› Prospective Students › Undergraduate › Medicine

font size: A A A

Medicine KP/JPS (A1223) 10/09

Medicine is the science and "art" of maintaining and/or restoring human health through the examination, diagnosis and treatment of patients. The practice of medicine combines both science as the evidence base and art in the application of this medical knowledge in combination with intuition and clinical judgment to determine the treatment plan for each patient. Central to medicine is the patient-physician relationship established when a person with a health concern seeks a physician's help – the 'medical encounter'. Other healthcare professionals similarly establish a relationship with a patient and may perform various interventions, e.g, nurses,radiographers and physiotherapists.

A doctor works towards the betterment of their patients’ health. It is a doctor’s job to explain what health threats the patient face, and provide them the options (giving both the positive and negative consequences) for each option that the patient have. Doctors must respect patients’ decisions, and must maintain confidentiality about most things that the patient tells the doctor. Doctors are normally required to work long hours and be on-call at night.

In their career, doctors encounter all kinds of people, but it will be very important not to judge them, and to remain compassionate. It will be a doctor’s job to help them as well as he/she can, even though he/she may not share the patient’s views, opinions and beliefs. The doctor’s duties towards the profession include working together with other physicians and healthcare professionals to create a healthier community, country, and world for the benefit of all mankind.

DEGREE
MBBS (IMU) or Medical degrees from Partner Medical Schools
TOTAL DURATION
4½ years - 6 years
INTAKE
February and August

Download Brochure
Medicine

“Medicine is a science that can be taught, but an art that has to be learnt””.

PROF JOHN PAUL JUDSON
Dean, Medical Sciences
MBBS (Madras), MS (Madras), DHA (Dip Hosp Admin)

Contract all | Expand all
Please click the questions below to see details.

What is the structure of the IMU medical programme?
The IMU medical programme is structured in two phases: Phase 1, Medical Sciences and Phase 2, Clinical Training.

Phase 1
This phase of 5 semesters (2½ years) focuses on the Medical Sciences and is undertaken at the University’s campus in Bukit Jalil. Completion of Phase 1 in Malaysia enables all students to become familiar with local health conditions and facilities in rural and urban settings. From the second Semester, students gain early clinical exposure at Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar, Seremban, Kuala Kubu Baru Hospital and other government health centres and private clinics in Negeri Sembilan and Selangor.

Phase 2
On completion of Phase 1, students proceed to Phase 2 which focuses on clinical training. Students may choose to undertake this training either at the IMU Clinical School in Seremban or at a Partner Medical Schools (PMS) overseas. The overseas duration varies from 2 to 3 years.

Note: Students are to choose where to take their Phase 2 option at the time of application and this option is indicated on the letter offering a place.
What are the aims and key features of the local MBBS (IMU) degree?
Through its teaching, the IMU aims to produce "reflective medical practitioners" and "caring doctors". Students who wish to undertake a medical programme completely in Malaysia can join the IMU Clinical School in the Seremban subcampus for the final 2½ years.

Key features of IMU programme include:
- An adaptive curriculum
- Outcome-based education
- Technology-driven learning
- Dynamic, experienced and eminent faculty
- Clinical training in Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar, Seremban
- Regular assessments and feedback
- Well-equipped Skills Centre and a Learning Resource Centre comprising of a library, medical museum and e-learning resources.

What is the duration of the IMU medical programme?

The duration of the programme varies from 4½ to 6 years. The duration of the MBBS (IMU) programme is 5 years.

DURATION OF MEDICAL PROGRAMME Full duration of study: 4½ to 6 years (depending on the University)
	Phase 1 (IMU)	Phase 2	TOTAL
MALAYSIA International Medical University	2½ years	2½ years	5 years
AUSTRALASIA University of Auckland, New Zealand University of Adelaide, Australia University of Melbourne, Australia University of New South Wales, Australia University of Newcastle, Australia University of Otago, New Zealand University of Queensland**, Australia University of Sydney, Australia University of Tasmania, Australia University of Western Australia, Australia	2½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ or 3½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ years	3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 2 or3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years	5½ years 5½ years 5½ years 5½ years 5½ years 5½ years 4½ or 5½ years 5½ years 5½ years 5½ years
IRELAND National University of Ireland, Galway	2½ years	3 years	5½ years
NORTH AMERICA Dalhousie University, Canada Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada Jefferson Medical College, USA*	2½ years 2½ years 2½ years	2 years 3 years 2 years	4½ years 5½ years 4½ years
UNITED KINGDOM University of Aberdeen, Scotland University of Dundee, Scotland University of Edinburgh, Scotland University of Glasgow, Scotland University of Keele*, England University of Leeds, England University of Leicester, England University of Liverpool, England University of Manchester, England University of Nottingham, England Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland University of Southampton, England St George’s University, England University of Warwick, England	2½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ years 2½ or 3½ years	2½ years 2 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 2½ years 3 years 3 years 3 years 2½ years	5 years 4½ years 5½ years 5½ years 5½ years 5½ years 5½ years 5½ years 5½ years 5 years 5½ years 5½ years 5½ years 5 or 6 years

* USMLE Step 1 – This is required for all medical students studying in the United States. Any IMU student wishing to be matched with Jefferson Medical College must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE Step 1) before transfer.

** University of Queensland and University of Warwick Students with a first degree on entry may transfer after 2½ years. Students without a first degree will have to spend another year to complete BMed Sc (IMU) to be eligible for transfer to University of Queensland or University of Warwick. For students transferring to University of Queensland, based on academic performance, a student may require to undertake clinical training for a period of 2 to 3 years in Queensland.

*** Pending the United Kingdom General Medical Council accreditation of the medical degree of Keele, IMU students who transfer to Keele will be awarded the accreditated medical degree from the University of Manchester.

University of Adelaide
MBBS
www.adelaide.edu.au
AUSTRALIA
Click for more info

University of Melbourne
MBBS
www.unimelb.edu.au
AUSTRALIA
Click for more info

University of New South Wales
MBBS
www.unsw.edu.au
AUSTRALIA
Click for more info

University of Newcstle
MBBS
www.newcastle.edu.au
AUSTRALIA
Click for more info

University of Queensland
MBBS BS
www.uq.edu.au
AUSTRALIA
Click for more info

University of Sydney
MBBS PhD
www.usyd.edu.au
AUSTRALIA
Click for more info

University of Tasmania
MBBS
www.utas.edu.au
AUSTRALIA
Click for more info

University of Western Australia
MBBS
www.international.uwa.edu.my
AUSTRALIA
Click for more info

University of Auckland
MB ChB
www.auckland.ac.nz
NEW ZEALAND
Click for more info

University of Otago
MB ChB
www.otago.ac.nz
NEW ZEALAND
Click for more info

National University of Ireland, Galway
MB BCh BAO
www.ucg.ie
IRELAND
Click for more info

University of Dalhousie
MD
www.dal.ca
CANADA
Click for more info

Memorial University of Newfoundland
MD
www.mun.ca
CANADA
Click for more info

Jefferson Medical College
MD
www.tju.edu
USA
Click for more info

University of Aberdeen
MB ChB
www.abdn.ac.uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Click for more info

University of Dundee
MB ChB
www.dundee.ac.uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Click for more info

University of Edinburgh
MB ChB
www.ed.ac.uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Click for more info

University of Glasgow
MB ChB
www.gla.ac.uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Click for more info

University of Keele
MB ChB
www.keele.ac.uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Click for more info

University of Leeds
MB ChB
www.leeds.ac.uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Click for more info

University of Leicester
MB ChB
www.le.ac.uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Click for more info

University of Liverpool
MB ChB
www.liv.ac.uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Click for more info

University of Manchester
MB ChB
www.man.ac.uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Click for more info

University of Nottingham
MBBS
www.nottingham.ac.uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Click for more info

Queen’s University of Belfast
MB BCh BAO
www.qub.ac.uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Click for more info

University of Southampton
BM
www.soton.ac.uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Click for more info

St. George’s University of London
MB BS
www.sghms.ac.uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Click for more info

University of Warwick
MB ChB
www.warwick.ac.uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Click for more info

What are the semester contents?

Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3	Semester 4	Semester 5
Foundation I Course (15 weeks) Includes Cells & Molecules, Human Biology, Behavioural Sciences, Genetics & Statistics Community Oriented Project (3 weeks) Foundation II Course (8 weeks) Includes General Pathology, Microbiology, Immunology, Parasitology, Pharmacology, Community Medicine/Clinical Skills	Foundation II Course (4 weeks) Includes General Pathology, Microbiology, Immunology, Parasitology, Pharmacology, Community Medicine/Clinical Skills First Professional Exam	Cardiovascular System (5 weeks) Respiratory System(4 weeks) Haematology System (4 weeks) Gastrointestinal System (6 weeks) Rotations (5 weeks) Elective (3 weeks) Second Professional Exam	Endocrine System (4 weeks) Reproductive System (5 weeks) Renal System (4 weeks) Selectives (3 weeks) Rotations (5 weeks)	Community Health & Medicine (2 weeks) Musculoskeletal System (5 weeks) Nervous System (6 weeks) Third Professional Exam

What are the semester contents for Phase 2 (Clinical Training) in the IMU Clinical School?

Semester 6	Semester 7	Semester 8	Semester 9	Semester 10
Clinical rotations in: Internal Medicine (7 weeks) Surgery (7 weeks) Family Medicine (7 weeks)	Clinical rotations in: Obstetrics and Gynaecology (5 weeks) Orthopaedics (5 weeks) Paediatrics (5 weeks) Psychiatry (5 weeks) End of Semester Exam	Specialised postings (8 weeks): ENT, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Ophthalmology (2 weeks each) Selectives & Electives (8 weeks) Second rotation of major postings Family Medicine (4 weeks) Orthopaedics (2 weeks) Psychiatry (2 weeks)	Clinical rotations: Internal Medicine(4 weeks) Paediatrics (4 weeks) Surgery (4 weeks) Obstetrics and Gynaecology (4 weeks) Anaesthesiology (2 weeks) Radiology (2 weeks) End of Semester Exam	Senior Clerkship (20 weeks): Internal Medicine (5 weeks) Surgery (5 weeks) Paediatrics (5 weeks) Obstetrics and Gynaecology (5 weeks)

What are the teaching/learning approaches used?

The IMU has an integrated systems-based curriculum for its medical programme and uses a variety of approaches to its teaching and learning activities. These include lectures, problem-based learning (PBL), practical classes, independent learning, clinical skills sessions and clinical training with patient contact at the Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar, Seremban and other health clinics in Negeri Sembilan and Selangor.

The early exposure of students to clinical experiences emphasises the importance of the basic sciences to its clinical application and serves to stimulate students’ interest in their medical studies.
When do students get clinical exposure?

Clinical exposure to real-life patients starts as early as the first year. Students will have patient contact one day a week at Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar, Seremban, Port Dickson Hospital, Kuala Kubu Bharu Hospital and various community health centres in Negeri Sembilan and Selangor. These hospitals are approved by the Ministry of Health for the clinical teaching of the IMU students.
What is the aim of the clinical exposure?

The aim of the clinical exposure is to ensure that students gain sufficient interviewing and examining skills before transferring to the clinical course provided by the IMU Clinical School or the Partner Medical Schools (PMS). In addition, they will obtain experience in the common presentation of diseases in Malaysian patients. This is important for their practice of medicine in Malaysia.
Where are the IMU Clinical Schools?

IMU has two clinical schools, one in Seremban and the other in Batu Pahat. The IMU Clinical School in Seremban is a purpose-built 5-storey teaching block located next to Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar, Seremban. This building with a built-up area of about 62,000 sq ft is linked to the Hospital via a walkway.

Hospital Batu Pahat became an additional teaching facility for IMU in 2003 and currently Semester 10 students undergo their 6 months of Senior Clerkship at Hospital Batu Pahat. During this semester, students work in wards as junior house officers under the supervision of senior clinicians, in order to prepare them for their house officer posting. This is important for the students as they will be provided the opportunity of incremental responsibility for independent patient management.
What are the teaching facilities in the Clinical School?
The teaching facilities include:
- Airway Research Laboratory
- Library
- On-call Rooms and Rooms Doctors’ On-call
- Clinical Skills Unit
- Navigator Research Unit
- Problem-based Learning Rooms(PBL)
- Conference Room
What teaching hospitals/clinics are used by the IMU?

Besides Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar, Seremban, the other teaching hospitals used are Hospital Port Dickson, Hospital Batu Pahat, Hospital Kuala Pilah, Hospital Kuala Kubu Bharu and Hospital Kluang. Students are also taught at district hospitals as well as community health clinics, government health clinics and family practice clinics in Negeri Sembilan and Selangor.
Who are the teaching staff?

Most of the academic staff (which include local and overseas trained lecturers) are full-time. Through arrangements with our Partner Medical Schools (PMS), experienced academic staff come as visiting lecturers to teach specialised subjects on a rotational basis at IMU. In addition, experienced academicians and clinicians from Malaysian medical schools and research institutes, as well as consultants in private practice are also invited to teach the students.
What is the medium of instruction?

The medium of instruction is English. Students who come from a system of education in which the medium of instruction is not English are strongly recommended to improve their proficiency in English by making their own arrangements to attend additional English Language classes before entering the IMU.

It is compulsory for students to attend a course in Bahasa Malaysia as the national language is used in both community health work and the practice of medicine in Malaysia.
What happens after I graduate as a doctor?

All medical graduates have to complete an internship or housemanship after graduation. This can be done in Malaysia or in some overseas countries. The IMU student who graduates from any of the Partner Medical Schools (PMS) can apply to the Ministry of Health for a housemanship position in Malaysia. In Malaysia, the internship is for 2 years.

Those who graduate from the UK can apply for a house officer position there. Graduates from Ireland can apply for housemanship positions in Ireland or take the Proficiency & Language Assessment Board (PLAB) examination and apply to workin the UK.

Graduates from Canada and the United States can apply for internship positions in the United States after they have passed the USMLE Step 1. However, they must also pass USMLE Step 2 before taking up the position. IMU Canadian graduates cannot undertake their internship in Canada.

Students, including non-Malaysians who graduate with the MBBS (IMU), can undertake their housemanship in Malaysia.
Are students allowed to do their housemanship training overseas?

Presently, those who graduate from the UK are eligible to apply for housemanship positions in the UK. Those who graduate from the United States and Canada can apply for residency positions in the United States if they pass the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2.

Upon successful completion of the medical course, all students who graduate as doctors through the IMU, including non-Malaysian students are eligible for housemanship positions in Malaysia. Please note that the laws pertaining to employment are subject to change.
How can I do postgraduate training overseas?

Doctors who have completed their house officer positions in the UK may apply to work as Senior House Officers (SHO) in the UK and sit specialist examinations e.g. membership/fellowship of the various medical professional colleges in the UK or Ireland.

In the United States, when you apply for an internship position, you are also applying for a residency (postgraduate) position.
How can I undertake postgraduate training in Malaysia?

The present programme for postgraduate specialist training for doctors has been on-going for nearly 20 years. The Malaysian Universities which run this professional Masters programme are UM, USM and UKM. It is a four-year training programme.

Many Malaysian doctors who attend the local course also sit the membership examinations of the UK colleges and thus end up with postgraduate qualifications from the UK as well.
Do I have to serve the Malaysian Government?

It is compulsory for all Malaysian doctors who want to practise in Malaysia to serve the Government for three (3) years.
How do I register to work as a doctor?

The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) is the professional body in Malaysia which regulates and issues the "Annual Practicing Certificate" (APC) to all doctors.

All applications for registration and for renewal of APC are made to the MMC. The MMC is also responsible for gazetting doctors as specialists.
What are the admission procedures into the IMU medical programme?

Application forms may be obtained from Admissions Office. Application forms may also be downloaded from the IMU website. A processing fee of RM300 for Malaysians / USD300 for international students is required upon submission of the form. This fee is not refundable regardless of the outcome of the application. All cheques are to be made payable to “IMU Education Sdn Bhd.”
When should I apply?

You can apply using your forecast or actual exam results.
Who will award the medical degree?

The IMU will award the medical degree of MBBS (IMU) to students in their Clinical School. This degree is recognised by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) formerly known as National Accreditation Board (Lembaga Akreditasi Negara or LAN). The degree is listed in the World Health Organisation (WHO) directory of medical schools.

The Partner Medical Schools (PMS) will award degrees to students in their respective training programmes. Degrees from these schools are recognised internationally and locally by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) for full registration.
When do I attend a student interview?

All students applying for the medical programme and have pre-university qualifications that meet IMU's minimum requirements have to attend an interview. The interview is to gauge the students' aptitude and motivation for pursuing a career in Medicine as well as communication skills in English. Students will be informed of the date and time of interview after the application forms and all other necessary documents are received by the IMU.
Does IMU accept international students?

The IMU welcomes international students. International students who graduate with the MBBS (IMU) degree are eligible to apply for housemanship training in Malaysia. International students applying for the medical programme are required to check with the respective professional bodies in the countries they wish to work in on accreditation issues.
What should a potential student do to prepare for the medical training?

All potential candidates are advised to try and obtain practical experience related to their intended career:
(a) Voluntary work in charitable organisations, eg. Spastics Home
(b) Hospital/clinic/pharmacy attachment for a period of 4 to 6 weeks
(c) Talk to students and practitioners about the profession and life as a student
Compulsory subjects

The Private College Act (Section 34(3) Act IPTA 1997) under the Malaysian Education Policy requires students to attend a course of instruction in Bahasa Kebangsaan (National Language), Pengajian Agama/Moral (Moral and Religious Studies) and Pengajian Malaysia (Malaysian Cultural Studies). At the end of the courses, Malaysian students are required to sit for the examinations. Students must pass all the papers during their time at the IMU. International students are not required to take the compulsory subjects.