MBBS is the most sought-after and followed career choice by most Pakistani aspirants with FSC pre-medical in the intermediate. Post FSC in pre-medical, there is a prerequisite for passing the entry test to initiate the journey of MBBS. However, there is also a separate possibility of careers one can pursue in addition to MBBS in medicine. This article at Lahore-UBAS explores more about whether to go for MBBS or Allied Health Sciences.
What is MBBS?
According to the available estimates, every year, around 30000 students, passing FSC with pre-medical with 60% marks, apply for MBBS. Despite this large number of applicants, there are only 15800 seats in the public sector of the country.
In addition to these public sector seats, private education in medicine is also available, though it is very costly. Therefore, to match this cut-throat competition, there is a widely accepted entry test for medicine. Also known as the MDCAT.
Therefore, FSC (Intermediate) pre-medical students need to achieve certain marks in their FSC exams and obtain a qualifying score in the MDCAT to be eligible for admission to medical colleges in Pakistan. Hence, students work tirelessly to crack high scores in MDCAT to land in their desired, top medical college of Pakistan.
If you are a part of this crazy trend, have you ever explored other possibilities in the field of medicine in Pakistan and abroad? I hear a yes, it’s great. If no, don’t worry, Lahore-UBAS will let you know the details about allied health sciences and biological sciences.
Aldo, do you know what MBBS stands for? Medicinae Baccalaureus, Bachelor of Surgery. (MBBS). Commonly known as Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery.
Have You Ever Explored Allied Health Sciences?
The line of medicine is widespread, with ample and widely open career opportunities in health sciences and biological sciences. The health and biological sciences are essential to learn and pursue for the following reasons.
- To understand the human body and disease
- For the development of medical interventions and treatments
- To promote public health and matters of well-being
- It enables shaping the health care systems and drafting policy
Scope of Allied Health Sciences in Modern Times
Medicine has a lot of scope. Whether you do MBBS, pursue any degree in health sciences, or study biological sciences. Only a couple of things will define your learning and earning potential.
- Knowledge and level of subject understanding
- Practical and hands-on grip over the required skillset
Therefore, it is always the first step to explore the options beforehand. If you have an intermediate in FSC (pre-medical), you may choose MBBS, a bachelor’s in any of the health sciences, or a bachelor’s in any of the biological sciences. Let’s look at what the health sciences offer to study after FSC pre-medical.
Field of Allied Health Sciences
Health Sciences is a multi-disciplinary field having an complete focus on the advancement of human health and well-being. The practices are applicable at the individual and group levels. Some of the regulated and prominent four-year degree programmes are listed below.
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- BS Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT)
- A B.S. in Radiology/ Imaging Technology
- Four-Year BS Nursing or BS Speech Therapy
These degree programmes offer you an opportunity for a completion of a degree in a shorter time duration in comparison to the MBBS degree. Which demands 6 years of your life. In addition, you can only join the MBBS if you match the merit in the highly competitive MDCAT entry test.
In contrast, the health sciences are a four-year bachelor’s programme, which requires students to pass the FSC premedical. Unlike MBBS, there is no prerequisite for MDCAT.
Biological Sciences After FSC (pre-medical)
Another field open for the FSC pre-med students is the biological sciences. Apart from MBBS, you can also choose to study living organisms. The degrees in biological sciences are listed in the following.
- BS in Bioinformatics
- A BS Degree in Biotechnology
- 4-Year BS Zoology
- BS Botany
Allied Health Sciences or MBBS: Factors to Consider
Till this point, you would be able to have a basic understanding of both the MBBS and allied health sciences streams after FSC in pre-medical. Next, we are going to explore the major deciding factors for the same streams to help you understand what to choose.
Pre-Requisites for Entry Test
Studying for an MBBS requires standing on the merit of the medicine entry test. This entrance test is known as the MDCAT. It is highly competitive, and there are many academies helping students to ace their MDCAT.
On the other hand, the pursuit of a degree in biological and applied health sciences does not require a candidate to crack the MDCAT.
Time Duration
For an MDCAT, a candidate needs 6 years in total to invest. 5 years would be needed for a degree, and one year would be required for a house job. Whereas any degree in biological and allied health sciences can be completed in four years.
Recognition & Scope
The MBBS is a popular degree in Pakistan, and it has more public recognition. Moreover, an MBBS pass-out earns the title of a doctor. Whereas, with any degree, the title of a doctor does not come around. Though you would still be a medical professional. With time, the awareness and scope of the allied and biological sciences are also on the rise, particularly abroad.
Cost
MBBS is a very costly and demanding degree programme in Pakistan. Especially, in the private sector, the cost multiplies. Therefore, many students compete for the seats available in the public sector, which are fewer than half of the competitors.
In contrast, the degrees in allied health sciences and biological sciences the fees, costs, are less in comparison.
Job Scope
The students with MBBS will be able to work in clinical practices and certain specialisations. However, with a degree in allied health sciences and biological sciences, the students can join diagnostics, therapy, and support roles.
Potential to Earn
The MBBS doctor may enjoy a huge potential to earn throughout their career. According to reliable data resources, PKR 456k per year in the initial career period. With the increase in experience. The earning trajectory also improves with an MBBS.
Study at The Top Allied Health Sciences University in Lahore
Now that you know the possibility of a successful career in medicine, from allied health sciences or MBBS. You may be wondering, where can you study for a degree in Lahore? The good news is that, like many other universities, the allied health sciences are available at the Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences. (Lahore-UBAS).
We, at Lahore-UBAS, not only offer the health sciences, but also a wide range of biological science degrees are on the table. You will not only get the academic support, but you will also get an opportunity to get hands-on experience through an on-site hospital attached to the university campus.
The university is duly approved, accredited, and accepted by the regulatory bodies of Pakistan. Moreover, the students would also get a rich campus life, appreciation for our efforts through scholarships and financial assistance. With all this, our university also shares the valuable industrial ties which help our graduates in career settlement, progress, and to have time-to-time insights through information shared in regular blogs.
Conclusion
Follow the Lahore-UBAS for industrial insights, career developments and scopes in the fields of medicine. From health sciences to biological and MBBS, Lahore-UBAS brings all for the FSC and advanced students, who are interested in learning new things.
