MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS Which Medical Course Is Right For You

Topic We Cover: MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS

1. What do you know about MBBS, BDS, BAMS, and BHMS?
2. Admission Process for MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS
3. Duration of Course: MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS
4. Syllabus: MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS

• BDS Syllabus & Subjects
• BHMS Syllabus & Subjects:

5. Top Colleges/Institutions for MBBS, BDS, BAMS, and BHMS

• Some Top Colleges for MBBS
• Some Top Colleges for BDS
• Some Top Colleges for BAMS
• Top Colleges For BHMS

6. Specializations in MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS

• Specializations in MBBS
• Specializations in BDS
• Specializations in BAMS
• Specializations in BHMS

7. High-level Education Opportunities: MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS

• After MBBS
• After BDS
• After BAMS
• After BHMS

8. Career Opportunities for MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS
9. Employment areas/ Recruiters
10. Salary
11. Which Course Should You Go For?

The above question is that one confrontation every NEET Aspirant bump into while considering the future prospects. To have one goal with single-minded focus is one thing but to not have plans for unexpected realities is something foolish. Since childhood many students thought of becoming a doctor, and opt the medical (PCB) stream after class 10th. The first thing that comes to mind when they think of getting the “doctor” tag is MBBS.

The appropriate approach towards this question is to understand the long-term goal that pushed one to envision that ‘Dr.’ before the name! And if it was something well thought then absence of awareness about BDS, BAMS, and BHMS is a tragedy, simply

Due to limited information of their options, they assume that MBBS is the only course for them, thus ending up narrowing their choices.

But apart from MBBS there are other course options available in medicine! The top ones include BDS, BAMS, and BHMS.

So, if you are still stuck on only one course, and wish to plan in a better way and keep yourself aware of opportunities that match with your aspirations, but have no idea which is the right one for you, don’t worry then invest the next few minutes here. By explaining the major difference between these courses we will advise you take the right decision. Let’s start with the fundamentals.

What do you know about MBBS, BDS, BAMS and BHMS?

MBBS (Or: Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Medicine) is the predominant medical Undergraduate Course in India. It is the route to become a doctor of modern medicine in the country. A person holding the MBBS degree becomes a certified medical practitioner. 

BDS (Or: Bachelor of Dental Surgery) degree is one of the most popular and designated degree courses in dentistry in India. This course is one of the most sought-after Courses in the Medical Field, only next to MBBS.

BAMS (Or: Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) is recognized and integrated degree in the medical field, and is specially designed to teach students the systems of the traditional Indian system of Ayurveda.

BHMS (Or: Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery) covers the various aspects of medical knowledge of the homeopathic system. BHMS awards one with the right to practice homeopathy and its various systems as a homeopathic doctor.

Admission Process for MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS

The common and bare min. Educational Qualification which is required for students to appear for these medical exams are - students have to complete their 12th education with PCB (Chemistry, Physics, and Biology) and score a min. 50% marks (For reserved category it will be 40%).

Now let’s look at the specific admission requirements for each.

For MBBS:

To get admission into an MBBS institute, an aspiring candidate will need to appear for the national-level Examination, NEET (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test) is conducted where 16 lac students appear for the exam to get into the various medical institutions in India. This exam covers most of the medical institutes in India. However, there are a few other specific entrance exams, such as AIIMS and JIPMER.

For BDS:

For BDS programs too, students require to appear in NEET.  After passing the entrance exam, seats are allotted in the counselling process, filled choices, based on rank, and availability of seats.

For BAMS:

BAMS aspirants need to clear the NEET Examination, 2018 onwards.

For BHMS:

To get a seat into BHMS, you will have to go through the NEET Exam. The selection will be done based on the final merit as the sum of the total numbers obtained in the qualifying examination in 12th and the number scored in the entrance examinations, followed by the personal interview.

Duration of Course: MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS

For MBBS:

The overall duration of MBBS Degree is 5.5-year (4 and a half years’ academic education + 1 year mandatory internship). After completion of course, students are supposed to participate in hands-on training in hospital wards and out-patient departments. This provides them with real-life experiences in practising and performing clinical procedures integral to their further practice as a doctor.

For BDS:

The course duration of BDS Program is 5-year (4 years’ academic education + 1-year compulsory internship). This course can be pursued through full-time and part-time courses.

For BAMS:

After the completion of 5 years and 6 months’ degree program the BAMS degree is awarded. This duration includes the 4 and a half year academic session and 1-year internship program with live practical.

For BHMS:

After the completion of 5.5 years’ academic program the BHMS is awarded, containing the 4 and a half year academic session and one-year internship program with live practical. This program can also be pursued through distance education.

Syllabus : MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS

Division of MBBS Syllabus

As it is already mentioned and explained earlier that the Syllabus of MBBS has been divided into three phases. In the table below we have compiled the subjects that are to be taught under these phases, for the reference of candidates.

Subjects covered in MBBS syllabus 

Phase	Semesters	Subjects covered
Pre-Clinical	1-2: two semesters	Anatomy, Bio-chemistry, Physiology
Para-Clinical	3-5: three semesters	Community Medicine; Forensic Medicine, Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Clinical postings in wards, OPDs to begin here;
Clinical	6-9: four semesters	Community Medicine, Medicine and allied subjects (Psychiatry, Dermatology), Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Paediatrics
		Surgery and allied subjects (Anesthesiology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics);
		Clinical postings

MBBS Syllabus - 12 months rotatory internship

In order to successfully complete the MBBS Course, it is extremely essential that candidates complete their one-year rotatory internship. When candidates are under the internship period, they will be provided with a hands-on experience of how things work in their field. They will also be taught how to maintain inter-personal relations with their patients. During this internship session, emphasis will be laid on hands-on experience. Also, the department that is concerned will be maintaining a daily log book for each candidate. The postings will keep on changing at intervals, scheme of which is mentioned in the table below.

Internship postings

Specialty	Duration
Medicine	1.5 months
Surgery	1.5 months
Rural	3 months
Paediatrics	1 month
Obstetrics and Gynaecology	1 month
Casualty	1 month
Anaesthesiology	15 days
Ophthalmology	15 days
Elective	2 months
Total	12 months

BDS Syllabus & Subjects

The course syllabus followed according to the Bachelor of Dental Science [BDS] curriculum is tabulated below. Minor deviations may be noted in the curricula of certain colleges or universities but the core of the syllabus is maintained in most institutes, colleges and universities throughout the nation.

Sl. No.	Syllabus - Year 1
1	General Human Anatomy including Embryology and Histology
2	General Human Physiology and Biochemistry, Nutrition and Dietetics
3	Dental Anatomy, embryology, and Oral Histology
4	Dental Materials
5	Preclinical Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge

 

Sl. No.	Syllabus - Year 2
1	General Pathology and Microbiology
2	General and Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics
4	Preclinical Conservative Dentistry
5	Preclinical Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
6	Oral Pathology & Oral Microbiology

 

Sl. No.	Syllabus - Year 3
1	General Medicine
2	General Surgery
3	Oral Pathology & Microbiology
4	Conservative Dentistry And Endodontics
5	Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery
6	Oral Medicine And Radiology
7	Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics
8	Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry
9	Periodontology

 

Sl. No.	Syllabus - Semester 4
1	Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics
2	Oral Medicine and Radiology
3	Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry
4	Periodontology
5	Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
6	Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
7	Conservative Dentistry And Endodontics
10	Conservative Dentistry And Endodontics
11	Public Health Dentistry

BAMS Syllabus:

BAMS course is not differentiated into semesters and hence BAMS Syllabus year-wise is mentioned below:

BAMS Syllabus - First Year

• Ayurveda Nirupana
• Dravya Vigyaniyam
• Pratyaksha Pariksha
• Anumanapariksha
• Pariksha
• Samavaya Vigyaniyam

BAMS Syllabus - Second Year

• Dravya
• Prabhava
• Mishraka Gana
• Vyadhi Vigyan
• Basic Pathology
• Diseases of Rasavaha Srotas
• Hematology

BAMS Syllabus - Third Year

• Dinacharya
• Ritucharya
• Panchakosha Theory
• Janapadodhwamsa
• Epidemiology
• Preventive Geriatrics
• Garbha Vigyana

BAMS Syllabus - Fourth Year

• Snehana
• B?hya Snehana
• Virechana Karma
• Physiotherapy
• Nirjantukarana
• Marma
• Kshara and Kshara Karma

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BAMS Subjects:

Below mentioned is BAMS Subjects that are spread equally in 4 years to provide students with the proper knowledge about BAMS course:

BAMS Subjects - First Year

• Padartha Vigyan And Ayurved Itihas
• Sanskrit
• Kriya Sharir
• Rachana Sharir
• Maulik Siddhant Avum Ashtang Hridaya

BAMS Subjects - Second Year

• Dravyaguna Vighyan
• Roga Nidan
• Rasashatra
• Charak Samhita

BAMS Subjects - Third Year

• Agadtantra
• Swasthavritta
• Prasuti Tantra Evum Stri Roga
• Kaumarbhritya Parichaya
• Charak Samhita

BAMS Subjects - Fourth Year

• Kayachikitsa
• Panchkarma
• Shalya Tantra
• Shalakya Tantra
• Research Methodology and Medical Sciences

BHMS Syllabus & Subjects:

The course syllabus pursued in the Curriculum of the Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine & Surgery [BHMS] Course is enlisted below. While the crux of the syllabus is followed in most colleges or institutes across the nation, minor deviations from the regulated curriculum is observed in a few colleges.

Sl. No.	BHMS Syllabus - Year 1
1	Organon of Medicine, Principles of Homoeopathic Philosophy and Psychology
2	Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology
3	Physiology including Biochemistry
4	Homoeopathic Pharmacy
5	Homoeopathic Materia Medica

 

Sl. No.	BHMS Syllabus - Year 2
1	Pathology and Microbiology including Parasitology Bacteriology and Virology
2	Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
3	Organon of Medicine and Principles of Homoeopathic Philosophy
4	Homoeopathic Materia Medica
5	Surgery including ENT, Eye Dental, and Homoeo therapeutics.
6	Obstetrics & Gynaecology Infant care and Homoeo therapeutics
7	The practice of Medicine and Homoeo. Therapeutics

 

Sl. No.	BHMS Syllabus - Year 3
1	The practice of Medicine & Homoeo therapeutics
2	Surgery including ENT, Ophthalmology & dental & Homoeo. therapeutics
3	Obstetrics & Gynaecology Infant care & Homoeo. therapeutics
4	Homoeopathic Materia Medica
5	Organon of Medicine

 

Sl. No.	BHMS Syllabus - Year 4
1	The practice of Medicine & Homoeo therapeutics
2	Homoeopathic Materia Medica
3	Organon of Medicine
4	Repertory
5	Community Medicine

Top Colleges/Institutions for MBBS, BDS, BAMS and BHMS

In India, there are many medical colleges imparting quality education in these four courses. Some of the leading institutes for each of them are listed below:

 Some Top Colleges for MBBS:

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
• Jawaharlal Inst. of PG Medical Edu. and Research (JIPMER)
• Christian Medical College (CMC)
• Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi
• King George's Medical University, [KGMU] Lucknow
• Armed Forces Medical College, [AFMC] Pune
• Univ. College of Medical Sc., [UCMS] New Delhi
• Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh
• Inst. of PG Medical Edu. And Research, [IOPGMEAR] Kolkata
• Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, [VMMC] New Delhi
• Government Medical College and Hospital, [GMCAH] Chandigarh

Some Top Colleges for BDS:

• Dental College & Hospital, Aurangabad
• Manipal College Of Dental Sciences, Manipal
• Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai
• SDM College Of Dental Sciences, Dharwad
• Post Graduate Institute Of Dental Sciences, Rohtak
• Faculty Of Dental Sciences, King George's, Lucknow
• Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai
• Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai
• Dental College, Gujarat
• Government Dental College & Research Institute, Bengaluru
• Christian Dental College, Ludhiana
• Amrita College of Dentistry, Kerala
• Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi
• King George’s Medical University, Lucknow
• Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram
• Govt. Dental College & Hospital, Andhra Pradesh

Some Top Colleges for BAMS:

• Inst. of Medical Sc. Banaras Hindu Univ., Varanasi
• Shri Dhanwantri Ayurvedic College, Chandigarh
• Ayurvedic Medical College, Kolhapur
• State Ayurvedic College of Lucknow
• Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar
• Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
• JB Roy State Medical College, Kolkata
• Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla
• Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai
• Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore

Top Colleges For BHMS:

• National Institute of Homeopathy, Kolkata
• Shivaji University
• A.M.Shaikh Homoeopathic Medical College
• Bharati Vidyapeeth Homeopathic Medical College, Pune
• Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University
• Government Homeopathic Medical College, Bangalore
• Rajasthan Vidyapeeth Homeopathic Medical College & Hospital
• Pt. Khushilal Sharma Government Ayurveda College, Bhopal
• Motiwala Homeopathic Medical College
• Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot

Specializations in MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS

Specializations in MBBS

Major Specializations:

• General Medicine.
• General Surgery.
• Pediatrics.
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Dermatology
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopedics
• ENT
• Psychiatry
• Anesthesiology.

Some Super Specializations 3-4 years of further studies

• Plastic Surgery
• Neuro Surgery
• Cardio-Thoracic surgery
• Conito-Urinary surgery
• Pediatric surgery
• Gastroenterology
• Endocrinology
• Clinical Hematology

other than above there are more than 15 types of specializations which are very common like below.

• Nephrology
• Cardiology
• Immunology
• craniologist
• Pathologist

Etc

Specializations in BDS:

• Prosthodontics
• Periodontics
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Conservative Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Oral Pathology
• Community Dentistry
• Paedodontics
• Oral Medicine and Radiology

Specializations in BAMS:

The specializations in this field are as the following:

• Padartha Vigyan
• Sharir Rachana
• Sharir Kriya
• Swasth Vritta
• Rasa Shastra
• Agad Tantra
• Rog & Vikriti Vigyan
• Charak Samhita
• Prasuti and Stri Roga
• Kaumara Bhritya
• Kayachikitsa
• Shallya Tantra
• Shalakya Tantra
• Charak Samhita

Specializations in BHMS:

• Homeopathic Pharmacy
• Homeopathic Paediatrics
• Homeopathic Psychiatry
• Homeopathic Skin Specialist
• Homeopathic Infertility Specialist

Specializations after post-graduation in BHMS

• M.D (Hom) Materia Medica
• M.Sc Clinical Research
• M.D (Hom) Organon of Medicine and Philosophy
• M.Sc Human Genome
• M.D (Hom) Practice of Medicine
• M.Sc Applied Psychology
• M.D (Hom) Case Taking and Repertorisation
• M.Sc Medical Biochemistry
• M.D (Hom) Psychiatry
• M.Sc Health Sciences and Yoga Therapy
• M.D (Hom) Paediatrics
• PGDM Holistic Health Care
• M.D (Hom) Pharmacy
• PGDM Acupuncture
• M.Sc Epidemiology
• PGDM Preventive and Promotive Health Care
• M.Sc Medical Biochemistry
• PGDM Diabetes Mellitus
• M.Sc Medical Anatomy
• PGDM Clinical Diabetology
• M.Sc Neuroscience
• MHA (Master of Hospital Administration)
• M.Sc Genetics
• MBA (Healthcare Management)
• M.Sc Food and Nutrition
• MPH (Master of Public Health)

High level Education Opportunities: MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS

After MBBS:

You can either go for an MS (postgraduate degree in general surgery) or an MD (postgraduate degree in general medicine) after completing your MBBS. You will need to paas the NEET PG or other university and state level exams to gain admission.

After BDS:

MDS (Master of Dental Surgery) is the logical step for students wishing to pursue higher education in dentistry after completing your BDS. All India PG Dental Entrance Exam (AIPGDEE) is the national level exam for admission. After BDS you can also pursue MBA in Public Health and MBA in Hospital Management.

After BAMS:

After completing your BAMS you can go for an MD or MS in Ayurveda. BAMS Graduates can also pursue higher studies in many medical-related disciplines. A few options include Master’s in Health Administration, Master’s in Public Health, PG Dip. in Emergency Medicine and many other PG courses.

After BHMS:

After BHMS the most common option for higher studies is MD in Homeopathy. Many graduates also opt for alternate courses in medicine, such as Master of Science in Regenerative Medicine, Master of Science in Psychiatry, Master of Science in Endocrinology, Master of Hospital Management, etc.

Further doctoral level education (Doctor of Medicine) is also available after master’s in each of these courses.

Career Opportunities for MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS

I am listing out some career opportunities graduates typically go for after completing each of the four courses.

Job Profiles

MBBS

• Junior doctors
• Doctors
• Physician
• Junior Surgeons
• Medical Professor or Lecturer
• Researcher
• Scientist

BDS

• Dentist
• Dental Surgeon
• Endodontic
• Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist
• Oral Surgery
• Orthodontics
• Pedodontics
• Periodontics
• Prosthodontics

BAMS

• Lecturer
• Scientist
• Therapist
• Category manager
• Business development officer
• Sales representatives
• Product manager
• Pharmacist
• Jr. clinical trial coordinator
• Medical representative
• Ayurvedic doctor
• Sales executive
• Area sales manager
• Assistant claim manager health
• Manager – internal audit

BHMS

• Lecturer
• Consultant
• Scientist
• Private practice
• Therapist
• Pharmacist
• Doctor
• Public health specialist
• Medical assistant
• Spa director

Employement areas/ Recruiters 

MBBS

• Hospitals
• Laboratories
• Biomedical Companies
• Nursing Homes
• Medical Colleges
• Health Centres
• Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies

BDS

• Dental Clinics
• Hospitals
• Educational Institutions
• Pharmaceutical Companies
• Dental Products Manufactures
• Private Practice

BAMS

• Clinical trials
• Healthcare community
• Life science industries
• Pharmaceutical industries
• Education
• Healthcare IT
• Insurance
• On duty doctor
• Nursing home
• Spa resort
• Ayurvedic resort
• Panchkarma ashram
• Government/ private hospitals
• dispensaries
• colleges
• research institutes

BHMS

• Medical colleges
• Charitable institutions
• Clinic
• Homeopathic medicine store
• Research institutes
• Consultancies
• Training institutes
• Life science industries
• Healthcare community
• Pharmaceutical industries
• Government/ private hospitals
• Nursing home
• Dispensaries

Salary

MBBS:

After completing the MBBS Degree, every student wants to know how much they will earn. The salary of the MBBS degree holder is depends upon how much knowledge & experience you have. The initial salary of a medical graduate doctor may be the Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 35,000 per month. After getting the experience and good hands on in this field, the candidate may get the handsome salary as 8 to 10 lakh per annum.

There are more job opportunities to work in the US and the UK in medical field with handsome salaries.

BDS:

The starting salary of a dentist may be the Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000 per month. The candidate may get the handsome salary as 4 to 6 lakh per annum after getting the exp. and good hands on in this field.

In the medical field there are more job opportunities to work in the US and the UK with handsome salaries. You can also establish your own clinic and earn around Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 per month.

BAMS:

The salary in the medical field is the benchmark for other job profiles in different field. Some univ. provide the stipend around 40 K to 50 K per month to the PG doctors in Ayurvedic field. According the role and nature of his/her job profile an Ayurvedic professional may get the salary from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 50000.

BHMS:

In order to the salaries the medical field is the benchmark among the other fields. Homeopathic field also owes this regard. The salary of a homeopathic doctor in govt. sector is Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 35,000 per month while the salary starts in the private sector from the Rs. 20,000 per month.

One can get the handsome salary with some experience, like Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50, 000 per month. If you have become popular as a good doctor in the society then there is no limit of salary.

Which Course Should You Go For?

In the health sector if you have a long-term vision of serving humanity then any of the above disciplines sound achievable and perfect to you. There are no limitations. When students fail to crack MBBS through NEET then many students choose for completely opposite career options. Most of them don’t identify with the field of study they got stuck with, don’t become one of those students.

Also, NEET is, of course, the determined target especially if the rest of the 3 are not your first choice. Do your hard work and position yourself in a way that nothing bothers you beyond your input. With a limited number of seats and a huge variety of options, there is always a challenge to get everything right. While you work on exams, take care of your admission procedures and counseling.

You will come across a lot of people who will tell you how MBBS has an edge over other courses and you should only pursue MBBS. But such people also speak from inexperience. The career opportunities after each of the courses are ample, so you should choose a course that matches your interests.

MBBS: Beyond doubt, the medical field is dominated by doctors with MBBS qualifications. If your aim is to get an edge over others and you can put in the immense hard work and perseverance needed to get into the most competitive course in India, then go ahead with MBBS by all means.

BDS: There are plenty of good jobs available after getting a Degree in BDS and if you are confident enough about dealing with patients, you can even set up private practice. Those interested in teaching can also acquire teaching jobs in top dental colleges.

BAMS: If you are interested in the traditional Indian system of medicine and are ready to deal with difficult languages like Sanskrit, then go for BAMS. In India Ayurveda is widely accepted as an alternative to western medicine. Moreover, the course also puts less financial burden on you, since its fee is much lesser than that of MBBS.

BHMS: Homeopathy is also a popular alternative to western medicine, and if you believe in its effectiveness, then becoming a practitioner of homeopathy can be a good option. However, pursue this course only if you want to practice homeopathy wholeheartedly. It is considered equivalent to MBBS in terms of the difficulty level of the course.

We hope now you have a clearer picture of the major differences between these four courses i.e. MBBS vs BDS vs BAMS vs BHMS. However, if you still feel confused and can’t figure out about the right course fit for yourself, then feel free to speak to career experts.