So you want to be a doctor? You’ve probably got questions and not just about medical school, but what comes after. What exactly is residency? How long does it last? Do you even need to do it?
Let’s break it down.
What happens after medical school?
Medical school gets you the degree, either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Residency turns you into a practicing physician.
After graduation, you apply for residency through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), often just called “The Match.” If you match into a program, you'll begin hands-on clinical training under supervision, building the skills and confidence needed to treat patients independently.
In The University of Queensland-Ochsner MD program, students prepare for the United States residency system from day one. You study for two years in Brisbane, Australia, then return to the United States for two years of clinical training with Ochsner Health in New Orleans, Louisiana—so you're already embedded in the American healthcare system before you even graduate.
Do you have to do residency after medical school?
Short answer? Yes.
If you want to practice medicine in the United States, residency is required. Even if you're planning on working in research, public health, or medical education, having completed a residency opens more doors and gives you a clinical foundation that’s hard to beat.
UQ-Ochsner graduates don’t just meet residency requirements, they compete successfully for them. With an average residency match rate of 97% (2020-2025), the program proves that international training doesn't mean falling behind.
What is a medical resident?
A resident is a doctor in training. You’ve graduated med school, but now you’re working in a hospital or clinic under the guidance of experienced doctors. You’re diagnosing patients, writing orders, and even performing procedures, just not solo (yet).
Residency is where theory is put into practice. It’s also where many future specialists are born. Whether it’s pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, or dermatology, residency is the gateway.
When do medical residents start?
Most US residency programs kick off in July, just after graduation. Match results come out in March, giving you a few months to prepare (or move).
UQ-Ochsner students differ slightly because they follow Australia’s academic calendar, meaning they will graduate (or culminate) in November. Then, 4 months later they find out where they’ve matched and begin residency with their peers in July—visa-free, since all students in the program are US citizens or permanent residents.
Are there different types of residency programs to match into?
Yes, when you apply for residency in the United States, you're not just picking a specialty—you’re also choosing between different types of training programs. Understanding the differences can help you plan your path more strategically.
Categorical (C)
This is the most common type. A categorical program offers full training in a specialty—from day one of residency all the way through to board eligibility.
Example: A 3-year internal medicine residency or a 5-year general surgery program.
If you match into a categorical spot, you're in for the full ride. There’s no need to reapply or find a new program later.
UQ-Ochsner graduates most often match into categorical positions, which means they secure their entire training pathway from the start.
Preliminary (P)
A preliminary program consists of one year of training—usually in internal medicine or surgery. It’s often used as a transitional year before another specialty begins.
Example: You want to become a radiologist, but need a year of clinical medicine first. You’ll do a preliminary year, then start your advanced program.
Advanced (A)
Advanced programs start at PGY-2 (Post-Graduate Year 2) and require that you’ve already completed a preliminary or transitional year. Many highly competitive specialties fall into this category.
Example: Dermatology, anesthesiology, ophthalmology, and radiology are all advanced-entry specialties.
So if you're applying to an advanced program, you’ll also need to apply separately for a preliminary or transitional year, and match into both.
Physician (R)
These are spots for applicants who have already completed some graduate medical education, typically for re-applicants, international graduates, or those re-entering residency.
Joint A/P or C/A Programs
Some programs offer both preliminary and advanced years as a package. These are great because you don’t have to worry about applying to two separate places.
Pro tip: These can be competitive but are worth targeting if you want a smoother transition into advanced specialties.
Because UQ-Ochsner students are US citizens or permanent residents who train for two years in the US healthcare system before they graduate, they match into categorical and advanced specialties at high rates. They’ve already proven themselves in US hospitals, worked with American attending physicians, and built strong Letters of Recommendation (LoRs). That gives them a real edge, especially in specialties that require a separate preliminary year.
How long is medical residency?
Residency length depends on your specialty:
- Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics – 3 years
- Emergency Medicine, OB-GYN, Neurology – 3–4 years
- Surgery, Psychiatry, Anesthesiology – 4–6 years
- Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery – Up to 7 years
Some doctors pursue even more training through fellowships in subspecialties like cardiology, oncology, or critical care.
UQ-Ochsner grads have matched into all of the above specialties and more. From high-intensity ORs to community clinics, their training prepares them for diverse paths.
Is medical residency hard?
Yes. And no one sugarcoats that.
Residency is intense. Expect long shifts, overnight calls, and emotional ups and downs. But it’s also where doctors grow into their power. You’ll build real relationships with patients, see the impact of your decisions, and feel yourself leveling up fast.
At UQ-Ochsner, students are already used to working across cultures and systems. The international experience, combined with high-stakes clinical rotations in the US, gives grads the grit and adaptability needed to thrive in residency.
Is residency harder than medical school?
In some ways, yes. Medical school is academically demanding—think lectures, exams, USMLE Steps 1 & 2. But residency adds real-life pressure: critical decisions, physical exhaustion, patient emotions, and your own self-doubt.
That said, you're not alone. Residency is supervised. You’ll learn on the job. And you’ll finally feel like a real doctor.
UQ-Ochsner students often say their time abroad gave them perspective and resilience that others didn’t have and it showed during residency.
How much do medical residents make?
Residency is a paid position (finally) and most first-year residents (PGY-1s) earn around $60,000–$70,000/year, with incremental increases each year. The exact amount depends on location, specialty, and program.
While it’s not the full attending salary, it’s a livable wage—plus benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and often meals or housing stipends.
What comes after medical residency?
After residency, you can:
- Start practicing independently as an attending physician
- Apply for a fellowship to sub-specialize (e.g. cardiology, oncology)
- Explore roles in research, teaching, public health, or healthcare policy
This is also when you can pursue full board certification in your specialty and finally say: “I’ve made it.”
UQ-Ochsner grads finish med school fully eligible for the Match and ECFMG-certified. Many go straight into fellowship after residency and all walk out ready to practice in the United States.
Can UQ-Ochsner grads also practice in Australia?
Yes, UQ-Ochsner MD students have the unique option to practice in both the US and Australia.
In their final year of study, students return to Australia for a 6-week clinical placement. This placement satisfies the eligibility requirement to apply for a medical internship in Australia after graduation.
An Australian internship isn’t the same as US residency. It’s a 12-month rotation through multiple specialties—like internal medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine—similar to what students experience in their 3rd and 4th year rotations in New Orleans. After that internship year, junior doctors can apply for a specialty training program (the Australian equivalent of residency).
That said, it’s highly recommended that UQ-Ochsner graduates complete their residency in the United States before considering a return to Australia. Training in America is widely respected and provides broader opportunities, plus it ensures graduates are fully licensed and experienced before navigating international medical systems.
This kind of global career flexibility is rare and it’s just one of the many ways the UQ-Ochsner MD program sets future doctors apart.
Your Future in Medicine Starts Here
Getting into med school is a big deal. But getting out—prepared, competitive, and confident—is even bigger.
The UQ-Ochsner MD Program isn’t just another route. It’s a launchpad. You’ll train across two continents, learn in two healthcare systems, and come out ready to thrive in any US residency program.
Want to know more?
Explore the UQ-Ochsner MD Program or register for our next webinar to meet students who’ve walked the path—and matched where they dreamed of going.
