MBBS Abroad
MBBS in Abroad: Best place to study and how to apply, a complete guide
MBBS abroad is rapidly becoming a top choice for Indian students aspiring to become successful doctors of the highest international repute. The lack of opportunities in India due to high competition and limited MBBS seats urges thousands of Indian students to enroll for MBBS abroad. Russia, Bangladesh, and the Americas, or Caribbean countries, are the best destinations to study MBBS abroad for Indian students. On average, at present, there are over 10,000 Indian students in Russia, more than 7,000 in Bangladesh, and almost 100 in Guyana and Barbados (Caribbean).
The top medical universities abroad are well-known for their high-quality medical education, modern teaching methods, excellent infrastructural facilities, well-furnished hostel accommodation, English medical curriculum, globally valid medical degree, and so much more. The fee structure of MBBS abroad for Indian students starts at INR 3 – 6 lakhs a year, including hostel and mess charges. Enroll in the top foreign medical universities and start your MBBS journey for a successful medical career ahead in the country of your choice.
MBBS Abroad for Indian Students Requirements
While each country would have its own set of rules and eligibility criteria for international students wanting to pursue MBBS abroad, today we are going to talk about the general eligibility guidelines for Indian students wanting to pursue MBBS among the top countries overseas.
Age Requirements
The student is required to have attained the age of 17 on December 31 of the year he is pursuing his admission. There is no upper age limit to apply for MBBS abroad.
Academic requirements
Candidates looking to pursue MBBS abroad are required to satisfy the below-mentioned academic requirements.
- The student must have completed his 10+2 from a recognized board.
- The student must have an aggregate percentage of at least 50% or above in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology and must have studied English as a compulsory subject during his 10+2 years.
- Students are also required to qualify for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). This is mandatory even if the student is planning to pursue his medical studies abroad.
- The candidate would also be required to produce an Eligibility Certificate issued by the Medical Council of India at the time of admission to Foreign Medical Universities.
Medical Requirements
The candidate would be required to submit a medical certificate at the time of admission stating that the applicant is not suffering from any contagious diseases.
Exam(s) required to study MBBS Abroad
In March 2019, an order passed by the Medical Council of India (MCI) made it mandatory for all Indian students wanting to study MBBS abroad to appear for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). Candidates should note that the upper limit for appearing for the NEET is 25 years for General candidates and 30 years for SC/ST/OBC candidates. The NEET score is valid for a period of three years.
Candidates wanting to pursue medical studies abroad could also be required to appear for an English proficiency test to prove their knowledge of the English language. Depending on the English language requirements of the university, the candidates can opt for TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or OET.
- The student must have completed his 10+2 from a recognized board.
- The student must have an aggregate percentage of at least 50% or above in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology and must have studied English as a compulsory subject during his 10+2 years.
- Students are also required to qualify for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). This is mandatory even if the student is planning to pursue his medical studies abroad.
- The candidate would also be required to produce an Eligibility Certificate issued by the Medical Council of India at the time of admission to Foreign Medical Universities.
Medical Requirements
The candidate would be required to submit a medical certificate at the time of admission stating that the applicant is not suffering from any contagious diseases.
Exam(s) required to study MBBS Abroad
In March 2019, an order passed by the Medical Council of India (MCI) made it mandatory for all Indian students wanting to study MBBS abroad to appear for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). Candidates should note that the upper limit for appearing for the NEET is 25 years for General candidates and 30 years for SC/ST/OBC candidates. The NEET score is valid for a period of three years.
Candidates wanting to pursue medical studies abroad could also be required to appear for an English proficiency test to prove their knowledge of the English language. Depending on the English language requirements of the university, the candidates can opt for TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or OET.
Admission process for studying MBBS Abroad
Once the candidate has satisfied the eligibility requirements. He can move on to the next step which is the application process to study MBBS abroad. Candidates are required to select their preferred MBBS University and fill out the online international student application form to start his admission process.
Applicants would be required to upload a set of documents as part of the application procedure to further strengthen their academic profile. These include:
- Class 10- and 12-mark sheets
- School Leaving & School Migration Certificate
- NEET Score Card
- Personal Financial Statements
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)>
- Resume (CV)
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
- Language Proficiency Certificate (if any)
- Passport Size Photographs
- theriology
On the successful submission of the online application form along with the fee, candidates would hear back from the university with an admission letter. They would be then required to apply for their Student Visa along with their passport, original documents, and their letter of acceptance from the university.
MBBS Specializations
Candidates going abroad to pursue medical studies should note that their MBBS curriculum would comprise five years of various stages of clinical studies including but not limited to pre-clinical studies, para-clinical studies, and study of clinical subjects and a one-year of clinical rotations (internship). Hence, specializations don’t feature during MBBS but post-MBBS studies. General specializations after pursuing MBBS would include but not be limited to:
Anaesthesiology, Dermatology, ENT, General Medicine, General Surgery, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics
Top University & Colleges for MBBS Abroad
Candidates wanting to pursue MBBS abroad would want to know more about the top universities for MBBS abroad. Given below is a list of the top ranked MBBS colleges abroad for 2020. Candidates can click on each college name to know about the courses offered, the eligibility guidelines, the fee structure, and much more. Here is a list of the top medical universities abroad to pursue MBBS for Indian students.
| University | Location | QS - World University Rankings 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | United States | #5 |
| University of Oxford | United Kingdom | #4 |
| University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | #2 |
| Stanford University | United States of America | #3 |
| Johns Hopkins University | United States of America | #24 |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | United States of America | #44 |
| University College London(UCL) | United Kingdom | #8 |
| Yale University | United States | #18 |
| Imperial College London | United Kingdom | #6 |
Top Countries for MBBS Abroad for Indian Students
Candidates wanting to pursue MBBS abroad would want nothing but the best for themselves. There are a number of factors that go into making a country popular among Indian students. Cost of studying, living expenses, MCI-recognized universities and a solid curriculum-based education are among the top factors that help in making a destination popular among the Indian diasporas. Bangladesh, the People’s Republic of China, Nepal, Russia, and Ukraine are the popular MBBS destination choices for Indian students.
Country-wise average fees for MBBS Abroad Let us take a closer look at some of the universities, the duration of medical study, and the average first-year tuition fee. Candidates are informed that countries mentioned below are a few of the countries that are the most preferred destination by Indian students. Candidates can click on the name of the university for detailed information on the same.
Russia
Study in Russia - High quality of medical education combined with low tuition fees is one of the prime reasons for students to pursue an MBBS from Russia. The average MBBS tuition fee in Russia is INR 2.14 Lakhs and the average living expenses stand at INR 42,800 for a single year.
| University | Course Details | Tuition Fee (First Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Belgorod National Research University (BelSu) | MBBS 5.5 years | INR 1.5 Lakhs |
| Bashkir State Medical University | MD (Doctor of Medicine) 6 Years | INR 3.11 Lakhs |
| The Orenburg State Medical University | MD (Doctor of Medicine) 6 Years | INR 3.1 Lakhs |
Ukraine
Study in Ukraine - Located in Eastern Europe, Ukraine is home to top government medical universities offering MBBS, MD, and other medical/ medicine-related degrees to students. The average MBBS tuition fee in Ukraine is INR 2.68 Lakhs and the average living expenses stand at INR 60,210 for a single year.
| University | Course Details | Tuition Fee (First Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Kharkiv National Medical University | MD (Doctor of Medicine) 6 Years | INR 8.5 Lakhs |
| Lugansk State Medical University (LSMU) | MBBS 6 Years | INR 2.5 Lakhs |
| M. Gorky National Medical University (DMNU) | General Medicine MBBS/MD 6 Years | INR 3.1 Lakhs |
Nepal
Study in Nepal - The close proximity and relaxed immigration policies have made Nepal a major hub among Indian students wanting to study MBBS abroad. The average MBBS tuition fee in Nepal is INR 9.37 Lakhs.
| University | Course Details | Tuition Fee (First Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences | MBBS 5.5 Years | INR 11.2 Lakhs |
| College Of Medical Sciences | MBBS 4.5-5.5 Years | INR 7.5 Lakhs |
MBBS Jobs and Career Opportunities
A maximum of medical students opt for postgraduate studies or specializations before setting up a practice. However, there are a lot of students who break from the mold and practice for a couple of years before applying for higher studies. Common MBBS job preferences include.
- Being employed with a hospital chain
- Pursuing clinical research and academics
- Setting up private practice
- A career in Health Administration/Hospital Management
Scholarships to study MBBS abroad
One of the acknowledged disadvantages of studying abroad is the high tuition costs. However, it is not so for students wanting to pursue MBBS. To attract more student footfall, countries such as Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, the People’s Republic of China, and Bangladesh among other countries provide quality education at a very competitive price.