Can I pursue Medicine with an Art Stream background?

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If you’ve landed here, you’re probably someone who is wondering “Can I pursue Medicine with an Art Stream background?” or “Can non science student become Doctor in Malaysia?” Traditionally, the path to Medicine has always been associated with Science. However, according to the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), and the document for minimum qualifications for entry into Medicine by them, Medicine with an Art Stream background is possible. Keep on reading to unravel the pathway into Medicine with an Art Stream background.

What is Medicine?

Medicine is the branch of Science relating to health and healing. More specifically, Medicine has to do with diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses, injuries, and diseases. This would also include medical research which is crucial to evolve the field and advance healthcare discoveries, technologies, and treatments.

Medicine is a broad field of healthcare with multiple networks or branches of Medicine which includes Anatomy, Genetics, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Nutrition, Pathology, and many more. You can read our article here to explore the Medicine field further.

Healthcare professionals under the field of Medicine range from Doctors, Nurses, and Clinicians. If you’re passionate about helping others, learning new things, connecting and understanding people and the human condition, and you are highly motivated and resilient, this is your chance to Study Medicine.

Skills required to study Medicine

Below are some skills as a guide to a successful medical school journey:

  • Responsible

As a Medical Student, you need to be responsible for your studies as well as your well-being. You should honour your responsibility by finding your own suitable study routines and methods and understand that what might work for others might not work for you together with proper approaches to taking care of yourself.

  • Empathetic

Empathy and other skills pertaining to professionalism can play a huge role in being a successful Medical Professional in the Medicine field, especially towards patients. Hence, having these traits and nurturing them during your study period is crucial.

  • Communication

In the field of Medicine, you will always have to communicate. This could either be with your patients, team, or acquaintances. Solid communication and interpersonal skills can help ensure all matters go smoothly without complications or misunderstanding to avoid detrimental repercussions and results.

  • Persevering Motivation

Studying Medicine is no easy feat. There will be difficult challenges and hurdles along the way. Persevering motivation is a trait beneficial to ensuring you would successfully complete your Medicine Degree. You will have to properly be able to handle the stress and pressure that comes with studying Medicine.

  • Organisation & Time Management

While studying Medicine, you will have so many things to juggle on top of recurring examinations. As such, good organisation and time management skills would greatly benefit your studies as a Medical Student.

General Requirements for studying Medicine in Malaysia

Following the minimum requirements to Study Medicine according to MMC. These are the General Requirements for studying Medicine in Malaysia.

Excluding those with a degree, STPM, or A-Level qualifications, prerequisites for studying Medicine are as follows:

Academic Entry

Minimum Score

SPM

5 Bs each in:

  • Biology and
  • Chemistry and
  • Physics and
  • Mathematics
  • or Additional Mathematics and
  • Another subject

O-Levels

UEC

B4 each in 3 Subjects:

  • Biology and
  • Chemistry and
  • Physics or
  • Mathematics/Advanced Mathematics I or
  • Advanced Mathematics/Advanced Mathematics II

Academic Entry

Academic entry

Minimum Score

Foundation

CGPA 3.00

(In 3 Subjects – Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics) 

Diploma

CGPA 3.50

(Diploma in Health Sciences/equivalent)

STPM

CGPA 3.00

(In 3 Subjects – Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics) 

A-Levels

BBB, ABC, or AAC

(In 3 Subjects – Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics)

Australian Matriculation (ATAR)

80%

(with Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics)

IB Diploma

33

(2 Science Subjects at Higher Level and Mathematics at Higher Level AND Minimum Score of 5 each in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics)

Without the prerequisites, you can Study Medicine by using a Bachelor’s Degree qualification. At a Bachelor’s Degree Level, these are the requirements:

Degree Type

Requirements

Degree in Health/Pure/Applied Sciences

CGPA 3.00

(Entry into 5-year Medical Programme)

Degree in Health/Pure/Applied Sciences

CGPA 3.30

(Entry into 4-year Medical Programme)

Degree in Arts/Humanities

CGPA 3.50

(Entry into 5-year Medical Programme)

Degree in Arts/Humanities

CGPA 3.75

(Entry into 4-year Medical Programme)

Note: Universities may have different requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!

English Language Entry Requirements 

Entry Level

Minimum Score

IELTS

6.0

MUET

Band 4

TOEFL

60

Note: Universities may have different English Language requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!

Pathway Options for those with an Art Stream background

With regards to the minimum requirements to Study Medicine in Malaysia, there are several pathway options for those with an Art Stream background in SPM or equivalent examination.

One option is to sit for SPM examinations with all the necessary subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, included. After completion of the exams, you can opt for STPM, A-Levels, IB, Diploma, or any qualifying pre-medical programmes and then, enrol into an MBBS programme in Malaysia.

Another option after SPM or equivalent with Art Stream is to enrol in any qualifying pre-university or diploma programmes which allows you into an undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree in either Health/Pure/Applied Sciences or Arts/Humanities. Completion with a qualifying CGPA can grant you entry in an MBBS programme in Malaysia. 

However, in the case where you might not meet the Bachelor’s Degree requirement into an MBBS programme, you can opt for the first pathway option again.

Those with an IGCSE qualification may opt for A-Levels or a Bachelor’s Degree and then proceed into an MBBS programme. However, you may need to sit for the SPM Bahasa Malaysia examination to be able to practise as a Doctor in Malaysia because IGCSE’s Malay language curriculum is not equivalent to SPM’s Bahasa Malaysia subject.

Last but not least, those interested to Study Medicine should also know that prior to enrolling into any Medical-related study programmes, you would have to sit for an interview. If studying Medicine is your passion and you’re up to put in your utmost effort, then don’t be discouraged and follow your dreams!

To get further information on pathway options into Medicine with an Art Stream background, get in touch with us!

Universities to pursue Medicine in Malaysia

1. Monash University

Monash University Malaysia is a counterpart of the Monash University network in Australia, making it an internationally accredited university. Graduates will have the chance to engage with students from all over the world in an inclusive campus community, expanding global and cultural horizons.

Monash’s Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine is offered under its Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The School is reputable with fostering highly competent Medical professionals who are patient-centred, work-ready professionals, reflective, compassionate and committed to lifelong learning. The course has multiple accreditations from professional boards with a chance to experience international clinical postings. 

Programme Offered

Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine

Duration

5 Years

Intake

February

Indicative Fees (2024)

Local Students: RM 559,200

International Students: RM 643,200

Contact us right now for a free consultation if you’d like more details about the costs, the format of the programme, and the entry requirements!

2. International Medical University Malaysia

International Medical University, also widely known as IMU, is one of the most distinctive private medical and health sciences universities in Malaysia. IMU carries the status of being Malaysia’s first private medical university with over thirty years in Malaysia’s healthcare education making them a very notable healthcare learning institution in Malaysia.

The Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) offered by IMU has a comprehensive curriculum dedicated to healthcare education and meeting international standards. Students of the programme will have clinical placements as early as the first semester of their studies and will join a vibrant community of students and practitioners from all healthcare fields.

Programme Offered

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

Duration

5 Years

Intake

February, September

Indicative Fees (2024)

Local Students: RM 540,000

International Students: RM 592,500

Contact us right now for a free consultation if you’d like more details about the costs, the format of the programme, and the entry requirements!

3. Newcastle University

Newcastle University Malaysia, located in Johor, Malaysia, is one of the international branches of Newcastle University UK. Newcastle University Malaysia graduates will get a UK qualification from a university with international recognition at a cost that is comparably more affordable than the same degree in the UK.

Newcastle University Medicine (NUMed) Malaysia offers a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery programme for students interested in the Medicine field. The programme ensures excellent healthcare education through case-led learning, early clinical exposure, practical learning, as well as the chance to gain hands-on experience of a different country’s healthcare system.

Programme Offered

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery

Duration

5 Years

Intake

September

Indicative Fees (2024)

Local Students: RM 503,000

International Students: RM 605,000

Contact us right now for a free consultation if you’d like more details about the costs, the format of the programme, and the entry requirements!

4. Taylor’s University

Taylor’s University is a notable private higher education learning institution in Malaysia, established in 1969. Taylor’s has placings in the top ranked among Southeast Asian and Malaysian private universities, making it a favourable choice for those looking to Study Medicine in Malaysia.

Taylor’s School of Medicine offers the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programmes to students interested in joining the field of Medicine. The School provides exceptional healthcare education together with a supportive learning environment. The School has partnerships with hospitals for clinical exposure towards students as well as community health and medical outreach programmes to foster a passion for helping others.

Programme Offered

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

Duration

5 Years

Intake

April, September

Indicative Fees (2024)

Local Students: RM 419,690

International Students: USD 100,874

Contact us right now for a free consultation if you’d like more details about the costs, the format of the programme, and the entry requirements!

5. UCSI University

UCSI University started out as a computer training institute and has since grown into one of Malaysia’s private higher education institutes providing transformative education to nurture professionalism, integrity, grit, and passion, in its graduates. UCSI also offers a broad range of credentials through collaborations with prestigious universities throughout the globe.

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme at UCSI University focuses on five aspects of Medical knowledge which are basic medical services; clinical and therapeutic methods, procedures, and investigations; community and family medicine; communication skills; and professional competence, to produce graduates who excel in the field of Medicine. Students will be able to perform medical procedures starting in their first year of study for early clinical exposure.

Programme Offered

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Duration

5 Years

Intake

September

Indicative Fees (2024)

Local Students: RM 351,310

International Students: RM 429,500

Contact us right now for a free consultation if you’d like more details about the costs, the format of the programme, and the entry requirements!

For more information regarding the university, programme offered, entry requirements and fees, contact Excel Education.

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About The Author

Hannah Hir

Hannah appreciates various art forms, especially Asian literature, film and music. Most of her favorite Malaysian kuihs are green-coloured.

 

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