Becoming a doctor is one of the most rewarding and challenging career paths you can choose.
For many Canadian students in British Columbia, the journey requires careful planning, unwavering dedication, and a clear understanding of the steps involved. From selecting the right high school courses to earning your medical license, each stage of this journey plays a critical role in shaping your future as a healthcare professional.
This guide is designed to provide a comprehensive roadmap for aspiring doctors, starting from high school and progressing through undergraduate studies, medical school, residency, and beyond. Whether you're a student aiming to understand the academic requirements or a parent seeking to support your child's ambitions, this guide breaks down the process into clear, actionable steps. By the end of this guide, you'll have a full picture of what it takes to pursue a medical career in British Columbia.
Step 1: Apply for and Gain Admission to a Bachelor’s Degree
While biology undergraduate programs are highlighted here, other paths to medical school include degrees in fields such as biochemistry, kinesiology, or even humanities, provided you meet the required science prerequisites we will explore later in this article. These recommendations are a starting point to ensure your high school preparation aligns with undergraduate and medical school requirements.
UBC’s Applied Biology program is a highly sought-after choice for students aiming to pursue medical school. With its emphasis on life sciences, the program equips students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in a medical career.
English Language Competency
Graduation from high school.
Minimum 70% in Grade 11 or Grade 12 English (or equivalent).
Six academic/non-academic Grade 12 courses are recommended, although not mandatory.
Degree-Specific Requirements for Applied Biology
Grade 12 Courses:
● English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12.
● Pre-Calculus 12.
● One of the following:
○ Anatomy & Physiology 12 (Biology 12).
○ Chemistry 12.
○ Physics 12.
Grade 11 Courses (for students starting September 2025):
● Any English Language Arts 11 or English First Peoples 11.
● A Language 11 (e.g., French, Spanish, or Indigenous languages of Canada) or a waiver. Note: Introductory Level 11 language courses are excluded.
● Chemistry 11.
● Physics 11 (waived for students with:
○ A score of 86%+ in senior-level Math and Chemistry.
○ A score of 5+ in IB Mathematics and Chemistry).
● Pre-Calculus 11 or Foundations of Mathematics 12.
Grade 11 Courses (for students starting September 2026):
● Chemistry 11.
● Physics 11 (same waiver criteria apply).
Related Course Recommendations
UBC recommends taking these subjects to enhance your preparation:
● Language Arts.
● Mathematics and Computation.
● Sciences.
● Social Studies.
SFU Biology Undergraduate Program Requirements
SFU’s biology program, complemented by its forthcoming School of Medicine (expected to launch in 2026 at the Surrey campus), provides a multidisciplinary foundation for aspiring medical students.
English language proficiency.
Quantitative and analytical skills requirement.
Completion of a minimum of five approved Grade 12 courses, including English Studies 12 with a minimum grade of 70%.
Required Courses for Admission
Grade 11 Courses:
● English 11.
● Math 11.
● Chemistry 11.
● Physics 11.
● Social Studies 11.
Grade 12 Courses:
● English 12.
● Two of the following:
○ Anatomy & Physiology 12 (Biology 12).
○ Calculus 12.
○ Chemistry 12.
○ Physics 12.
Step 2: Volunteer in Medical Settings
Strong academic performance is critical, but universities like UBC and SFU also value well-rounded candidates.
Here are ways to boost your application:
While not mandatory, volunteering in healthcare settings during your undergraduate degree—or even earlier in high school—offers valuable exposure to the medical field.
It provides hands-on experience and insights into the day-to-day realities of working in healthcare.
1. Explore the Medical Field
● Volunteering in hospitals, long-term care facilities, or medical clinics allows you to observe the healthcare system in action. Whether you assist with administrative tasks, interact with patients, or support healthcare staff, you’ll gain a better understanding of the environment you’re aspiring to join.
Opportunities
● Volunteering at a local hospital to assist in patient support services or visitor guidance.
● Assisting in community health outreach programs, such as vaccination drives or health fairs.
● Joining a Red Cross program focused on first aid or disaster response.
2. Decide if Medicine is Right for You
● Experiencing a healthcare setting firsthand can help you evaluate whether a career in medicine aligns with your interests and skills. It’s an invaluable way to determine if the long hours, emotional resilience, and interpersonal skills required in the field are a good fit for you.
3. Develop Relevant Skills
● Communication, empathy, and teamwork are just a few of the essential skills you can develop through volunteering. These experiences not only enrich your application but also prepare you for future interactions with patients and colleagues in a medical setting.
Step 3: Take the MCAT
The MCAT is a standardized, computer-based exam that assesses your mastery of essential science concepts, critical thinking, and analytical skills. Spanning approximately nine hours, the test consists of four sections:
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (CPBS): Focuses on chemistry and physics concepts related to biological systems.
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (BBFL): Covers biology and biochemistry principles.
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (PSBB): Examines concepts in psychology and sociology.
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS): Tests verbal reasoning and comprehension abilities.
The exam combines multiple-choice questions that demand not only knowledge but also the ability to apply it in problem-solving scenarios.
UBC’s MCAT Requirements
UBC’s Faculty of Medicine requires all applicants to submit their MCAT scores as part of their medical school application. Here are the key details specific to UBC:
Minimum Scores Required:
○ A score of 124 is required in each of the four sections (CARS, BBFL, CPBS, and PSBB) on a single exam.
○ Applications with scores below 124 in any section are automatically deemed ineligible.
Evaluation of Scores:
○ If you have written the MCAT more than once, UBC will evaluate your best-eligible exam. Sub-scores from different exams will not be combined.
Strategies for Success on the MCAT
Start Early:
○ Begin preparing several months in advance. Most students dedicate 3–6 months to focused MCAT study.
Build a Study Plan:
○ Create a structured schedule that covers all four sections of the exam, balancing review sessions, practice tests, and breaks to avoid burnout.
Utilize Resources:
○ Use AAMC’s official resources, including practice exams, question banks, and content outlines.
○ Consider prep courses or study groups if you benefit from guided learning.
Practice, Practice, Practice:
○ Take full-length practice exams under timed conditions. This helps you build endurance for the nine-hour test and identify areas for improvement.
Target Weak Areas:
○ Focus extra time on subjects or question types where your scores are lower in practice exams.
Take Care of Yourself:
○ Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and mental health during your preparation. A clear mind is critical for peak performance on test day.
Step 4: Apply to Medical School and Earn Your Degree
To practice as a doctor, acceptance into and completion of a medical school program is a mandatory step. This is typically four years in length. The first two years emphasize theoretical learning, with you attending classroom lectures and participating in laboratory work. This foundational phase is followed by two years of practical training, during which you will interact directly with patients under the guidance of licensed physicians.
The medical school curriculum is designed to expose you to a broad spectrum of medical disciplines, including pharmacology, pathology, anatomy, biochemistry, neurology, and radiology. Beyond imparting essential medical knowledge, these programs aim to prepare you for the realities of the profession, such as managing high-pressure situations and cultivating strong interpersonal skills, including bedside manner. Additionally, medical school helps you explore your interests within the field and determine the specific residency program you wish to pursue after graduation.
Regardless of your undergraduate program, UBC’s MD Undergraduate Program requires specific science courses as prerequisites. Here’s what you’ll need to complete during university:
Biology (minimum 6 credits).
General Chemistry (minimum 6 credits).
Organic Chemistry (minimum 6 credits).
Biochemistry (minimum 6 credits).
SFU School of Medicine
Simon Fraser University (SFU) is set to launch British Columbia’s newest medical school, with its inaugural class anticipated to start in August 2026 at the Surrey campus. The medical school will initially offer an MD program, residency programs (beginning with family medicine and family medicine enhanced skills) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs for faculty and medical professionals. Although the initial emphasis will be on training family physicians to meet community-level healthcare needs, graduates will have the flexibility to pursue other medical specializations.
Admissions and Timeline
SFU aims to achieve preliminary accreditation by Fall 2025, enabling the first admissions cycle to open in late 2025 or early 2026. While admission requirements are still being finalized, the school is working to ensure accessibility to qualified applicants from across Canada. Pathways for SFU undergraduates are also being explored, offering a direct link between the university’s existing programs and the new medical school.
Step 5: Pass the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE)
After completing your four-year medical school program, the next step is to pass the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE). This mandatory licensing exam evaluates your medical knowledge and competence, and it’s considered more challenging than the MCAT. The MCCEE is designed to assess your ability to apply medical knowledge in clinical situations, making it a critical milestone on your path to becoming a doctor.
Step 6: Apply for Residency Programs
Once you’ve passed the MCCEE, the next step is applying for a residency program through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). Before applying, ensure that you meet the specific admission requirements for residency programs in your chosen province. These requirements can vary depending on the program and specialty. Additionally, to qualify for residency in Canada, you must be either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
Step 7: Complete Your Residency Training
Your residency training is a vital step in becoming a practicing doctor. Residency programs typically last between three and seven years, depending on your chosen specialty. During this time, you’ll work in real-world medical settings, gaining hands-on experience under the supervision of seasoned physicians. Expect long hours and high-pressure situations, as residency is designed to prepare you for the realities of practicing medicine. This phase is where you’ll refine your skills and deepen your expertise in your specialty.
Step 8: Become a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC)
After completing at least one year of residency training, you must become a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC). This involves passing two examinations: the MCCQE Part I and MCCQE Part II. These exams test your medical knowledge and clinical skills at an advanced level. Once you pass both, you’ll receive your Certificate of Registration, officially marking a significant achievement in your journey toward becoming a fully licensed doctor.
Step 9: Obtain Provincial Certification
The final step to practicing as a doctor in Canada is obtaining the necessary certification in your province or field of study. This involves being certified by regulatory authorities such as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC). This certifying body has its own requirements, including passing another examination tailored to your specialty. With this certification, you’ll be fully qualified to practice medicine in British Columbia, Canada.
The journey to becoming a doctor in British Columbia is undoubtedly challenging but equally fulfilling. Each step, from choosing the right high school courses to completing medical school and residency, builds upon the last to prepare you for a career of service and innovation in healthcare. With dedication, careful planning, and a commitment to excellence, you can turn your dream of becoming a doctor into reality.
Remember, this path isn’t just about academic success — it’s also about developing the compassion, resilience, and interpersonal skills needed to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives. Whether you’re just starting to consider this career or are well on your way, this guide serves as a roadmap to help you navigate each phase with confidence.
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