Why MBBS Abroad May Be a Good Option for Indian Students!

MBBS is one of the most sought after degrees in India.While there are 542 medical colleges in India recognised by NMC (National Medical Commission), this number is quite low if compared to the number of medical aspirants in the country. Also, there is an urgent need for more healthcare professionals in India given the recent COVID-19 crisis. The number of doctors in India per person is quite low, especially in rural areas. Reports say that the doctor-population ratio in India is 1:1456, which is clearly against the WHO recommendation of 1:1000.

If you are an aspiring MBBS candidate planning to switch careers or taking a gap year for further preparation of NEET, here is an alternative for you to study MBBS abroad.In the past few years, there has been a growth in the number of Indian students who choose to enrol in foreign universities offering MBBS. There are some good reasons why Indians prefer studying MBBS abroad to studying MBBS in India.

Countries like Russia,the Philippines, Ukraine, Kazakhstan are some of the famous destinations for Indian students to pursue MBBS. Let us now explore various reasons why you should study MBBS abroad.

Reasons to Pursue MBBS Abroad

Tough competition due to fewer seats in medical colleges in India compels students to quit their dream of pursuing MBBS in the country. However, MBBS from medical colleges abroad is a ray of hope for students to fulfill their aspirations. Students who are doubtful about doing MBBS from a foreign country can read further:

Infrastructure

Foreign medical colleges have a world-class infrastructure with all modern facilities. It has the latest medical equipment, medical laboratories and enough resources for research and experiments. The infrastructure of these medical institutes is better than that of most medical colleges in India. The labs, laboratories and research centres are well furnished with the latest equipment and resources that are crucial for the learning experience of any medical student.

Cost of Study

The fees of private medical colleges in India is quite high. At this cost of study, students can complete their medical studies from a medical college abroad. In some foreign medical colleges, the cost is even less than an Indian medical institute. Thus, many Indian students choose a medical college overseas over an Indian medical college.

NMC Approved

The degree received from a medical college abroad is approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Those who hold a medical degree from a foreign university can appear and qualify the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to get a medical licence including medical practice in India.

Also Read:Wish to Practice Medicine in India? NExT Likely to Replace FMGE in 2022

International Recognition

Students who complete medical studies from universities abroad get international recognition when they return to India. After completion of MBBS overseas, students get an opportunity to interact with students from different countries, communities and cultures. It eventually helps students to grow at a personal and professional level. International exposure makes an individual more sensitive towards people and they learn how to approach people from different corners of the world. Also, they learn how to be geographically stable and adaptable to any environment

No Separate Entrance Exam

Students who want to study MBBS abroad need not take a separate entrance exam for admission. Admission in abroad is considered based on the NEET entrance test which is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in India. Those who qualify the NEET UG entrance exam and score more than 50% marks in PCB and English in 10+2 are considered eligible for admission to medical institutes abroad.

Better Return of Investment (ROI)

As discussed earlier, the cost of studying MBBS in India and the cost of studying MBBS abroad is incomparable. After acquiring an MBBS degree, students can either return to their home country or practice in a foreign country. This results in higher income be it in the host country or in any foreign country, which in turn contributes to better ROI.

Personality Development

Studying abroad is a lifetime experience for an individual. Studying in a place with students and faculty from different backgrounds helps students build their overall personality. They learn new languages, exchange their ideas and gain more confidence. These soft skills are essential to make for sophisticated professionals like doctors. Students who have exposure to the outer world have a broader perspective towards the world and they learn to be responsible and independent. A few years spent abroad helps them emerge as a confident individual.

MBBS in India vs MBBS Abroad

Lets have a quick comparison between MBBS in India and MBBS Abroad.

Things to Remember Before Applying for MBBS Abroad

While planning to study MBBS abroad, there are few factors that a student must consider to avoid mistakes and regrets at a later stage. Points that must be considered have been listed below:

Choose the Medical College Wisely

Choosing the right college is the foremost and most important decision towards the next step of education. Things that you must consider while selecting the college are the infrastructure of the college, laboratory and equipment, university curriculum, college environment and college reviews.

Make sure the MBBS curriculum offered by the university gives enough exposure to clinical lab work and practical sessions. A bit of research work about the college is required before applying for admission.

Check Minimum Requirement

Every university sets certain minimum requirements which a student must fulfil to be accepted for admission. While NEET requirementismandatoryfor an Indian student, there are also some additional requirements which they must satisfy. This may include language requirements and personal interaction. Confirm all the requirements for admission in detail before applying to an MBBS college abroad.

Explore the Ideal Country to Study MBBS

Apart from the college, students must also explore the country where they are planning to go for their MBBS study. Details to be mindful of include the countrys climatic condition, diversity of students, culture, lifestyle, safety among others. All these factors are essential to help students get adapted to a new and alien environment.

Understand Visa Process

Once admission is confirmed at the university, the candidate will have to apply for a student visa to travel abroad. The candidate must make sure to understand the visa process for a specific country along with the other requirements that are essential to apply for a visa.

The candidate must also check the list of mandatory documents and keep them ready before applying for admission and the visa process.

Analyse Living Expenses

Apart from academic expenses, the cost of living also plays a significant role in education abroad. Before an individual plan to study abroad, he/she must also get a detailed analysis of the cost of living. It includes the accommodation cost, cost of food, travel expenses and miscellaneous expenses.

There are some foreign countries and colleges which offer scholarships to international students. Students can also check if there is any suitable scholarship available for them or not and apply for it. They can also apply for loans or check for private financial aid.

Also Read:Study Medicine Abroad and Practice in India - How?

List of MBBS Colleges Abroad for Indian Students

Following is the list of abroad medical colleges where an Indian student can apply for admission in MBBS course:

Tuition Fees for MBBS Abroad

The duration of MBBS course is 5 to 6 years. It varies country wise. Check year-wise fees for MBBS offered by universities in different countries:

Also Read:Top 6 Countries for Indian Students to Study MBBS Abroad at Low Cost

Eligibility Criteria to Pursue MBBS Abroad

Following are the academic qualifications required to pursue MBBS abroad

• The candidate must have passed Class 12th in PCB.

• The minimum percentage in the qualifying exam should be 50%.

• The candidate must qualify the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam.

Is Studying MBBS Abroad Worth It?

If you are capable enough to get a seat in government medical college then there is no point in going abroad to study MBBS. However, if you are seeking admission to a private medical college in India then you must consider MBBS from a foreign university, reasons for which have been mentioned above.

Countries like Germany, the Philippines, Russia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan offer affordable MBBS courses with an easy admissions process. Many of the abroad medical colleges are NMCrecognised colleges.

MBBS from abroad medical colleges will give you the flexibility to either return to your home country or practice in a foreign country. However, to get a licence to practice in India, you will have to clear the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) conducted by the National Board of Examination of India.

So, take the decision wisely based on financial expenditure and time constraints.

If you still have any doubt, write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com for queries related to MBBS admissions in a foreign university.

We are always ready to help you in manner comfortable to you. Consult our experts online or book an appointment at your nearest CollegeDekho centre. We will always be available for you while ensuring safety and precautions. Contact Us!