The University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine emerged as a leader in medical research starting in the 1980s. Today, many of its faculty members continue to receive national and international recognition for their work, counting several Canada Research Chairs and recipients of the Order of Canada among its professors. As one of the largest medical schools in Canada, the faculty hosts several research institutes and centers, such as the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute and the McLaughlin Centre, which helps facilitate and promote interdisciplinary research.

What You’ll Learn

The four-year MD program focuses on foundation learning in the first half, and clinical rotations across U of T’s affiliated teaching hospitals in years three and four. Students follow a cohort of patients over time to get a better sense of continuity of care, and have opportunities for research electives. As part of the Faculty’s Family Medicine Longitudinal Experience, second-year med students get early exposure to family medicine with opportunities to observe and participate in clinical care in a family practice setting.

The faculty offers one of largest PGME programs in Canada, with more than 70 accredited residency programs across different specialties. Fellowships last one to three years, with opportunities to engage in global health initiatives or transition into academic medicine.

The five-year combined MD/MBA is offered in partnership with the Rotman School of Management and equips medical students for leadership roles in healthcare administration, policy, and business. The program also boasts access to a large professional network through both the medical and business schools. The highly competitive MD/PhD dual degree typically takes seven to eight years to complete, providing extensive research in clinical and research environments.

Founded in 1829, McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences was the first faculty of medicine in Canada and is currently the leading medical research university nationally. The faculty is renowned for its excellence in the health sciences worldwide, excelling in areas such as neuroscience, cancer research, genomics, and public health.

What You’ll Learn

The Faculty of Medicine offers a four-year undergraduate medical program leading to the MDCM (Medicinæ Doctorem et Chirurgiæ Magistrum), which is offered in English at the Montreal campus and French at the Outaouais Campus in Gatineau. The MDCM program emphasizes problem-based learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and early clinical exposure, providing students experience with real-world medical practice.

The Post-Graduate Medical Education (PGME) program provides advanced training to medical graduates pursuing specialized and subspecialized fields in health care with residency and fellowship opportunities. After completing a residency (which can last two to seven years), physicians can pursue further specialization through a fellowship program, which typically runs one to three years.

McGill also offers a number of joint programs, including the MDCM-Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery degree, MDCM-MBA, and MDCM-PhD. In the dual-degree MDCM-PhD, which takes seven to eight years to complete, students undergo the full MDCM curriculum while also undertaking an original research project in their chosen area (e.g., biomedical sciences, public health, genomics, cancer biology, neuroscience, or epidemiology).

UBC’s Faculty of Medicine was founded in 1945 and pioneered the “distributed model of medical education,” which allows students to train in various rural and remote areas throughout the province and glean a diverse range of clinical experience. It has a strong research focus in areas such as translational medicine, population health and health services research, and in recent years has added Indigenous health and cultural safety as a key priority.

What You’ll Learn 

Students in the four-year MD program begin learning essential clinical skills right from the start, and are introduced to family medicine and patient care in the first semester. Clinical rotations occur in years two and three, with a focus on elective rotations and preparation for residency in year four. Following completion of the MD program, graduates can enter residency training in various specialties and subspecialities.

The MD/PhD dual degree program typically runs up to eight years and combines medical training with advanced research education, culminating in a doctoral dissertation. The faculty offers 14 PhD programs covering biomedical, clinical and public health fields.

McMaster University’s School of Medicine, established in 1965, was renamed the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine in 2004. It offers programs in undergraduate, postgraduate, and graduate medical education, with an accelerated three-year MD program. The faculty also offers opportunities for medical students to participate in global health electives to glean experience in international settings.

What You’ll Learn

McMaster offers an accelerated three-year MD program, without summer breaks, allowing students the opportunity to complete their academic training and enter residency sooner. Students interact with patients and healthcare professionals from the onset and the focus is on group work and peer feedback.

The Post-Graduate Medical Education (PGME) program offers more than 60 residency programs across a wide range of disciplines, which can take from two to seven years to complete. There is an emphasis on competency-based medical education, rather than completion of tasks within a set timeframe. Residents are encouraged to participate in research projects and can access support through the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI).

After residency, physicians can enrol in subspecialty or research-focused fellowships, which run between one to three years.

Established in 1908, the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is known for its focus on research and community service, and its faculty members are actively engaged in public health initiatives and medical research.

What You’ll Learn

The four-year MD program focuses first on foundational coursework and clinical training, with some specialty rotations beginning in year two. More extensive clinical rotations across specialties begin in year three. Students are connected with faculty mentors throughout their medical education for support.

Those in the five-year MD/MBA get medical training in combination with business management to equip them with skills needed for leadership roles in health care. The MD and STIR (Surgical Training Integrated Residency) program is for students pursuing both a medical degree and specialized residency training in surgery. Graduates of the five-year program are equipped to pursue a variety of surgical specialties, including general surgery, orthopedic surgery, and neurosurgery.

The MD/PhD, which typically takes seven to eight years, allows students to obtain both advanced degrees, integrating medical training with advanced research education. During the PhD phase, students partake in original research related to advancements in the medical or health sciences.

Located in Canada’s capital city, University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine is close to several national health organizations and is the only medical school to offer its curriculum in both French and English. The faculty puts a significant focus on global health and international medical education, offering students opportunities for global health electives and clinical placements in international settings. It also integrates innovative teaching methods into its curriculum, including the use of simulation-based learning and advanced technologies to enhance students’ clinical skills.

What You’ll Learn

In the first two years of the MD program, students engage in problem-based learning (PBL) and early clinical experiences through community service and simulations. Clinical rotations start in year two, progressing to more advanced rotations in specialty areas by year four. These more advanced rotations give students a deeper knowledge in subspecialties while still honing their diagnostic, clinical and procedural skills.

With the MD/PhD program, the first two years are spent on clinical training, followed by approximately three to four years dedicated to completing the PhD research component. Students then return for their final year of clinical training.

Established in 1854, Queen’s University’s School of Medicine is among the oldest medical schools in Canada and has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and opportunities for hands-on clinical and research experience. It is also known to be one of the most competitive med schools because of its rigorous admissions process (including requiring applicants to have high MCAT scores, a strong academic record, and a commitment to social responsibility through volunteer experiences).

What You’ll Learn

The School of Medicine offers a four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, progressing from foundational knowledge to clinical experiences starting in first year. The curriculum incorporates problem-based learning (PBL), where students work in small groups to solve clinical cases, promoting active learning and critical thinking.

MD students can apply to the faculty’s Post-Graduate Medical Education program, which offers residencies (2-5 years in duration) across various specialities.

The faculty’s MD/PhD program, which typically runs seven to eight years, combines the medical curriculum with advanced research training. The program provides students flexibility in completing both degrees and focuses on translational research, which bridges the gap between laboratory findings and clinical applications.

One of the largest medical schools in Canada, Université de Montréal (U de M) offers a wide range of programs and specialities and recently added a new state-of-the-art teaching pavilion. While curriculums are primarily in French, there are opportunities for bilingual students and collaborations with English-speaking institutions (i.e., McGill and Ottawa), for those interested in working in both French and English medical environments.

What You’ll Learn

The MD program teaches foundational medical sciences, clinical skills, and patient-centered care. Depending on your undergraduate studies, you might do a preparatory year, or you might go straight into the pre-clerkship phase (two years), followed by the clerkship (two years). The two pre-clerkship years, the most theory-intensive part of the program, are held primarily on campus. The two clerkship years are largely dedicated to hospital internships.

As of 2024, the Faculty of Medicine has updated its program to address societal challenges and emerging fields (such as climate health, digital health, artificial intelligence). The changes emphasize innovative teaching methods to foster compassionate care and leadership skills.

With more than 70 residency programs across a wide range of medical specialties and subspecialties, including research emphases in fields like neuroscience and cancer, this faculty offers one of the most comprehensive programs in the country.

Opened in 1868, Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine is still the only medical school in the Maritime provinces, giving students opportunities to get valuable experience working in diverse clinical settings – from large teaching hospitals to smaller, underserved communities. The program has a particular focus on training students to work in family medicine as well as serving rural/underserved communities.

Dalhousie fosters an interdisciplinary collaboration between healthcare fields taught at the school, with its medical students frequently collaborating with those in dentistry, nursing, and other health profession programs.

What You’ll Learn

The MD program is divided into three sections: Med 1 (first year); Med 2 (second year); and clerkship (third and fourth years). The first two years focus on the human anatomy and systems of the body, as well as case-based learning. Years three and four provide opportunities in clinical settings, with more than 100 teaching sites in Maritime Canada.

For residency training, Dalhousie’s medical school offers accredited clinical training for more than 600 medical residents and 50 Royal College specialty programs (including 24 subspecialties).

Since its inception in 1881, Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry has evolved significantly over the last 143 years, earning a reputation for offering robust interprofessional medical training and research opportunities in state-of-the-art facilities. In 2008, it launched a second satellite program in Windsor, ON, offering smaller classes and a community-based approach to learning that emphasizes understanding and responding to local health issues. The curriculum, however, is the same at both campuses.

What You’ll Learn

The four-year MD program is currently transitioning its curriculum towards a competency-based, active learning medical education model. This renewed curriculum will support personal and team adaptive learning along with a new assessment model.

The PGME program offers a variety of residency training programs across specialties, including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery etc.

The seven-year MD/PhD program offers two models, with an option to start with undergraduate medical training or first with three years of research.

Established in 1967, University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine has a strong focus on interprofessional education, allowing medical students to collaborate with students from nursing, pharmacy, and other health disciplines. It also uses a Competency-Based Medical Education model that emphasizes active learning and specific competency goals for students throughout the curriculum.

What You’ll Learn

The three-year MD program provides student rotations through various specialties in hospitals and community settings. It also emphasizes active learning, critical thinking, and the application of knowledge in real-world settings. Students begin clinical rotations in year two with additional practice on clinical skills using simulation training. During year three they partake in more intensive speciality rotations and independent patient care.

After completing their MD, students can apply to more than 65 residency programs across a wide range of disciplines, which can take from two to seven years to complete. There are also clinical and research fellowships that welcome fellows from around the world.

Established in 1883 as Western Canada’s first medical school, Max Rady College of Medicine is recognized for providing medical education that focuses on clinical skills, community-based learning, and preparing students to work in rural and Indigenous healthcare settings.

What You’ll Learn

The four-year MD program offers students opportunities to engage with communities through service learning programs, participate with clinicians in co-curricular clinical activities and have the chance to be part of national and international exchange programs.

The MD/MSc program is only open to those already accepted or currently enrolled in the Undergraduate Medical Education program and helps students develop advanced clinical and research skills on the road to becoming a clinical scientist.

The MD/PhD program is for students currently enrolled in medicine who then pursue graduate studies at the end of their second year, or for current graduate students who are conducting health-related research. The dual degree typically takes three to six years, on top of MD requirements.

Post-graduate education opportunities includes 103 accredited residency training programs and 30 clinical and research fellowship programs.

Founded in 1926, the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine was created to address the need for medical education that would train physicians to service remote populations in the province. The College uses a distributed medical education model offering training in Saskatoon, Regina, and other parts of the province. With a focus on rural medicine, students have opportunities to train in remote areas where healthcare services are scarce. Indigenous health is also integrated throughout the curriculum to ensure future physicians are well-equipped to handle specific health issues facing Indigenous communities.

What You’ll Learn

The four-year MD program allows students to complete parts of their clinical training in various rural and remote communities across Saskatchewan. Students also complete their early training at major hospitals throughout the province.

Post-graduate medical training: The College offers a variety of residency programs with many of them offering specialized training for rural and northern healthcare. The program duration is typically two to seven years depending on specialty.

Memorial University is one of Canada’s leaders in rural medicine and underserved communities, including Indigenous health. The smaller size of the Faculty of Medicine allows for small group teaching and personalized learning. An integrated approach to the field of medicine is encouraged by a non-departmental administration system based on three divisions: Population Health and Applied Health Sciences, BioMedical Sciences, and the Clinical Sciences.

What You’ll Learn

The four-year Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) program at Memorial University includes a wide range of teaching methodologies and small group teaching opportunities to allow for a more tailored and personalized learning environment. The program provides clinical learning experiences in community and rural settings and facilitates learning through patient contact in the very early stages of their medical training.

The faculty also offers a wide variety of residencies and fellowships through its Post-Graduate Medical Education program, from family medicine to numerous specialities and subspecialties. Residency programs, especially in family medicine, have a strong focus on rural medical training.

As a French-speaking university, Université Laval’s Faculty of Medicine offers medical courses in French primarily, with some English content for international collaborations and research. In 1971, it was the first university in Quebec to offer a medical PhD program, allowing students to focus more heavily on research and specialization. Today it is also focused on training physicians to serve in rural and under-serviced areas in Quebec and beyond.

What You’ll Learn

For students who don’t have a science background or need additional preparation, Laval offers a premedical year (Premédicine) before the official four-year MD program begins. The focus is on foundational courses such as biology, chemistry etc.

Throughout the MD program, students engage in problem-based learning via case studies and group discussions and get hands-on experience through clinical rotations. Upon completion of their MD, students must partake in residency training to get licensed. There are more than 50 residency programs available.

Founded in 1966, the Université de Sherbrooke’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is fairly new compared to its counterparts across Canada but has quickly earned a reputation for being able to optimally prepare students to work in rural and underserved areas. It offers medical education in French, serving the healthcare needs of Quebec and other Francophone regions.

What You’ll Learn

The four-year MD program is provided in French and uses problem-based learning instead of traditional lectures. Clinical training begins in the first year, with students participating in clinical scenarios in hospitals and community health centres. Students can complete parts of their clinical training at any of the faculty’s three campuses, and there are opportunities for rotations in rural healthcare facilities.

The faculty offers Residency programs (typically 2-7 years) across a variety of specialties including internal medicine, surgery, laboratory research, and many more disciplines.

Established in 2005, Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is focused on addressing the healthcare needs of Northern Ontario’s diverse and underserved populations. The curriculum is designed to prepare new physicians to work effectively in the healthcare environments of Northern Ontario, which may include Indigenous communities and rural populations.

What You’ll Learn

The curriculum for the four-year Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) program is organized around six themes that connect learning and assessment into an integrated curriculum including Patient-Centred Care, Social Accountability and Community Service, Clinical Skills and Practice, Population Health and Social Determinants of Health, Medical and Clinical Knowledge, Personal and Professional Development. Students engage in a combination of small and large group learning, practical and lab learning, and significant community-based experiences, combining clinical, medical and human sciences.

Post-Graduate Medical Education training is offered in a variety of specialties including the Family Medicine Residency Program and the Family Medicine PGY3 Enhanced Skills Programs, for those who want to provide more specialized care in the context of family medicine.