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How to Get Scholarship for MBBS Abroad (Step-by-Step Guide 2026)

SR
Samrat Ray • 11 Mins read • 23 May 26
How to Get Scholarship for MBBS AbroadHow to Get Scholarship for MBBS Abroad

A Scholarship for MBBS Abroad can help Indian students significantly reduce their study costs and can offer up to 100% tuition fee waivers. The major types of scholarships for Indian medical aspirants going for MBBS abroad include government scholarships, university-specific scholarships, and private scholarships, etc. In many countries, such as Russia and Hungary, the government offers scholarships to Indian students for studying MBBS abroad. For instance, the Hungarian government offers the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship to meritorious candidates. The Indian government also offers scholarships, such as the National Overseas Scholarship, for meritorious Indian students with financial needs. 

Prominent universities like the University of Cambridge, Tbilisi State Medical University, and King’s College London have their own scholarships for Indian students to study MBBS abroad. Indian private scholarships, such as the Tata scholarship for MBBS abroad and the KC Mahindra scholarships, are also available to Indian students based on merit or financial needs. 

Here, we will look at the abroad scholarships for MBBS, along with their eligibility criteria, benefits, and basic application steps. The details of the most prominent scholarships across each type or category are also given below. You can also read on for some useful tips to choose the best free scholarships for MBBS abroad


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Why Get a Scholarship for MBBS Abroad?

The following illustration shows the key reasons for you to look for scholarships for MBBS students to study abroad. 

Reasons to Choose Abroad MBBS scholarships  


Types of Scholarship for MBBS Abroad 2026

The following are the main types of scholarships for Indian students pursuing MBBS abroad, along with the details of their benefits. 

Scholarship Type

Details/Benefits

Government scholarship

May cover full or partial tuition, living allowance, and sometimes airfare, etc.

University tuition waiver

Reduces tuition by a fixed percentage, often around 10% to 25%, depending on academic merit and the institution.

Merit-based scholarship

Awarded for strong academic records, entrance scores, or high school results; usually covers part of tuition or first-year fees.

Need-based scholarship

Meant for students with financial need; may support tuition, hostel, or living costs, depending on the provider.

Country-specific scholarship

Offered by certain host countries to attract international medical students; benefits vary from tuition support to monthly stipends.

International student grant

One-time or recurring financial aid for foreign students; often partial and competitive.

University/alumni discount

Smaller fee reductions or special grants given by medical schools to selected overseas students.


Top Scholarships for MBBS Abroad 2026

The top scholarship options for MBSB abroad vary with each category of scholarships. Go through the sections given below to check the best options under each scholarship type to support your MBBS studies abroad. 


Top Government Scholarships for MBBS Abroad 2026

The prominent government scholarships abroad for Indian students are provided in the table below. 

Scholarship

Eligibility

Benefits

Russian Government Scholarship

Strong academic record; admission to a participating Russian university; usually open to international students 

Free or subsidised tuition, hostel/accommodation support, and a monthly maintenance allowance 

Chinese Government Scholarship

Good academic performance; admission letter from a Chinese medical university; international student eligibility rules apply 

Tuition waiver, accommodation, insurance, and stipend in many cases 

Hungarian Stipendium Hungaricum

International applicants with academic merit, country/partner eligibility, and university admission are required.

Full or partial tuition coverage, dormitory or housing support, health insurance, and a monthly stipend 

Italian Government Scholarship

Merit-based; admission to an Italian university; income and academic criteria may apply 

Tuition support, living allowance, and possible fee waiver 

Erasmus Mundus/EU-linked grants

Strong academics; admission to an eligible program; international competition 

Tuition assistance, travel support, and living stipend in selected programs 


Top University Scholarships for MBBS Abroad 2026

The following scholarships for abroad MBBS studies are available to Indian students from various prominent universities across popular destinations. 

Scholarship

Eligibility

Benefits

Brunel Medical School International Scholarship

Strong academic record; admission to Brunel Medical School.

Partial tuition fee waiver for international students. 

University of Cambridge medicine support

Eligible medical students under university funding rules.

Bursary or financial support for study costs. 

King’s College London medicine funding

Merit-based or need-based, depending on the scheme.

Tuition support or bursary assistance. 

University of Oxford medical funding

Qualified medical applicants meeting scholarship criteria. 

Partial support toward tuition or living expenses. 

University of Debrecen scholarship

International students with good academic performance.

Tuition reduction or stipend-based support. 

Semmelweis University scholarship

Merit-based international applicants.

Tuition waiver or fee reduction, sometimes with living support.


Also Read: Top US Universities offering Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students


Top Merit-Based Scholarships for MBBS Abroad 2026

The following table shows the major merit-based scholarships for Indian MBBS students abroad, along with their eligibility criteria and benefits. 

Scholarship

Eligibility

Benefits

Brunel Medical School Scholarship

Strong academic profile; admission to Brunel Medical School 

Partial tuition fee waiver 

AMC Amsterdam Merit Scholarship

Non-EU medical students with high academic merit 

Tuition support for selected students 

University of Central Lancashire Merit Scholarship

International students with excellent grades 

Partial tuition reduction 

Tbilisi State Medical University Merit Scholarship

Good academic record and admission offer 

Tuition discount or fee support 

Anhui Medical University CSC Scholarship

Strong academic merit and scholarship eligibility under CSC rules 

Tuition, accommodation, and stipend support 

Harvard Medical School Scholarship

Outstanding academic and financial profile 

Major need-based and merit-linked funding support 


Top Indian Government Scholarships for MBBS Abroad 2026

Below are the major scholarships for studying MBBS abroad offered by the Indian government to Indian students. 

Scholarship

Eligibility

Benefits

National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)

For eligible low-income meritorious candidates from SC and certain disadvantaged categories, admission abroad is required.

Coverage of tuition, maintenance allowance, and other approved expenses through Indian Missions abroad.

Fulbright–Nehru Scholarship

Indian students with strong academics generally pursue graduate-level study in the US.

Usually covers tuition, living costs, travel, and insurance for selected scholars.


Top Indian Private Scholarships for MBBS Abroad 2026

The scholarships available from the Indian private organisation are shown in the table below. 

Scholarship

Eligibility

Benefits

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship

High-achieving Indian students with admission to a top foreign university. 

Major funding for tuition and living costs; highly competitive. 

S.N. Bose Scholarship/private fellowship routes

Strong academic profile, usually for advanced study; limited relevance for MBBS. 

Partial or full financial support in select cases. 

J.N. Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship

Indian students are admitted to reputed overseas institutions. 

Loan-scholarship support helps cover tuition and living expenses. 

KC Mahindra Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies Abroad

Meritorious Indian students for foreign study. 

Interest-free loan scholarship for selected candidates. 

Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship

Strong academic record and admission abroad. 

Interest-free loan scholarship toward study costs. 

Reliance Foundation scholarship support

Merit and need-based, for eligible Indian students.

Partial funding or assistance, depending on the scheme.


Steps to Get a Scholarship for MBBS Abroad 2026

The following are the key steps for Indian students to get scholarships for pursuing MBBS abroad

Step

Details 

Step 1

Shortlist countries, universities, and scholarship types.

Step 2

Check eligibility rules like NEET score, grades, income, and language test requirements.

Step 3

Prepare documents: mark sheets, passport, NEET scorecard, income proof, SOP, and recommendation letters.

Step 4

Apply early to the university and the scholarship separately, if required.

Step 5

Write a strong scholarship essay or personal statement.

Step 6

Submit all forms before the deadline and track application status.

Step 7

Attend an interview or additional assessment, if the scholarship requires one.

Step 8

After selection, confirm admission, visa, and fee payment formalities.


Tips to Choose the Best Scholarships for MBBS Abroad 2026

Here are some important tips to help you choose the best scholarships for pursuing MBBS abroad:

  • Choose based on your profile: You can find merit, need-based, or country-specific scholarships. Make sure to choose the one that you need the most based on your profile. 
  • Check renewal rules: Some scholarships require you to keep a certain GPA to continue throughout the course duration. Hence, you must check for such requirements beforehand.
  • Check the coverage: Always choose the scholarship covering the biggest cost: tuition, hostel, stipend, etc.
  • Compare the available options in-depth: You must always compare the total package instead of just the scholarship name.
  • Early application: Scholarship deadlines are often earlier than admission deadlines, and you must submit the scholarship application accordingly.
  • Prepare all the required documents: make sure to keep the documents ready in advance of the scholarship application. This will include marksheets, passport, NEET scorecard, SOP, income proof, etc., depending on the scholarship type.
  • Apply selectively: Make sure to avoid too many low-value applications, and focus on the most realistic options instead.
  • Look for easy application processes: Especially if the time is short, you must pick scholarships with very simple application steps.


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Also Check:

Country-specific scholarships for MBBS abroad

MBBS Scholarship in Russia

MBBS Scholarships in Georgia

MBBS Scholarship in UK

MBBS Scholarship in Kyrgyzstan

MBBS Scholarship in Philippines

MBBS Scholarship in USA

MBBS Scholarship in New Zealand

MBBS in Kazakhstan scholarships


Scholarship for MBBS Abroad: FAQs


Ques: Can I get a 100% scholarship for MBBS abroad?

Ans: 100% scholarships are not commonly available for Indian medical aspirants. However, you can get 100% scholarships to support your overseas medical studies in some cases. For that, you can consider government scholarships, institutional scholarships, and various other external scholarships. The availability of 100% scholarships usually varies with each destination for studying MBBS abroad. Hence, you must go through the scholarship options available in various destinations to find the country that can offer you the highest level of financial assistance. 


Ques: What are the eligibility criteria for scholarships for MBBS abroad?

Ans: The eligibility for the scholarship programs available for studying MBBS abroad varies with the type of scholarship. For merit scholarships, you just demonstrate an excellent academic record or entrance exam performance. On the other hand, need-based scholarships focus on the financial situation of candidates. Hence, you must provide the required documents to get these scholarships, regardless of the type. Make sure to check the specific eligibility requirements on the official website of the selected scholarship 


Ques: Where can I apply for scholarships for MBBS abroad?

Ans: You must apply for the abroad MBBS scholarships available to Indian students through their respective official websites. The government scholarships in various countries available to Indian students usually have online application portals. For university-specific scholarships, you must apply for the university’s scholarship application portal. The specific application steps and eligibility criteria are also usually mentioned on the official websites of scholarships for MBBS abroad. 


Ques: Which are the top scholarships for MBBS abroad for Indian students?

Ans: The following are some of the top scholarships for Indian students who want to study MBBS abroad:

  • Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)
  • Russian government scholarships (up to 100% tuition fee waivers)
  • Global Korea Scholarship (South Korea)
  • Tbilisi State Medical University Scholarship (Georgia)


Ques: Is an IELTS/TOEFL score required for applying to scholarships for MBBS abroad?

Ans: Yes, many of the MBBS abroad scholarships available to Indian students require IELTS or TOEFL scores to demonstrate English proficiency. Moreover, English proficiency tests are also crucial for admission to an English-taught MBBS course in abroad medical universities.  Hence, you must provide the required English proficiency proof for applying to MBBS scholarships abroad. The specific marks required will vary with the scholarship scheme and the eligibility criteria. 


Ques: What is the 10+2 score required to get a scholarship for MBBS abroad?

Ans: You are usually required to maintain a 10+2 score of at least 80% to 90% to be eligible for the MBBS scholarships available abroad. Especially in the case of merit-based scholarships, the 10+2 score is a crucial eligibility requirement for scholarships. On the other hand, need-based scholarships must be more focused on the financial needs of the candidates than their academic performance. The specific 10+2 score requirement may vary with each institution or scholarship scheme. 


Ques: Are the scholarships for MBBS abroad valid throughout the course?

Ans: The validity or the period for which you receive the benefits varies with each scholarship. Hence, you must check the validity of the scholarship you want to apply for. Many of the scholarships available for MBBS abroad, such as the Global Korea Scholarship, provide financial support throughout the course duration. On the other hand, some of them might offer you a one-time amount. Moreover, scholarships such as the Brunel Medical School International Scholarship require renewals by meeting academic performance metrics. 


Ques: Is there any scholarship exam for MBBS abroad?

Ans: There are usually no separate scholarship exams for studying MBBS. Instead, you must maintain an excellent performance in the qualifying or entrance exam to be eligible for MBBS abroad scholarships. For instance, you can be eligible for scholarships based on your score in NEET, AIMSET, MCAT, SAT, IMAT, etc. The specific exams required will depend on the destination you choose for studying MBBS. Since entrance exam scores can be crucial for many scholarships, you must make sure to fulfil the requirements in this regard. 


Ques: Which are the best countries for MBBS studies with scholarships?

Ans: The following are some of the best countries for Indian students to study MBBS with scholarships:

  • Hungary: Full or partial tuition fee coverage through scholarships. 
  • Russia: Accessible government scholarships for Indian students. 
  • UK: Partial to full tuition fee coverage, with living allowances in some cases. 
  • Germany: Up to 100% scholarship, along with very low tuition fees. 
  • Kazakhstan: A wide range of government scholarships offering full or partial tuition fee coverage. 
  • China: Scholarships offering up to full tuition fees, accommodation charges, and monthly living stipends.  


Ques: Can I study MBBS abroad for free?

Ans: While the options for studying MBBS abroad for free are rare, it is not impossible. You can find up to 100% scholarships across different countries like Russia, China, Germany, etc. To find the options to study MBBS abroad for free, you must properly research the available scholarship options in different destinations and check the details of their benefits. In many destinations, such as China, you can find scholarships offering stipends to support your living costs.