Physiologists are closely related to medical doctors and can perform in several capacities that doctors can’t. However, a Physiologist is not a medical doctor and so, won’t be able to acquire medical licenses or work in government hospitals as a medical practitioner.
Can a Physiologist Become a Medical Doctor in Nigeria?
Yes, it is possible for a physiologist to become a medical doctor in Nigeria. There are several routes to follow. If you’re already a physiologist which means you’ve already graduated after studying physiology as a course in the University and acquired a BSc certificate in physiology, you can go for an MBBS degree in the same or a different university.
If you’re not already a physiologist, it is also possible to switch to a medical course and become a medical doctor.
Ways a Physiologist Can Become a Medical Doctor In Nigeria
1. Take JAMB form and reapply to study Medicine and Surgery
After you’ve graduated from studying Physiology and attained your BSc degree, you can take a new JAMB form and reapply to study medicine at any university of choice.
The process entails you writing the required exams and if successful, you will be offered admission into the department of Medicine and Surgery as a freshman. This gives you an advantage as you would already have knowledge and experience of how the university system works and be able to apply it to excel in your course.
To be considered for admission, you will have to meet University cut-off market for the course. This is usually set as low as 220, however, you will have to score higher than 250 to be considered for the University’s Post-UME. You will also have to score very high in the University Post-UME. A score above 70 will place you among the very few to be considered for admission.
If you are able to succeed by following this path, you will have to start studying Medicine as a fresh student in 100 Level.
2. Direct Entry
Some Universities in Nigeria allow students to take Direct Entry into Medicine. The only advantage of this process is that if successful, you will be admitted into 200 level rather than 100 level. However, only a few students will be considered for admission via the Direct Entry route and only a few Universities allow Direct Entry into Medicine. This means that your University of choice might not allow you to apply for Direct Entry into Medicine. In addition, this process is usually very competitive so your chances are even slimmer.
If you wish to follow this process, check and confirm if your University of choice will take direct Entry students in medicine. If so, then you can go ahead to apply. Physiology is a medical science course that makes graduates of the course eligible to study Medicine in any recognized University in Nigeria.
3. Go for JUPEB
JUPEB is the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board, a national examination body through which people interested in gaining admission into the university can do so without Jamb. The process requires you to study a one-year remedial course. You will be required to go through two semesters and if you pass the exams, you will be admitted into the University to study medicine. The benefit of this process is that you can take JUPEB at any University you want as long as it offers the option. When you’re done with the course, you will be admitted into the same University to study medicine.
There are several setbacks to this option. First, it is very expensive, and second, it is unreliable. You might end up not getting a Medicinal course after spending so much money on this.
4. Departmental Transfer
Departments allow for the transfer of students to other departments based on their academic performance such that you can apply for transfer to another department if you think it suits your skills and passion and if your academic performance allows it. You can also transfer to the Department of Medicine and Surgery.
The only issue here is that it is easier to transfer to a department with a lower requirement than one with a higher requirement. For example, you will find it easy to transfer from Law to English or Mass Communication but it might not be possible or very difficult to go from Mass Communication to Law. The same goes for Medicine.
In fact, some Universities no longer permit students to transfer from other departments to Medicine. If your University still allows it, it would require an excellent academic performance on your part, a great connection with University lecturers, and in some cases, the exchange of money to move to the Department of Medicine.
Wrapping Up
You will find easy success if you go for the top 2 methods. These are the most reliable methods for gaining admission to study Medicine as a Physiologist. The last two would require some extra work but it is also possible to study your dream course with those methods.