Many students in Nigeria who study Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) often wonder if they can later become doctors.
It’s a common question, especially for those who have dreams of practicing medicine but got admitted into a different medical-related course.
The simple answer is yes, a medical laboratory scientist can become a doctor, but it’s not automatic. It takes time, more education, and meeting certain requirements.
In this article, we’ll break everything down clearly so you understand how it works.
Can a medical laboratory scientist study medicine?
Yes, a medical laboratory scientist can study medicine. Medical Laboratory Science is a different course from Medicine and Surgery.
So, even if you have a degree in MLS, you must still go through the normal process to enter medical school.
This means applying for Medicine and Surgery through JAMB, passing the UTME, meeting the cut-off mark of your chosen university, and being admitted.
Some universities may allow you to use Direct Entry (DE) after your MLS degree, but this depends on the university’s policy.
Most Nigerian universities still prefer fresh UTME candidates for Medicine.
How many years does it take a medical lab scientist to become a doctor?
Let’s break it down:
- Medical Laboratory Science degree: 5 years (plus 1 year internship and 1 year NYSC)
- Medicine and Surgery degree: 6 years (plus 1-year housemanship and NYSC)
So if a medical lab scientist decides to return to school for Medicine, they will spend about 6 more years studying, excluding the previous years in MLS.
Altogether, it could take up to 13 years to become a licensed doctor from the beginning.
However, some universities may allow certain course exemptions if the person is applying via Direct Entry, but this is rare and usually not guaranteed.
Is it better to switch to medicine early?
Yes, if your dream is to become a doctor, it is better to switch early. If you’re still in your first or second year of MLS, you can write UTME again and try to gain admission into Medicine. This helps you avoid spending more years in school. Switching early saves time, money, and energy.
Many students in Nigeria do this. They keep studying MLS but also prepare for UTME. Once they get a better course like Medicine, they leave MLS and start fresh.
Can I use my medical laboratory science degree for Direct Entry into Medicine?
You can try, but many federal and state universities in Nigeria do not accept Medical Laboratory Science for Direct Entry into Medicine and Surgery.
The reason is that Medicine is highly competitive and most schools want applicants with A-levels, IJMB, or specific science degrees like Anatomy, Physiology, or Biochemistry.
However, some private universities may consider your MLS degree for Direct Entry. Examples include Bingham University and Gregory University.
Even then, you may not skip any year and will likely start from 200 Level or even 100 Level, depending on the university’s decision.
Will I have an advantage in medical school as a medical lab scientist?
Yes, to some extent. As an MLS graduate, you already have knowledge of laboratory techniques, human anatomy, blood analysis, and medical terminology.
This can help you during your pre-clinical years in medical school.
However, medical school is very broad and covers areas that MLS does not teach in depth, like surgery, internal medicine, pharmacology, and patient care.
So while your background may help you, you’ll still need to work hard like every other medical student.
Can I work as a doctor with a medical lab science degree?
No, you cannot work as a doctor with only an MLS degree.
In Nigeria, doctors must graduate with an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) or MBChB from an accredited medical school.
After that, they must do their housemanship and get full registration from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
Medical laboratory scientists are licensed by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), and their work is different from that of doctors.
So you must complete medical school to work as a doctor.
Is medicine harder than medical laboratory science?
Both courses are demanding, but in different ways. Medical Laboratory Science focuses more on laboratory tests, blood analysis, disease diagnosis, and lab equipment handling.
Medicine and Surgery covers everything — the human body, diseases, treatments, surgery, and direct patient care.
Medicine has a longer duration and requires more clinical practice, hospital rounds, and patient interaction.
So most students find Medicine more challenging. It also requires more reading, especially during clinical years.
Should I finish my MLS degree before switching to medicine?
This depends on your situation. If you’re in your final year of MLS or have already graduated, it might be worth finishing the degree.
You’ll have a backup career in case Medicine doesn’t work out. You can also work and save money to support your new studies in Medicine.
But if you’re just in 100 or 200 Level and Medicine is truly your goal, it might be better to leave and start again. That way, you avoid wasting years and move straight into your dream career.