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

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Ayushi Shresth • 11 Mins read • 4 Aug 25
MBBS in United KingdomMBBS in United Kingdom

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?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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).
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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 New Zealand

MBBS in UAE

MBBS in Singapore

MBBS in Philippines


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.