Study MBBS Abroad: Eligibility, Colleges, Fees, and Exams
MBBS programs overseas are quickly rising to the top of the list for Indian students hoping to become highly successful, internationally renowned doctors. Due to intense competition and a shortage of MBBS seats in India, thousands of Indian students are being pushed to enroll in MBBS programs overseas. India’s top MBBS study abroad options are Russia, Bangladesh, and the Americas, or Caribbean nations. Currently, there are over 10,000 Indian students studying in Russia, over 7,000 in Bangladesh, and approximately 100 in Guyana and Barbados (the Caribbean).
The best medical colleges overseas are renowned for their top-notch instruction, cutting-edge teaching strategies, first-rate facilities, equipped dorms, English-language medical curricula, internationally recognized medical degrees, and much more. For Indian students, the cost of an MBBS program overseas ranges from INR 3 to 6 lakhs per year, which includes mess and hostel fees. Enroll in the best international medical colleges to begin your MBBS program and pave the way for a prosperous future in medicine in the nation of your choosing.
Requirements for MBBS Abroad for Indian Students
The National Medical Commission sets the prerequisites for Indian students applying to study abroad for an MBBS. To be eligible for NMC, any Indian student who wants to pursue an MBBS abroad must meet the following requirements:
- Academic requirement: The candidate must have passed 10+2 from a recognized board with an aggregate 50% in PCB subjects. For reserved category candidates (SC/ST/OBC), the aggregate score is 40%.
- Age requirement: The age of the candidate must be 17 years or more as on 31st December in the admission year.
NEET requirement: The candidate must have qualified the NEET UG exam and has a valid NEET scorecard.\
Entrance Exam To Study MBBS Abroad
To pursue an MBBS program overseas, an Indian student must pass the undergraduate National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). The Medical Council of India (MCI) issued a directive in March 2019 mandating that all Indian students take the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). This is the fundamental need that Indian students must meet in order to apply to study abroad for an MBBS in nations such as Bangladesh, Russia, the Caribbean Islands, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, etc.
In addition to the NEET, individuals who intend to pursue an MBBS abroad must demonstrate their skill in speaking and understanding English by taking proficiency exams such as the TOEFL and IELTS. Certain major MBBS destinations, like America, Bangladesh, and Russia, do not require these entrance tests for admission; instead, Indian candidates can be admitted to overseas medical schools using only their 12th grade and NEET results.
Documents Required For MBBS Admission Abroad
When applying for admission to overseas medical universities, Indian students who wish to pursue an MBBS abroad must provide the following paperwork:.
- Scanned copies of 10th and 12th marksheets and pass certificates
- Admission letter
- Birth certificate
- Medical certificate with HIV report
- Colored passport-sized photographs
- Caste certificate (optional)
- Student visa
- Valid passport with 1-year validity
- NEET scorecard
- Air tickets
MBBS in India vs. MBBS abroad
| MBBS in Abroad | MBBS in India |
| Foreign medical universities have a good number of MBBS seats for international students. | Indian medical colleges have a scarcity of MBBS seats. |
| Ultramodern infrastructure, technologies, and facilities are available for Indian students. | The infrastructure and technologies in Indian medical colleges are advanced but not at par with medical universities abroad. |
| The medical education abroad is more practice-based focusing on enhancing practical skills in medicine of students. | Indian medical colleges focus more on theoretical knowledge of medicine than practical sessions. |
| Students of MBBS abroad get to participate in international seminars, conferences, and workshops to widen their knowledge of medicine. | Students of MBBS in India do not get international exposure like the students of MBBS abroad. |
| Simulation-based training of students is imparted in every foreign medical university. | Simulation-based training is a new concept and not all colleges in India have this technology. |
| Multicultural environment at all foreign medical universities due to the presence of students from different countries. | Indian medical colleges do have any strength of international students. |
| No donations are required for admissions in case of MBBS in abroad. | Heavy capitation fees are required for admission in Indian Private Medical Colleges. |
| Admission in MBBS abroad is possible with passing NEET score. | Admission is only possible with high NEET scores. |
| The entire MBBS course fees range between INR 15 to 60 lakhs. | The MBBS course fee for government colleges is up to INR 10 lakhs and private medical colleges up to INR 80 lakhs. |
| The teacher and student ratio in classrooms is excellent to give equal attention to all students. | The classrooms are large in size with over 100 students in each. |
| Students can learn a second language during their MBBS abroad. | This is not possible in the case of MBBS in India. |
| The foreign medical universities have global recognition. | Not all medical colleges in India are globally recognized. |
The Best Countries for Indian Students to Study MBBS Abroad
Top MBBS Destinations for Indian Students Studying Abroad Many countries emerged as the top choices for Indian students pursuing an MBBS overseas, following the popularity of this program among those aspiring to become exceptional doctors. For Indian students, the top three foreign countries to study medicine are:
MBBS in Bangladesh
Bangladesh, with the highest FMGE passing percentage, is among the top countries for Indian students to study MBBS abroad. Because Bangladesh’s MBBS program and India’s medical curriculum are so comparable, it is a preferred choice for Indian students studying medicine in India. The National Medical Commission of Bangladesh has accredited more than 13 medical schools due to their exceptional clinical exposure, facilities, and reasonably priced MBBS programs. Graduates of Bangladesh’s medical colleges are eligible to practice medicine anywhere in the world once they have passed the national licensing examinations. Their degrees are recognized all over the world.
- Duration of the course: 6 (Includes 1 year of internship)
- Eligibility: Passed 10+2 with PCB (60% for Indian students) and NEET Exam
- Recognitions: NMC (erstwhile MCI), ECFMG, FAIMER, WDOMS, IMED, BMDC
- IELTS/TOFEL: Not required
- Medium of teaching: English
- Average MBBS fees : INR 25 Lakhs – INR 40Lakhs
- Admission intake: January/February
MBBS in Russia
MBBS in Russia has always been a top choice for Indian students aspiring to have a successful medical career. International students benefit from subsidized medical education in Russia, which significantly lowers MBBS fees. The medical universities in Russia are well-known for their excellent infrastructure, world-class medical education, highly qualified faculty members, comfortable student accommodation and mess facilities, and innovative technologies. At present, there are more than 10,000 Indian students studying MBBS in Russia.
- Duration of the course: 5.8 years (includes one year of training)
- Eligibility: Passed 10+2 with PCB (50% for Indian students) and NEET Exam
- University recognitions: NMC (erstwhile MCI), WDOMS, ECFMG, FAIMER, and Ministry of Education, Russia
- IELTS & TOEFL: Not required
- Medium of teaching: English
- Average MBBS fees: INR 20Lakhs ~ INR 35Lakhs
- Admission intake: September
MBBS in Americas
Because of its excellent medical education on a US-based educational system, the Americas or Caribbean Islands are among the best places for Indian students to study MBBS abroad. International students are well-aware of the medical institutions in the Caribbean Islands because of their cutting-edge technologies, highly qualified and experienced teachers, and well-equipped classrooms. Two of the best places in the Americas to study MBBS are Guyana and Barbados.
- Duration of the course: 5 years
- Eligibility: Minimum 50% aggregate score in PCB subjects and qualifying NEET score
- Recognitions and Accreditations: NMC (MCI), ECFMG, FAIMER, WDOMS
- IELTS/TOFEL: Not required
- Medium of teaching: English
- Average MD/MBBS fees: INR 30 Lakhs- 60 Lakhs
- Admission intake: January, May & September
