Bachelor of Medicine: a Program in High Demand

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a medical student? You might picture yourself studying anatomy, wearing a lab coat, or practicing in a hospital. But before you can become a skilled doctor, you must first complete your medical degree.

How long does it take to finish medical school? What subjects are covered? How much does it cost? Are there scholarships available? Let’s break it down!

A medical degree program typically takes eight semesters (around four years). During the first year, students learn basic medical sciences, including:

• Anatomy – Study of human body structure
• Physiology – How organs and systems function
• Biochemistry – Chemical processes within the body
• Histology – Study of tissues

After that, students enter the clinical phase, where they study the human body’s systems, diseases, and treatments.

According to Dr. Budi Hernawan, M.Sc., Head of the Bachelor of Medicine Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), first-year students focus on fundamental medical sciences, which serve as the foundation for their clinical training over the next three years.

“Since medical students learn both theory and practice, they also receive clinical skills training in the skills lab,” said Budi on Monday (24/2/2025).

• The clinical skills training skills lab that Budi refers to includes:
• Basic physical examinations and vital signs
• Medical interviews and patient anamnesis
• Intravenous (IV) insertion and Intrauterine Device (IUD) placement
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary, abdominal, psychiatric, and other medical examinations

“Students receive skills lab training each semester, following the curriculum blocks they are studying. From physical examinations and medical interviews to clinical procedures like IV insertion and cardiopulmonary resuscitation,” he explained.

If you’re looking for a top-tier medical degree program, UMS Bachelor of Medicine could be the right choice! Why?

• Accredited as “Excellent” by LAM-PTKes
• Specializes in family medicine with Islamic values
• Requires students to memorize Juz 30 of the Quran before graduation
• Provides community-based programs to enhance hands-on medical experience

After completing the four-year undergraduate medical program, students must undergo two years of clinical internship (co-assistant phase). Once completed, they can take the Indonesian Medical Competency Examination (UKDI).

So, the total time needed to become a general practitioner is approximately six years, that is the answer for the frequently asked question, “How long does medical school take?”

Many people wonder, “Is medical school expensive?”

Tuition fees vary by university, depending on facilities and faculty quality. At UMS, you can check the estimated tuition fees here.

But don’t worry! UMS offers scholarships for students who have memorized at least 15 Juz of the Quran. The Hafidz Al-Qur’an Scholarship covers academic costs, including development fees, tuition, and graduation fees. Find out more on the Scholarship page.

Besides becoming a general practitioner (GP), medical graduates have various career paths, such as:

Specialist doctors by continuing specialist schools to deepen certain fields, for example: surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine, etc.

Civil servants/ASN by working in government agencies, such as Puskesmas, BPJS, or so on

Clinic owners by opening their own practice

Lecturer or researcher

Beyond these options, medical graduates have broad and promising career prospects. Doctors are needed not only in hospitals and healthcare facilities but also in various government institutions and other sectors.

Writer: Genis Dwi Gustati

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid

Editor: Al Habiib Josy Asheva