# Levels of Postgraduate Medical Education in Pakistan (by PMDC)

Source: https://upmed.net/levels-of-postgraduate-medical-education-in-pakistan-by-pmdc/  
Published: 2025-05-03 · Updated: 2026-10-23  
Category: Blog  
Publisher: UPMED (https://upmed.net/)

> Level I MBBS/BDS, Level IIa diplomas, Level IIb M.Phil/M.Sc, Level III FCPS/MS/MD and Level IV 2nd fellowship: PMDC levels explained with duration and research.

Medical education in Pakistan, as structured by PMDC, progresses through defined levels starting with Level I (MBBS/BDS), followed by Level IIa (postgraduate diplomas) and Level IIb (research-based degrees like M.Sc., M.Phil, or MHPE). Level III includes advanced qualifications such as FCPS, MS, MD, or Ph.D., all requiring a thesis or dissertation. Level IV refers to the 2nd Fellowship—super-specialty training pursued after Level III to develop expertise in specific clinical fields.

1. **Level I**
   - **Duration:** 5 years (MBBS) or 4 years (BDS)
   - **Qualification:** Basic medical/dental degree (MBBS/BDS)
   - **Research Component:** None
   - **Purpose:** Foundation level for clinical practice and further specialization
2. **Level IIa**
   - **Duration:** Minimum 1 year after Level I
   - **Qualification:** Postgraduate Diploma (e.g., Diploma in Medical Education, DMJ, DHPE)
   - **Research Component:** Not mandatory
   - **Purpose:** Entry-level postgraduate qualification without research; not eligible for Ph.D. in basic sciences without thesis
3. **Level IIb**
   - **Duration:** Minimum 2 years after Level I
   - **Qualification:** M.Sc., M.Phil, MHPE, MME, MSPH or equivalent
   - **Research Component:** Mandatory thesis/dissertation
   - **Purpose:** Academic and clinical qualification with research, eligible for further progression, like a Ph.D.
4. **Level III**
   - **Duration:** Minimum 3 or more years after Level I
   - **Qualification:** FCPS, MD, MS, Ph.D., or equivalent
   - **Research Component:** Mandatory thesis/dissertation
   - **Purpose:** Terminal degree in clinical or academic pathway; required for advanced academic or clinical roles
5. **2nd Fellowship (Level IV)**
   - **Eligibility:** Only after completing Level III (FCPS/MD/MS or equivalent)
   - **Duration:** 2–3 years of structured, full-time super-specialty training
   - **Purpose:** Advanced specialization in a focused area (e.g., pediatric cardiology, neurointervention)
   - Level IV is omitted from the qualification framework as it is the pursuit of excellence, and all Level III qualifications are terminal qualifications.

PMDC Official Document: [https://pmdc.pk/Documents/law/Approved%20PG%20regulations%202023.pdf](https://pmdc.pk/Documents/law/Approved%20PG%20regulations%202023.pdf)