MBBS an Option for Medical Students

MBBS stands for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. The naming suggests that they are two separate degrees; however, in practice, they are usually treated as one and awarded together. Professionals holding MBBS degrees are referred to by the courtesy title of "Doctor" and use the prefix "Dr". The degrees are the British equivalent of the American M.D. Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgical (abbreviated in various ways, viz. MBBS or MBChB, MB BS, MB BChir, BM BCh, MB BCh, MB ChB, BM BS, BM, BMed etc.), are the two first professional degrees awarded upon graduation from medical school in medicine and surgery by universities in United Kingdom and other places following the British tradition, such as Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India.

The basic or degree level qualification for a medical profession is MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine And Bachelor of Surgery) which is of 5 1/2 years duration (including 1 year internship). Selection for MBBS is through an All India Entrance Examination. The qualification required for entrance is 10+2 or equivalent with Science subjects. In the case of private medical colleges entrance examinations are conducted by the institutes individually. Every student shall undergo a period of over 4 1/2 academic years divided into 9 semesters, followed by one year compulsory rotating internship. Medical education in India is regulated by Medical Council of India.

In India Medical education is offered at four levels:

1.First degree - Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

2.Postgraduate diplomas in specific areas such as Child Health (DCH), Laryngology and Otology (DLO), Diploma in Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGO) and postgraduate degree in broad specialties – Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Surgery (MS)

3.Postgraduate degree (Super Specialties) - Doctor of Medicine (DM), and Master of Chirurgiae (MCh) also known as post-doctoral degrees

4.Research degree M.Phil and PhD.