Blog Summary
MBChB or Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery/Chirurgery is a 5-year degree program. You are eligible to study medicine after completing your grade12. It’s an entry-level degree in medicine and equal to an MBBS degree. Wherein you will spend the first two years studying basic science courses and the last three years researching and caring for patients. It’s mandatory to take up clinical rotations in Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry and community medicine with TAU’s MBChB programs. TAU is a world-renowned institution with campuses in numerous countries and has years of expertise in medical education. Additionally, we have helped countless students become a doctor.
What Does MBChB Stand For?
MBChB stands for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, derived from the Latin Medicinae Baccalaureus, Chirurgiae Baccalaureus. It is the primary medical qualification awarded in many Commonwealth countries, including the UK, South Africa, and New Zealand, and is equivalent to the MBBS degree offered in countries like India and Australia.
Are you searching for “MBChB meaning” in Google? This degree is the first professional qualification obtained on graduating from medical school, serving as the entry point into clinical practice. In Zambia and other nations where MBChB is awarded, an MD is considered a higher, postgraduate qualification — unlike in the United States, where the MD is the initial medical degree.
Let us learn more about the program and its curriculum.
The MBChB program
MBChB is usually a 5-year program. It trains and educates you to handle the challenges of being a physician. The program commences with an introduction to various clinical subjects. And then, it gradually moves on to clinical training. Depending on the university, the compulsory and optional subjects will vary.
Your time during the program will include lectures, tutorials, laboratory and project work. You will also take part in clinical rotations. Furthermore, computer-assisted learning has also come into mainstream use. For example, augmented reality allows us to visualize parts of the human body in detail.
In order to join an MBChB program, you will need to have completed your grade 12. Mathematics, Life science, Physics/Chemistry, and English are some mandatory subjects. Further, there are two options for you to get into medical school in South Africa. First, a 5-year program for students with an A-level. Second, a 6-year program for those with O-level or Grade 12.
In the 5-year MBChB degree, you will spend the first two years studying basic science courses. You will spend the last three years researching and caring for patients.
MBChB Courses
Below is a roster of courses that will commonly be part of the first two years of your MBChB degree.
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Internal Medicine
- Normal Body Function
- Psychiatry/Neurology
- Brain and Behavior
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Epidemiology/Biostatistics
- Pediatrics
- Foundations of Disease/Microbiology
- Surgery
- Intro to Clinical Medicine
- Geriatrics
- Developing Clinical Skills
- Community and Preventive Medicine
Another key point, the mandatory/compulsory subjects in the clinical rotation phase vary with each university. Now let us look at the compulsory clinical rotations you will need to take up at TAU’s MBChB degree.
| Internal Medicine | 30 Weeks |
| General Surgery | 30 Weeks |
| Pediatrics | 20 Weeks |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | 20 Weeks |
| Psychiatry | 10 Weeks |
| Community Medicine | 10 Weeks |
Besides classroom and clinical experience, assessments are a vital part of medical education. Just like any other degree program, you will go through various assessments over time. Some of these assessments include clinical examinations, written assessments, research projects, etc.
On completing your MBChB program, you will gain
- Responsibilities, both ethical and legal.
- Skills in the prevention of diseases as well as promotion of health.
- Skills of diagnosis and management of diseases.
- In-depth knowledge coupled with experience in clinical skills and clinical care.
- Understanding the use of information technology in medicine.
- Decision-making skills in addition to good logical and clinical reasoning capabilities.
- Knowledge of research methods and scientific principles.
How Many Years Does It Take to Study Medicine?
In Zambia, studying medicine typically takes 5 to 6 years, depending on your entry qualifications.
- 6 years – For students entering with an “O” level, this includes 1 year in the Health Professions Foundation Program (HPFP) followed by the 5-year MBChB degree.
- 5 years – For students with “A” level qualifications, direct entry into the MBChB degree is possible, bypassing the foundation year.
The HPFP builds essential knowledge in medical sciences and prepares students for the rigorous MBChB program, which develops advanced skills in clinical medicine, surgery, diagnostics, and patient care.
MBChB Curriculum
To be eligible, students must have passed A-levels or equivalent qualifications in subjects like Chemistry, Biology, and Physics. Those who do not meet these entry criteria may opt for pre med courses in Zambia offered at TAU to bridge the gap before entering the main program.
First Year
- Basic and Applied Human Anatomy and Development
- Basic and Applied Physiology
- Medical Biochemistry and Genetics
- Immunology & General Microbiology
- Community-Based Education & First Aid
- Behavioral Science s & Communication Skills in Medical Practice (20 Weeks)
Second Year
- Neurosciences
- Pathology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics
- Community-Based Education & Scientific Method
- Clinical Methods and Skills Lab
Third Year
- Internal Medicine
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Surgery
- Pediatrics & Child Health
- Communications Skills, Professionalism, & Health Care Ethics
Fourth Year
- Community Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Surgery
- Forensic Medicine & Medical Jurisprudence
- Psychiatry & Mental Health
Fifth Year
- Surgery
- Internal Medicine
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Pediatrics & Child Health
Why Texila?
Let me tell you why. Texila American University (TAU) is a world-renowned institution with campuses in numerous countries. TAU has years of expertise in medical education. Additionally, TAU has helped countless students become a doctor. Additionally, TAU’s students come from various nations around the world. Furthermore, they seek the best education money can get.
TAU offers the following to its students,
- Case-based learning coupled with an engaging curriculum
- Learning activities with small groups of students
- Equally important focus on both basic sciences and clinical skills
- Mentorship program during the course
- Experience, both clinical and research
- Cutting edge laboratory and other facilities
Texila also has the high teacher-to-student ratio you could find in any med school. Additionally, the lecture-to-lab ratio is also good at 3:2. TAU requires an “A” level with a pass in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Mathematics or Physical Science and Life Science with an associate degree or a diploma in Health Science program to get exempted from the Foundation program.
Moreover, Texila American University Zambia fees are competitively structured to provide value for money while maintaining high academic standards. For students concerned about affordability, the university offers flexible payment plans and financial guidance.
If you find yourself admiring what TAU offers, take a look at TAU’s MBChB program. And do you have the necessary educational qualification to enroll in the same? Start your enrollment process right away.
