Translation guide
In Japanese, the term for 'medical school' is most commonly 医学部 (igakubu), which refers to the medical department or faculty within a university. The broader term 医科大学 (ika daigaku) is used for a dedicated medical university. This guide explains how to refer to medical schools in various contexts.
Referring to the medical school within a larger university, such as 'I'm a student at the medical school.'
This is the standard term for a medical school that is part of a university. It literally means 'medical department' and is used for both undergraduate and graduate medical education.
彼は東京大学の医学部に通っています。
He attends the medical school of the University of Tokyo.
医学部の入学試験はとても難しいです。
The entrance exam for medical school is very difficult.
Specifically refers to the medical program or course within a medical school, often used to distinguish from other health science programs like nursing or pharmacy.
医学科のカリキュラムは六年間です。
The medical program curriculum is six years.
Referring to an institution that is solely a medical university, not part of a larger university.
Used for universities that specialize in medicine and health sciences. Many public and private medical universities use this term in their official names.
彼女は東京医科大学を卒業しました。
She graduated from Tokyo Medical University.
Talking about medical school as an abstract concept, such as 'Medical school is tough.'
Even when speaking generally, 医学部 is the most common way to refer to medical school, as most medical education in Japan occurs within university faculties.
医学部はお金がかかります。
Medical school is expensive.
Referring specifically to graduate-level medical education, such as a master's or doctoral program in medicine.
This term refers to the graduate school of medicine, where students pursue advanced degrees. It is often part of a university's graduate division.
彼は医学研究科で博士号を取得しました。
He earned his Ph.D. at the graduate school of medicine.
A more formal and specific term for the graduate school of medical sciences, often used in official university names.
大学院医学系研究科の入試情報を調べています。
I'm looking up entrance exam information for the Graduate School of Medical Sciences.
医学部 (igakubu) is a faculty within a comprehensive university, while 医科大学 (ika daigaku) is a standalone medical university. In everyday conversation, 医学部 is more common because most medical schools are part of larger universities. Use 医科大学 only when referring to an institution that is exclusively a medical university.
In casual speech, 医学部 is sometimes shortened to 医部 (ibu), but this is very informal and not recommended for learners. Stick to the full term.