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Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctorate of Medicine (DM): Which is Right For You

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Updated On 18 March 2025 & Read Time 13 minutes

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Are you a medical student? Looking forward to expanding your expertise in the field of medical science? 

 

Among the commonly available routes or types of Medical Doctors, the recommended route for such students is to choose between a DM and an MD Doctor Degree. Both are high-profile qualifications, but they lead to different destinations in the fields of healthcare and medical science.

 

difference-between-md-vs-dm


Considering such diverse route possibilities, in this blog, we will try to explain the difference between the DM Course and the MD Doctor Course. These courses are offered by prestigious universities and allow students to fulfil their study abroad goals. This blog will cover all relevant information about the two types of Medical Doctors i.e., MD and DM. Go through the blog for complete information and accordingly choose the perfect one for you.

What is a DM and an MD in Medical terms?

The DM full form in medical is “Doctorate of Medicine”, and to enrol for this degree, one needs to have a higher level of specialisation in the field. The study area is more focused towards a specialisation, hence to become a DM, the students are expected to have an interest in a particular area of medicine. 

 

A student completing this course gets a Postgraduate Super Speciality Degree—the course duration is 3 years, including the examination duration. For instance; a student can opt for DM in Neurology, DM in Cardiology, DM in Gastroenterology and more. Hence, opting for a DM Doctor Degree can make a student an expert or a professional in a specific field of medicine. 

 

On the other hand, the MD full Form in medical is “Doctor of Medicine”, which can be categorised as a postgraduate or master’s degree in the field of medicine. To apply for a Doctor of Medicine Degree the students need to complete their MBBS or the medical school, and other educational requirements to be a healthcare professional. If planning for abroad studies such as “Study Abroad in UK” then you need to have a bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Such a degree can be “MBBS in UK”, “MBBS in Australia” or from a recognised university in your country. 


Only after earning an MBBS degree is a candidate eligible for an MD. In many countries, an MD degree is generally acquired after completing a Bachelor's degree and attending medical school for another four years. The study duration of a Dr of Medicine Degree is commonly 4 years which varies from nation to nation. Students with an MD Doctor Degree often serve as primary care physicians, surgeons, care specialists and other healthcare professionals. After obtaining an MD degree, the students can start their medical career or can opt for specialisation through additional training or an advanced level of certification or specialisation such as “DM in medicine”.

Difference between MD and DM in Medical

The above discussion must have helped you get a glimpse of the common difference between the MD and the DM degree. Now let’s move further to summing up these points through a table that can help you better understand and highlight key differences.

Factors

Doctor of Medicine

Doctorate of Medicine

Abbreviation 

MD

DM

Level of Study 

It is a Postgraduate Degree, available after completing the bachelor's in medicine i.e., MBBS

It is a super-speciality degree offered to a student after completing their post-graduation, i.e., MD. 

Degree Specialisation

It trains students to have General Medicine Knowledge/Expertise

It helps students gain an advanced level of understanding of a specific medical field

Degree Focus Area

Broad Medical Training in Diversified Medical Field

Have a specialised focus towards a specific medical area

Study Duration

3–4 years (varies as per university and study destination)

Generally 3 Years (varies as per university, specialisation opted and study destination)

Average Salary 

For MD, it ranges from INR 8-15 LPA

For DM, it ranges from INR 12-30 LPA

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Scope of Pursuing an MD vs DM?

Pursuing either the DM or MD as per your study level can effortlessly help you scale up your career in terms of both expertise and specialisation.

 

Why an MD (Doctor Of Medicine) Degree?

  • MD Doctor Degree is the next step after completing the bachelor's available for medical students, and it helps students qualify to become doctors. 

  • The scope of MD in Medical terms is vast and allows the students to work either as general practitioners, providing general medical care or a more specific care practitioner after securing additional certifications. 

  • A student with an MD Doctor Degree can work in diverse areas of medicine and at the specialisation level as covered in the degree. 

  • Studying MD from prestigious universities abroad helps medical students build a strong foundation for their medical career.

 

Why a DM (Doctorate Of Medicine) Degree?

  • It is for students looking for an advanced level of understanding or knowledge in the field of medicine. Also, before applying for DM you need to complete your MD or Doctor of Medicine Degree. 

  • The scope of a DM degree is narrow, as it focuses on the core specialisation in the field of medical science. The study approach of DM is much more research-oriented and goes in-depth with a specific field of medical science. 

  • Studying DM allows students with an MD Doctor Degree to gain specialisation in a specific medical field which can be neurology, cardiology, gastroenterology or other study areas of the student’s interest. 

  • Doctors with DM-level degrees hold an advanced and in-depth level of understanding in a specific medical field. Hence, they can either work as care professionals, researchers or even as a trainer/teacher. 

 

Best Study Abroad Colleges for Pursuing MD or DM

The commonly preferred study-abroad destinations by medical students for their higher education are the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. These nations host some of the highly ranked universities in the field of medical education as well as offer great employment opportunities post-degree completion. 

 

The list of the best colleges or medical schools for MD or DM degrees is extensive. However, a few of the globally recognised and valued universities are:

2024 Ranking

University Name

Location

1

Harvard University

United States

2

University of Oxford

United Kingdom

3

Stanford University

United States

4

Johns Hopkins University

United States

5

University of Cambridge

United Kingdom

6

UCL

United Kingdom

7

Karolinska Institute

Sweden

8

Imperial College London

United Kingdom

9

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)

United States

10

Yale University

United States

11

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

United States

12

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

United States

13

King's College London

United Kingdom

14

University of Toronto

Canada

15

Columbia University

United States

16

University of Pennsylvania

United States

17

Duke University

United States

18

McGill University

Canada

18

National University of Singapore (NUS)

Singapore

18

The University of Melbourne

Australia

21

University of Washington

United States

22

The University of Edinburgh

United Kingdom

23

University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

United States

24

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

United Kingdom

25

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

United States

You can learn, more about these university course offerings, eligibility criteria and more by reaching out to experienced Study Abroad Consultants. They can help you explore more about the universities, their course offerings, deadlines and other required details.  

Common Eligibility Criteria for MD and DM Doctor Course Abroad?

The admission process as well as the eligibility criteria for Doctor of Medicine or Doctorate of Medicine varies from university to university as well as from country to country. But despite such differences, several common eligibility factors are followed across the universities. These include: 

 

  • A Bachelor's Degree or MBBS if applying for MD and a postgraduate degree or MD if applying for DM. 

  • Eligible or the minimum GPA as mentioned by the university or the decided cut-off.

  • Eligible IELTS band score, TOEFL score or any other English Eligibility Test score accepted by the university. 

  • Letter of Recommendation, Statement of Purpose and other essential documents as required by universities worldwide. 

  • Scores of any competitive entrance exams if applicable in specific nations. For Instance; NEET-PG if applying for colleges in India & MCAT for the best universities in USA.

  • Work Experience or clinical practice certificate if applicable at specific universities and mandatorily if applying for DM Doctor course. 

  • Further, students are required to go through the interview rounds while applying for these courses. The best way to prepare for interviews and entrance exams is to connect with experienced IELTS coaching in Jaipur or from your city.

What to choose between MD vs DM Doctor Course?

Whether to go for a Doctor of Medicine or Doctorate of Medicine depends entirely on your needs and interests. Before making your decision you must be aware of the Doctorate of Medicine and Doctor of Medicine meaning and the career opportunities they bring along. However, you can consider some of the below-mentioned factors that can help you make a relevant decision. 

 

Choose MD:

  • MD is for students looking for a postgraduate degree in the field of medicine and healthcare. 

  • If you are interested in general medical care service offerings and want to explore more about the types of Medical Doctors.

  • If you prefer a shorter duration of education and want to start practising medicine sooner. 

  • However, if you wish to pursue DM, then you need to complete your MD Doctor Degree first. 

 

Choose DM:

  • If you are interested in gaining a specialisation in a specific field of medical science.

  • DM can open up the doors to speciality in fields like neurology, cardiology, or gastroenterology.

  • If you are ready to devote your time and efforts to learn the complexities of healthcare and contribute towards the better healthcare levels in the society. 

 

Opportunities after MD vs DM

The opportunities and roles available to every student with an MD degree and those with a DM degree differ significantly due to the various levels of education and specialisation. Here's a comparison of what you can do after each of these degrees:

Factor

MD (Doctor of Medicine)

DM (Doctorate of Medicine)

Level of Specialisation

General specialities (e.g., Paediatrics, Internal Medicine)

Super-specialities (e.g., Cardiology, Neurology)

Scope of Practice

Broad range of medical conditions

Highly specialized areas of medicine

Career Opportunities

Consultant, Educator, Researcher, Public Health Specialist

Super-specialist Consultant, Clinical Researcher, Academic Roles

Research Involvement

Moderate research opportunities

Advanced and specialized research

Academic Roles

Teaching in medical colleges

Teaching and mentoring in super-specially fields

Healthcare Management

Medical Administrator, Public Health Roles

Leadership roles in specialized healthcare organizations

Salary Potential

Competitive

Generally higher due to super-specialization 

Conclusion

This blog must have helped clear any doubt of yours regarding the Doctorate of Medicine and Doctor of Medicine’s meaning and other key differences. However, based on the conducted discussion it can be mentioned that the decision to either apply for MD or DM in medicine depends majorly on your study level and your focus on achieving expertise in the medical field. 


However, if you are still confused and want to know more about the colleges available, the eligibility requirements and more, then you should reach out to the experienced study abroad consultants at ÈýÖ»ÑòºÚÁÏ. The consultants can better guide you and help get every information required to secure your admission at prestigious medical colleges and universities. So what else are you looking for? Visit our website for free online counselling, or contact us at application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011 for personalised support.

FAQs

1. What is the complete form of DM and MD?

MD full form in Medical is “Doctor of Medicine”, on the other hand, DM full form in Medical is “Doctorate of Medicine”.

 

2. What is the difference between a DM and an MD Doctor Degree?

MD Doctor Degree is a postgraduate course that helps student strengthen their understanding in the field of healthcare and medical science. Whereas, DM Degree is a super-specialisation degree done after post-graduation.  

 

3. What is the course duration of DM and MD?

The course duration for the courses varies as per the university and nation you are studying in. However, in general, the duration for a Doctor of Medicine (MD) is 4 years and for a Doctorate of Medicine (DM) it is 3 years.  

 

4. What are the eligibility criteria for DM and MD?

The eligibility criteria for both DM and MD vary as per the university, specialisation opted for and the nation. Hence, it is always better to reach out to experienced overseas education consultants to get detailed and in-depth information.  

 

5. Which is better, DM or MD?

It entirely depends on what to choose based on your study interests, career goals and the level of specialisation you are looking for in the medical field. As both the degree has a different education level in which to pursue DM one must have to complete their post-graduation or the MD. 

 

6. What is MD's salary?

The average salary after completing your MD Doctor Degree varies based on your place of employment your academic performance and more. However, the average or the expected starting salary is approx. INR 8–15 lakhs per annum.  

 

7. What is DM's salary?

DM courses have a very high value, and the return on investment can prove very fruitful, too. However, DM graduates can earn a salary starting from INR 14 lakhs and going up to INR 30 lakhs per annum. It is based on your DM speciality, experience, and job profile. 

 

8. What are the best study abroad colleges to study MD and DM?

Several colleges exist globally offering an advanced level of education in the field of medicine and healthcare. You can check out the list of the best colleges as per their world ranking or reach out to experienced study abroad consultants for more details.  

 

Planning For Securing Your Seat At Prestigious Colleges Worldwide. Check out the blogs below and get to know more. 

 

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