Study MBBS in Russia: Top Universities, Fees, Admission Requirements

Russia is among the top study destinations for medical aspirants across the world, including India. In the 2019-20 academic year, the country hosted around 315,000 international students, according to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, among which a huge number of students from Asia, CIS countries, Africa and the Middle East pursued programmes in medicine and health care.

Russia is home to around 70 medical universities dedicated to training doctors in all areas of modern medicine, from general practice to radiology. Medical training in the country typically lasts six years, including the basic programme and several other stages for subsequent specialisation such as internship and clinical or targeted residency.

In this article, we highlight the top universities for MBBS in Russia along with other popular MBBS universities, career prospects post-MBBS from Russia, admission requirements and so on.

Study MBBS in Russia: Quick Facts

Given below is an overview of studying MBBS at medical universities in Russia:

Why Study MBBS in Russia

Not convinced that you should pursue MBBS in Russia? Here are a few reasons why you should study MBBS in Russia:

• Global Reputation and Recognition of MBBS: An MBBS degree completed from Russia is recognised and accepted worldwide including in India, as the degrees are offered by NMC- and WHO-approved universities. In addition, MBBS degrees obtained from a Russian university are recognised by other top international organisations such as the European Council, UNESCO, NMC and so on.
• High-Quality and Affordable Education: In comparison to medical universities in India, Europe or other countries, tuition fee for MBBS at Russian medical colleges is lower. It usually ranges from INR 4.5 lakhs to INR 8 lakhs per year, within which you will be exposed to high-quality education, an effective and blended curriculum as well as highly-experienced faculty. Moreover, Russia is well-known for the government scholarships it offers to international applicants.
• Easy Admission Procedure: Many Russian medical universities offer direct admissions with low admission requirements. You can get into top-ranked Russian medical universities without having to take the NEET and get through based on your academic performance in Grade 12 overall, and in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Russian universities also do not require clearing English language proficiency tests such as the IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
• Low Cost of Living: Living tuition fees in Russia, cost of living is also reasonable enough for international students unlike other countries. Living expenses can range between INR 14,000 to 22,000 per month, which again will depend on your lifestyle, location and type of accommodation and so on.
• World-Class Infrastructure: Facilities offered at Russian universities are said to be on par with that at US universities. From modern facilities in classrooms, to state-of-the-art equipment in laboratories and hospitals, scientific centres, students are provided with the latest technology to make their educational experience unique.
• NMC Training: One of the top benefits of studying MBBS in Russia is that Russian medical universities train you for the NMC (earlier MCI) screening test, mandatory for foreign medical graduates to practice in India.

Top MBBS Universities in Russia

Given below are the top universities in Russia for MBBS, according to QS World University Rankings 2021:

Popular MBBS Universities in Russia

Here are some of the other popular MBBS universities in Russia along with the tuition fees and duration of the course:

Admission Requirements for MBBS in Russia

Read through to find the admission process for studying MBBS in Russia including eligibility criteria, application process and documents required:

Eligibility Criteria for MBBS in Russia

• You should have qualified 10+2 or equivalent in the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English.

• You should have passed Grade 12 with no less than 50% marks in aggregate and 50% marks in PCB.

• You must have completed 17 years of age as of December 31 of the year of application.

Application Process for MBBS in Russia

• Get in touch with admissions consultants by simply registering with us. They will inform you all about the eligibility criteria, fee structure, suitable universities and the entire admission process in detail.

• Fill in the application form online on the official website for higher education in Russia for international students (studyinrussia.ru) and provide all the required documents.

• Pay the required application fee either through demand draft or online.

• Wait for the university to send you an acceptance letter, after which you will have to pay the required admission fee.

• Apply for a Russian student visa and arrange your finances.

Documents Required for MBBS in Russia

• Duly filled application form

• Academic transcripts or mark sheets (10th and 12th)

• NEET score report/admit card

• Passport size photographs

• Scanned copy of the passport

• Government identification

MBBS Scholarships in Russia for International Students

Every year, the government of Russia grants state-funded spots for international students, including those applying for MBBS. In 2021, 18,000 such spots were granted.

These government scholarships for international MBBS applicants in Russia include free tuition for the program, maintenance allowance and dormitory accommodation. Allocation of quotas is done by the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation through embassies of Russia abroad or its international network of offices.

To apply for government MBBS scholarships in Russia, you may visit the website of Study in Russia or contact a Russian embassy and submit the application with documents attached. Some medical universities in Russia may also offer their own scholarships to international applicants. Make sure to check them before applying.

Career Prospects after Studying MBBS in Russia

Apart from being an ideal destination for international students MBBS aspirants, Russia is also known to provide great career avenues after graduation. Even while pursuing the degree, you will be given ample opportunities to broaden your horizons, gain experience in the professional world of medicine, and build a network with industry leaders.

• Joining Hospitals in Russia: Upon graduation, you can easily find employment at Russian hospitals. In fact, working at a Russian hospital or private nursing home would be the best way to start your medical career. You may also try applying to government hospitals in the country.
• Practising Medicine in India: After graduating or completing the six-year MBBS degree, you would need to appear for the National Medical Commission (NMC) screening test, also known as the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE), conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), to be able to practice in India. Upon clearing the exam, you must attend a one-year mandatory internship in any Indian medical institution. The internship provides the required hands-on training to work as a doctor in India.
• Private Practice: MBBS graduates from Russia can also start their own medical chamber if they so wish. Here, you can work freely and serve patients, while also generating good income.
• Research or Post-graduation: Russian medical universities offer opportunities for students to conduct research or pursue higher education in the field. You may also join international research projects or work on a particular specialisation. With respect to higher education after MBBS, you may take up the MD program.
• Prepare for USMLE or PLAB: MBBS graduates from Russian medical universities can also practice in the US or the UK after clearing the exams of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and/or the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test respectively.

In case of further queries about studying MBBS or MBBS admissions in Russia, please reach out to us at abroad@collegedekho.com.