Why MBBS not BMBS?

The abbreviation MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) is more commonly used in countries that follow the tradition of a combined undergraduate degree for medicine and surgery. BMBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) exists as well, but it's less widespread. Here's a breakdown of the reasons behind this:

Historical Roots:

• The MBBS title stems from the historical separation of medicine and surgery degrees. Originally, these were awarded as separate qualifications. Over time, medical schools integrated them into a single program, but the abbreviation MBBS remained prevalent in many countries, including India.

Global Recognition:

• MBBS is a widely recognized abbreviation for the combined medical degree. This is particularly true in former British colonies and countries that have adopted a similar medical education system.

Language Preference:

• MBBS uses a mix of Latin ("Medicinae Baccalaureus") and English ("Bachelor of Surgery"). While some countries might prefer a fully English title (BMBS), MBBS has become well-established due to historical usage.

Variations Around the World:

• It's important to note that MBBS isn't universally used. Some countries might have different abbreviations for the combined medical degree, such as MB ChB (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) or MB BChir (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with distinction in Surgery).

In essence, there's no inherent difference between MBBS and BMBS. They both represent the same combined undergraduate medical degree. The choice of abbreviation often depends on historical conventions and regional variations within medical education systems.