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MD vs MBBS

In the UK, the MBBS or MBChB is the first medical degree and the MD is a research doctorate taken later. In the US, the MD is the first degree that qualifies a doctor.

Updated 19 October 2026 (1 minute read)

Summary

The MBBS and MBChB are the UK's primary medical qualification, as the MBBS and MBChB page explains.
A UK MD is a research degree on a par academically with a PhD, and it is only open to people who already hold a medical degree such as the MBBS.
In the US, a school counts as a medical school when it grants the MD and is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the body that accredits these programmes.

Sources

warwick.ac.ukwarwick.ac.uk/…/md-medicine
aamc.orgaamc.org/…/facts-glossary

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MBBS and MBChB MBBS and MBChB are the same degree, the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. Only the letters differ, because each university shortens the title its own way. Intercalated degree An intercalated degree is an extra degree taken part way through medical school. Graduate entry medicine Graduate entry medicine is a shorter medical degree for people who already hold a degree. Gateway year A gateway year is a first year at the start of a medical degree, for students from widening participation backgrounds, that leads into the rest of the course.

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MD vs MBBS

Summary

Sources

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