The French medical student does a six-year course before entering a compulsory "intern" year at the end of which he presents a thesis plus the results of all his University examinations for his medical degree. To become a surgeon he would spend four years as an "intern" in surgical posts then become a "Chef-de-Clinique" for two to four years before being accredited as a specialist. The differences and similarities of their system and ours fours years before being accredited as a specialist. The differences and similarities of their system and ours are highlighted.