There is only "Doctor of medicine."
There is no bachelor of science in Doctor of medicine.
This matters because it is related to JEG, payment, license and academic promotion. It should be with evidence, not in derogatory, defamatory or jealous ways.
Educational Qualifications Framework.
An Educational Qualifications Framework (often called a Qualifications Framework or National Qualifications Framework—NQF) is a formal, structured system used to organize and classify all qualifications (such as school diplomas, vocational certificates, degrees, and doctorates) into a single, coherent sequence of levels.
Frameworks do not categorize qualifications by what subjects you study. Instead, they categorize them by Learning Outcomes—specifically, what a person knows, understands, and is able to do after completing that qualification.
They evaluate qualifications using three main criteria:
1. Knowledge: How deep is the understanding? (e.g., basic facts vs. advanced theories vs. frontier research).
2. Skills: How complex are the tasks? (e.g., routine manual tasks vs. advanced problem-solving and innovation).
3. Autonomy & Responsibility: How much independence is required? (e.g., working under close supervision vs. taking full legal and strategic responsibility for others).
Dominant frameworks in the world
1. EQF (European Qualifications Framework)
2. AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework)
3. The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) for Scotland.
Most frameworks are divided into 8 to 10 levels, starting at Level 1 (basic, primary-level education) and going up to Level 8, 9, or 10 (the highest doctoral or research levels).
For example:
Levels 1–2: Basic primary/lower secondary education.
Levels 3–4: High school diplomas, upper secondary education, or basic vocational training.
Levels 5–6: Short-cycle tertiary education, bachelor's degrees, or advanced diplomas.
Levels 7–8 (or 9–10): Master's degrees, specialist professional training, and doctoral degrees (PhDs).
In Ethiopia, the primary medical qualification is a Doctor of Medicine (MD)—a 6-year integrated program taken directly after Grade 12.
Here is the key classification:
In the EtQF, an MD is not placed at Level 6 (Bachelor's), nor at Level 8 (PhD).
Instead, it is officially classified at EtQF Level 7, alongside the Master's Degree.
Why?
The Ethiopian Ministry of Education and the Higher Education Relevance and Quality Agency (HERQA) classify the MD at Level 7 because:
The program is 6 years long (360+ ECTS credits), which is significantly more than a standard Bachelor's degree (3–4 years).
It includes a substantial clinical training and research component.
It requires advanced problem-solving, critical thinking, and a high degree of autonomy and responsibility—all of which match the EQF Level 7 descriptors.
This aligns Ethiopia with the European (EQF Level 7) and British (FHEQ Level 7) classification, ensuring Ethiopian medical graduates are recognized internationally.
REGULATION No. 561/2025 COUNCIL OF MINISTERS REGULATION ON THE ETHIOPIAN QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING
https://www.enic.org.uk/Documents/Guide%20to%20the%20UK%20education%20systems_final.pdf#9#7
https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/media/cffb3feb-c7ed-472d-8ad3-008175099a6b/sector-recognised-standards-in-england.pdf#1#1
CC:
Woldia University especially the HR at the College of health science
College of Health Sciences Addis Ababa University, especially the promotion Committee
University of Gondar especially promotion committee
Ministry of Education Ethiopia
Ethiopian Medical Association
FDRE Education and Training Authority-ETA
Ministry of Health,Ethiopia
Dr. Beshir Abdulkadir Beshir
MD, MPH and Senior Anesthetist
@HakimEthio