Study MBBS Abroad: Scope of MBBS in Abroad for Indian Students
Study MBBS Abroad Scope of MBBS in Abroad for Indian StudentsEvery year, over 20 lakh students appear in the NEET examination, and the competition is intense, with a limited 112,112 medical seats available in India as of 2025. MBBS abroad for Indian students has become a good alternative for the MBBS degree, with over 25,000 students opting for MBBS abroad each year.
Is it worth to do MBBS from abroad? Yes, because it focuses on practical learning, unlike India, which focuses on theoretical learning during the initial years of the medical degree.
The MBBS abroad syllabus is divided into three phases: pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical, Students will focus on basic sciences during the first two years, building the pre-clinical foundation in the second and third year, and finally, in the last few years, MBBS students abroad will be placed in the clinical rotations.
Some of the best countries to study MBBS include Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Georgia, China, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Philippines, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine, with fees ranging in between Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 48 lakh for the full duration of the medical course, depending on the country.
In this blog, we will discuss the reasons for studying abroad, the best country to study MBBS, the best medical universities abroad, the pros and cons of studying MBBS abroad, students’ life abroad, NMC guidelines for MBBS abroad, Academic & Medical studies, visa process, and career options.
Reasons to study MBBS Abroad
Students pursuing MBBS abroad are set to get a diverse medical practice exposure with international programs that normally focus on hands-on experience. You can read more about why study MBBS abroad below.
- Quality education: Almost all the NMC-approved medical colleges provide quality education with advanced technologies and modern facilities.
- Cultural exposure: Students pursuing MBBS abroad are bound to meet new people from different cultures, which helps develop the adaptability skill.
- Recognition and accreditation: A number of foreign universities are recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) require Indian students to pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination to practice medicine in India.
- Tuition Fee: A lot of universities abroad provide a quality education to Indian students with affordable tuition fees.
- Benefits: Indian students graduating from abroad normally find securing an internship, residency, and job relatively easy with their globally recognized MBBS degree.
Nowadays, the demand for medical education abroad is increasing not only for fees but also for the quality of education provided by universities. The students pursue their medical career dreams by studying MBBS abroad. The countries like Ukraine, Russia, Germany, Poland, Ireland, etc. are the most sought countries by Indian students to study the MBBS course.
Top Countries for MBBS Abroad
Students pursuing MBBS in abroad are required to know the best country to study MBBS. In the table below, you can read about the best countries for MBBS, with the course duration and total cost of the course.
Country | Duration | Total Cost |
6 years | ₹12 - ₹48 Lakhs | |
5 years | ₹12 - ₹48 Lakhs | |
6 years | ₹12 - ₹24 Lakhs | |
6 years | ₹18 - ₹36 Lakhs | |
6 years | ₹12 - ₹36 Lakhs | |
6 years | ₹12 - ₹30 Lakhs | |
6 years | ₹24 - ₹38 Lakhs |
(Disclaimer: Ukraine MBBS universities are of the top-quality, but due to the current Russia and Ukraine conflict, it is advised to avoid Ukraine MBBS universities.)
Read More :Top 10 Countries to Study Abroad
What is the FMGE Exam
The FMGE exam (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) is conducted by the NBEMS (National Board of Medical Examination). Students who have completed their MBBS degree from abroad are required to pass this exam in order to practice medicine in India. Below, you can read the key highlights regarding the FMGE Exam.
Particulars | Details |
Registration fee | ₹6,195 |
Type | Licensing Examination |
Frequency | Two times per year |
Examination duration | 150 minutes for Part A and Part B |
Total Marks | 300 |
Total Questions | 300 |
The exam is required by all overseas Indian students who have obtained the MBBS degree. Please read below to find the eligibility criteria for the exam.
Eligibility Criteria
Indian students who have completed their MBBS degree from abroad are required to give the FMGE exam to practice medicine in India, and the FMGE eligibility criteria are given below
- Students are required to be Indian citizens or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders.
- Students must have an MBBS degree, which is equivalent to an MBBS degree from the country.
- Before appearing in the exam, make sure you have completed your MBBS degree.
FMGE Country-Wise Pass Rate
The 2024 country-wise pass rates are now available, and students who want to practice medicine in India must understand the pass rate for the test. Historically, the pass rate has been low, ranging between 10% to 20%, but during the December 2024 session, the pass rate increased to 29.19%. Please refer to the table below to check the FMGE country-wise pass rate.
Country | College | Pass Rate |
Georgia | 80.33% | |
63.29% | ||
60.39% | ||
46.88% | ||
Russia | 54.80% | |
48.28% | ||
43.40% | ||
42.91% | ||
Kazakhstan | 51.08% | |
Manash Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University | 46.84 | |
NJSC Astana Medical University | 35.90% | |
Phillippines | 51.72% | |
19.58% | ||
28.57% | ||
56.25% | ||
China | 50.00% | |
Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine | 34.62% | |
College of Basic Medical Sciences of Jilin University | 40.74% | |
Fujian Medical University | 39,39% | |
Uzbekistan | 47.83% | |
100% | ||
Urgench Branch of Tashkent Medical Academy | 32.41% | |
38.10% | ||
Ukraine | 42.73% | |
Anylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University | 48.54% | |
Donetsk National Medical University Faculty of General Medicine | 45.83% | |
Vinnitsa National Pirogov Memorial Medical University | 48.77% | |
Kyrgyzstan | I.K. Akhunbaev Kyrgyz State Medical Academy | 31.56% |
39.66% | ||
26.61% | ||
S. Tentishev Asian Medical Institute | 26.27% |
About Overseas Medical Universities
NMC (National Medical Commission) and WHO (World Health Organization) have provided a list of their approved best medical universities abroad. Indian students can get multiple benefits like a globally recognized degree, quality education, and affordable tuition fees. Below, you can check the NMC and WHO-approved medical universities.
- Georgian American University
- Crimean Federal University
- Al Farabi Kazakh National University
- Angeles University Foundation
- Binzhou Medical University
- Bukhara State Medical Institute
- Vinnitsa National Pirogov Memorial Medical University
- Kyrgyz Russian Slavic University
Pros of studying MBBS Abroad
Studying MBBS abroad for Indian students comes with a number of advantages, like high-quality education, modern facilities, and cultural diversity.. You can read more about the advantages below.
- No capitation & donation fees
- Low Living expenditure
- NMC-approved medical universities
- Affordable education
- Globally Recognized Degree
Cons of Studying MBBS Abroad
While there are a good number of advantages for MBBS abroad for Indian students, there are some disadvantages of studying MBBS abroad. You can read the disadvantages below.
- Language barrier
- Cultural difference
- Degree recognition in India
- The FMGE test is required for practicing medicine in India
- High cost of living
- Limited job opportunities in non-English speaking countries
The medical universities abroad have a well-modified academic curriculum that includes research work and practical training. The duration of the course is 6 years, including a 1-year rotary internship.
Student’s Life Abroad
Students choosing to go abroad for their MBBS degree must understand all the required changes they might face in their day-to-day life. Below, you can read the easy-to-understand breakdown of a student’s life abroad.
Particulars | Details |
Academic Environment | Students will be given regular exams, practical assignments, and research projects |
Students will be provided with early clinical exposure in the medical university’s affiliated hospital. | |
Living Arrangements | Students will be provided with on-campus hostels, or they can choose to rent apartments near their university. |
Cultural Exposure | Students will be exposed to new cultures in their universities and might face language barriers in their conversations. |
Routine | Students will have to follow a structured schedule during their college hours. |
Well-being | Students will be provided with on-campus clinics and affordable health care. A mental health support system is provided in some countries. |
Scholarships | Students can often apply for a university’s merit-based scholarships, and Indian banks also provide education loans for MBBS abroad. |
NMC Guidelines for MBBS Abroad
NMC has provided specific guidelines for Indian students who want to practice medicine in India to ensure their MBBS degrees. Some of the key requirements are a 4.5-year course duration with a 1-year internship at the same institution.
These guidelines are set to ensure that the education provided to Indian students abroad is comprehensive and standardized medical education that aligns with the requirements for practicing medicine in India.
You can read more about the NMC guidelines for MBBS abroad below.
Particulars | Details |
Qualification | Students should have an MBBS degree from abroad from a recognized medical university where it is located |
NMC Eligibility | Students have to obtain an eligibility certificate from NMC before joining an MBBS university abroad as per the 2002 regulation. |
NEET | Students have to qualify the NEET exam before applying for MBBS abroad, and the NEET results are valid for 3 years from the date of declaration. |
FMGE | Students who want a provisional or permanent registration don’t have to qualify for the screening test if they hold a UG MBBS degree from Australia/Canada/the U.K./U.S.A. |
So, these are the NMC guidelines that every medical aspirant needs to follow. Now, let us move to the Academics taught abroad.
Student Visa Requirements
Students applying for MBBS abroad must have all the mandatory documents, including financial proof, medical certificates, a passport, an admission letter, and a passport-size photograph, for a smooth process for obtaining a student visa. Below you can find more details regarding the steps for applying for a student visa.
Particulars | Details |
Medical Certificate | Students are required to submit a medical fitness certificate from a certified medical practitioner. |
Financial Proof | Students are required to submit a bank statement or any other financial document to show they are capable of handling their expenses abroad |
Passport | Students require a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months' validity remaining after their stay. |
Admission Letter | Students have to show their admission letter from their selected MBBS abroad university. |
Passport-sized Photograph | Students have to submit a recent passport-size photograph as per the visa requirement. |
Conclusion
MBBS abroad has become a good alternative for Indian Students because of the higher competition with over 20 lakhs students appearing in the NEET exam 2025. Students opting to MBBS abroad get several benefits like high-quality education, affordable fees, and cultural diversity. While private medical colleges are an option, the fee is too high, because of which many Indian students opt for MBBS abroad in countries like Uzbekistan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan etc. Indian students who want to practice medicine in India have to pass the FMGE exam and NExt under the NMC guidelines.
- Is it worth doing MBBS from abroad?
Yes, it is worth doing MBBS from abroad because of the international career opportunities, low tuition fees, and the potential chance of practicing in the same country.
- Is it good to study MBBS abroad?
Yes, for Indian students, it is good to study MBBS abroad because of the benefits such as higher seat availability in medical colleges, an overall lower fee in comparison to India, and the cultural diversity available in MBBS colleges abroad.
- Is MBBS abroad better than in India?
Studying MBBS abroad can be better than in India for Indian students because of the less entrance exams, more MBBS seats availability, and international exposure to cultural diversity.
- Is NEET required for MBBS abroad?
Yes, NEET is required for MBBS abroad because, according to NMC, this requirement is a prerequisite for eligibility to apply to medical universities outside India.
- Which country is best for MBBS?
Some of the best countries for MBBS are: Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Georgia, Poland, Germany, China, Nepal, the USA, and U.K.