MBBS in UK For Indian Students 2025: Universities, Admission Process, Fees, Scholarships & Career Scope

The UK has become one of the major destinations that students wish to study when pursuing a medical degree because it has internationally acclaimed universities, a well developed healthcare system, and a history of study in the medical field. The QS World University Rankings 2024 has predicted the five UK universities- University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, King s College London, and University College London (UCL) to be in the top 20 universities globally to study medicine. UK medical system is well known to offer high quality medical professionals who make significant contributions to the international health care.
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) course in the United Kingdom is an intensive course, which follows theory and practical medical training. International students also form a massive proportion of the medical student population and it has been revealed that there are now over 22,000 international students within the UK medical schools, through Universities UK International. The UK appeals to these students because of the abundance of academic tradition, invention research, and healthcare variety.
MBBS in UK Details/Highlights
MBBS in UK is the most demanded medical course all over the world, having the highest education standards, intensive curriculum and exposure to clinical work. The table below provides a tabular summary of the most important facts when it comes to learning about MBBS in UK as an international student:
Details | Information |
Duration | 5 to 6 years |
Top Universities | University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, King's College London, University of Edinburgh |
Average Cost | £20,000 to £50,000 per year depending on the university |
Intake Seasons | September/October |
MBBS in UK Important Dates and Events
Event | Details |
Application Start Date | September (for most UK universities) |
Application End Date | Mid-October (for most UK universities) |
UCAT/BMAT Registration Deadline | July-August (depending on the university) |
UCAT/BMAT Test Date | Typically August-October |
Interviews for MBBS Courses | November to March (depending on the university) |
Offer Letter Sent | January to March (after interviews) |
Visa Application Timeline | Apply for a student visa (Tier 4) 3 to 4 months before course start date |
Course Start Date | September/October |
Scholarship Application Deadline | December to January (varies by university and scholarship) |
Enrollment and Registration | August to September (depending on the university) |
Visa Application Timeline
Event | Details |
Receive Offer Letter | 3 to 4 months before course start date. |
Visa Application Start Date | 3 to 4 months before course start date. |
Submit Visa Application | Apply online with required documents (offer letter, finances, etc.). |
Biometric Appointment | Book and attend within a week after submission. |
Visa Processing Time | Typically 3 weeks. |
Visa Approval | Once approved, receive your visa for entry. |
Visa Collection | Collect from visa center or receive by post. |
Scholarship Deadline 2025
International students who are seeking scholarships to study MBBS in UK should know about deadlines.
Scholarship | Deadline | Details |
Chevening Scholarship | 7 October 2025 | Fully funded master's program; apply to three UK universities by 11 July 2025. |
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships | 12 December 2024 | Joint initiative for students from developing Commonwealth countries. |
GREAT Scholarships (University of Manchester) | 24 April 2025 | For students from select countries; requires an offer from the university. |
Hull York International Medical College Scholarship | 31 May 2025 | £2,400 award for international MBBS students; based on household income. |
Faculty of Medicine Scholarship (Imperial College London) | 31 March 2025 | £10,000 award for international graduate students in medicine. |
Rhodes Scholarship | June 2025 | Prestigious scholarship for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. |
John Abernethy (Barts) Scholarships | 31 March 2025 | £5,000 per year for MBBS/BDS students at Queen Mary University of London. |
King’s College London Scholarship | 2 March 2025 | £4,000 award for international students in life sciences programs. |
Global Health Future Leaders Scholarship | 5 March 2025 | Fully funded scholarship for postgraduate medical courses at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. |
Reach Oxford Scholarship | 12 February 2025 | For undergraduate students from low-income backgrounds; covers tuition and living costs. |
MBBS in UK Fees
Studying MBBS in the UK is quite expensive depending on the university you are attending and averagely international students can expect to pay between 20,000 to 50,000 pounds a year as fees. Besides tuition fee, you also need to consider the cost of living, especially in the cities such as London.
Expense Type | Amount |
Tuition Fees | £20,000 to £50,000 per year |
Living Costs | £12,000 to £15,000 per year |
Financial Aid Opportunities | Scholarships, Government Funding, University Scholarships |
Read More :Cost Of Study MBBS in UK 2025
Why Choose a MBBS in UK?
- Recognized Medical Degrees: The programs of MBBS in UK are recognized worldwide and the graduates are able to work in other nations in the US, Canada, Australia and in Europe.
- Duration of Course: The regular MBBS course in UK lasts a period of 5 to 6 years as compared to the US where it lasts 7-8 years with a graduate degree.
- Tuition Fees: As compared to any other private medical college in other countries like the United States or Australia, it is considered affordable to pay an amount of approximately 20,000 to 50,000 pounds per year by each student to receive the privileges of an international MBBS in the UK.
- NHS Training: The National Health Service (NHS) of the UK is one of the largest publicly funded healthcare systems in the whole world, and provides clinical training to UK students, receiving a budget of approximately 200 billion pounds yearly (2023).
- Postgraduate Opportunities: The UK is home to some of the finest medical research centres in the world and these comprise the Francis Crick Institute in London, the Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford, and there is significant postgraduate scope in the surgical, neurological and oncology fields.
- The healthcare industry in the UK provides employment to a huge number of individuals and NHS is just one among numerous pharmaceutical companies that can provide an employment. The starting wages of junior doctors ranges between 28,000-32,000, with consultants earning an annual maximum of 100, 000.
- Population of International students: The UK has over 22,000 medical students located in different parts of the world, and this fosters a climate of academic and cultural diversity.
- Proficiency in English: MBBS in UK is taught in English and thus graduates are assured of achieving medical English which is a strong privilege of careers worldwide.
- Post-Graduation Work Visa: The international students who have graduated in the UK are offered a 2-year post-study work visa (Graduate Route) that will allow the MBBS students in India to get the experience required in the UK and finally move to the home country.
Also Read :
Other Popular Countries for Studying MBBS
MBBS in UK Qualification
Required Degrees, English Proficiency
International students who want to study MBBS in UK have to qualify a certain set of academic as well as English language requirements:
- Academic Requirements: India students should have reached 12th grade, with good grades in the subject of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Students with Mathematics may also be admitted to some universities.
- English Language Skills: You must be able to prove that you have command of the English language by translating documents online demonstrating English proficiency at an IELTS of 7.0 or higher. There is also a possibility that some universities will accept TOEFL or PTE.
MBBS in UK Eligibility Criteria Category-wise
Category | Eligibility Summary |
Freshers | High school with strong grades in Bio, Chem, Phys; IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL 90. |
Postgraduates | Bachelor’s in science/healthcare; IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL 90. |
Mature Students | Age 21+, relevant work experience; IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL 90; A-levels may be waived. |
International Students | Same academic criteria; valid English test; financial proof for fees & living costs. |
English Proficiency | IELTS 7.0 (no band <6.5) / TOEFL 90 (no section <22); PTE/Cambridge also accepted. |
MBBS in UK Application Process
The procedure to get admission to MBBS in UK is quite simple though it needs a lot of attention to detail:
- UCAS Application: The majority of Universities in the UK use the UCAS system in their applications.
- Entrance exams: There are some universities where an entrance exam is a requirement like the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) or BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test).
- Documents: Students are required to provide their academic records, personal statement and letters of recommendations.
SOP, LOR, and Resume
- Statement of Purpose (SOP): Though not very necessary, a well-written personal statement can make a difference to your application.
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR): A few universities might also require a letter of recommendation either by a teacher or a professional working in a medical background.
- Resume: You should not include it in the document, but any experience in healthcare can make your application even more successful.
University-Specific Admission Steps
- Interviews: There are universities which might require an interview as part of the admissions process like University of Oxford and University of Cambridge.
- Entry Tests: There are some academic institutions in the United Kingdom which ask candidates to take examinations like UCAT or BMAT.
Read More: How to Get Admission in MBBS in UK: Step-by-Step Guide
MBBS in UK Cutoff
GMAT Cutoffs of Top Location B-Schools/Universities/Colleges
In the case of postgraduate studies in UK, universities such as Imperial College London and University College London (UCL) can set GMAT cut off marks in specific business or healthcare management courses.
IELTS/TOEFL Score Cutoffs
- IELTS Cut off: The majority of the medical schools in the UK demand a score of 7.0 and above.
- TOEFL Cut off: The score requirement is usually 90-100.
MBBS Seats in UK
Seats in Public Universities
In UK, the international students have a small number of seats in public universities. There is a great competition in these seats, and hence one should apply early and have a good academic record.
Seats in Private Business Schools
In the UK there are more seats in the private medical institutions although they tend to be more expensive than the public universities.
MBBS in UK Syllabus
Core Courses
The core curriculum of MBBS in UK covers a range of topics including:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
Electives & Specializations
As students progress, they have the option to choose electives or specialize in areas such as:
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry
- Surgery
Best Universities/Colleges for MBBS in UK
Public Universities
Some of the best public universities for MBBS in UK include:
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
Private B-Schools
Private institutions offering MBBS in UK include:
- University of Buckingham
Global Rankings for Indian Applicants
Indian students are very competitive when it comes to medical school admissions in the UK, and in universities such as Oxford, and Cambridge, the number of Indian students in their medical courses is usually very high.
MBBS in UK vs MBBS in India
Criteria | MBBS in the UK | MBBS in India |
Duration | 5 to 6 years | 5.5 to 6 years |
Tuition Fees | £20,000 to £50,000 per year (for international students) | ₹10,00,000 to ₹25,00,000 per year (for private colleges) |
Eligibility | A-levels or equivalent, strong grades in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics | 12th grade with PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and NEET qualification |
Language of Instruction | English | English or Hindi (depends on the institution) |
Entrance Exams | UKCAT, BMAT (may vary by university) | NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) |
English Proficiency | IELTS (7.0) or TOEFL (90), unless native English speaker | No specific requirement for English proficiency |
Accreditation | Recognized globally, accredited by UK medical boards | Recognized in India and several countries, but some international recognition may vary |
Clinical Training | NHS hospitals, high-quality clinical exposure | Government hospitals and affiliated private hospitals |
Internship | 1 year of clinical internship after completing the course | 1 year compulsory internship |
Postgraduate Opportunities | Extensive options, highly competitive, globally recognized | Limited options; requires clearing competitive exams (e.g., NEET-PG) |
Cost of Living | £12,000 to £15,000 per year in major cities like London | ₹1,00,000 to ₹2,00,000 per year |
Job Opportunities | High salary potential, especially in the NHS and private sector | Government and private hospitals; limited initial salary |
Global Recognition | Highly respected worldwide, especially in Commonwealth countries | Recognized mainly in India and some countries like Nepal, UAE |
Scholarships | Available (e.g., Chevening, Commonwealth, University-specific) | Limited scholarships, most private institutions have fee waivers |
Work Permit | 2-year post-study work visa (Graduate Route) | No post-graduation work visa in India |
Career Scope After MBBS in UK
- NHS work as a Doctor
- Postgraduate Training Specialisation
- Consultant Positions
- Private health care sector
- Medical Research
- Education and College
- International Work
- Medical Administration and Management
- Medical Consulting
- Postgraduate Fellowships
Top Recruiters/Placement Companies
The following companies actively recruit MBBS graduates from the UK:
- NHS (National Health Service)
- Private Healthcare Providers
- Pharmaceutical Companies
MBBS in UK Salary Package
Average Salary in UK
MBBS doctors in UK have an average salary range of between 40,000-60,000 per year, depending on area of specialization.
Average Salary for Indian Students
The earning amongst Indian students in the UK is more or less the same, but those who have expertise and specialized skills can earn comparatively more salaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: How long is the MBBS in UK?
Ans: A MBBS in UK usually take 5 to 6 years of course depending on the program and university you have joined.
Ques: How much is the MBBS fees in the UK to foreign students?
Ans: International students pay MBBS fees in UK of between 38 000 to 52000 per annum.
Ques: Is it possible to apply to MBBS in UK without NEET?
Ans: Yes, it is possible to apply to MBBS in UK without NEET. Nonetheless, some universities might need different entrance tests such as UCAT or BMAT in the UK.
Ques: What is the process of applying to get MBBS in UK?
Ans: Apply by using the UCAS system, and send your academic records, and complete the required entrance exams such as UCAT or BMAT.