Doctor of Medicine (MD)

A full-time, five-year, ten-semester competency-based programme followed by a one-year internship — training general duty doctors for Tanzania and beyond.

The Doctor of Medicine is a full-time five-year, ten-semester competency-based programme, followed by a one-year internship. All courses are core and mandatory; there are no electives. The programme started in the 2022/23 academic year.

Semesters 1–4 cover basic sciences, introduction to clinical medicine, fieldwork and community training. Semesters 5–10 are devoted to practical work, including junior and senior clerkships and community health training.

The programme adheres to TCU and IUCEA provisions, with learning outcomes benchmarked against the University Qualifications Framework (UQF) and regional EAC/SADC frameworks. Delivery combines face-to-face teaching with virtual technology for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical and clinical sessions.

Credit System

One credit equals 10–15 hours of theoretical learning or 30–45 hours of practical, clinical or fieldwork
The academic year runs 46 weeks (36 weeks of active teaching)
Students are expected to earn 48 credits per year (24 per semester); the minimum satisfactory load is 21 credits per semester

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate understanding of normal and abnormal human body structure, function, development and growth
Evaluate patients clinically and through laboratory investigations for diagnosis
Administer correct medical and surgical interventions and appropriate referrals
Manage healthcare services at various levels of the national health system
Identify and provide relevant preventive and curative community healthcare services
Conduct training and supervision of healthcare personnel
Conduct research and apply findings to improve healthcare quality
Keep abreast of advances in medical and healthcare fields through continuing education
Demonstrate good ethical conduct
Apply entrepreneurial skills in healthcare management