Below is the full, detailed academic schedule used across Saudi Arabian medical universities offering the MBBS / MD-equivalent program .nationally standardized, competency-based curriculum regulated by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) and aligned with WFME, CanMEDS, and SPICES models .
Major universities include:
King Saud University (KSU) King Abdulaziz University (KAU) King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) King Khalid University (KKU) Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) Princess Nourah University (PNU) Many newer public & private medical colleges
All follow a 6-year MBBS program + 1-year internship .
🇸🇦 FULL ACADEMIC SCHEDULE — SAUDI MEDICAL UNIVERSITIES (MBBS / MD Equivalent)
Structure Overview Phase Duration Focus Preparatory / Foundation Year 1 year Basic sciences & English Pre-clinical Phase Years 2–3 Integrated basic medical sciences Clinical Phase Years 4–5 Core & specialty clerkships Final Clinical Year Year 6 Advanced rotations & exam prep Internship 1 year Supervised clinical practice
📘 DETAILED 6-YEAR MBBS CURRICULUM TABLE (SAUDI ARABIA)
Year Phase Main Module Groups Detailed Subjects / Components Skills & Competencies 1 Preparatory Year Basic Sciences & Skills Biology , Chemistry , Physics, Medical English , Biostatistics, Computer SkillsScientific foundation, academic English Professional Development Communication Skills, Ethics, Learning Skills Professionalism & teamwork 2 Pre-clinical I Basic Medical Sciences Anatomy I, Histology , Embryology , Physiology I, Biochemistry IDissection, microscopy, lab skills Early Clinical Exposure Intro to Clinical Medicine, Basic History Taking Patient interaction basics 3 Pre-clinical II Integrated Systems Physiology II, Biochemistry II, Pathology (General & Systemic ), Pharmacology I, Microbiology & Immunology Disease mechanisms & therapeutics Clinical Skills Physical Examination, OSCE training Structured clinical assessment 4 Clinical Phase I Core Clerkships Internal Medicine I, General Surgery I, Pediatrics I, Obstetrics & Gynecology IWard rounds, outpatient clinics Diagnostic Sciences Radiology , Laboratory MedicineInterpretation of labs & imaging 5 Clinical Phase II Specialty Clerkships Psychiatry , Neurology , Orthopedics , ENT , Ophthalmology , Dermatology , Emergency Medicine, Anesthesiology Procedural skills, acute care Community Medicine Family Medicine, Public Health, Preventive Medicine Primary care & population health 6 Final Clinical Year Advanced Rotations Internal Medicine II, Surgery II, Pediatrics II, OB/GYN II, ICU, ElectivesNear-independent supervised practice Capstone Research Project / Portfolio, Comprehensive Exams Graduation readiness
🏥 INTERNSHIP YEAR (1 YEAR AFTER GRADUATION)
🎓 AFTER COMPLETION
Component Description Degree Awarded MBBS (equivalent to MD)Licensing Exam SMLE – Saudi Medical Licensing Exam Residency Training Saudi Board Programs (4–6 years) International Recognition WFME-accredited → eligibility for USMLE, PLAB, Gulf exams
📝 Notes on Saudi Medical Education
Strong emphasis on PBL / TBL , OSCEs , and competency-based outcomes
Clinical training mainly in Ministry of Health hospitals , National Guard , and university hospitals
Many universities teach fully in English
