Address: Dzerzhinsky Ave, 83, Minsk, 220083, 1st building.
E-mail: inuch@bsmu.by
Phone: +375 17 338-11-63
The Medical Faculty for International Students (MFIS) of Belarusian State Medical University (BSMU) is second to the Faculty of General Medicine in the number of students.
Minsk State Medical Institute (former title of BSMU) began to train medical specialists for foreign countries in September, 1964, when it welcomed the first eight international students from the African continent. Since then, more than 3,000 physicians and pharmacists have been trained at our University in the specialties of General Medicine, Dentistry, Pediatrics, Preventive Medicine and Pharmacy. Our international graduates come from 108 countries and include many renowned scientists and health administrators, outstanding surgeons, therapists and other medical specialists who honorably represent their Alma Mater in various parts of our planet.
More than 200 young professionals in various fields of practical healthcare graduate from the Faculty annually.
Nowadays, more than 1700 international students from more than 50 countries of the world are trained at the Faculty in four specialties: General Medicine and Preventive Medicine (a 6-year course), Dentistry and Pharmacy (a 5-year course).
The geography of the countries represented by our international students is vast, comprising Azerbaijan, Canada, China, Colombia, Congo, Cote d`Ivoire, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ghana, Germany, Georgia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Ireland, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Yemen.
Today, the Faculty incorporates three departments and has totally more than 70 employees, including more than 50 teaching staff faculty members. 27 lecturers have academic titles, including 3 professors and 17 associate professors. Moreover, 27 members of the teaching staff hold academic doctoral degrees, among them 1 Doctor of Science (the second doctoral degree) and 26 PhDs (the first doctoral degree).
The base department of the Faculty is the department of Belarusian and Russian languages created in 1974. Studying the Russian language is crucial for international students to ensure a high level of knowledge and excellent quality of their further practical training.
Since 2009, our University has arranged training of international students in English.
If necessary, all international students of MFIS, without exception, are provided with accommodation in the students’ hostels with all amenities. Students have the opportunity to communicate with each other within national communities, to celebrate national and religious holidays, as well as to participate in national festivals and exhibitions.
Theoretical training of future physicians, surgeons and pharmacists is carried out in the 1st and 2nd years. During this period, international students study separately from Belarusian students. The academic groups formed have 8-10 students. The subjects studied include Normal Anatomy and Histology, Cytology and Embryology, General and Bioorganic Chemistry, Medical Biology and General Genetics, Normal Physiology and Biochemistry. The highly qualified teaching staff of the theoretical departments of the University ensures teaching of fundamental medical disciplines at a high scientific and methodological level. Along with biomedical subjects, students study Russian and Latin.
In the 3rd-4th years, students study clinical disciplines, such as Pathological Physiology and Pathological Anatomy, Microbiology and Pharmacology, General Surgery and Propaedeutics of Internal Diseases, General Hygiene, etc.
The first practical courses are organized at the clinical sites in outpatient and inpatient healthcare centers, as well as pharmaceutical organizations of the Republic of Belarus, which provides good foundation for the students’ future professional competencies. Classes are taught in groups with native Russian speakers. International students are surrounded by care and attention given not only by professors and associate professors, but also by Belarusian fellow-students.
Training in the 5th-6th years is aimed at the formation of knowledge and skills of a medical practitioner engaged in a specialty. During this period, our students further their medical education in Internal and Surgical Diseases, Pediatrics and Ophthalmology, ENT Diseases, Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Psychiatry, etc. All students enjoy the opportunity to have direct contact with patients, participate in clinical rounds and consultations, take part in treatment procedures and diagnostic manipulations and watch operations in operating rooms. At this stage the basic principle of training a medical specialist involves bedside training and (or) operating theatre training.
Future dentists have a unique opportunity of practical activity starting from the 3rd year.
From the 1st year, students specializing in Pharmacy take a course of propedeutical practice, during which they get acquainted with all the branches of pharmacy, thus forming an idea of their future profession. In the summertime, they have practical courses in botany and pharmacognosy, which provide them with the knowledge of medicinal plants, including vegetation features, harvesting and drying. From the 3rd year, workplace training begins, where future pharmacists have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in practice working in a pharmacy. At the end of the 5th year, students pass state exams and optionally write a research project (a thesis), after which they are assigned the qualification of “Pharmacist” and get a state diploma.
The study time is mostly devoted by our students to training in the chosen specialty. Opportunities for the independent work of international students are provided by free access to the book stock and software and Internet resources organized in the reading rooms of the University library and in computer classes.
The students can realize their interests in scientific research by participating in students’ scientific clubs and societies of theoretical and clinical departments. Each year, a number of international students, as well as their Belarusian counterparts, take part in student scientific conferences. In the summertime, the students take a practical training course in healthcare institutions of Minsk. Besides, they have the opportunity to master and consolidate their practical skills in private clinics and surgeries in their homeland.
The graduates of the Faculty are given the opportunity to be admitted to the clinical residency of the University to continue their education at the second stage of higher medical education. On completion, the post-graduates pass an exam and get a state certificate of internship.
The time of study at the University is the most interesting, exciting and memorable for any student. Students can show their abilities not only in studies. Participation in the Students’ Theater, creativity competitions, amateur art contests and sports competitions make the life of international students richer and brighter.
Our scientific school, experienced teaching staff and long-established traditions of training international students enables our University to provide higher medical education of top quality.
Our international graduates gain a diploma of international standard, one of the pages of which is made in English and contains an entry on the award of the title of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.). A supplement (Academic Record) detailing all subjects studied with grades and academic hours is attached to the Diploma. This supplement is the document to be verified with the programs of national universities in case of application for diploma verification abroad and passing the qualification exam in the country of origin of the international graduate.
Dear friends, if you are planning to become an international student, the doors of Belarusian State Medical University are always open for you. You have a unique opportunity to receive the profession of a physician, surgeon or pharmacist at one of the oldest and most prestigious Medical Universities, highly recognized not only in the Republic of Belarus, but also on the entire post-Soviet territory.
