Medical school typically lasts 4 years. The program is usually divided into two main phases: the first 2 years focus on basic sciences through classroom learning, and the last 2 years involve clinical rotations in various medical specialties. There are some accelerated programs that can be completed in 3 years, but those are less common. After medical school, graduates must complete a residency program, which can range from 3 to 7 years or more depending on the specialty. Thus, from starting medical school to becoming a practicing physician, it can take approximately 7 to 11 years in total. Including undergraduate education before medical school, the entire pathway to becoming a doctor can range from about 11 to 18 years after high school. In summary:
- Medical school: 4 years (typically)
- Residency: 3 to 7 years+
- Total training from high school: 11 to 18 years
This reflects the typical length of medical education and training in countries like the US. In other regions such as Europe, medical school can be longer (about 6 years) but includes internship integrated into the program.
