How long does it take to become a neurologist in Canada?

In this post we are going to answer the question ‘How long does it take to become a neurologist in Canada?’’ We will describe the steps you need to complete to become a neurologist in Canada, the Universities where you can study and the advantages of choosing Canada.

How long does it take to become a neurologist in Canada?

To become a neurologist in Canada takes approximately 14 years of training, counting the undergraduate degree.

Medicine is one of the most popular careers in Canada, especially for international students. Most students choose to study medicine in Canada because of the country’s reputation for modernity and a high standard of living.

The truth is that this field is very competitive among Canadian students, especially international students. This is because the positions established by the Canadian government are very few.

In fact, medical students in Canada require the collaboration of their citizens and permanent residents, in addition to meeting very strict requirements.

On the other hand, Canada’s spending on medical schools, as well as the provincial taxes they allocate, can make enrollment difficult. Obviously, this is due to their careful selectivity and vision for the future to build healthy frameworks that absorb their costs and respond to their needs.

System Structure

Based on the characteristics and criteria of each institution, the length of the medical program at the Canadian Colleges lasts roughly 5 years to complete.

To start, the student must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Science or another similar area or a High School Degree to enrol in the College of Medicine in Canada.

The student will also have to take a preparatory year from that time onward, which will allow them to gain a good base in biology, social and human sciences. There are also the pre-external years during which the student obtains essential skills and starts to take out internships (usually two years).

For the Doctor of Medicine (MD) Degree, which is the first advanced degree that a graduate of the discipline of Medicine may receive in Canada, the 17 Med Schools give structured training programmes.

The number of places needed to study shall be decided by each country in particular the region where the university is located, in accordance with its enrollment and funding potential, as well as with its future needs for health frameworks.

While a student has the right to apply to much more than one institution in Canada, the most of Canadian citizens or permanent residents accepted to the institution belong to the community to which the university is associated.

Specialization

After this, the last two years out of college, which consists mostly of hospital practices. The aspiring doctor should finish the internship at the end of these 4 or 5 years. In order to do so he or she must work between 2 and 5 years in a hospital environment, in primary care or in advanced medicine, until he or she can officially practice medicine.

To undertake a medical specialization as an intern or resident in a Canadian hospital, you must pass the Medical Council of Canada evaluation examination to validate the professional title of foreign doctor. The exam costs CAD $ 1,250.

To obtain information about this exam and to receive the registration and registration forms for it, contact The Medical Council of Canada / Le Conseil Médical du Canada:

The next step after passing the exam is to apply as a resident at a Canadian university hospital, which is handled directly with Canadian hospitals or medical schools.

To obtain information (programs, conditions and admission forms) on postgraduate university studies in medicine -master or doctorate-, contact the dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies (office of the Dean of Graduate Studies / Bureau du doyen des études supérieures) of the universities of interest.

The book entitled “Admission requirements to Canadian Faculties of Medicine” (approx. CDN $ 30) provides information on the admission requirements of all medical schools in Canada. The book can be purchased by contacting the Association of Canadian Medical colleges.

Where can I study medicine in Canada?

In Canada there are 17 medical schools distributed throughout the different provinces of the country. It is difficult for Canadians to enter a college from outside their province, since the state calculates clausus numbers based on the population and need for the province.

There are several Universities to study medicine in Canada, here we will mention the best Universities to be able to practice this profession effectively.

Western University

This university accepts approximately 171 students, requires a high qualification but its acceptance rate is 11% which can be good.

It is a public university and has an excellent library, as well as museums.

It has excellent research and a reputation over time, this university is also known for excellently infusing athletics, which is essential at all times to help other people have some academic activity.

Queens University

This is an extraordinary university characterized by being one of the best universities in Canada for which the person will have first quality education at all times, which will enjoy great international prestige

University of Ottawa

It is one of the oldest universities in the country, it has approximately 30 thousand students.

The people who study at said university are characterized by the fact that they are taught French and English classes, which is excellent to have academic excellence at all times.

University of Alberta

It is a public research university which is considered to be one of the first universities in Canada to play an excellent and fundamental role over time.

On the other hand, it has excellent faculties such as the business school, the faculty of education, engineering, arts and economics.

Everything that exists in it is developed in an excellent way with great students and outstanding rectors.

Montreal University

It is an excellent public university that teaches French and is composed of approximately 13 faculties which in turn consist of approximately 60 departments.

Toronto University

It is one of the best universities in Canada, which is founded in 1827, is characterized by having an excellent student life at all times.

This university also has excellent benefits over time that has to do with having an excellent student life. Where people can have excellent sports tournaments, play hockey, practice swimming, soccer, among other activities of great interest to be able to function in an excellent environment.

In this university there is a lot of student activism, which plays a fundamental role over time. The education system is efficient and always has an impact on people being in constant training.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements for medical schools in Canada vary from institution to institution. A mandatory requirement for all universities is the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

The test is intended to assess the student’s critical thinking, writing and problem solving skills, and their knowledge of the different scientific principles and concepts that are a requirement for the study of medicine.

Medical degrees in Canada take three to five years to complete. The duration depends on the previous qualifications and the course one is pursuing. The 5-year medical program is for students who do not have a Bachelor of Science degree and the first year is the preparatory year.

To qualify for the 4-year program, an applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree in Biology or any other suitable field.

International students looking to study medicine in Canada must take the MCAT exam before applying.

They can take the exam in Canada, the US, or elsewhere in the world. For students who do not have English as their first language, they need to show their fluency in the language. This can be achieved by taking a CAEL, MELAB, IELTS or TOEFL test in English.

Foreign students should also note that not all medical universities in Canada receive applications from international students.

Practicing medicine in Canada

For a medical student to practice medicine in Canada, they must be evaluated by the Medical Council of Canada (MCC).

This council issues a qualification in medicine known as the Licensure of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) to medical graduates who have met all the necessary requirements in the field and who excelled in the Qualifications Examination of the Medical Council of Canada Parts I and II.

Graduates who have received the LMCC are registered in the Canadian Medical Registry by the MCC.

In order for a student to also be admitted for evaluation by the MCC, he or she must be a student or must have completed their studies at one of the universities listed in the previous section.

Although it seems difficult to study medicine in Canada, the professionals who acquire this degree in this country obtain important international recognition, since the people who enter this career in advance must have a previous degree, preferably in natural sciences, which gives them even more job and academic options.

Today more than ever, Canada has a large number of foreign students from around the world. Canada is a pioneer in student mobilization and there is a reason for this: the majority of Canadians are elderly and the birth rate is very low, which has set off government alarms to allow the entry of immigrants who want to carry out their life project in this country.

To begin with, it is important to mention that higher education in this country is not free, but it is of very good quality. Its low crime rates and economic situation make foreign students look for the possibilities of living there and studying to obtain a better professional ladder.

Why choose Canada?

Many people choose to study medicine in Canada because of the nation’s high standard of living and modern culture. Most of the Canadian medical schools have excellent infrastructure and facilities.

The curriculum aims to ensure that future graduates have a good functional understanding of biological, psychological and social processes and mechanisms, as well as their impact on health and disease, based on learning principles drawn from cognitive psychology.

The practice is developed in large tertiary care hospitals and elective in rural clinics to become an attentive and resourceful physician who can work with patients, families and colleagues to provide excellent care in many different contexts, in complex and uncertain situations.

Additionally, they will encourage you to be a creative change agent in healthcare institutions and communities, and to deliver outstanding patient-centered care.

FAQS: How long does it take to become a neurologist in Canada?

How much do neurologists earn in Canada?

The average Neurologist salary in Canada is $252,343 per year or $129.41 per hour.

How many years does it take to become a neurologist?

Becoming a neurologist takes about 12 years.

Is becoming a neurologist hard?

Being a neurologist often means dealing with some very ill patients, and it can be very challenging, as with many forms of professions for doctors.

What is required to become a neurologist?

Neurologists typically need a bachelor’s degree, a degree from a medical school, which takes 4 years to complete, and, 3 to 7 years in internship and residency programs.

Do neurologists do surgery?

No, neurologists don’t do surgery. 

In this post we answered the question ‘How long does it take to become a neurologist in Canada?’’ We described the steps you need to complete to become a neurologist in Canada, the Universities where you can study and the advantages of choosing Canada.

If you have any questions or comments please let us know!

References

Neurology Profile. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.cma.ca/sites/default/files/2019-01/neurology-e.pdf

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NEUROLOGY GENERAL INFORMATION. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cnsfederation.org/uploads/content/societies/documents/neurology_en.pdf

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