies, they will most likely be 30 years old when they begin their professional and independent practice. However, choosing to study medicine in Bulgaria may decrease the time needed for studying medicine, though specializing in medicine still requires time and effort. 

How to Fulfill the Requirements of Medical Education?

While becoming a doctor might take a lot of time, effort, and resources, you probably will earn a lot of money once you become a specialized doctor. To become a doctor, you need to follow certain steps that include:

• Finish your bachelor’s degree program.
• Take the medical college admission test.
• Complete four years of medical school.
• Enroll in a residency program and complete it successfully.
• Obtain your state’s medical license.

How to Obtain Your Medical Degree Quickly?

Everyone must fulfill several steps on their way to becoming a doctor. However, you can make some specific decisions from a young age if you want to become a doctor in a short period of time.

Keep in mind that becoming a doctor “fast” should never be your major drive, but having a defined goal with a deadline is still a good thing after all. Medical school and training take so much time to ensure that you’re fully prepared to practice medicine on your own without committing errors and risking lives.

It’s pointless to take on an overly demanding schedule if you’re going to feel down before you even start medical school. Finally, your primary attention should be on your areas of interest, talents, and competency when choosing a medical specialization. The time it takes to finish a residency program should be considered a secondary factor.

Final Thought

Most people become doctors in their mid-30s. The required time extends for students who miss a year and those who changed careers in their 20s. Even if you go to medical school quickly, you’ll get your license to practice medicine when in your early 30s. The point here is that becoming a doctor is not easy and needs time regardless of planning and the desire to finish quickly.