Top Medical Courses

The field of Medicine offers opportunities unrivalled by any other discipline. Right from curing fatal disorders to helping people live healthy lives, medical professionals have been the most respected individuals in our society for ages. Today, a plethora of sub-medical fields have sprouted out that have developed into distinct fields of research in themselves. In this article, some of the medical courses as well as a few upcoming health-related options have been discussed.

Must Read: Different Medical Courses After 12th

Medical Courses: Eligibility Criteria

Medical students must meet the following eligibility criteria in order to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate-level courses:

• Candidates must have passed a qualifying examination in Class 12/Higher Secondary/Pre-University with Science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Zoology/Botany.
• They must also have had English as their primary subject in their qualifying examination.
• Furthermore, candidates must meet the age limit criteria, which requires them to be 17 years old at the time of admission.
• Medical Council of India (MCI), Dental Council of India, Indian Nursing Council, Pharmacy Council of India, Indian Association of Physiotherapists, and respective associations/councils for other medical and health science courses have also mentioned additional eligibility conditions.

Top Exams

The following list brings the top Medical and Health Sciences exams conducted in India:

• NEET UG
• NEET PG
• NIPER Joint Entrance Examination
• Central Universities Common Entrance Test
• KIITEE
• TS ECET
• Jamia Milia Islamia Entrance Exam

Must Read: Medical Courses Without NEET

Popular Medical Courses

Since the medical industry is growing with several new opportunities, pursuing medical courses are equally worth pursuing. Let us take a look at some of the best medical courses that one can pursue after 12.

MBBS

The MBBS degree comes to mind as the quintessential medical qualification. It is a five-year undergraduate degree which equips an individual with a high-level understanding of human anatomy, body structure and processes, genetics, pathology, diseases and much more. It paves the way for the candidate to start practising as either a general medical professional or specialize in Cardiology, Nephrology, Paediatrics, etc. For Indian students looking to study abroad, appearing for the NEET exam has been made mandatory by the Indian government. Further, besides the coveted universities in USA and UK, one must also consider universities in upcoming study destinations like China, Bangladesh and Russia.

Recommended Read: MBBS from Abroad

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

Among the most-favoured medical courses worldwide, the BDS program comes right after the MBBS degree. Generally offered as a four-year professional degree with an additional year for training, the course structure matches the MBBS degree for the first few years. Topics of oral medicine, oral surgery etc form part of the syllabus of the penultimate or final year. Upon completion of the program, successful graduates are permitted to practice as ‘Dentists’. A select few also opt for postgraduate courses after BDS. 

Recommended Read: MBA after BDS

Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS)

This is a professional degree that deals with a completely different doctrine of medical analysis and treatment. Homeopathists believe in treating ailments through naturally extracted substances to provide long-term relief. The BHMS course is for a duration of five and a half years which includes one year of practical training. Although not as popular as the above courses, it offers illustrious career opportunities both in independent practice and clinical research.

Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)

Ayurveda has gained widespread recognition in India as an alternative method of disease treatment. Ayurvedic medicines are less expensive than their Western counterparts. Ayurvedic treatments can cure a wide range of diseases. The BAMS course focuses on Ayurvedic disease treatment. Ayurveda has its origins in the Vedic period. It is entirely based on the wonderful properties of herbs, and its medicines are well known for their natural element content.

In India, the BAMS Course Syllabus includes the study of Kriya Sharira, Dravyuaguna, Rachana Sharira, Svasthavritta, and Yoga, among other things. It also studies human anatomy, physiology, pathology and diagnostic procedures, medical principles, toxicology, forensic medicine, pharmacology, E.N.T, gynaecology and obstetrics, and surgical principles.

Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS)

The Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (B.U.M.S.) programme is a full-time graduate programme that focuses on various types of Unani treatments. B.U.M.S. is a 4.5-year bachelor’s programme followed by a one-year internship that includes various types of exercises, surgery, diuresis, cupping, therapies, diaphoresis, Turkish bath, and so on. Candidates who wish to pursue the B.U.M.S Course must have completed their 10+2 exams from a recognised board with at least 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English as their major subjects.

Bachelor in Pharmacy (BPharma)

The Bachelor of Pharmacy programme, as the name suggests, focuses on the production and manufacturing of drugs, as well as their distribution, with a particular emphasis on pharmaceutical studies. Biochemistry, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Computer Applications in Pharmacy, and other important subjects are covered in the B Pharm course.

B Pharmacy is a four-year undergraduate degree programme designed to teach students about the manufacturing process of medicines, as well as the process of dispensing medicines in medical stores and distributors. In order to be eligible for B Pharma, students must have at least 45% in PCM subjects in class 12.

BSc Nursing

A Nursing course is slowly gaining popularity among the best medical courses for its career focus. The course structure revolves around patient care, assistance during operations, emergency care etc. It tries to impart a unique mix of foundation medical understanding and practical nursing training. You can choose from a wide variety of courses that range from giving basic to advanced medical care. Often, practising as a registered nurse requires a nursing license. 

Dietician

A Dietician is a certified medical professional who advises patients on their food intake based on their ailments and problems. With the growing significance of a healthy diet in our modern lifestyles, a career as a dietician is a niche but more than a considerable option. Further, dieticians work alongside policymakers on issues like food quality maintenance, food and disease, nutritional communication etc. The registered Dietician (RD) certification needs to be achieved before one can start practising.

Cross-Disciplinary Medical Courses

Owing to the growing research in social sciences and the need to make health services accessible, new-age topics have seen a sizable rise in research. These topics include but are not limited to Public Health, Health Communication, Economics of Health, Health Psychology, Global Health and Development, Law and Medicine and much more.

Other Courses to Consider

Besides the above, there are other fulfilling options to consider if you are looking for unconventional courses. These have been mentioned below:

• Physiotherapy
• Veterinary Courses
• Clinical Psychology
• Health Inspection
• Pharmaceutical Management
• Hospital Management
• Research Opportunities

Must Read: Courses After 12th Non Medical

Jobs and Career Scope

As seen above, the category of ‘Medical Courses’ includes a variety of courses. As a result, the job and career opportunities for these courses are diverse. Candidates can refer to the table below to learn more about the career options available to them if they enrol in any of the medical courses listed above.

Job Profiles	Average Salary (in INR)
Registered Nurse	2.90 lakh and above
Medical Researcher	7.20 lakh and above
Medical Science Liaison	7 lakh and above
General Surgeon	5 lakh and above
Physiotherapist	3 lakh and above
Anesthesiologist	12 lakh and above
Healthcare Consultant	12.20 lakh and above
Medical Officer	5.80 lakh and above
Medical Laboratory Technician	2 lakh and above
Environmental Health and Safety Manager	9 lakh and above
Healthcare Manager	6 lakh and above
Nurse Educator/Trainer	3.50 lakh and above

FAQs

This article was an attempt to give a broad understanding of the medical courses that you must consider before making your decision. It is understandable that making this decision can often be quite tough. Let the mentors at Leverage Edu help you during this phase so you can make an informed choice.