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

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Cyril Zachariah
Updated on Jun 14, 2023 01:51 PM IST

Candidates aspiring to pursue MBBS but are unable to get a seat in a government medical college in India can look for an alternative - MBBS Abroad. Here is a guide that clears it all up for you with benefits and future possibilities available on applying for MBBS abroad.

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

Why study MBBS abroad? Despite the fierce rivalry in the NEET exam, India is a country where pursuing a medical degree seems particularly captivating, and this propensity is growing with every passing year. In 2021, 16.8 lakh aspirants were motivated by the desire to become doctors to enrol in a private or government medical school in India. Unfortunately, India only has 83,000 medical seats available across all categories.

Approximately 16 lakh students in India miss out on admission due to the enormous disparity between the number of applicants and the available seats. Some NEET-qualified medical aspirants, though, are unwilling to squander another year in pursuit of another way to pursue a career in MBBS at Indian universities. Applicants who have given up hope now have a second chance to succeed as they can study MBBS abroad along with an affordable high-quality education.

The opportunity for Indian students to pursue an MBBS overseas has been steadily expanding for more than 20 years attributable to the large number of candidates who want to study medicine at a reasonable cost without compromising the quality of education. The MBBS degree is offered in multiple countries in a manner that is similar to or identical to that of the Indian education system. In this article, we will discuss why Indian students should study MBBS abroad,  its eligibility criteria, tuition fees, list of top foreign MBBS colleges, and more!

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Reasons to Pursue MBBS Abroad

Tough competition due to fewer seats in medical colleges in India compels students to quit their dream of pursuing an MBBS in the country. However, MBBS from a medical college abroad is a ray of hope for students to fulfil 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 are quite high. At this cost of study, students can complete their medical studies at a medical college abroad. In some foreign medical colleges, the cost is even less than in 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 for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to get a medical licence including medical practice in India.

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 abroad is considered based on the NEET entrance test which is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in India. Those who qualify for 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 on 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

Let us have a quick comparison between MBBS in India and MBBS Abroad.

Parameter

MBBS in India

MBBS Abroad

Eligibility Criteria

 

12th from a recognised board with Biology, Physics, and Chemistry as the mandatory subjects.

The minimum percentage in Class 12th PCM should be 50%.

The Minimum age of the candidate should be 17 years to appear in NEET-UG.

12th from a recognised board with Biology, Physics, and Chemistry as the mandatory subjects.

The minimum percentage in Class 12th PCM should be 50%.

The minimum age of the candidate should be 17 and the maximum age should be 25 years to appear in NEET-UG.

Entrance Examination

NEET UG

NEET UG

Language Test*

Duration

5.5 Years;

Academics 4.5 years;

Internship: One year

5/ 5.5/ 6 years (internship inclusive)

Varies country-wise

Fees in Private College (in INR)

20 to 80 lakhs

15 to 60 lakhs

Things to Remember Before Applying for MBBS Abroad

While planning to study MBBS abroad, there are a 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 the NEET requirement is mandatory for 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 country's climatic condition, diversity of students, culture, lifestyle, and 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 plans 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.

List of MBBS Colleges Abroad for Indian Students

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

Country

University Name

Duration (in Years)

Annual Tuition Fees (in INR)

Russia

Altai State Medical University

5.8

3,50,000

Russia

Ulyanovsk State Medical University

6

3,08,000

Ukraine

Uzhhorod National University

6

2,66,000

Ukraine

Ternopil State Medical University

6

2,66,000

Ukraine

Vinnytsia National Medical University

6

3,50,000

Ukraine

Bogomolets national medical university

6

3,85,000

Philippines

AMA University School of Medicine

6

4,44,000

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan State Medical Academy

5

2,45,000

Kyrgyzstan

Asian Medical institute

4.8 +1 (internship)

3,92,000

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz Russian Slavic University

6

4,55,000

Kazakhstan

Kazakh National Medical University

5

4,20,000

Kazakhstan

Semey State Medical University

5

3,85,000

Kazakhstan

Karaganda State Medical University

5

2,32,500

Tuition Fees for MBBS Abroad

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

Country

Average Annual Tuition Fees (in INR)

Russia

2.80 to 3.20 lakh

Ukraine

3.50 to 4.20 lakh

Philippines

2.50 to 3.00 lakh

Kyrgyzstan

2.50 to 3.00 lakh

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 for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam.

Is Studying MBBS Abroad Worth It?

If you are capable enough to get a seat in a 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, the 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 doubts, write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com for queries related to MBBS admissions in a foreign university.

Still Confused Why Study MBBS Abroad at Top Medical School?

FAQs

Which countries are the best to study MBBS for Indian students?

A list of countries which are the best to study MBBS for Indian students includes Germany, Nepal, Ukraine, China, Philippines, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, and more. Several other nations require Indian students to take a compulsory local exam to be admitted into the MBBS programme, including the United States, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, France, Australia, and New Zealand.

Is studying MBBS worth it in abroad or India?

It can be said that studying for an MBBS is worth it abroad as compared to India. When contrasted with studying the same academics in India, an MBBS abroad is more valuable for numerous reasons. All of the MBBS schools outside of India are QS-ranked, have reasonable tuition fees, provide more medical seats, modern medical facilities access, offer comparatively superior medical education, and so on However, to practice medicine in India, students will need to clear the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to obtain a legitimate license.

Is pursuing MBBS abroad considered a good option for Indian students?

Definitely! Pursuing MBBS abroad is considered a good option for Indian students owing to their own perks. The primary reason why Indian students are considering studying MBBS abroad is to acquire high-quality education at the most reasonable cost possible. Further, a top medical university abroad offers scholarships, job opportunities, a world-class education, and a diverse cultural experience.

What is the advantage of studying MBBS abroad for Indian students?

There are a lot of advantages of studying MBBS abroad for Indian students, but the main benefit students consider is a higher ROI and international opportunities when compared to that of other Indian doctors. Graduates are permitted to practise medicine internationally once their training is complete. With time, they can increase their ROI while earning a lot of money. In comparison, an elite private college in India and an MBBS abroad are both similarly inexpensive if you add the cost of living to the latter one.

Can I study MBBS abroad without qualifying for the NEET exam?

Yes, it can be said that you can study MBBS abroad without qualifying for the NEET exam, however, such scholars may not be eligible to practice medicine in India, at least. For students wishing to study medicine abroad, the Indian government has made the NEET exam compulsory starting in 2023.

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