Global Academic Credentials for Psychiatry

This guide covers ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS only. For registration, licensing, CPD, and scope of practice requirements, see: Psychiatry Regulatory Guide, Quick Reference Guide for Mental Health Regulatory Bodies

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This reference document sets out the psychiatric credentials and training pathways of 66 countries across six continents, in roughly 180 credential and training-stage entries. The document synthesises regional research to provide a definitive global reference for medical degree nomenclature, psychiatric specialisation pathways, fellowship credentials, and advanced qualifications.

Geographic Coverage

By Region:

• English-Speaking Countries: 6 countries (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland)
• Europe: 20 countries across Western, Eastern, Nordic and Southern Europe, with a regional overview covering the recognition framework that applies to the rest
• Asia and the Middle East: 24 countries across East Asia, South Asia, South-East Asia and the Middle East
• Latin America: 7 countries, with a general-pattern block for Central America and the Caribbean
• Africa: 6 countries, with a general-pattern block for the rest of sub-Saharan Africa
• Oceania/Pacific: 3 Pacific Island countries, with Australia and New Zealand covered under English-Speaking Countries

Educational Systems Represented:

• North American System: 4-year MD/DO + 4-year residency
• Commonwealth System: 5-6 year MBBS/MBChB + 2-year foundation + 6-8 year speciality training with fellowship credentials (MRCPsych, FRANZCP, FRCPC, FCPsych)
• European System: 6-year medical degree + 4-7 year psychiatric specialisation (EU automatic recognition)
• Asian Diverse Systems: Ranging from 5-6 year MBBS to integrated 6-year MD programs
• Latin American System: 6-7 year integrated medical degree + 3-4 year residency
• African Systems: Mix of Commonwealth and francophone models with regional fellowships (WACP, CMSA)

Training Duration Statistics

Total Training (Start of Undergraduate Study to Specialist Certification):

• Shortest: 8.5-10 years (India, where a 5.5-year MBBS is followed by a 3-year MD Psychiatry; several Latin American systems, where a 6-7 year integrated medical degree is followed by a 3-4 year residency)
• Median: 11-13 years (most developed health systems; the United States sits at 12 years on the standard route of 4 undergraduate + 4 MD + 4 residency)
• Longest: 13-14 years (Ireland, where specialist training runs up to 7 years after internship; South Africa, where 2 years of internship and a year of community service precede a 4-year registrar post; the United Kingdom reaches 13 years on the standard 5-year medical degree)

Psychiatric Specialisation Duration:

• Shortest: 12 months (Ukraine - not EU-recognised)
• Median: 4-5 years (most countries)
• Longest: 7 years (Ireland post-internship)

Organisation Approach

This document organises credentials hierarchically:

1. By Geographic Region (6 major regions)
2. By Country (within each region)
3. By Training Stage (Undergraduate Medical → Postgraduate Foundation → Psychiatric Specialisation → Subspeciality Fellowships → Doctoral/Research Degrees)

Each credential entry includes:

• Standard abbreviation(s)
• Full title in local language (where applicable)
• English translation
• Duration and pathway requirements
• Accreditation bodies
• Recognition and equivalency notes

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2. HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT

Navigation Guide

For Quick Lookups:

• Use Quick Reference Tables (Section 4) to find credentials by training stage and region
• Consult the Abbreviation Index (Appendix B) to decode specific abbreviations
• Reference the Country Index (Appendix A) to locate all credentials for a specific nation
• Review Pathway Flowcharts (Appendix C) for visual representation of training sequences

For Comprehensive Information:

• Navigate to Section 3 (Global Credentials by Region) for detailed credential listings
• Review Section 5 (Regional Patterns) to understand educational system differences
• Consult Section 6 (Subspeciality Fellowships) for post-residency advanced training options
• Reference Section 7 (Research Degrees) for MD-PhD and PhD pathway information

Abbreviation Conventions

Standard Format:

• Abbreviation | Full Title (Local Language) | English Translation | Country | Duration

Common Medical Degree Abbreviations:

• MD: Doctor of Medicine. The same two letters mean different things by jurisdiction, and this is the single most consequential decoding on the page:
  • Entry-level medical degree (USA, Canada, Philippines, Ethiopia) - the qualifying degree, taken after or instead of a bachelor's degree.
  • Postgraduate specialist degree (India, Egypt, Nigeria) - taken after the qualifying degree. An Indian MD (Psychiatry) is a completed three-year psychiatric specialisation, not a basic medical degree.
  • Research doctorate (China, and the UK tradition) - taken after the qualifying degree and awarded on research. China's qualifying degree is a five-year Bachelor of Clinical Medicine.
• MBBS: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Commonwealth countries, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana)
• MBChB: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (UK, South Africa, New Zealand)
• DO: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (USA only)

Common Fellowship Abbreviations:

• MRCPsych: Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK qualification, internationally recognised)
• FRANZCP: Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
• FRCPC: Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
• FCPsych(SA): Fellowship of the College of Psychiatrists of South Africa
• FWACP: Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians

Language Indicators:

• Chinese credentials include characters (漢字), pinyin, and English
• Japanese credentials include kanji (漢字), romaji, and English
• Arabic-language countries show transliteration and English
• European multilingual countries show all official language variants

Training Stage Hierarchy:

1. Undergraduate Medical Degree: MD, MBBS, MBChB, DO, Dr. med., etc. (4-7 years)
2. Postgraduate Foundation Training: Internship, Foundation Programme (1-3 years)
3. Psychiatric Residency/Registrar Training: Core and Higher Training (3-7 years)
4. Fellowship/Board Certification: MRCPsych, FRANZCP, FRCPC, Board Certification
5. Subspeciality Fellowships: Child & Adolescent, Forensic, Geriatric, etc. (1-3 years)
6. Research Degrees: PhD, MD-PhD (3-9 years)

Regional Organisation Explanation

Six Major Regions:

1. English-Speaking Countries: Traditional anglophone nations with well-established psychiatric training systems and fellowship credentials
2. Europe: 20 countries with entries, under the EU and EEA automatic recognition framework; significant variation in training duration (12-84 months)
3. Asia and the Middle East: 24 countries with diverse training models. The Middle East is grouped inside this region and has its own overview of regional accreditation bodies
4. Latin America: 7 countries following the integrated medical degree model with residency training
5. Africa: 6 countries representing anglophone (Commonwealth), francophone and Arabic-speaking systems with regional fellowship bodies
6. Oceania/Pacific: Pacific Island nations with limited domestic training capacity, relying on regional partnerships

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3. GLOBAL CREDENTIALS BY REGION

Traditional anglophone nations: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Undergraduate Medical Degrees

Notes:

• MD = Allopathic medical degree; DO = Osteopathic medical degree with equivalent recognition for residency
• US osteopathic (DO) seniors filled 22.5% of psychiatry PGY-1 positions in the 2026 Main Residency Match; the 2023 figure was 18.6%
• Total pre-residency education: 8 years (4 undergraduate + 4 medical school)

Psychiatric Residency Training

Requirements:

• MD or DO degree
• USMLE (MD graduates) or COMLEX (DO graduates) licensure examination
• Residency match through NRMP or SF Match

Total Training: 12+ years (4 undergraduate + 4 medical school + 4 residency)

Board Certification

Notes: Board certification is not legally required to practice, but preferred by most employers

ABPN Subspeciality Certification in Psychiatry

These five are the psychiatry subspecialties for which the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology certifies its own psychiatry diplomates. They are not the whole set of accredited fellowships open to a psychiatrist; see the note below the table.

Also open to psychiatrists: three further ACGME-accredited fellowships lead to ABPN certification for doctors already certified in psychiatry - brain injury medicine, pain medicine and sleep medicine, each one year. Two more are certified by other boards: hospice and palliative medicine, which moved to the American Board of Internal Medicine for ABPN diplomates in 2022, and addiction medicine, certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine after a 12-month ACGME fellowship.

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UNITED KINGDOM

Undergraduate Medical Degree

Pathway Requirements:

• Good grades in A Levels or Scottish Highers
• Chemistry compulsory; at least one other science subject
• UCAT or BMAT entrance examination
• Work experience recommended
• GMC provisional registration upon completion

Postgraduate Foundation Training

Notes: Required before speciality training; not psychiatry-specific but includes rotations in various specialities

Core Psychiatry Training

Requirements:

• Completion of Foundation Training
• Competitive application through national recruitment
• Full GMC registration with license to practice

Notes: MRCPsych essential for progression to Higher Training; internationally recognised professional credential

Higher Psychiatry Training

Final Qualification: Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)

Total Training: 8 years post-medical degree (2 Foundation + 3 Core Training + 3 Higher Training), or 13 years post-secondary on the standard 5-year medical degree

Specialist Registration

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CANADA

Undergraduate Medical Degree

Total Pre-Residency Training: 6-8 years

Psychiatric Residency Program

Requirements:

• MD degree from Canadian medical school or equivalent
• Provincial medical license eligibility
• Competitive matching through CaRMS (Canadian Resident Matching Service)

Training Framework: Competency-based medical education (CBME) with CanMEDS roles

Royal College Certification

Total Training: 11-13 years (3-4 undergraduate + 3-4 MD + 5 residency)

Notes: FRCPC required for independent practice; recognised for reciprocal recognition in some countries

Subspeciality Training

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AUSTRALIA

Undergraduate Medical Degree

Major Institutions: University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Monash University, University of Queensland, University of Adelaide, University of Western Australia

Postgraduate Training Requirements

RANZCP Fellowship Training

Training Structure:

• Hospital and clinic rotations
• Workplace-based assessments
• Clinical and written examinations
• Research projects
• Formal education coursework
• Role: Work as registrar under supervision

Total Training: 11-13 years (5-6 years MBBS + 1-2 years junior doctor + 5 years Fellowship program)

Recognition: Qualifies holder to practice independently as consultant psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand

Subspeciality Advanced Training

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NEW ZEALAND

Undergraduate Medical Degree

Pathway Requirements:

• Completion of Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) at University of Otago, OR
• First year of Bachelor of Health Sciences or Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science at University of Auckland
• Competitive entry based on GPA and UCAT scores
• Useful subjects: Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, English (NCEA Level 3)

Total Duration: 6 years (1 year foundation + 5 years MBChB)

Postgraduate Medical Training

RANZCP Fellowship Programme

Requirements:

• MBChB or equivalent medical degree
• Minimum 2 years clinical experience
• Registration with Medical Council of New Zealand

Training Components:

• On-the-job training in different psychiatric specialisations
• Examinations leading to Fellowship
• Workplace assessments
• Research requirements

Total Training: 12 years (1 year foundation + 5 years MBChB + 1-2 years house officer + 5 years Fellowship)

Vocational Registration

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IRELAND

Undergraduate Medical Degree

Pathway Requirements:

• Leaving Certificate with high points in sciences (undergraduate entry)
• GAMSAT (graduate entry)

Notes: The "BAO" (Obstetrics) component is unique to Irish and some other medical degrees

Postgraduate Training

Psychiatric Training Scheme

Maximum Duration: Total training in Ireland can reach 7 years post-internship

Subspecialties: Similar to the UK system (General Adult, Child & Adolescent, Old Age, Forensic, etc.)

Certification: Awarded by the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland; aligned with EU psychiatric qualification requirements

Notes: Ireland has the longest psychiatric training duration in Europe

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20 European countries with individual entries, covering Western, Eastern, Nordic and Southern Europe

EUROPEAN OVERVIEW

EU Automatic Recognition:

• Psychiatric training automatically recognised across the 27 EU member states and the three EEA EFTA states - Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - under Directive 2005/36/EC, which lists psychiatry in Annex V with a minimum training period of four years. Switzerland is reached separately, through the EU-Swiss Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons, and not every element of the Directive applies there
• Minimum requirement: 4 years training duration
• Actual duration range: 12 months (Ukraine) to 84 months (Ireland)
• Median duration: 60 months (5 years)

Common Requirements:

• 80% of countries require rotation in non-psychiatric speciality (typically neurology or internal medicine)
• Psychotherapy training mandatory in most European countries
• Working hours: Range 35-65 hours per week
• Trainee salaries: €0-€90 (Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus) to €4,000-€5,000+ (Switzerland, Sweden, UK) monthly

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GERMANY

Medical Degree (Medizinstudium)

Total Duration: 6 years and 3 months

Final Examination: Staatsexamen (State Examination)

Degree Conferred: Licensed to practice as Arzt/Ärztin (Doctor/Physician)

Optional Research Doctorate

Duration: Variable (1-3 years, often concurrent)

Notes: Not required to practice but culturally expected; different from North American MD (which is professional degree, not research doctorate)

Psychiatric Specialisation

Pathway Requirements:

• Medical degree and Staatsexamen
• Approbation (medical license)
• Work as Arzt in Weiterbildung (physician in further training/resident)

Mandatory Rotations:

• 24 months: Inpatient psychiatric care
• 6 months: Neurology
• Optional, up to 6 months: General practice, internal medicine or further neurology
• Optional, up to 12 months: Psychosomatic medicine or child and adolescent psychiatry
• Remaining time: General psychiatric training

Final Examination: Facharztprüfung (specialist examination)

Total Training: 11+ years (6.25 years medical degree + 5 years specialisation)

Notes: Title explicitly includes "psychotherapist" component, unique to German-speaking countries

Further Subspecialisation

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FRANCE

Undergraduate Medical Degree

Structure:

• DFGSM (Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales): First 3 years (6 semesters), 180 ECTS credits
• DFASM (Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales): Next 3 years
• ECN (Épreuves Classantes Nationales): National competitive examination at end of 6 years determines speciality placement based on rank

Institutions: At least one public university in each of France's 12 regions

Psychiatric Specialization

Pathway Requirements:

• Completion of 6-year general medicine program
• Passing ECN examination with rank allowing psychiatry choice
• Competitive selection based on ECN rank

Training Structure:

• 4 years residency training in psychiatric wards
• General psychiatrists: Minimum 1 year in child psychiatry required
• Child psychiatrists: 1 year in general psychiatry required
• Education units: Some compulsory (diagnosis, treatment techniques/theories), most optional and university-specific
• Strong emphasis on psychotherapeutic techniques, particularly psychodynamics and psychoanalysis
• Supervision provided for psychiatric practice
• Structured psychotherapeutic training often obtained through non-governmental scientific associations

Total Training: 10+ years (6 years general medicine + 4 years DES)

Notes: Training not nationally standardised; varies by university

Thesis and Doctorate: Clinical thesis defence required to receive final medical doctorate (after or during residency completion)

Annual Positions: 200 nationally for psychiatry (including child and adolescent psychiatry)

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SPAIN

Medical Degree

Structure: Bologna system implemented across EU

Psychiatric Specialisation (MIR System)

Training: Structured residency in hospitals

Recognition: EU automatic recognition

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ITALY

Medical Degree

Structure: Bologna system compliant

Final Examination: Esame di Stato (State examination)

Psychiatric Specialisation

Entry: National competitive examination

Training: Residency in accredited university hospitals

Recognition: EU-wide recognition

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NETHERLANDS

Medical Degree

Final Qualification: Arts (physician) diploma

Registration: BIG-register (Beroepen in de Individuele Gezondheidszorg)

Psychiatric Specialisation

Supervision: Dutch Psychiatric Association (NVvP)

Structure: Residency training with rotations

Recognition: EU-wide recognition

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BELGIUM

Medical Degree

Notes: Training not nationally standardised

Psychiatric Specialisation

Unique Feature: Title explicitly specifies "psychiatrie de l'adulte" (adult psychiatry) in French-speaking region

Payment: Trainees sometimes paid by individual supervisors rather than hospitals

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SWITZERLAND

Medical Degree

Final Examination: Federal examination

Psychiatric Specialization

Requirements:

• Federal medical diploma
• 12 months rotation in another hospital (mandatory)
• Training under oversight of Swiss Medical Association (FMH)

Total Training: 12+ years

Salary: Highest in Europe for trainees (>€4,000 monthly)

Notes: Part of German-speaking region where title includes psychotherapy component

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AUSTRIA

Medical Degree

Structure: Integrated medical studies

Psychiatric Specialisation

Total Training: 12+ years

Notes: One of longest training durations in Europe alongside Switzerland and Finland

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NORDIC COUNTRIES

Sweden

Medical Degree:

Registration: Legitimation (medical license) from Socialstyrelsen

Psychiatric Specialisation:

Norway

Medical Degree:

Psychiatric Specialisation:

Denmark

Medical Degree:

Psychiatric Specialisation:

Finland

Medical Degree:

Psychiatric Specialisation:

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PORTUGAL

Medical Degree

Structure: Bologna Process compliant

Psychiatric Specialisation

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GREECE

Medical Degree

Psychiatric Specialisation

Requirements: 6 months in psychiatry ward in general hospital (mandatory)

Notes: Training not nationally standardised

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EASTERN EUROPE

Poland

Medical Degree:

Psychiatric Specialisation:

Czech Republic

Medical Degree:

Psychiatric Specialisation:

Romania

Medical Degree:

Psychiatric Specialisation:

Bulgaria

Medical Degree:

Psychiatric Specialisation:

Russia

Medical Degree:

Psychiatric Specialisation:

Ukraine

Medical Degree:

Psychiatric Specialisation:

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24 countries across East Asia, South Asia, South-East Asia and the Middle East

INDIA

Undergraduate Medical Degree

Pathway Requirements:

• 10+2 education with Physics, Chemistry, Biology
• NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) examination
• Medical school admission

Institutions: 808 functional medical colleges (Government of India, September 2025)

Annual MBBS Admissions: 123,700 seats (Government of India, September 2025)

Registration: National Medical Commission, which replaced the Medical Council of India in 2020

Postgraduate Psychiatric Specialisation

Teacher Requirements: Each postgraduate teacher must have at least 40 in-patients with outpatient, follow-up, laboratory, and library facilities

Total Training: 8.5 years (MD/DNB), 7.5 years (DPM)

Training Curriculum Components:

• Basic Sciences: Neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, genetics, neurochemistry, neuroimaging, psychopharmacology, psychology, social sciences
• Clinical Rotations:
• Minimum 6 months: Neurology and primary care
• Minimum 18 months: General psychiatry (inpatient, day hospital, rehabilitation, outpatient)
• Minimum 6 months: Complementary rotations (consultation-liaison, community-based psychiatry)
• Assessment: OSCE, written/computer-based exams, MCQs, chart-stimulated recall, oral examination, case logs, self-assessment

Subspeciality Fellowships (Post-MD/DNB)

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CHINA (中国)

Medical Degree

Structure: Combines theoretical and clinical training

Institutions: Multiple medical universities including major institutions in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou

Notes: Some programs taught in English for international students; Chinese programs use Chinese title

Psychiatric Residency Training

System: Standardised Residency Training (SRT) system implemented nationally

Requirements:

• Medical degree
• Completion of residency rotations
• National examinations

Total Training: 8+ years (5 years medical degree + 3 years residency)

Advanced Qualifications

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JAPAN (日本)

Medical Degree

Structure:

• Pre-medical: 2 years (general education, basic sciences)
• Medical: 4 years (clinical education)

Prerequisites: Highly competitive entrance examination

Postgraduate Medical Training

Requirements:

• Medical degree
• Passing National Medical Licensing Examination

National Medical Licensing Examination:

• Exam Cost: ¥15,300 (paid by revenue stamp)
• Components: Written tests and practical/clinical assessments conducted in Japanese
• Language Requirement: Native-level Japanese fluency (JLPT N1 or higher)

Psychiatric Speciality Training

Resident Compensation:

• Monthly Salary: ¥250,000 - ¥400,000 (~USD $1,700 - $2,700)
• Annual Income: ¥3,000,000 - ¥5,000,000 (~USD $20,000 - $35,000)
• Additional Income: Overtime, night shifts, on-call duty, bonuses

Total Training: 12-13 years (6 years medical degree + 2 years initial residency + 4-5 years speciality training)

Board Certification

Specialist Certification:

• Administered by Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology
• Requirements: Completion of speciality training and examinations
• Post-Specialisation Salary: ¥10,000,000 - ¥15,000,000 annually (~USD $70,000 - $110,000)

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SOUTH KOREA (대한민국)

Medical Degree

Total Pre-Residency: 6-7 years

Korean Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE)

Requirements:

• Medical degree from recognised institution
• Passing both written and clinical skills examinations (OSCE format)
• All examinations conducted in Korean

Language Requirement: TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) Level 5 or 6 for foreign applicants

Exam Fees: ₩320,000 (written CBT) + ₩690,000 (clinical skills), roughly USD $730 combined

Psychiatric Residency

Structure: Structured training emphasising hands-on training, procedural skills, evidence-based medicine

Resident Compensation:

• 1st Year: 3.5-4.0 million KRW/month (~USD $2,600-$3,000)
• 2nd Year: 4.0-4.5 million KRW/month (~USD $3,000-$3,400)
• 3rd Year: 4.5-5.0 million KRW/month (~USD $3,400-$3,800)
• 4th Year: 5.0-6.0 million KRW/month (~USD $3,800-$4,500)

Major Training Institutions:

• Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH)
• Severance Hospital (Yonsei University)
• Samsung Medical Centre (Sungkyunkwan University)
• Asan Medical Centre (Ulsan University)
• Korea University Hospitals

Total Training: 10-11 years (6-7 years medical degree + 4 years residency)

Board Certification

Post-Residency Options: Fellowship training (1-3 years) in subspecialties

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SINGAPORE (新加坡)

Medical Degree

Recognition: Internationally recognised, Commonwealth system

Psychiatric Residency

Structure: Rotations through general psychiatry, subspecialties, community care

Total Training: 10+ years

Specialist Accreditation:

• Specialist Accreditation Board (SAB) accreditation
• Membership examinations
• Continuing professional development requirements

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MALAYSIA

Medical Degree

Recognition: Malaysian Medical Council registration

Psychiatric Training

Recognition: Malaysian Medical Council specialist registration

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PHILIPPINES (Pilipinas)

Medical Degree

Structure: American-influenced system

Total Pre-Residency: 8 years

Psychiatric Residency Training

Board Certification: Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Psychiatry

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THAILAND (ประเทศไทย)

Medical Degree

Language: Thai (some international programs in English)

Registration: Thai Medical Council

Psychiatric Training

Board Certification: Thai Board of Psychiatry

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INDONESIA

Medical Degree

Structure: Professional medical program leading to "dr." title

Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree or completion of pre-medical program

Psychiatric Specialisation

Total Training: 10+ years

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VIETNAM

Medical Degree

Structure: Integrated medical education

Psychiatric Training

Continuing Education: Certificate training courses available for CME

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MIDDLE EAST OVERVIEW

Regional Accreditation Bodies

Arab Board of Health Specialisations (ABHS):

• Founded 1992
• 4-year curriculum with logbook requirements and board examinations
• Recognised across multiple Arab countries

ACGME-International:

• Adopted by high-income Gulf states (Qatar, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia)

National Boards:

• Each country has own national board of psychiatry

Common Structure:

• Residency Duration: 3-5 years across region
• Curriculum Basis: Many programs based on American Board or Royal College (UK) curricula

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SAUDI ARABIA (المملكة العربية السعودية)

Medical Degree

Psychiatry Residency

Training Centres: Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah

Subspeciality Fellowships:

• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Addiction medicine

Notes: One of most structured national training systems in region

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)

Psychiatry Residency

ACGME-I Accreditation: Abu Dhabi programs obtained in 2012

Subspeciality Fellowship:

• Child and adolescent psychiatry (2 years)

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QATAR

Psychiatry Residency

Subspeciality Fellowships (ACGME-I accredited, up to 3 years):

• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Consultation-liaison psychiatry
• Geriatric psychiatry

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OMAN

Psychiatry Residency

Curriculum Rotations:

• General adult psychiatry
• Liaison psychiatry
• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Addiction psychiatry
• Geriatric psychiatry
• Psychotherapy
• Forensic psychiatry
• Neurology
• Family medicine
• Emergency medicine

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KUWAIT

Psychiatry Residency

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BAHRAIN

Psychiatry Residency

Fellowships: Overseas fellowships required (often UK or US) for subspecialisation

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LEBANON

Psychiatry Residency

Subspeciality Fellowships (Arab Board-accredited at AUB):

• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Addiction psychiatry

Challenges: Economic instability, fragmented system

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EGYPT

Note: Covered in detail in Region 5 (Africa).

Go to the Egypt entry

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JORDAN

Psychiatry Residency

Components: Basic science, clinical rotations, national board exam

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IRAQ

Psychiatry Residency

Subspecialities:

• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Psychotherapy
• Forensic psychiatry (particularly in Baghdad/Erbil)

Challenges: Post-conflict recovery, limited capacity, tracking issues

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IRAN

Psychiatry Residency

Curriculum:

• Adult psychiatry
• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Forensic psychiatry
• Consultation-liaison psychiatry
• Psychotherapy

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SYRIA

Psychiatry Residency

Challenges: Workforce shortage, devastated infrastructure, reduced to handful of posts

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YEMEN

Psychiatry Training

Challenges: Ongoing conflict, no structured training pathway

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TURKEY (Türkiye)

Medical Degree

Psychiatry Specialisation

Total Training: 10+ years

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ISRAEL (ישראל)

Medical Degree

Psychiatry Residency

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7 countries with individual entries, Spanish-speaking and Portuguese-speaking (Brazil), plus a general-pattern block for Central America and the Caribbean

LATIN AMERICAN OVERVIEW

General Pattern:

• Medical Degree: 6-7 year integrated medical curriculum including internship/social service years
• Residency Training: 3-4 years for psychiatry
• Training Models: Mix of US-influenced structured systems and traditional European-influenced approaches

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BRAZIL

Medical Degree

Structure: Integrated medical curriculum including internship years

Major Institutions: Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Psychiatric Residency

Oversight: Brazilian Association of Psychiatry (ABP), Brazilian Medical Residency Commission

Total Training: 9+ years (6 years medicine + 3 years residency)

Specialist Title

Requirements: Completion of accredited residency or examination by ABP

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MEXICO

Medical Degree

Structure: Medical curriculum followed by mandatory social service (servicio social) in underserved areas

Major Institutions: UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México), Instituto Politécnico Nacional

Psychiatric Specialization

Entry: National examination (ENARM - Examen Nacional para Aspirantes a Residencias Médicas)

Total Training: 10-11 years

Certification:

• Certifying Body: Consejo Mexicano de Psiquiatría
• Requirements: Speciality training completion and board examination

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ARGENTINA

Medical Degree

Major Institutions: Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

Psychiatric Specialisation

Structure: Residency-based training

Total Training: 10-11 years

Certification:

• Certifying Body: Asociación de Psiquiatras Argentinos (APSA)

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CHILE

Medical Degree

Major Institutions: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad de Chile

Psychiatric Specialization

Total Training: 10-11 years

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COLOMBIA

Medical Degree

Psychiatric Specialization

Total Training: 10-11 years

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PERU

Medical Degree

Major Institutions: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia

Psychiatric Specialization

Total Training: 10-11 years

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CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN

General Pattern:

• Medical Degree Duration: 6-7 years
• Residency Training: 3-4 years where available
• Challenges: Limited residency positions; many physicians train abroad (USA, Spain, Mexico) for speciality training
• Countries: Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago

Cuba (Notable System)

Medical Degree: 6 years

System: Highly structured national health system with mandatory social service

Psychiatry Specialisation: 3 years

International Influence: Cuban-trained physicians work throughout Latin America and Caribbean

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6 countries with individual entries, representing anglophone, francophone and Arabic-speaking systems, plus a general-pattern block for the rest of sub-Saharan Africa

SOUTH AFRICA

Undergraduate Medical Degree

Postgraduate Requirements

Specialist Training in Psychiatry

Fellowship of the College of Psychiatrists of South Africa

Examination Structure:

Part I Examination:

• Requirements: Post-internship qualification + Full HPCSA registration + Completed 1 year community service
• Format: 2 digital written papers; no oral examination
• Excellence Award: Lynn Gillis Medal (≥70% average, highest mark)

Part II Examination:

• Requirements: 36 months in numbered registrar training post + Submission of logbook
• Format: 2 digital written papers + Clinical examination + OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination)
• Exemption: Written component exemption for one sitting if OSCE failed but written passed
• Excellence Award: Novartis Medal (≥70% average, highest mark)

Examination Fees: The College revises its fee schedule annually. Current Part I and Part II fees are published on the CMSA site; figures are not reproduced here because they date quickly.

Total Training: 13+ years (6 years MBChB + 2 years internship + 1 year community service + 4 years specialist training)

Sub-speciality Certificates

Available Sub-specialities (CMSA):

The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa also award the Diploma in Mental Health, DMH(SA), which is open to doctors who are not psychiatrists.

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NIGERIA

Undergraduate Medical Degree

Prerequisites: JAMB examination, strong science background

Postgraduate Training

West African Postgraduate Training

Curriculum: Covers service delivery, teaching, research, and leadership in mental health teams

Recognition: Recognised across West African sub-region

Nigerian National Training

Alternative Designation: MD (Psychiatry) from universities

Total Training: 11-12 years (6 years MBBS + 1 year internship + 4-5 years specialization)

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EGYPT

Medical Degree

Major Institutions: Cairo University, Ain Shams University, Alexandria University

Postgraduate Psychiatric Training (Egyptian Fellowship System)

Residency Training

Sites: Public university hospitals

Rotations: Adult, child, adolescent, forensic, addiction psychiatry

Subspecialities:

• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Addiction psychiatry
• Cognitive behavioural therapy

Total Training: 13-16 years to the MD, counting the full ladder from the start of medical school (6-7 years qualifying degree including internship + 1-2 years diploma + 3 years MSc + 3-4 years MD). The MD here is the terminal postgraduate clinical degree, not the qualifying degree; a psychiatrist in independent practice does not need to reach the top of this ladder.

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KENYA

Medical Degree

Psychiatric Training

Total Training: 11+ years

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GHANA

Medical Degree

Psychiatric Training

Qualification: Specialist certificate in psychiatry

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ETHIOPIA

Medical Degree

Psychiatric Training

Challenges: Severely limited training capacity

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OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES

General Pattern Across Sub-Saharan Africa

Medical Degree: Typically MBBS or MBChB, 5-6 years duration

Internship: 1-2 years mandatory

Psychiatric Specialisation: 3-4 years where available

Major Challenge: Severe shortage of psychiatric training programs; many countries have no formal psychiatry residency

Regional Solutions:

• Training abroad (UK, South Africa, Egypt)
• West African College of Physicians (WACP) regional training
• East, Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians (ECSACOP)

Countries with Limited/No Formal Psychiatric Training:

• Many francophone African countries rely on training in France or North Africa
• Smaller nations often have no domestic psychiatry residency programs
• WHO and international partnerships working to develop training capacity

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Pacific Island nations with limited domestic training capacity

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Note: Covered in detail in Region 1 (English-Speaking Countries). Both countries share the RANZCP training system.

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PACIFIC ISLAND NATIONS

Fiji

Fiji National University - College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Regional Status: Serves as regional training centre for Pacific Islands

Postgraduate Training: Limited psychiatry postgraduate training available at FNU

University of Fiji - Umanand Prasad School of Medicine

Psychiatric Training:

• Limited domestic postgraduate training
• Most specialists train via RANZCP (Australia/New Zealand) or internationally
• Regional shortage of psychiatrists

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Papua New Guinea

University of Papua New Guinea - School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Regional Status: One of only two institutions in Pacific providing postgraduate medical training

Postgraduate Training: Limited psychiatry speciality training available

Divine Word University - Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Psychiatric Training:

• Limited domestic capacity
• Partnership with international programs for specialist training
• Acute shortage of mental health professionals

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Samoa

National University of Samoa - School of Medicine

Status: Relatively new program, developing capacity

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Other Pacific Island Nations

General Situation:

• Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Micronesia, Tonga, Kiribati, Solomon Islands: No domestic medical schools or psychiatry training programs
• Training Pathway: Medical graduates typically train in:
• Australia or New Zealand (RANZCP pathway)
• Fiji (regional training)
• International programs
• Critical Challenge: Severe shortage of psychiatrists across Pacific Island nations
• Regional Approach: Pacific Islands rely on regional cooperation, visiting specialists, and international partnerships

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4. QUICK REFERENCE TABLES

Table 4.1: Undergraduate Medical Degrees by Region

Table 4.2: Psychiatric Residency/Specialisation by Region

Table 4.3: Fellowship Credentials by Region

Table 4.4: Subspeciality Fellowships (Post-Residency)

Table 4.5: Research Degrees

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5. REGIONAL PATTERNS AND INSIGHTS

5.1 Training Duration Analysis

Shortest Total Training (Start of Undergraduate Study to Independent Practice):

• 8.5-9 years: India (5.5-year MBBS + 3-year MD Psychiatry or DNB)
• 9-11 years: Latin American systems, several Asian systems
• 11-12 years: United States (12 on the standard route; 11 where an accelerated three-year MD is taken). ACGME sets general psychiatry residency at 48 months as a core requirement, and there is no shorter accredited route

Median Total Training:

• 11-13 years: Most developed health systems globally
• Typical pathway: 5-6 year medical degree + 1-2 year foundation/internship + 4-5 year psychiatric specialty

Longest Total Training:

• 13-14 years: UK (5-6 year medical + 2 year foundation + 6 year speciality), Ireland (7-year post-internship speciality training), South Africa (with community service requirements)

Psychiatric Specialisation Duration Alone:

• Shortest: 12 months (Ukraine - not EU-recognised), 2-3 years (Russia, Iran)
• Median: 4-5 years
• Longest: 6-7 years (Switzerland, Austria, Finland, Ireland)

5.2 Educational System Models

North American Model:

• 4-year undergraduate degree prerequisite
• 4-year professional medical degree (MD/DO)
• 4-5 year residency with competency-based progression
• Board certification examinations
• High degree of standardisation (ACGME/Royal College accreditation)

Commonwealth Model:

• Direct-entry 5-6 year medical degree (MBBS/MBChB)
• Postgraduate foundation training (1-2 years)
• Speciality training with fellowship credentials (MRCPsych, FRANZCP, FRCPC)
• Emphasis on professional college membership
• Trans-national training recognition (RANZCP serves Australia and NZ)

European Model:

• 6-year integrated medical degree
• Direct speciality training (4-7 years)
• EU automatic recognition framework (minimum 4 years)
• Significant national variation despite EU framework
• Title often includes "psychotherapy" component (German-speaking countries)

Asian Diversity:

• Mix of Commonwealth (MBBS), American (MD), and indigenous systems
• Varying levels of standardisation
• Emerging regional accreditation (ACGME-I in Gulf states, Arab Board)
• Significant capacity challenges in some regions

Latin American Model:

• Integrated 6-7 year medical degree including social service
• Residency training (3-4 years)
• National competitive examinations for speciality placement
• Growing standardisation through national medical associations

African Systems:

• Mix of Commonwealth (anglophone), French (francophone), and regional models
• Regional fellowship systems (WACP, ECSACOP, CMSA)
• Severe capacity constraints; many rely on international training
• Growing regional cooperation initiatives

5.3 Accreditation and Recognition

Highly Standardised Systems:

• USA: ACGME accreditation of all residency programs, ABPN board certification
• Canada: Royal College accreditation and certification (FRCPC)
• UK: GMC registration and regulation, Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych)
• Australia/NZ: RANZCP unified trans-Tasman training and fellowship

Regional Recognition Frameworks:

• European Union and EEA: Automatic recognition across the 27 EU member states plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, with a minimum training period of four years. Switzerland is covered through the separate EU-Swiss Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons
• Arab Board: Recognition across participating Middle Eastern countries
• West African College of Physicians (WACP): Recognition across West African sub-region

National Variations:

• Many countries have national boards but limited international recognition
• Bilateral agreements exist between some countries
• International Medical Graduates (IMGs) often require additional examinations or supervised practice periods

5.4 Workforce and Capacity Challenges

High-Income Countries:

• Well-established training infrastructure
• Multiple subspeciality options
• Competitive residency positions
• High trainee compensation (Switzerland >€4,000/month, Scandinavia, UK, Australia, North America)

Middle-Income Countries:

• Developing training infrastructure
• Variable standardisation
• Growing number of training positions
• Moderate trainee compensation (South Korea $2,600-4,500/month; varied across regions)

Low-Income Countries:

• Severe shortage of training programs
• Limited or no domestic residency programs in some countries (Yemen, many Pacific Islands, smaller African nations)
• Very low or no trainee compensation (Ukraine €90/month, Bulgaria €140/month)
• Heavy reliance on international training or regional partnerships
• Brain drain to high-income countries

5.5 Emerging Trends

Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME):

• Increasingly adopted in North America (CanMEDS framework in Canada)
• Emphasis on entrustable professional activities (EPAs)
• Shift from time-based to competency-based progression

International Accreditation:

• ACGME-International expansion in Gulf states (Qatar, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon)
• Growth of international partnerships and dual accreditation

Subspeciality Expansion:

• Traditional subspecialties (child, forensic, geriatric) well-established globally
• Emerging subspecialties: perinatal psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, interventional psychiatry
• Consultation-liaison psychiatry growing (ACGME in USA, CMSA in South Africa)

Global Mental Health Initiatives:

• WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP)
• Partnerships to develop training capacity in low-resource settings
• Task-shifting and collaborative care models
• Telepsychiatry and digital mental health training

Research Integration:

• Growth of MD-PhD programs globally (USA MSTP, UK MB/PhD, Switzerland, Singapore, Japan, Australia)
• Emphasis on translational research
• Increasing PhD opportunities at major universities worldwide

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6. SUBSPECIALITY FELLOWSHIPS - DETAILED OVERVIEW

6.1 ACGME/ABPN-Accredited Fellowships (United States)

Duration: 1-2 years post-residency; Lead to board certification eligibility

Notes: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is the largest subspeciality and can be entered after the third year of residency, so both certificates can be reached in five postgraduate years rather than six.

Also open to psychiatrists: three further ACGME-accredited fellowships lead to ABPN certification for doctors already certified in psychiatry - brain injury medicine, pain medicine and sleep medicine, each one year. Two more are certified by other boards: hospice and palliative medicine, which moved to the American Board of Internal Medicine for ABPN diplomates in 2022, and addiction medicine, certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine after a 12-month ACGME fellowship.

6.2 Non-ACGME Accredited Fellowships (United States)

Do not lead to ABPN board certification but provide advanced training in emerging or niche areas

Additional Emerging Subspecialities:

• Emergency Psychiatry
• Global Mental Health
• Military Psychiatry
• Psychiatric Research Fellowships
• Integrated Care / Primary Care Psychiatry

6.3 International Subspeciality Training

United Kingdom - Higher Training Subspecialities (part of ST4-ST6):

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Forensic Psychiatry
• General Adult Psychiatry
• Old Age Psychiatry
• Psychotherapy (Psychiatry of Psychotherapy)
• Psychiatry of Learning Disabilities (Intellectual Disabilities)
• Special interests: Addictions, Eating Disorders, Neuropsychiatry, Perinatal Psychiatry, Social and Rehabilitation Psychiatry

Canada - Royal College Accredited Subspecialities (2-year programs):

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Forensic Psychiatry
• Geriatric Psychiatry
• Addiction Medicine

Australia & New Zealand - RANZCP Advanced Training (post-FRANZCP, 2 years):

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
• Forensic Psychiatry
• Old Age Psychiatry
• Addiction Psychiatry

Europe - Common Subspecialities:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (separate speciality in 25 of 31 surveyed countries)
• Forensic Psychiatry
• Geriatric Psychiatry
• Addiction Psychiatry
• Notes: Subspeciality availability and structure vary significantly by country

Middle East - Arab Board Available Subspeciality Fellowships:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (available in Qatar, UAE, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt)
• Geriatric Psychiatry (Qatar)
• Addiction Psychiatry (Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq)
• Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (Qatar)
• Forensic Psychiatry (Iraq)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Egypt)

South Africa - CMSA Sub-speciality Certificates:

• Addiction Psychiatry
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
• Forensic Psychiatry
• Geriatric Psychiatry
• Neuropsychiatry

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7. RESEARCH AND DOCTORAL DEGREES

7.1 PhD in Psychiatry

Global Overview: PhD in Psychiatry programs are research-focused doctoral degrees available at major universities worldwide, training academic psychiatrists and researchers.

Common Structure:

• Duration: 3-5 years full-time (varies by country)
• Prerequisites: Medical degree and often some clinical training or Master's degree
• Requirements: Original research, dissertation/thesis, publications, oral defence (viva voce)
• Career Path: Academic positions, research institutions, policy roles

By Region:

United States & Canada:

• Duration: Typically 4-6 years
• Structure: Coursework (1-2 years) + research + dissertation
• Prerequisites: Often MD or equivalent, though some programs accept MSc
• Major Institutions: Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, McGill, University of Toronto

United Kingdom:

• Duration: 3-4 years full-time, 6-8 years part-time
• Prerequisites: Medical degree, often MRCPsych or equivalent
• Examples:
• University of Oxford - DPhil in Psychiatry (3-4 years)
• University of Cambridge - PhD in Psychiatry (3-4 years)
• King's College London - PhD in Psychiatry (3-4 years)
• University College London - PhD in Psychiatry (3-4 years)
• University of Edinburgh - PhD in Psychiatry (3-6 years part-time)

Europe:

• Duration: 3-4 years typical
• Structure: Research-focused
• Examples:
• Karolinska Institute (Sweden) - PhD in Psychiatry
• University of Barcelona (Spain) - PhD in Psychiatry ("only specific programme in Spain for psychiatry, psychology and neurosciences applied to mental health")
• Various European universities - National doctorate programs

Australia & New Zealand:

• Duration: 3-4 years full-time
• Prerequisites: Medical degree, ideally FRANZCP or equivalent
• Major Institutions: University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Monash University, University of Auckland, University of Otago

Asia:

• China: 3 years (post-Master's) for PhD in Psychiatry
• India: PhD programs available at premier institutions (3-5 years)
• Japan: PhD in Psychiatry available at major universities (typically 4 years)
• Singapore: PhD programs at NUS and NTU (4-5 years)

7.2 MD-PhD Combined Programs

Overview: MD-PhD programs (also called Medical Scientist Training Programs or MSTPs) allow students to simultaneously pursue medical and research degrees, training clinician-scientists who can bridge basic and clinical sciences.

General Characteristics:

• Duration: Typically 7-9 years
• Structure: Varies by country but commonly:
• USA Model (2+4+2): 2 years medical school + 4 years PhD research + 2 years complete medical degree
• UK Model (4+3+2): 4 years core clinical practice + 3 years full-time research + 2 years specialist clinical practice
• Other Models: Concurrent or sequential approaches
• Career Outcomes: Graduates often obtain research funding, assume academic positions, become leaders in medical research and practice
• Attrition Rates: 10-28.5% across US programmes

By Country: Unless another source is named, the programme figures below come from Alamri Y, "The combined medical/PhD degree: a global survey of physician-scientist training programmes", Clinical Medicine 2016;16(3):215-218. Most of its counts run to 2012, so read them as a snapshot of that period rather than as current.

United States:

• Number of Programs: Over 100 MD-PhD programmes at US medical schools, of which the National Institute of General Medical Sciences supports approximately 45 as Medical Scientist Training Programs (AAMC)
• Structure: 2+4+2 model
• Funding: NIH provides full tuition and stipend for NIH-MSTPs
• Duration: 7-9 years
• Pioneer: Case Western Reserve University (1956), NIH funding began 1964
• Graduate Outcomes (1995-2000 cohort): 73% graduated with both degrees by 2011
• Focus: Basic and translational research (T1 > T2)

Alternative - PhD-to-MD Programs:

• Example: Columbia University 3-year MD for established PhD scientists
• Miami PhD-to-MD Outcomes: 59% took academic positions

Canada:

• Structure: Similar to US programs
• Duration: 7-9 years
• Funding: Previously CIHR (Canadian Institutes of Health Research); program funding ended 2016, some universities continue independently
• Major Institutions: University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia
• Focus: Basic and translational research

United Kingdom:

• Structure: 4+3+2 model (4 years clinical + 3 years research + 2 years specialist clinical)
• Duration: 9 years total
• Major Programs:
• University of Cambridge MB/PhD: Established 1989; 162 students by 2012, of whom nine (5.6%) had left the programme and 32.1% were women; of the 31 students who had graduated by 2006, 17 (54.8%) held tenured or tenure-track academic posts
• University College London (UCL) MB/PhD: Established 1994, 107 students by early 2012, 5 PhD dropouts, 622 peer-reviewed papers produced
• Imperial College London, University of Manchester, Newcastle University, University of Leicester
• Alternative: Students can self-organise PhD during medical degree

Switzerland:

• Established: 1992
• Oversight: Swiss National Science Foundation, Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences
• All Swiss Medical Universities: Participate
• Structure:
• Track 1: Concurrently with medical degree (24% of students)
• Track 2: After completion of MD degree
• Intake: 13-15 students per year
• Attrition: 8% quit before completion
• Publication Rate: 98% of surveyed students published ≥1 article

Sweden:

• Major Institution: Karolinska Institute
• International Partnership: Partners with NIH for US MSTP students
• Structure: Integrated medical and research training

Japan:

• Major Institutions:
• University of Tokyo MSTP: Established 2008
• Fukushima Medical University MSTP: Established 2011
• Structure (Fukushima):
• Phase I: Parallel with MD curriculum, basic research
• Phase II: Post-graduation, 3-year research project

Singapore:

• Institution: National University of Singapore (NUS)
• Program: MBBS/PhD Program
• Established: 2000
• Structure: 8 years (3+3+2), potentially 7 years
• Selection: 3-4 students selected annually
• Support: Tuition, stipends, overseas research opportunities, early career exposure

Australia:

• Major Institutions:
• University of Sydney: MBBS/PhD established 1998; major curricular changes in 2014 morphed into MD and higher degree
• Original Structure: 2 medical + 2-3 research + 2 medical
• 2003 Survey: 31 students (8 women, 23 men), >30 articles produced
• Current: MD with Master's common, PhD possible
• Australian National University: MBBS/PhD scholarships available

New Zealand:

• Institution: University of Otago
• Program: MBChB/PhD Program
• Structure: 3+2+3 model (3 years early medicine + 2 years full-time research + 3 years advanced medicine while completing thesis)
• Duration: 8 years

South Africa:

• Institution: University of Cape Town
• Established: 2011
• Structure: Series of upgrades: BSc (Med) to MSc (Med) to PhD
• Pathways: Intercalated BSc (Med) Hons/MBChB, integrated MBChB/PhD

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8. APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: COUNTRY INDEX

Sixty-six countries have an entry in Section 3. Select a name to jump to it. Countries not listed here are covered only in the regional general-pattern blocks.

REGION 1 - ENGLISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES (6 countries)

• Australia
• Canada
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

REGION 2 - EUROPE (20 countries)

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Russia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Ukraine
• Remaining European countries are not given individual entries; see the European Overview for the recognition framework and duration range that apply across the region.

REGION 3 - ASIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST (24 countries)

• Bahrain
• China
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Israel
• Japan
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Malaysia
• Oman
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Syria
• Thailand
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• Vietnam
• Yemen
• Egypt sits in the Middle East geographically but is documented once, under Region 5 - Africa.
• See also the Middle East Overview for the regional accreditation bodies.

REGION 4 - LATIN AMERICA (7 countries)

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Cuba
• Mexico
• Peru
• Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago are described as a group under Central America & Caribbean.

REGION 5 - AFRICA (6 countries)

• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• South Africa
• Francophone and smaller nations are described as a group under Other African Countries.

REGION 6 - OCEANIA (3 countries)

• Fiji
• Papua New Guinea
• Samoa
• Australia - covered in Region 1
• New Zealand - covered in Region 1
• Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, Micronesia, Tonga, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands are described as a group under Other Pacific Island Nations.

APPENDIX B: ABBREVIATION INDEX

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL DEGREES

• MBBS - Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Commonwealth, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Fiji, PNG)
• MBChB - Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (UK, South Africa, New Zealand)
• MB BCh BAO - Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Obstetrics (Ireland)
• MD - Doctor of Medicine. Entry-level qualifying degree in the USA, Canada, the Philippines and Ethiopia; postgraduate specialist degree in India, Egypt and Nigeria; research doctorate in China and the UK tradition. See the note under Abbreviation Conventions in Section 2.
• DO - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (USA only)
• Dr. med. univ. - Doctor medicinae universae (Austria)
• Staatsexamen - State Examination (Germany medical degree completion)
• Läkarexamen - Medical Degree (Sweden)
• Cand.med. - Candidatus/Candidata medicinae (Denmark, Norway)
• LL - Lääketieteen lisensiaatti / Medicine licentiat (Finland)
• Tıp Doktoru - Medical Doctor (Turkey)

PSYCHIATRIC SPECIALIZATION

• Facharzt - Specialist (Germany, Austria, Switzerland - psychiatry and psychotherapy)
• DES - Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées (France - Specialized Studies Diploma)
• MIR - Médico Interno Residente (Spain - Resident Physician)
• Psychiater - Psychiatrist (Netherlands)
• Specialist - Various countries (Nordic countries, Eastern Europe)

FELLOWSHIP CREDENTIALS

• MRCPsych - Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK, internationally recognised)
• FRANZCP - Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
• FRCPC - Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
• FCPsych(SA) - Fellowship of the College of Psychiatrists of South Africa
• FWACP - Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians
• FMCPsych - Fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria

RESEARCH DEGREES

• PhD - Doctor of Philosophy (global)
• Dr. med. - Doktor der Medizin (Germany, Austria - research doctorate)
• Dr. phil. - Doctor philosophiae (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)
• MD-PhD - Combined Medical and Research Doctorate (USA, Canada, multiple countries)

SUBSPECIALITY CERTIFICATIONS

• Cert Addiction Psychiatry(SA) - South Africa sub-speciality certificate
• Cert Child and Adolescent Psychiatry(SA) - South Africa sub-speciality certificate
• Cert Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry(SA) - South Africa sub-speciality certificate
• Cert Forensic Psychiatry(SA) - South Africa sub-speciality certificate
• Cert Geriatric Psychiatry(SA) - South Africa sub-speciality certificate
• Cert Neuropsychiatry(SA) - South Africa sub-speciality certificate
• DMH(SA) - Diploma in Mental Health, Colleges of Medicine of South Africa

ACCREDITATION BODIES

• ACGME - Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (USA)
• ACGME-I - ACGME International (Gulf states)
• ABPN - American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
• GMC - General Medical Council (UK)
• RANZCP - Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
• CMSA - Colleges of Medicine of South Africa
• WACP - West African College of Physicians
• ABHS - Arab Board of Health Specialisations
• SCFHS - Saudi Commission for Health Specialities
• OMSB - Oman Medical Speciality Board
• KIMS - Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialisation

APPENDIX C: PSYCHIATRIC TRAINING PATHWAY FLOWCHARTS

PATHWAY 1: UNITED STATES

1. High school
2. Undergraduate degree (4 years)
3. Medical school: MD or DO (4 years)
4. USMLE or COMLEX licensure examination
5. Psychiatry residency (4 years)
   • PGY-1: general medicine
   • PGY-2 to PGY-4: psychiatry speciality
6. Board certification (ABPN)
7. [Optional] Subspeciality fellowship (1-2 years)
8. Independent practice

Total: 12 years post-secondary to board certification (16+ years from high school)

PATHWAY 2: UNITED KINGDOM

1. A Levels or Scottish Highers
2. Medical school: MBBS or MBChB (5 years)
3. Foundation training F1-F2 (2 years)
4. Core psychiatry training CT1-CT3 (3 years), including the MRCPsych examination
5. Higher psychiatry training ST4-ST6 (3 years)
   • Subspeciality selection
   • Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)
6. GMC Specialist Register
7. Consultant psychiatrist

Total: 13 years post-secondary (8 years post-medical degree)

PATHWAY 3: AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

1. High school (Year 12)
2. [Optional] Health sciences first year or pre-medical study
3. Medical school: MBBS or MBChB (5-6 years)
4. Internship and junior doctor posts (1-2 years)
5. RANZCP Fellowship Training Programme (5 years)
   • Registrar training
   • Workplace assessments
   • Examinations
   • Research project
6. FRANZCP
7. [Optional] Advanced training (2 years)
8. Independent practice as a consultant psychiatrist

Total: 11-13 years post-secondary

PATHWAY 4: CANADA

1. Undergraduate degree (3-4 years)
2. Medical school: MD (3-4 years)
3. Psychiatry residency (5 years)
   • PGY-1: basic clinical training
   • PGY-2 to PGY-5: speciality training
4. Royal College certification examination
5. FRCPC
6. [Optional] Subspeciality training (2 years)
7. Independent practice

Total: 11-13 years post-secondary

PATHWAY 5: EUROPEAN UNION (GENERAL)

1. Secondary school
2. Medical school (6 years)
3. Psychiatric specialisation (4-7 years)
   • Duration varies by country
   • Four years is the minimum for automatic recognition across the EU and EEA
4. National specialist certification
5. Independent practice

Total: 10-13 years post-secondary

PATHWAY 6: INDIA

1. 10+2 education (science stream)
2. NEET-UG examination
3. Medical school: MBBS (5.5 years)
   • 4.5 years academic study plus a 1-year compulsory rotating internship
4. NEET-PG examination
5. Postgraduate training
   • MD Psychiatry (3 years), or
   • DNB Psychiatry (3 years), or
   • DPM (2 years) - frozen and being phased out by conversion to MD since December 2023
6. [Optional] Subspeciality fellowship (2 years)
7. Independent practice

Total: 8.5-10.5 years post-secondary, the upper figure including the optional two-year subspeciality fellowship

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9. SOURCES

Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK). "How to become a psychiatrist in the UK." https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/become-a-psychiatrist/choose-psychiatry/how-to-become-a-psychiatrist

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. "Speciality Training Requirements in Psychiatry." https://www.royalcollege.ca/content/dam/documents/ibd/psychiatry/psychiatry_str_e.pdf

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). "About the Fellowship Training Program." https://www.ranzcp.org/become-a-psychiatrist/psychiatry-training/about-fellowship-training-program

Medical Council of New Zealand. "Vocational registration." https://www.mcnz.org.nz/registration/getting-registered/registration-pathways/vocational-registration/

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