Best places to study medicine

You’ve got your heart set on studying medicine and you know that you want to be a doctor, but now comes the next big decision – where should you study?  

When you take into account factors such as affordability, financial aid, career prospects, and course specialisms, it can feel overwhelming to find a programme in the right location. 

We’ve used data from the QS World University Rankings by Subject as well as the QS Best Student Cities to find top-ranked medical programme in the world’s most student-friendly cities. 

Here are some of the best places to study medicine: 

UCL is one of the best universities for aspiring medics, ranked sixth in the world for medicine in our subject rankings. Their MBBS programme takes six years and requires 5,500 hours of practical and theoretical work before becoming a doctor.  

Other options include Imperial College London, ranked just two places behind UCL in eighth place. Their newly redeveloped curriculum looks at at technological developments in education and healthcare, with teaching enriched by their internationally competitive research and clinical expertise. 

Working as a doctor requires you to care for patients from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. There’s no better way to familiarise yourself with different cultural traditions than studying in one of the most diverse cities in the world. Whether you want to try new cuisines or attend art exhibitions, London has something for everyone. 

It’s therefore no surprise that London has been deemed as the best city in the world for students according to the Best Student Cities ranking.  

Another strong contender is King’s College London which ranks a few places behind UCL and Imperial in 13th place. Partner hospitals include Guy’s, King’s College and St Thomas’ Hospitals – three of the most renowned and busiest teaching hospitals in London. 

If you’re keen to study at a university with a problem-based learning approach, Queen Mary University London (ranked 55th) could be a viable option for you. With less emphasis on traditional lectures, you’re encouraged to take an independent approach to clinical scenarios and start seeing patients from your very first term.  

You can find out more about different learning styles at medical schools here.  

When it comes to applying, you’ll need to submit your application through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), normally for an earlier deadline in October.  

It’s also worth noting, given the competitiveness in securing a place, you can only apply to a maximum of four medical courses. You’ll be given the choice to apply for a fifth course, but it must be a non-medical subject.  

The US is home to many top-ranked universities in the world as well as top leaders in the medical field.  

A noteworthy example is Harvard University which is not only ranked as the world’s best university for medicine but is also ranked fourth globally overall in the QS World University Rankings. The MD programme at Harvard offers two curricular tracks: Pathways and Health Sciences & Technology (HST).  

Pathways incorporates pedagogical approaches that foster active learning and critical thinking, and earlier clinical experience. HST is offered jointly by Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is oriented toward students with a declared interest in a career in biomedical research or a strong interest and background in physical or molecular science. 

In addition to Harvard, you may also want to consider Boston University if you’re keen to study medicine on the east coast.  

Ranked 54th for medicine, their curriculum integrates traditional lectures with small group seminars and laboratory exercises. Self-directed learning and teamwork are emphasised as patient contact begins the very first week of the first-year curriculum. 

Students can train at a branch campus in Santa Clara, California, for their third and fourth year. 

Famously known as the ‘Athens of America’, Boston is a great place to study if you want to be surrounded by intellectual minds.  

It’s also ranked 10th in the Best Student Cities ranking, including third place for the employer activity indicator, a clear sign that the city offers plenty of professional opportunities.