Iceland might not be very popular among international students seeking education in Europe. Surprisingly, the quality of education obtainable in Iceland ranks among the best in Europe. This can be attributed to number factors and settings within the Icelandic educational system in general, including living and health care with free hospital services.
With regard to training of medical professionals, medical schools in Iceland are not lacking. Over the years, they produced some of the best physicians from world over, including international students who are now graduands of Icelandic medical schools. If you are seeking to study medicine in Iceland, then you are at the right place to learn about the processes involved.
GENERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS TO STUDY MEDICINE IN ICELAND.
1. Language Requirements.
Studying medicine in Iceland require that one must have the knowledge of the Icelandic language. Majority of undergraduate (and graduate) courses in Iceland are taught in Icelandic Language except few that are taught in English.
The BS degree programmes which includes Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Physical Therapy Sciences, Radiography and the only diploma course Health Information Management are all taught in Icelandic language.
However, there are some graduate courses that are taught in English which are; Health Sciences, MS, Medical Life Sciences, MS, Public Health Sciences, MPH, Epidemiology, PhD, Health, Sciences, PhD, Medical Life Sciences, PhD, Medical Sciences, PhD, Public Health Sciences, PhD.
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2. Entry Examination
The requirements for gaining admission, after taking the Icelandic matriculation examination, otherwise known as studentsprof, the applicant must also take an entrance test given at every June which should be registered through the university sought-after as early as May through email.
The test will be administered in six two-hour sessions for 2days and which covers subjects such as informational skills, problem solving, verbal reasoning and reading comprehension. The questions are multiple choice and essay are often included in the Ethical consideration chapter. The result for the test will determine placements in the university, meanwhile the students must achieve a grade of 5.0.
3. Prerequisites subjects
Aside the test given to the interested candidates, the universities are also meticulous about competency in 2 to 3 major subjects (choicest of English, Icelandic, Math, Chemistry, and Biology). At the same time, the applicants are advised to also be proficient in 1 or 2 other minor subjects, including History, Psychology, Sociology, Natural Science, and Physics.
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What Other Things you should Know
1. Admission Quota.
Another thing to know about medicine in Iceland is that, admission slots are limited as there are only 60 slots yearly. For that, you must be exceptionally good and outstanding to study medicine in Iceland.
2. Years of Training.
Iceland Medical school spend 6 years to train their students. The main courses that are to be taken in the first five years include Chemistry, Anatomy, Medical Physics, Introduction to Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Cell Biology, and Cell Physiology. Clinical Method courses in Communication Science, Psychology and Physician/Patient are required as well. Students can also take a course in Science Literacy.
The Second-year subjects include Physiology, Molecular Biology, Pathology, Virology, Immunology, Passion, and 2 Clinical Method courses.
The third year is when Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Pathology, Pharmacology, Epidemiology, Biometrics, Research, and Clinical Method are administered.
The last year subjects comprises of Preventive Medicine, IT in Health Science, Forensic Medicine, Clinical Toxicology, Rehabilitation Studies, Emergency Medicine, Management, Oncology, Anesthesia & Critical Care, and Family Medicine.
Students are exposed clinically through the National University Hospital, which is the only tertiary medical center in Iceland. Other rotational areas include district/regional hospitals and primary healthcare centers.
Before the end of the sixth year, students must take the computerized Comprehensive Clinical Science Exam (CCSE) that is given to prepare the students for the clinical discipline final exam.
3. Financial Implications of Studying Medicine in Iceland
There are no tuition fees in Iceland for medical school, just an annual registration fee of c.$550. The cost of living can only be the finances that’s required of candidates.
It is discovered that Iceland ranks the third most expensive country in the world. Though there are still some opportunities to ease ones stay in Iceland, but in terms of feeding, accommodation and transportation, Iceland is very expensive. The students might however augment their cost of living a few part-time jobs during major breaks. The Icelandic Government also offer a number of scholarships to assist international students studying in Iceland.
ADVANTAGES OF STUDYING MEDICINE IN ICELAND
- No Tuition Fee: Iceland is a tuition-free study destination. This covers all study programmes, including medical courses. That is the first advantage you get if you are privileged to be admitted.
- Free Licence to Practice: After graduation you are given a free license to practice as a medical practitioner anywhere. First, you have the opportunity for an internship that is done for a year which consists of 4months exposure in general practice and 4+ months in Internal Medicine as well as 2 months of Surgery or Emergency Medicine. After this, the intern will be given an operating license by the Directorate of Health.
DISADVANTAGES OF STUDYING MEDICINE IN ICELAND
- Strict Admission Process: The admission is very competitive; it is only one medical school and students would be screened based on intellectual capability. For someone to be admitted, you must be extraordinary outstanding. Students go through thorough screening before they can be admitted.
- Language Barrier: A student who is not good and outstanding in Icelandic language cannot study medicine in Iceland. You must be vast in the knowledge of Icelandic language, though there are other courses under medicine that is taught with English but the major and acceptable language is Icelandic language.
- Limited Slots: As it is explained above, there are only 60 slots yearly for intending candidates in the medical University. It is very difficult to gain admission, if you are not exceptional in your academic.
- Cost of Living: Though there’s no tuition fee for Iceland Medical school but the cost of living is another staggering disadvantage to study in Iceland. The student needs to must be prepared financially or ready to do menial jobs to survive while studying in Iceland.
Concluding Remarks:
Iceland can be a very good alternative for those wishing to study medicine in Europe but are unable to make it to the ‘big’ destinations. If you are academically sound, then think Iceland.