* 4 years: Undergraduate education (Bachelor's degree). While not strictly required in all countries, most medical schools prefer applicants with a strong foundation in science.
* 4 years: Medical school (M.D. or equivalent).
* 3-7+ years: Residency. This is postgraduate training where doctors specialize in a specific area of medicine. The length of residency varies greatly by specialty, with some lasting significantly longer than others. Fellowships, which are further specialized training after residency, can add even more time.
Therefore, while the core educational components are 8 years, the total commitment to becoming a practicing physician is often considerably longer.