Can I pursue Medicine with an Art Stream background? – Excel Education | Study in Australia, Malaysia, the UK & Canada

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If you’ve landed here, you’re probably someone who is wondering “Can I pursue Medicine with an Art Stream background?” or “Can non science student become Doctor in Malaysia?” Traditionally, the path to Medicine has always been associated with Science. However, according to the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), and the document for minimum qualifications for entry into Medicine by them, Medicine with an Art Stream background is possible. Keep on reading to unravel the pathway into Medicine with an Art Stream background.

What is Medicine?

Medicine is the branch of Science relating to health and healing. More specifically, Medicine has to do with diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses, injuries, and diseases. This would also include medical research which is crucial to evolve the field and advance healthcare discoveries, technologies, and treatments.

Medicine is a broad field of healthcare with multiple networks or branches of Medicine which includes Anatomy, Genetics, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Nutrition, Pathology, and many more. You can read our article here to explore the Medicine field further.

Healthcare professionals under the field of Medicine range from Doctors, Nurses, and Clinicians. If you’re passionate about helping others, learning new things, connecting and understanding people and the human condition, and you are highly motivated and resilient, this is your chance to Study Medicine.

Skills required to study Medicine

Below are some skills as a guide to a successful medical school journey:

Responsible

As a Medical Student, you need to be responsible for your studies as well as your well-being. You should honour your responsibility by finding your own suitable study routines and methods and understand that what might work for others might not work for you together with proper approaches to taking care of yourself.

Empathetic

Empathy and other skills pertaining to professionalism can play a huge role in being a successful Medical Professional in the Medicine field, especially towards patients. Hence, having these traits and nurturing them during your study period is crucial.

Communication

In the field of Medicine, you will always have to communicate. This could either be with your patients, team, or acquaintances. Solid communication and interpersonal skills can help ensure all matters go smoothly without complications or misunderstanding to avoid detrimental repercussions and results.

Persevering Motivation

Studying Medicine is no easy feat. There will be difficult challenges and hurdles along the way. Persevering motivation is a trait beneficial to ensuring you would successfully complete your Medicine Degree. You will have to properly be able to handle the stress and pressure that comes with studying Medicine.

Organisation & Time Management

While studying Medicine, you will have so many things to juggle on top of recurring examinations. As such, good organisation and time management skills would greatly benefit your studies as a Medical Student.

General Requirements for studying Medicine in Malaysia

Following the minimum requirements to Study Medicine according to MMC. These are the General Requirements for studying Medicine in Malaysia.

Excluding those with a degree, STPM, or A-Level qualifications, prerequisites for studying Medicine are as follows:

Academic Entry	Minimum Score
SPM	5 Bs each in: Biology and Chemistry and Physics and Mathematics or Additional Mathematics and Another subject
O-Levels
UEC	B4 each in 3 Subjects: Biology and Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics/Advanced Mathematics I or Advanced Mathematics/Advanced Mathematics II

Academic Entry

Academic entry	Minimum Score
Foundation	CGPA 3.00 (In 3 Subjects – Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics)
Diploma	CGPA 3.50 (Diploma in Health Sciences/equivalent)
STPM	CGPA 3.00 (In 3 Subjects – Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics)
A-Levels	BBB, ABC, or AAC (In 3 Subjects – Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics)
Australian Matriculation (ATAR)	80% (with Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics)
IB Diploma	33 (2 Science Subjects at Higher Level and Mathematics at Higher Level AND Minimum Score of 5 each in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics)

Without the prerequisites, you can Study Medicine by using a Bachelor’s Degree qualification. At a Bachelor’s Degree Level, these are the requirements:

Degree Type	Requirements
Degree in Health/Pure/Applied Sciences	CGPA 3.00 (Entry into 5-year Medical Programme)
Degree in Health/Pure/Applied Sciences	CGPA 3.30 (Entry into 4-year Medical Programme)
Degree in Arts/Humanities	CGPA 3.50 (Entry into 5-year Medical Programme)
Degree in Arts/Humanities	CGPA 3.75 (Entry into 4-year Medical Programme)

Note: Universities may have different requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!

English Language Entry Requirements

Entry Level	Minimum Score
IELTS	6.0
MUET	Band 4
TOEFL	60

Note: Universities may have different English Language requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!

Pathway Options for those with an Art Stream background

With regards to the minimum requirements to Study Medicine in Malaysia, there are several pathway options for those with an Art Stream background in SPM or equivalent examination.

One option is to sit for SPM examinations with all the necessary subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, included. After completion of the exams, you can opt for STPM, A-Levels, IB, Diploma, or any qualifying pre-medical programmes and then, enrol into an MBBS programme in Malaysia.

Another option after SPM or equivalent with Art Stream is to enrol in any qualifying pre-university or diploma programmes which allows you into an undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree in either Health/Pure/Applied Sciences or Arts/Humanities. Completion with a qualifying CGPA can grant you entry in an MBBS programme in Malaysia.

However, in the case where you might not meet the Bachelor’s Degree requirement into an MBBS programme, you can opt for the first pathway option again.

Those with an IGCSE qualification may opt for A-Levels or a Bachelor’s Degree and then proceed into an MBBS programme. However, you may need to sit for the SPM Bahasa Malaysia examination to be able to practise as a Doctor in Malaysia because IGCSE’s Malay language curriculum is not equivalent to SPM’s Bahasa Malaysia subject.

Last but not least, those interested to Study Medicine should also know that prior to enrolling into any Medical-related study programmes, you would have to sit for an interview. If studying Medicine is your passion and you’re up to put in your utmost effort, then don’t be discouraged and follow your dreams!

To get further information on pathway options into Medicine with an Art Stream background, get in touch with us!

Universities to pursue Medicine in Malaysia

1. Monash University

Monash University Malaysia is a counterpart of the Monash University network in Australia, making it an internationally accredited university. Graduates will have the chance to engage with students from all over the world in an inclusive campus community, expanding global and cultural horizons.

Monash’s Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine is offered under its Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The School is reputable with fostering highly competent Medical professionals who are patient-centred, work-ready professionals, reflective, compassionate and committed to lifelong learning. The course has multiple accreditations from professional boards with a chance to experience international clinical postings.

Programme Offered	Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine
Duration	5 Years
Intake	February
Indicative Fees (2024)	Local Students: RM 559,200 International Students: RM 643,200