Hi my cousin just finished his pre-u and now want to pursue medicine. He has done his research and saw that a lot of universities offer MBBS but only a few of them offer MD. May I know what is the difference between these 2 in Malaysia?

As far as the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) is concerned, they are equal.
Both can be used for registration under MMC. (provided they are recognized by MMC in the first place)

I can elaborate further on the history and differences between MD (as used by the Americans) vs MBBS (in commonwealth countries)... but I think you can find it out yourself from google.

Generally speaking , MD is of higher rank , a master degree but choose a degree based on its recognition & reputation.

This post has been edited by tpleong: Jun 24 2021, 12:24 PM

In Malaysia, no difference.
Entrance requirements for MBBS and MD are basically the same in Malaysia.
However, in Malaysia, Perdana University's MD degree is basically a graduate medical degree, which follows US medical education system.
UKM MD, USM MD etc are basically the same as MBBS, 5 year program, can apply after Pre-U.

On the other hand, in US, MD refer to a graduate medical degree, which requires the applicants to have a Bachelor's degree before continuing studies in medicine.
MBBS, is an undergraduate medical degree, which follows UK medical education system. Applicants can apply to after completing Pre-U.

Wrong on the highlighted part.

The degree of medicine, MD which stands for 'Doctor of Medicine' in the Malaysian perspective is an undergraduate degree for medicine, just like MBBS.

There are two variations of basic undergraduate medical degrees offered by Govt. Universities in Malaysia (4 variations if private Universities are included), namely:

1. MD - as offered by UKM, UPM, UMS, UNIMAS, USM.
2. MBBS - as offered by UM, IIUM, UNISZA.
3. MD - as offered by private Uni, the Perdana University, this requires a Bachelors Degree as the entry requirement but this doesnt mean the MD is a postgraduate degree in medicine. (google US medical education)
4. MB BCh BAO - offered by RSCI+UCD (Formerly known as Penang Medical College) - this is the degree offered by Irish Universities.


However... University of Malaya (UM) offers MD as a postgraduate doctoral level degree in medicine with Masters degree as the entry requirement. Their basic medical degree is STILL the MBBS degree.

This post has been edited by CyberSetan: Jun 25 2021, 08:34 AM

wrong...no difference in msian context...

how you get to them may differ, but at that point they are all the same....primary qualification for initial registration as a doctor.



This post has been edited by limeuu: Jun 24 2021, 10:42 PM

Is this a non-clinical ?

Its a PhD level program, I guess not so clinical... more to research or clinical research.

Refer here for more info: https://medicine.um.edu.my/doctor-of-medicine-md

Monash Malaysia also offers MD. you can check it out too.