International Programs
Medical English
Medical English is specially designed to allow you to master medical English terminology and increase your fluency to effectively communicate in English within clinical contexts. The course covers the U.S. healthcare delivery system, the language of patient/provider interaction, and anatomy and physiology terminology.
Who Will Benefit
Our Medical English Program at UC San Diego is perfect for:
- Medical Students: Improve your English for success in classes and hospitals.
- Doctors: Boost your language skills for better patient interactions and research.
- Medical Practitioners: Nurses and healthcare professionals, enhance your English for top-notch patient care.
Join us to break down language barriers in healthcare. Build confidence and communicate effectively in this dynamic field.
Program Details
Classes
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Required: English for Medical Professionals (40 hours)
In this course students will gain the knowledge, terminology, and confidence through intensive study of the U.S. healthcare system, language needed for patient interaction, and anatomy and physiology of the body. Through a variety of learning methods, students will improve their vocabulary, fluency, reading, and listening comprehension skills to better serve their medical community in English.
Students will also take two of the following courses:
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Professional Presentation Skills (20 hours)
This course covers techniques used to create and give dynamic presentations for various professional purposes. Course topics include organization, structure, audience rapport, vocal techniques, and body language.
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Professional Writing Skills (20 hours)
The focus of this course is to provide instruction and practice that you will need to produce clear and correct professional documents. You will be working on memos, emails, reports, and everyday correspondence. You will work on elements of grammar and style such as sentence variety, word choice, and conciseness.
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Professional Discussions (20 hours)
This course will cover different topics and situations that arise in a professional setting. Course topics include managing and communicating within a meeting, understanding group dynamics, handling conflicts, and developing & planning projects.
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Pronunciation and Fluency Seminar (20 hours)
This course is designed to help students speak English more clearly and fluently. It includes instruction and practice on sounds, sound combinations, intonation, and other important areas of pronunciation. The course will focus on tips and tools needed to refine your pronunciation in a professional setting.
Curriculum
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U.S. healthcare delivery system
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The language of patient interaction
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Human anatomy and physiology
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Development of presentation skills
UC San Diego is a major center for medical research and development in healthcare. This program features expert guest speakers from campus and community medical centers and clinics, when available, according to campus guidelines. Visits to hospitals and clinics are prohibited because of patient privacy laws. Therefore, we cannot guarantee visits to hospitals and clinics nor observations of actual medical procedures as part of the Medical English program.
In the 15-hour* per week part-time Medical English schedule, writing, pronunciation refinement, reading practice, and vocabulary reinforcement will not be included; guest speakers and field trips will vary according to availability during the schedule of this less intensive program.
Duration: 4 weeks
Levels: 4-8
Delivery method: In-person
Visa: F-1 student visa (20 hours per week) or Tourist/ESTA (15* hours per week)
Program Schedule:
- Monday - Friday
- 15* pr 20 hours per week
Sample Schedule:
Schedules may vary by English language level.
* The 15-hour-per-week program does not qualify for the Form I-20.
Admission Requirements
Age: 18+
Language Proficiency: High-Intermediate to Advanced (levels 4-8)
Placement Test: For the best learning experience, every student must take an online placement test to determine their English level before starting the Medical English program. This test helps us understand your current English level, ensuring you start the program at just the right spot for your study abroad journey. Additionally, all enrolled students are required to complete an online pre-arrival orientation before the beginning of the program. This orientation, which includes the online placement test, is a crucial step in preparing for the Medical English program.
Dates & Prices
2025 Dates
- January 6 - 31
- February 3 - 28
- July 7 - August 1
- August 4 - 29
2025 Prices
- Application Fee: $225 (nonrefundable)
- Part-time Tuition: $2,490 (15 hours per week / 60 hours total), OR
- Full-timeTuition: $2,790 (20 hours per week / 100 hours total)
- International Student Service Fee: $250
- UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance: $240
- Books/Materials: Approximately $150-175 (Payment CANNOT be made in advance. Books and materials must be purchased upon arrival at UC San Diego.)
For all 2025 program dates and prices, visit the Dates and Prices page or download the 2025 Dates & Prices document. This document also lists the financial verification required for your program application if you need the Form I-20 for a student visa.
*The 15-hour-per-week program does not qualify for the Form I-20.
Additional Information
Advisory About Language Proficiency Level
If our online pre-arrival placement tests indicate that your English proficiency level does not permit placement in the original 4-week program class, we will place you in 4 weeks of study in a corresponding 4-week or 8-week program or provide a combination of classes and individual tutoring to ensure a program of 15 or 20 hours per week for 4 weeks. Alternatively, we may decide to place all 4-week program students in level-appropriate classes in a corresponding 4-week or 8-week program in order to provide a program of 15 or 20 hours per week for 4 weeks. When this happens, the students’ 4-week program will have the features described for the new 4- or 8-week program, not the features described for the original program. The tuition and fees for the students’ 4-week program enrollment will remain the same.
Advisory About Variable Enrollments
Enrollment numbers in our 4-week English language programs vary from month-to-month. Therefore, if we have low enrollments in the original 4-week program, we will notify you within 30-days of your program start date, so that you may cancel your enrollment or enroll into another 4-week program.
Interested in studying Online?
Are you unable to come to the U.S. to study Medical English in person? You may find the following Medical English Online series useful and affordable. These online courses are credit-bearing (1.5 units each) and students can receive an official transcript (for $17) at the completion of the course. Please note that these online classes are not eligible for a certificate. Each online course is only $225 USD.
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2025 Dates and Prices
Contact Us
+858-534-6784
ipinfo@ucsd.edu
Regular Mail Address
University of California San Diego
Division of Extended Studies
International Student Services, 0176D
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0176
USA
Physical Location & Express Delivery
University of California San Diego
Division of Extended Studies
International Programs
8980 Villa La Jolla Drive - suite 380
La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
USA