It is safe to say that the best medical university in the world will either be located in the US or the UK. International students mostly target these countries because of their high employment rates and chance of a stable medical career.

Top-ranking universities in these countries are highly difficult to get into and cost a fortune. A good alternative is Arkangel University, where you can get a US medical degree at a much affordable cost and move to the USA or the UK easily. We made a detailed comparison to help you make the right decision.

Which Is the Best Medical University in the World?

Top medical universities are highly competitive, making it difficult to single out the absolute best. Here, we highlight the world’s leading institutions for medical studies, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your goals.

1. Harvard University

• Location: Cambridge, United States
• Medicine Degrees Offered: Doctor of Medicine (MD) is the primary medicine degree offered here. It also offers various joint degrees.
• Acceptance Rate: With an acceptance rate of 3.2%, Harvard is one of the most competitive medical universities in the world.
• Academic and Non-Academic Cost: The tuition fee at Harvard is about $73,000 per year. With non-academic costs, the total cost per year to attend Harvard is about $113,000.
• Living Expenses: Approximately $32,000 per year.
• English Language Proficiency Requirement: A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 103 or IELTS score of 7.5.
• Career Considerations:

Harvard Medical School graduates have ample career opportunities due to the university’s strong academic reputation and extensive professional network.

Graduates can choose academic medicine, specialized clinical practice, medical entrepreneurship, and more.

Top-tier US hospitals, research organizations, and healthcare organizations have a high demand for Harvard graduates.

• Residency Considerations:

Harvard has the highest residency match rate in the US, and students secure spots in competitive specialties.

The university has affiliations with world-known hospitals. 

2. University of Oxford

• Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
• Medicine Degrees Offered: The primary medicine degree offered here is BM BCh (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery). It is equivalent to the MBBS degree in Bangladesh, India, and China.
• Acceptance Rate: The University of Oxford accepts only 12.4% of applicants.
• Academic and Non-Academic Cost: The total cost to attend the University of Oxford, including academic and non-academic costs, is approximately £48,000 per year. 
• Living Expenses: Approximately £12,000-£18,000 per year.
• English Language Proficiency Requirement: A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 110 or IELTS score of 7.5.
• Career Considerations:

Oxford graduates can pursue careers in clinical practice, medical research, and public health.

Many doctors achieve leadership roles in national and international healthcare organizations.

Oxford has world-class laboratories for advanced research.

• Residency Considerations:

Oxford medical graduates need to complete the UK Foundation Programme before specialty training. 

After completing post-graduation, they get placements at NHS hospitals and research centers across the UK.

Obtaining residencies in the US, Canada, and other countries is also easy for Oxford graduates.

3. University of Cambridge

• Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom
• Medicine Degrees Offered: MB BCh is the primary medicine degree. Other joint degrees are also available.
• Acceptance Rate: The acceptance rate at the University of Cambridge is 21%. It is a top medical university but isn’t as competitive as Harvard or Oxford.
• Academic and Non-Academic Cost: The total cost to attend the University of Cambridge is approximately £64,000 per year. 
• Living Expenses: Depending on where you reside, the cost of living in the UK is about £12,000-£18,000 per year.
• English Language Proficiency Requirement: A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 110 or IELTS score of 7.5.
• Career Considerations:

Cambridge-trained doctors are widely accepted in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), pharmaceutical companies, and academic institutions.

Students interested in research have advanced facilities at the University of Cambridge.

Due to the global reputation of the university, graduates can pursue careers in countries like the USA, Canada, and more.

• Residency Considerations:

Like Oxford graduates, Cambridge graduates also get into the UKFP before specialty training. 

The university has affiliations with leading teaching hospitals, which gives students hands-on experience in a range of medical disciplines. It helps them achieve residency easily.

Students can also choose to apply for US residency and have a high match rate.

4. Stanford University 

• Location: Stanford, United States
• Medicine Degrees Offered: Doctor of Medicine (MD) is the primary medicine degree. MD-PhD and other dual degree programs are also available.
• Acceptance Rate: The acceptance rate at Stanford is only 3.2%, making it more competitive than Harvard University.
• Academic and Non-Academic Cost: A student needs to spend a total of about $104,000 per year.
• Living Expenses: Depending on location, living expenses can be about $30,000-$40,000 per year.
• English Language Proficiency Requirement: A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100.
• Career Considerations:

Stanford University emphasizes medical innovation, so students have access to advanced medical research.

Graduates can pursue careers in medical technology and AI-driven healthcare in Silicon Valley companies.

The university has affiliations with top-tier hospitals, academic institutions, and healthcare organizations.

• Residency Considerations:

Stanford University has a high residency match rate of 98%. So, students can obtain positions in competitive specialties, including neurosurgery, oncology, and cardiology.

Graduates also obtain residency programs at renowned organizations, such as Johns Hopkins, the University of California, etc.

5. Johns Hopkins University

• Location: Baltimore, United States
• Medicine Degrees Offered: Doctor of Medicine (MD), MD-PhD, and other dual degree programs.
• Acceptance Rate: Johns Hopkins University has an acceptance rate of about 8%.
• Academic and Non-Academic Cost: With about $63,000 per year in tuition fees, students spend a total of about $97,000 per year.
• Living Expenses: Approximately $27,000-$35,000 per year.
• English Language Proficiency Requirement: A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100 or IELTS score of 7.5.
• Career Considerations:

Johns Hopkins University has a leading position in medical research and public health initiatives. 

Students here can specialize in various fields, including neurology and infectious diseases.

Graduates from JHU often pursue careers in medical policy, academia, and government agencies.

• Residency Considerations:

Johns Hopkins University has a residency match rate of 100%. 

Graduates can obtain residencies in other top-ranking medical universities in the US and other countries.

The university guides students for medical licensure and residency opportunities in Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.

6. Imperial College London

• Location: London, United Kingdom
• Medicine Degrees Offered: MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) with BSc integrated into the program.
• Acceptance Rate: The acceptance rate at Imperial College London is about 11%.
• Academic and Non-Academic Cost: The total cost to attend one of the best medical colleges in the world is about £50,000 per year.
• Living Expenses: It takes about £12,000-£18,000 per year in London.
• English Language Proficiency Requirement: A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100 or IELTS score of 7.5.
• Career Considerations:

Students here can pursue careers in clinical medicine, medical research, healthcare policy, or digital health innovation. 

The Imperia College Healthcare NHS Trust offers unmatched exposure to complex medical cases.

Graduates can also obtain licenses and build medical careers in other countries.

ICL offers guidance on licensing exams like the USMLE and MCCQE.

• Residency Considerations:

Just like other top medical universities in the UK, Imperial College London graduates typically enter the UKFP.

Students usually secure placements at top hospitals across the UK. 

Graduates can also move to other countries, like the USA and Canada.

7. Yale University

• Location: New Haven, United States
• Medicine Degrees Offered: Doctor of Medicine (MD) is the primary medicine degree. PhD and joint degree programs are also available.
• Acceptance Rate: Yale University has an acceptance rate of 4.6%.
• Academic and Non-Academic Cost: The tuition fee at Yale is about $70,000 per year, and the total cost is about $100,000 per year.
• Living Expenses: The cost of living is about $27,000-$35,000 per year.
• English Language Proficiency Requirement: A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100.
• Career Considerations: 

The Yale System of Medical Education offers self-directed learning and research. So students can pursue careers as physicians and scientists.

Interdisciplinary collaboration at Yale allows medical students to learn law, business, and technology.

Students can also work in global health programs, thanks to the reputation of the university.

• Residency Considerations:

Yale has a residency match rate of 100%. Graduates easily get placements in specialized disciplines.

With an MD degree from Yale University, graduates can work anywhere within and outside the US.

8. University College London

• Location: London, United Kingdom
• Medicine Degrees Offered: MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)
• Acceptance Rate: The acceptance rate at UCL is under 9%.
• Academic and Non-Academic Cost: The total cost to attend UCL is about £47,000 per year.
• Living Expenses: £12,000-£18,000 per year.
• English Language Proficiency Requirement: A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 109 or IELTS score of 7.5.
• Career Considerations:

The university is close to major UK hospitals, including University College Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital, where students can gain practical experience.

Advanced research facilities at UCL allow graduates to pursue careers in medical research.

• Residency Considerations:

Graduates enter the UKFP program for general medicine training before specialization.

Securing placements in top UK hospitals and NHS trusts is possible.

The university also helps students prepare for licensing exams, including the USMLE (United States), MCCQE (Canada), and AMC (Australia).

9. University of Toronto

• Location: Toronto, Canada
• Medicine Degrees Offered: Doctor of Medicine (MD), PhD, and dual degree programs similar to US medical universities.
• Acceptance Rate: The acceptance rate at the University of Toronto is about 6%.
• Academic and Non-Academic Cost: The total cost to attend the University of Toronto is about CAD 94,000 per year.
• Living Expenses: Students need to spend an additional CAD 20,000-30,000 in living expenses per year.
• English Language Proficiency Requirement: A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100 or IELTS score of 7.0.
• Career Considerations:

University of Toronto is affiliated with Canada’s most prestigious hospitals, including Toronto General Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital. It provides hands-on experience to students.

Canada’s healthcare system offers stable employment opportunities for graduates.

The university also has ample facilities for research in biotechnology, digital health, and pharmaceuticals.

• Residency Considerations:

Graduates of the University of Toronto have a high match rate in the Canadian Residency Matching Service.

Students pursuing residency in other countries, especially in the US, get guidance and can apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

How Does Arkangel University Fit Here?

Arkangel University is a university in Antigua and Barbuda where you can easily enroll in MD programs and earn the same medical degree at a fraction of the cost compared to the U.S. Arkangel also assists students with clinical rotations in the United States. After completing your MD program, the university supports you in obtaining licensing, such as the USMLE, to start practicing medicine in the U.S.

Here’s why you should choose Arkangel:

US Medicine Degree

• Other Universities: Most medical universities in the UK and Asian countries offer MBBS or MBBCh degrees. If you aspire to build a medical career in the U.S., you must obtain a U.S.-recognized MD degree. This is why students worldwide aim for top-ranking medical universities in the U.S.
• Arkangel University: It offers an MD degree, which is a U.S.-recognized medical qualification. The students sit for their board exams every year under NBME, which is an American Medical board. So the degree they achieve is an American Medical degree. Anyone looking to become a resident in the U.S. and build a medical career can earn their degree here.

Acceptance Rate

• Other Universities: The top medical university in the world has a very low acceptance rate. Getting admission there is highly competitive.
• Arkangel University: It has a high acceptance rate of about 43%. Obtaining the MD degree from here is far less competitive.

Academic and Non-Academic Costs

• Other Universities: Completing a 6-year medicine degree from top-ranking universities in the US or UK costs about $70,000-$100,000 per year.
• Arkangel University: The total cost to obtain an MD degree here is about $15,000 per year for the 1st four years and then $25,500 for the last 2 years, when the students are completing their clinical rotations in the USA.

Living Expenses

• Other Universities: Due to their locations, the living expenses can be about $30,000 or higher per year.
• Arkangel University: The cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is approximately $10,000-$12,000 per year.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

• Other Universities: Most universities require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100 or an IELTS score of 7.5.
• Arkangel University: It has no language proficiency requirements.

Career and Residency Considerations

• Other Universities: While the world’s top medical universities offer promising career opportunities, they often lack personalized career guidance. For example, many do not provide dedicated support for licensing exams.
• Arkangel University: It offers personalized guidance for USMLE preparation and US residency matching. Also, Arkangel students can do clinical rotations in top US hospitals through the University’s partnered medical institutions in Minnesota and Chicago.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Harvard or Oxford the best medical university in the world?

Both of these medical universities have ranked No. 1 in different years. However, most ranking systems consider Harvard University the best in the world.

Is an MBBS degree from the UK accepted in the US?

The US recognizes the MBBS degree offered in the UK. However, foreign graduates must complete a residency program and pass the USMLE to practice in the US.

Is the US or the UK better for residency?

The US healthcare system offers more advanced clinical training and opportunities for specialization. Most international students prefer residency in the US.

Secure US Residency with Expert Guidance from Arkangel!

Top-ranking medical universities offer world-class education and a stable career, but they are highly competitive and super expensive.

Arkangel University offers the same US medical degree at a fraction of the cost. Also, you get expert guidance to pass the USMLE and obtain residency in the US. Join us to get the most benefits of top-ranking universities at affordable tuition fees.