Pursuing a medical degree requires a severe amount of dedication, commitment, and rigorous hard work.  If it’s a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, then you’ll not only need to work hard, but be smart and make the right decisions at the right moment. 

Antigua happens to be an acknowledged destination to acquire a medical degree, due to its world-class medical universities and curricula.  If you’re considering Antigua for your Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, then it’s essential to know the structure, duration, and requirements for an MD program.

Duration of An MD Degree

An MD degree typically takes more or less five years worldwide. The duration of an MD program ranges from four to six years in Antigua. It depending on the university and the program that you enrolled in. 

The duration also varies depending on the applicant’s educational background. It’s typically categorized in three stages: one for students with a high school diploma, another for those with a bachelor’s degree, and another one for those who have prior medical education. 

Here are the various durations for an MD degree based on entry points:

1. 6 Year Program: This program is designed for those who have just completed their high school diploma. The 6-year pathway includes two years of foundational pre-medical studies, two years of studying basic sciences, and finally, a two-year course on clinical relations. 
2. 5 Year Program: This program is designed for students who have already sat for a medical entrance exam or completed their 1st year in a medical institution. This program is pretty much the same as the previous 6-year one, but it does not have the extra two foundational years that students with only a high school diploma are meant to take. This program focuses more on the basic sciences and clinical training.
3. 4 Year Program: Students who have a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field can apply for a 4-year MD program. The program consists of two years of learning basic sciences, and the next two years will consist of clinical rotations in the hospitals affiliated with the university located in the USA, UK, or Canada. 

MD Program Structure

Most of the medical schools in Antigua, such as Arkangel University follow a curriculum that is similar to American medical education system. However, ArkAngel University also offers a Pre-Medical Sciences course that helps student transition into their medical studies after their highschool diploma. Following this structure divides the MD program at ArkAngel University into three phases: the Pre-medical sciences, Basic Sciences and the Clinical Sciences.  

• Pre-Medical Sciences: The first year of the 4-year program is taught in the Antigua campus. It will focus on Chemistry, Biology, English and all other skills the student needs to develop to transition seamlessly into the medical curriculum.
• Basic Sciences: This will be the next 3 years after the Pre-Medical course and will also be in Antigua. It includes subjects like human anatomy, biochemistry, pathology, pharmacology, medical ethics, epidemiology, and physiology. This phase educates the students with a basic foundational knowledge that they’ll be needing in in their clinical practice. The course also includes lab works, and practical problem-solving assessments.
• Clinical Sciences (Clinical Rotations): the final 2 years of this course involves practical training and problem-solving. It’s typically held on various campuses in the UK, USA, Canada, and the Caribbean. Arkangel University students get the opportunity to complete the clinical rotations with their partnered medical institutions in Rochester and Chicago. These clinical rotations cover medical specialties like internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and family medicine. Students receive hands-on experience from treating real medical cases. This will allow students to apply their theoretical learnings in practical settings and test themselves for the upcoming challenges they will be facing as healthcare professionals.

Licensing and Examinations

After earning an MD degree from Antigua, in order to practice medicine, you’ll need to complete the license requirements that will allow you to practice. These requirements may vary depending on the country that you decide to practice in. Here are some of the notable ones:

• United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE): For practicing in the United States of America. 
• Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE): Required for practicing in Canada.
• United Kingdom’s Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Exam:  For practicing in the United Kingdom.
• Caribbean Medical Licensing Exams: For practicing in the Caribbean region.

How long it takes to obtain a Doctor of Medicine degree depends on your educational background, the institute, and the program that you’re enrolling into. 

But grossly the duration ranges between four to six years. The medical schools in Antigua provide world-class education and training, as well as work opportunities in some of the best hospitals of the world. If you’re aspiring to study medicine abroad, then Antigua is definitely a good choice.