Difference Between MD & MBBS

MBBS stands for Bachelor of Medicine-Bachelor of Surgery, while MD stands for Doctor of Medicine.


What is MBBS?

MBBS is an undergraduate, first professional degree in medicine. MBBS courses are designed to train students in all fields of medicine.

The courses include Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Applied Medical Biochemistry, Applied Pharmacology, Human Pathology, Human Microbiology, Otolaryngology, Dermatology, Pediatrics and even General Surgery. Although it varies between countries, a MBBS degree is typically completed in 4 and a half years. In most countries, the student is required to complete an internship before being awarded the degree in order to demonstrate sufficient exposure. This is so that the students have a qualified amount of practical exposure.

What is MD?

MD is a Masters/Postgraduate degree. A candidate becomes eligible for MD only after successfully completing a MBBS degree. Some countries consider a MD degree a professional doctorate for surgeons and physicians (i.e U.S.A and, Phillipines). Others, consider it a research degree equal in value to a Ph. D.

Therefore, a student completes a MD after the MBBS to obtain training on a specialization of choice. MD specializations include pediatrics, gynecology, obstetrics, ophthalmology, dentistry and the like. An MD is expected to gradually make the student a specialist in the Medical branch of choice. MD degrees are typically completed in 2 years. Various universities and colleges across the world mandate a submission of a dissertation and thesis as a program requirement.


This is the general pathway to become a doctor in Malaysia.

• Step 1: Complete a pre-medical course (e.g. A-Level, STPM, Foundation in Science) after SPM.
• Step 2: Enrol in a MBBS Degree that’s typically 5 years long.
• Step 3: Undergo 2 years of housemanship, which is a compulsory internship for all aspiring doctors. Once you’ve completed your housemanship, you will be a qualified medical officer.
• Step 4: If you want to be a specialist (e.g. anaesthesiologist, gynaecologist, paediatrician), you will first need to work for several years as a medical officer to gain experience.
• Step 5: Once you have accumulated some experience as a doctor, you can pursue your postgraduate studies, which takes about 4-5 years. You’ll also need to undergo 2-4 years of supervised training as a specialist.
• Step 6: Finally, once you’ve met the criteria to be a specialist, you can register yourself with MMC as a specialist.

Personalities  for Both Doctor, Medicine & Surgery:

• Respect people, healthy or ill, regardless of who they are
• Support patients and their loved ones when and where they are needed
• Promote health as well as treat disease
• Embrace the power of information and communication technologies to support people with the best available information, while respecting their individual values and preferences
• Always ask courteous questions, let people talk, and listen to them carefully
• Give unbiased advice, let people participate actively in all decisions related to their health and health care, assess each situation carefully, and help whatever the situation
• Use evidence as a tool, not as a determinant of practice; humbly accept death as an important part of life; and help people make the best possible arrangements when death is close
• Work cooperatively with other members of the healthcare team
• Be proactive advocates for their patients, mentors for other health professionals, and ready to learn from others, regardless of their age, role, or status