Given its largely youthful population, growing economy, and accelerating rate of modernization, the State of Qatar is one of the most interesting nations in the Middle East.
Qatar, a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which is composed of six nations, has held events for the World Trade Organization and the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Al-Jazeera Satellite Channel and Education City, one of the most ambitious and comprehensive centers for education and research in the Middle East, are located there.
Qatar is a 5,000-square-mile peninsula with sand dunes in the south and a flat, stony desert with sporadic farming in the north. Winters are moderate and pleasant with sporadic showers, while summers are hot and frequently humid.
On the surface, it might not seem like Qatar has many full-time medical school programs. In truth, enrolling at a branch of Cornell University in the US was the only option for medical education in Qatar before the Qatar University College of Medicine’s 2014 opening.
On the other hand, medical students today have several excellent options. Despite the small class sizes compared to other medical schools, the laboratories and equipment are of the highest caliber because of the wealth of the nation.
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The List of Medical Schools in Qatar
Now that Qatar is prepared to welcome medical students, you can choose from the list of medical schools in Qatar below.
College Of Medicine, Qatar University
A six-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is available through the College of Medicine at Qatar University
The College of Medicine (CMED) of the University of Qatar uses an engaging and interactive teaching style that involves students in hands-on learning. The critical thinking, reasoning, and decision-making abilities of the pupils are developed through this instructional strategy. Students are given the tools to find information and are encouraged to learn continuously throughout their lives.
The medical program at CMED is distinguished by its innovative student-centered approach, which combines teaching and learning strategies that reflect best practices in medical education, including problem-based learning (PBL), case-based learning (CBL), team-based learning (TBL), task-based learning, and virtual patient learning (VPL).
While the first year (phase I) is a transitional year that concentrates on the fundamental medical sciences and core curriculum, the emphasis turns to patients and population care in phase II (Integrated Organ Systems), the pre-clerkship phase (following 2.5 years). Clinical skill development takes place in clinical skill centers where students regularly interact with standardized patients and “manikins” for medical instruction.
Students rotate between clerkships throughout the third phase (the final 2.5 years), or “Clerkship phase” (Hospital Training), to ensure exposure to clinical circumstances, patients, and population care. The students follow a number of significant rotations in family medicine, pediatrics, gynaecology, obstetrics, surgery medicine, emergency medicine, and mental health throughout this phase.
They maintain that improving and developing curricula is a constant process. Through regular communication with our extensive network of worldwide partners, the College regularly reviews and monitors our MD program and its learning outcomes, recognizes opportunities, and seeks additional feedback for ongoing improvements.
Admission Requirements
- Credit Hours: Six Year Program
- Finishing two out of the three science courses you took in school—either biology, chemistry, or physics.
- Submitting the results of your English and math standardized tests:
- English: TOFEL 520, IBT 68, or IELTS 6
- Mathematics: SAT 530, ACT 21 or QU math placer 200
- Medical Practice & Licensing
Students who successfully complete the six-year program of study will get an MD degree. Students will also have successfully completed the International Foundations of Medicine (IFOM-BSE) and IFOM-CSE with a score corresponding with their internship in Qatar.
The curriculum will equip graduating students with the skills necessary to pass the USMLE Step 2 (Clinical Knowledge) and IFOM-CSE licensing exams, which are separate from the study plan.
Tuition: For more details, click here.
For further information, click here.
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Weill Cornell Medical College
The pioneer in medical education, biomedical research, and population health in the Middle East is Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar (WCM-Q), the first American medical school established outside of the United States.
WCM-Q, which is a division of Cornell University in Ithaca and shares the same three missions as Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, was founded in 2001 as a cooperation between Cornell University and the Qatar Foundation.
The WCM-Q offers an integrated program of pre-medical and medical studies leading to the Cornell University MD degree. It was the first medical school in Qatar and a forerunner of coeducation at the university level. Faculty from Cornell and Weill Cornell as well as allied professors from Sidra Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, and other regional healthcare organizations teach classes.
Weill Cornell in the US, Qatar, and HMC have continuing joint biomedical research programs, and WCM-Q now runs a significant research program focusing on the most common diseases in the area.
The Summer Research Program, for example, gives selected students the opportunity to travel to the US and work under the mentorship of top researchers at Cornell and Weill Cornell. WCM-Q students are actively encouraged to participate in research projects and have exciting opportunities to participate in biomedical investigations.
WCM-Q became one of the first organizations outside of the US to be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education as a provider of continuing medical education for physicians thanks to the efforts of the Division of Continuing Professional Development and its commitment to international best practices.
Finally, the Institute for Population Health (IPH) at WCM-Q approaches health holistically. IPH educates communities, encourages them to take responsibility for their own well-being by practicing healthy lifestyles, and conducts research in addition to reviewing healthcare policy. In addition, it supports the use of lifestyle medicine alongside traditional medical treatments for non-communicable disorders like obesity and diabetes.
Weill Cornell College in Qatar offers a four-year and a six-year medical program.
4 Year Medical Program
With the goal of providing medical students with the greatest education possible, the medical program was specifically created to continue the two-year pre-medical curriculum.
In 2016, the college unveiled a novel new curriculum based on the success of the previous curriculum and built around the guiding concepts of enhancing the integration of the sciences and clinical learning and introducing patient care from day one of their studies.
The program ensures the use of cutting-edge technology, which has transformed medicine, and focuses on three main themes: the scientific basis of medicine, patient care, and physician ship.
The highest level of personal integrity is necessary for the practice of medicine. The selection committee looks for candidates whose personalities are evolving in a way that supports the greatest possible practice of medicine. This comprises moral integrity, commitment to others’ well-being, emotional maturity, and personal depth.
Requirements For Admission
For future leadership positions in medicine, the college seeks applicants who have the highest standards in both their academic performance and personal conduct.
The students with the highest academic achievements and outstanding personal endeavors are chosen. With such projects, new opportunities for leadership, creativity, research, community service, inspiration, and other experience are created.
All applicants must apply through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) and all applications should be submitted online.
- Online submission of a complete application and personal statement.
- 1–2 letters of recommendation from the teachers and the pre-professional advisory committee.
- MCAT official results.
- Copy of all college and university transcripts that are official or certified.
- Copies of all obtained diplomas and degrees that are official or certified.
- Copy of a current passport.
The Premedical Curriculum Selection Criteria
The admissions committee views all applicants from different backgrounds equally in the liberal arts and basic sciences. Each application is evaluated individually. Here are some things to consider before applying which can be considered as the eligibility criteria.
- Letters of Evaluation
Letters of recommendation are crucial in evaluating a candidate’s application. Someone who is well acquainted with you should write the letter.
- MCAT Results
MCAT is a tool that allows for a particular kind of candidate comparison and is regarded as a component of the application process. The MCAT score threshold does not exist.
- Extracurricular Activities
Taking part in extracurricular activities, whether on or off campus, is encouraged. By extension throughout time, leadership responsibilities and successes will show commitment and involvement.
- Examining the Medical Field
Candidates are encouraged to learn about medicine in some capacity prior to entering medical school. Finding out about the medical industry can take many different forms, including as research, volunteer work, preceptor experiences in medical settings, summer jobs, and more.
- Research
In the fields of basic science, social science, or liberal arts, research experiences are highly prized. Research in the biomedical sciences is encouraged.
- Character
To practice medicine, one must possess personal integrity. One of the characteristics the committee considers is those who are forming themselves in accordance with the best practice of medicine, which includes emotional maturity, personal depth, devotion to others’ well-being, and ethical and moral purity.
After taking all this into consideration and submitting an application online, the candidates whose qualifications most closely match our selection criteria will be contacted for personal interviews.
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6-year medical program
The 6-year medical program is specifically created as a sequence of two curricula:
- The pre-med curriculum
- Medical curriculum
The 2-year pre-medical program at Weill Cornell Medical College is designed to get students ready for the 6-year medical school’s academic requirements. The basic sciences that are pertinent to the study of medicine are included in the medical curriculum.
After finishing the pre-medical course, students are evaluated for advancement to the medical curriculum of the six-year medical school. The basic science courses are taught in the first two years of the four-year medical program, and clinically based courses are taught in the third and fourth years.
Admission Requirements
The prerequisites to apply for admission to the six-year medical program are listed below.
- Completion of secondary education
The equivalent of an American college preparatory education that includes challenging university preparation curricula or programs in disciplines like advanced mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics, among other pertinent topics.
Strongest university preparation program available in the applicant’s system of schools (applicants are expected to complete A Level exams in British schools, AP exams in American schools, and HL exams in IB schools).
Graduation with distinction in the classroom.
- Standardized Tests
SAT Reasoning Test or ACT
When screening applications, they don’t employ absolute cutoff minimum scores. But superior academic performance is anticipated. High standardized exam scores support the overall academic strength coupled with other trustworthy measures, such as secondary school grades.
NOTE: Passing scores on tests of English language competence (see list below) do not replace passing marks on the SAT or ACT’s reading and writing sections.
- English Language Proficiency Examinations
IELTS or the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) (International English Language Testing System).
If a student’s test results for college entrance do not meet the criteria below, they must take an English proficiency test. The TOEFL and IELTS are regarded as appropriate evaluations of English proficiency. A good test is the TOEFL Home Edition. Additionally acceptable is the IELTS UKVI (Academic IELTS).
If one of the following conditions is satisfied, the TOEFL and IELTS may be waived:
- Achieving a reading score of 32 or higher on the SAT.
- Achieving a 600 or higher on the SAT’s Evidence-Based Reading and Writing portion.
- Achieving a score of 25 or more on the ACT’s English test.
- Personal Statement
Every applicant is required to submit a personal essay outlining their reasons for wanting to pursue a career in medicine. Their committee looks beyond these numbers because there is no predetermined set of grade point averages and standardized test results that will ensure admittance to the program.
They want candidates who can show that they have made the most of their opportunities, care about their community, and have honed unique talents outside of the realm of academics.
Consequently, a personal statement should highlight traits like:
- Inspiration for studying medicine
- Stability and maturity
- Intellectual capacity
- Features of leadership
- A passion for learning, and moral courage
- Unique skills or talents
- Achievements
- Diligence and commitment
- Honesty and integrity
- Sense of justice
- Compassion
- Reference letters
Every applicant must provide a minimum of two English-written letters of recommendation. One by their math and science instructors, and one by their principals and college advisors. The best letters give particular instances of the applicant’s dedication to and skills in academics (indicators of likely success), as well as of the traits or achievements that set the candidate apart.
- Interviews
The candidates whose qualifications most closely match our selection criteria will be contacted for personal interviews. To be considered for admittance, candidates must attend the interviews if they are asked to do so. All interviews are scheduled to hold in Doha, Qatar.
Tuition: $62,456.
For further information, click here.
How to Obtain Medical License in Qatar
To perform their professions in Qatar, health professionals must make an online request to the Ministry of Public Health in order to apply for or renew their medical licenses.
(QCHP) The Registration & Licensing Department in the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners regulates healthcare practitioners who wish to work in the State of Qatar with the objective of upgrading levels of targeted healthcare services to maintain the health of residents in the State of Qatar and to adopt unified policies approved by QCHP, regardless of the origin of the certificate or the applicant’s home country.
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Registration and licensing procedures for healthcare practitioners
- Registration
- Qualification Test
To assure the efficacy and eligibility of applicants to operate safely in the State of Qatar, the qualifying test otherwise known as the Prometric test is regarded as one of the conditions for the registration or licensing of healthcare practitioners.
- Primary Source Verification
Primary source verification (PSV) is a process that verifies all applicants for registration and licensure in the State of Qatar’s private and public healthcare sectors on the basis of their educational background, training, experience, and other credentials.
This guarantees to the regulators that the credentials of all healthcare professionals are authenticated, ensuring safe and efficient professional activity in the State of Qatar.
Primary source verification (PSV) ensures that candidates who submit fake or deceptive credentials are quickly identified and prevented from working in Qatar.
Additionally, it enables the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP) to alert other registration authorities about phony candidates.
Required documents
- A duplicate of your passport with at least six more months of validity.
- A duplicate of a valid QID, front and rear (If applicable).
- One current ID photo with a white backdrop and dimensions of 4.5mm in height by 3.5mm in width.
- A current curriculum vita (CV).
- Copy of educational certificates, such as a medical degree, a postgraduate degree, a board certification, etc (including mark sheet & internship).
- A copy of the certifications for recent job experience. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of continuous work experience, with no breaks longer than 6 months.
- Copies of the necessary years of work experience from both your home country and the nation where you are now employed, as well as current medical/registration licenses (if applicable).
- A copy of the submission receipt that was sent to the verification business (payment receipt).
- A replica of the qualifying exam passing certificate (if applicable).
- From your current employer, a letter of employment
- Your most recent pay slip.
- A copy of the reference letters you received from prior employment.
Translations into English are required for all paperwork (Legal Translation)
Online Guidelines
- Access the Medical Licensing Registration System by logging in.
- Go to Sign Up for New Applicant and click. By entering your email address and password, you can create an account.
- Open your email after submission to activate your account.
- Log in to your newly established account and select “apply for evaluation.” Before submitting your application, make sure to complete all the fields, upload all necessary files, and print the payment receipt (if applicable).
- Pay the necessary fees online.
- Your request will appear as (Not completed by Employer) after payment and submission, meaning your designated focal point needs to approve it through the institution account.
- If you are exempt from payment, your request will show as (Employer Completing) after submission, indicating that your authorized focal point needs to approve it through the institution account.
- Make sure to fill out all the essential fields and upload the necessary attachments.
- The Medical Licensing Registration System notifies the health professional through email that the e-license is available and that s/he may begin practicing right away after the registration/renewal request is authorized. The license can be electronically reviewed at a later time by the applicant.
Fees can be paid manually, but they are not refundable if an application is rejected.
How Much Do Doctors Earn In Qatar
In Qatar, the average monthly salary for a doctor or physician is roughly 36,900 QAR. The lowest average wage is 13,500 QAR, while the highest is 62,200 QAR (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
This is the typical monthly wage, which also includes housing, transportation, and other amenities. The salaries for various doctor and physician jobs vary greatly.
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Can I study Medicine in Qatar University?
A six-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is available at the College of Medicine. The competency-based, integrated, team-based, and problem-based learning (TBL, PBL) curriculum is available for the MD program at CMED.
What GPA is required for Qatar University?
In the first semester, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or better. A student will be automatically expelled from the program if they don’t get a 3.0 or above in the first semester.
Can international students study in Qatar University?
The Scholarships and International Admissions Section supports one of Qatar University’s strategies for welcoming students from around the world by implementing new procedures that make it easier for applicants from outside Qatar to enrol in a wide range of programs at any academic level at the university.
What is QCHP license in Qatar?
QCHP is an acronym for Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners. Permanent Licensing Committee, abbreviated PLC.
How much is Prometric exam in Qatar?
A candidate may retake the exam as many times as necessary if they don’t pass the first time. The exam is currently 90 USD (about 4500 RS) and is scheduled every weekday from Monday to Friday in Trivandrum, Kerala.
How much is the cost of living in Qatar?
Without rent, the expected monthly expenses for a family of four are 3,077$ (11,190QR). Without rent, the expected monthly expenses for a single person are 867$ (3,155QR). In comparison to the US, Qatar has a 17.36% lower average cost of living.
How long is medical school in Qatar?
For high school students, WCM-Q offers a comprehensive six-year medical education program, and for college and university students, it offers a four-year medical curriculum.
Can I study in Qatar for free?
Qatari nationals are not required to pay tuition for the public education system, but students from other countries do. Qatari and foreign students pay the same tuition rates for the same programs at many of Qatar’s international campuses.
For an academic year, tuition in Qatar normally runs from QR 50,00 to QR 80,000.
How long is a residency in medicine in Qatar?
Obtain the QCHP medical license (Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners) and complete a residency program that is recognized (3 – 6 years, depending on the specialty)
Can MBBS Doctor work in Qatar?
You must demonstrate that you possess the following credentials as a doctor in order to work as a consultant in Qatar: In general, the ideal applicant would hold a CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training) or comparable qualification in their field of expertise.