Medical Education in Belarus

Any citizen of our country who has a complete secondary education may apply to a Medical University. All the applicants take competitive admission examination tests in Biology, Chemistry and Russian or Belarusian Language. And those who obtained the highest marks in the test examinations are admitted. The education at the Medical University is given through lectures, group training and practical classes. The attendance at lectures and classes is compulsory for all students.

The academic year begins on September 1^st and is divided into two terms of four months each. At the end of each term the students have to pass a number of examinations. And if they succeed in studies they are given stipends. The course of study lasts 6 years and consists of basic pre-clinical and clinical subjects.

During the first two years students study Physics, General, Organic, Inorganic and Biological Chemistry. The students also study Human Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, Microbiology, Latin, Foreign Language, History and Philosophy.

Beginning with the third year special clinical subjects such as Internal Medicine, Surgery, Gynaecology, Obstetrics, Ophthalmology, Infectious Diseases and others are introduced. At the end of the third year students take a six-week practical course. They perform the duties of nurses.

After their fourth year students take another practical course at the department of internal diseases at the surgical department and the department of obstetrics and gynaecology. Working as doctor’s assistants, students master medical and diagnostic procedures and try to treat patients for different diseases. Senior students also have practical training at out-patient departments.

Medical students take final state examinations in Internal Diseases, Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The graduates also have to demonstrate their practical skills. Those who have passed the examinations receive their diplomas, which certify them as doctors. Having received a diploma they must take a one-year internship course qualifying them as general health care specialists. Interns work under the direct supervision of experienced specialists in clinics and in major hospitals.

Medical graduates can also apply for the post-graduate training. For three years post-graduates do research work in one of the important problems of modern medicine, prepare a thesis, defend it and obtain an academic degree of Candidate of Medical Science.