At New Anglia University (NAU), the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is designed as an intensive and academically rigorous pathway that expects students to begin their medical training with a strong scientific foundation across the disciplines of the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Because of this, the university takes a detailed and structured approach when assessing applicants who hold a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree and wish to enter the MD program.
Many medical schools evaluate applicants based only on a small number of broad subject areas—typically biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and English. As a result, some students later discover that they must independently review topics they did not previously study in order to keep up with the demands of the curriculum. Due to the intensity of a four-year MD program, it can be extremely difficult for students to catch up on missing foundational subjects while simultaneously managing the demands of medical training, which may result in failing MD modules and, in some cases, failing the MD program.
In contrast, NAU conducts a much more comprehensive review of an applicant’s academic background. This careful evaluation helps ensure that students enter the MD program academically prepared for the curriculum and contributes to NAU maintaining one of the lowest student attrition (dropout) rates among medical schools offering 4-year MD programs.
A Subject-by-Subject Evaluation
Rather than simply confirming that an applicant has studied general science disciplines, NAU evaluates whether the applicant’s previous degree has covered the specific subjects and credits required for the university’s premedical program.
The university’s premedical program includes a structured set of foundational subjects that prepare students for the academic level expected in the MD curriculum. These subjects can be viewed in detail here:
https://newanglia.com/premed-
When reviewing a BSc degree, NAU examines:
- Which relevant subjects have been completed
- The curriculum or content covered within each subject
- The number of credits (study hours) associated with each subject
This subject-level assessment allows the university to determine precisely whether an applicant has already completed the necessary academic preparation for the MD program.
Ensuring Academic Readiness Before Entry to the MD Program
The subjects included in the NAU premedical program provide the academic foundation required for the advanced biomedical modules taught in the MD program. Because the MD modules build upon prior scientific knowledge rather than introducing subjects at an introductory level, the program assumes that students entering the program have already completed these foundational subjects. This is why NAU carefully evaluates the subjects and credits completed during a student’s BSc degree before granting admission to the MD program. This ensures that students begin the MD curriculum with the academic preparation required to engage immediately with advanced biomedical training.
The relationship between the premedical subjects and the MD curriculum is illustrated below.
| Premedical Subjects | MD Modules Where the Knowledge Is Applied |
|---|---|
| Biology | Foundations of Medicine; Foundations of Human Structure and Function; Pathogenic Interactions, Host Defense and Blood Dynamics |
| Chemistry | Nutrient Assimilation and Metabolic Homeostasis; Basics of Disease and Treatment; Pharmacology and Clinical Medicine |
| Physics | Foundations of Cardio-Respiratory System; Clinical Pathology and Diagnostics |
| Algebra / Calculus | Medical Science and Community Medicine; Clinical Reasoning |
| Introduction to Biochemistry | Nutrient Assimilation and Metabolic Homeostasis; Pharmacology and Clinical Medicine |
| Psychology | Brain, Mind and Behavior; Patient-Doctor Relationship |
| Introduction to Anatomy | Foundations of Human Structure and Function; Clinical Pathology and Diagnostics |
| Medical Terminology | Foundations of Medicine; Clinical Reasoning |
| Introduction to Physiology | Foundations of Cardio-Respiratory System; Fluid Regulation and Life Continuity |
| Introduction to Microbiology | Pathogenic Interactions, Host Defense and Blood Dynamics |
| Sociology | Medical Science and Community Medicine; Patient-Doctor Relationship |
Completion of Outstanding Prerequisite Requirements
NAU does not require applicants to repeat the entire premedical programme if they have already completed relevant subjects within their prior Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree or an equivalent qualification.
Following the subject-by-subject evaluation of an applicant’s academic record, the Admissions Committee may determine that specific prerequisite subjects remain outstanding. In such cases, applicants may be required to complete only those subjects that have not previously been undertaken or that do not meet the required credits or curriculum.
This approach ensures that all students entering the MD programme possess the full range of foundational scientific knowledge required while avoiding unnecessary duplication of previously completed academic coursework.
Academic Preparation for Entry to the MD Programme
By taking a detailed and structured approach to evaluating previous degrees, New Anglia University aims to ensure that all students entering the MD program are academically prepared for the intensity and pace of medical education.
The objective of this admissions framework is to ensure that students possess the academic preparation necessary to succeed in a demanding medical curriculum while maintaining the standards required for high-quality medical training.
Through this careful admissions process, NAU supports students in beginning their medical education with the knowledge and preparation necessary to thrive in the years ahead.