Pre-Med and Pre-Health

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The Importance of Planning Ahead

Studying abroad can provide an enriching dimension to your preparation for graduate school admission in the health profession fields. However, working a study abroad experience into a pre-med/pre-health undergraduate program requires early, careful planning and should only be undertaken with guidance from your school adviser, who is familiar with your pre-med/pre-health requirements. You might also want to speak directly with admissions officers at the graduate schools you are considering to determine how the proposed study abroad experience will be viewed relative to that school's requirements and selection criteria.

You can access information about requirements for medical school and an overview of admissions procedures and timetables at the University Academic Advising Center health web page. To set up an appointment, contact the University Academic Advising Center at premed-prehealth@northwestern.edu.

Study Abroad Options for Pre-Med and Pre-Health Students

  1. Programs focusing on health-related studies allow students to examine public health or related fields while also taking courses in area studies and, when applicable, language. They often offer a range of valuable clinical/field study opportunities that allow students to observe firsthand the day-to-day roles and lifestyles of care-givers in different cultural settings.
  2. Pre-med programs offer pre-med courses coupled with practicum opportunities in the medical field.
  3. General study abroad programs offer students an opportunity to pursue other, non-medical related interests. A complete list of Northwestern affiliated programs can be viewed here.

Northwestern encourages pre-med and pre-health students to explore programs that interest them, whether or not the programs are related to health studies. Students should not choose a program just because they think it will help them get into graduate school. Graduate school admissions officers in the health professions fields are looking for well-rounded individuals who bring with them a diverse, challenging and enriching resume of undergraduate experiences.

Pre-Med and Pre-Health Program

  • Study Abroad programs and Northwestern may have specific prerequisites, including language prerequisites, for admission. Click on the program name, below, to view prerequisites and other details.
  • Be sure to review the Northwestern requirements that students must adhere to while they are abroad.

Health-Related Programs

Program Location Coursework NU Terms Abroad
Public Health in Europe: Policies and Institutions (Sciences Po)
 Paris, France
  • Through a series of English-taught lectures, seminars and excursions developed jointly by Northwestern and Sciences Po, a premier public affairs school, this program covers the European public health policy process, systems for health care delivery in the EU, and the role of governmental and non-governmental institutions in addressing public health issues.
  • Students also enroll in a French language course at the appropriate level.
 Fall Quarter
Public Health in South Africa Stellenbosch (outside Cape Town), South Africa
  • A set curriculum of program courses: an introduction to public health in South Africa, a focused investigation of HIV/AIDS, the political economy of the new republic, and Cape-area culture and linguistic heritage.
  • There are excursions to health-related sites including local clinics and townships, and Field trips to Cape Town, Robben Island, the Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain, and other places of historical and ecological interest.
 Spring Quarter
Public Health in Uganda Kampala Uganda
  • A set curriculum of program courses: an introduction to public health in Uganda, cultural performance as used for health education, the political economy of contemporary Uganda, and language and culture.
  • Out-of-classroom experiences include training with local performers, site visits to clinics, hospitals, and NGO's, and rural areas outside of Kampala.
 Spring Quarter
Public Health in China Beijing, China
  • A set curriculum of program courses (taught in English): intensive Chinese language training, and seminars in public health and traditional Chinese medicine.
  • There are excursions to course-related sites, including government and health-related institutions. Field trips to cultural sites, such as the Great Wall, the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City also included.
 Summer
Science/
Engineering Research in China		 Beijing, China
  • There are research placements in labs at leading Chinese university for science and engineering combined with intensive Chinese language training. Some English-language labs are available.
  • There are 12 engineering departments plus research institutes.
  • The School of Science includes math, chemistry, biology & physics.
 Summer
Public Health in Mexico Mexico City, Mexico
  • A set curriculum of courses includes seminars in pressing public health issues, the culture and history of Mexico, plus supervised research and Spanish language training.
  • There are excursions to local hospitals and health-related sites, including a rural clinic. Field trips include Teotiuacan, museums and architectural centers.
  • All non-language courses are taught in English.
 Summer
SIT Mali Bamako, Mali
  • Health, Gender, and Community Empowerment program offers a seminar course addressing public health issues such as nutrition, sanitation, women's choices in family healthcare, and access in rural and urban areas.
  • Independent Study Project can focus on a variety of topics related to health, gender, and development.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters
Internships in Francophone Europe Paris, France
  • This is a one semester, intensive internship/academic experience for students with strong French language skills.
  • Individualized internships are offered in a wide range of fields, including medicine, public health, and social medicine
  • Courses include a five-week introductory course on French social issues and an ongoing course on France and the European Union.

Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters.

Students can combine fall quarters on this program with winter/spring quarters at Sciences Po on the French Field Study Program.
Danish Institute for Study Abroad Copenhagen Denmark
  • Specialized programs, such as "Medical Practice & Policy" and "Public Health" are open to students interested in the medical and health policy fields.
  • Several elective courses in pre-medicine and public health are also offered.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Contemporary India: Development, Environment, Public Health Pune, India A regional public health course is generally offered on this program, and opportunities to work with local health organizations are available. Check website for current offerings. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year

General Programs which Offer Pre-Med courses

Program Location Coursework NU Terms Abroad
University of Melbourne Melbourne, Australia
  • The Faculty of Medicine offers a variety of pre-med courses for study abroad students.
  • Pre-Med students will have access to a special orientation excursion that will go to nearby medical research laboratories, and other relevant museums and research institutes on campus.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
University of Queensland Brisbane, Australia
  • A range of courses compiled especially for students who plan on going to medical school.
  • Courses are taken with both Australian and International students.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
University of Sydney Sydney, Australia
  • Courses in anatomy, physiology, immunology, pathology, pharmacology, and histology are available through the Faculty of Science to students who have met the necessary prerequisites.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year

Pre-Med Programs

Program Location Coursework NU Terms Abroad
King's College, University of London
 London, England
  • Students interested in the Pre-med program should have a 3.5 GPA and plans to attend medical school.
  • The program is open to students who wish to study for one or both semesters and who have a strong academic background in related subjects. This is an intensive program which focuses on practice-based clinical experience as well as high-level academic study.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year

Taking the MCAT Abroad

The MCAT is offered at 13 sites outside the United States:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • England
  • France
  • Germany
  • Guam
  • India
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Lebanon
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • Puerto Rico
  • The Virgin Islands.

Test dates are in April and August, with registration deadlines about one month prior to the test date. For information and registration materials, see the MCAT web page on the AAMC web site.

Minoring in Global Health

Northwestern's Global Health Minor integrates an international dimension into health-related fields of study, and is particularly targeted at pre-medical students interested in studying abroad. The Global Health Minor is open to students in any discipline or school.

The Global Health Minor offers an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to the study of public health issues, combining on-campus course work with hands-on experience abroad and individualized research. It is designed to examine the medical, cultural and legal structures that shape health conditions and policy responses abroad, the international environment that spreads the impact of these problems the world over, and the emerging international regimes that address these new global realities.

Students may study abroad on Northwestern-designed programs in Mexico, China, South Africa, Uganda, and France, as well as other director-approved sites. The program provides students and future practitioners with the necessary skills to understand international health issues, learn about domestic and international approaches to international crisis management, and, ultimately, deal more effectively with the diverse population in the U.S.

For more information, review the Global Health Minor web site or e-mail globalhealth@northwestern.edu. You can also contact the Northwestern Study Abroad Office at 847-467-6400 or studyabroad@northwestern.edu.