How many years will it take me to become a doctor if I study medicine in France?
Studying medicine in France usually takes about 10 years to become a general practitioner. Specialist training can take around 10 to 12 years, depending on the field. You complete about six years of medical study first, followed by residency of roughly four to six years.
Becoming a doctor in France usually takes about 10 years for a general practitioner, and around 10 to 12 years for a specialist, depending on the field. You study for about six years first and then move into residency. Training becomes more hospital-based as you progress.
The Three Cycles of Study
| Stage | What happens | Length |
|---|---|---|
| First cycle | Starts with a PASS or L.AS first year, then basic medical sciences with limited hospital exposure; leads to the DFGSM | Part of the first six years |
| Second cycle | More clinical training in hospitals and healthcare settings, covering surgery, internal medicine, paediatrics and psychiatry; leads to the DFASM | Part of the first six years |
| Third cycle (residency) | Hospital training with growing responsibility under supervision | 4 years for general medicine, generally 4 to 6 years for other specialities |
Putting the Timeline Together
The first two cycles together add up to about six years of medical study. Residency then takes four years for general medicine and generally four to six years for other specialities, which gives the overall timeline of roughly 10 years for a general practitioner and 10 to 12 years for specialists.
My Advice
Plan for a long route and decide early whether you want general medicine or a speciality, as that sets your residency length. Check the language of instruction and your later registration plans before you apply.
Looking for a specific course in France?
We will find the universities that offer it, and whether you will get in.
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