About Medicine (MD) at University of Southern California
In the US, medicine is a graduate professional degree: the Doctor of Medicine (MD) is studied after a bachelor’s degree, followed by residency training.
At University of Southern California (QS World University Rankings 2026: #146) in Los Angeles, Medicine (MD) is one of the subject areas international students choose most. USC is a private research university in Los Angeles, close to the city’s entertainment, media and technology industries.
Degree levels for Medicine (MD)
- MD — typical length in the US: 4 years
Program names, specialisations and exact length differ by department — check the official program page before applying.
Admission requirements for Medicine (MD) at USC
- MD: a bachelor’s degree with pre-medical coursework and the MCAT. Many US medical schools admit very few international applicants — check the school’s international policy first.
- English: TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program).
Fees and funding
University tuition (undergraduate, university-wide): Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program). Graduate and professional fees for Medicine (MD) are set separately by the school. Need-based financial aid for some international undergraduates (need-aware admission); graduate funding through fellowships and assistantships.
Careers and work after graduation
F-1 graduates can apply for up to 12 months of OPT. Some programs in this field are STEM-designated — check the program’s CIP code to see if the STEM OPT extension applies.
Apply for Medicine (MD) at USC with GIEC Global
GIEC Global offers free counselling, program shortlisting, SOP guidance, application support and F-1 visa assistance for Medicine (MD) at University of Southern California.
