MBBS Abroad - Complete Guide

Requirements, Fees, Courses, Admission Process for Medical Colleges in Different Countries

Studying MBBS abroad is a dream of many. But most students are unable to get the right information about where they can apply and how. Institutions like Harvard University, University of Oxford, Stanford University, Karolinska University, etc. offer MBBS programs and intake students from all across the world. 

This page will give you all the information that you need about studying MBBS abroad. It is a simple and hassle-free process once you know the eligibility, requirements and all other details correctly. 

Many Indian students choose to study abroad and experience high-quality education services along with diversity in medical fields. Top medical universities, quality education, modern equipment, and the latest practical technologies with low tuition fees are the various factors that attract students to pursue MBBS from foreign universities.

As per the latest information about MBBS seats in India, it is found that there are a total of 92,000 seats approximately for MBBS. This number is quite small compared to the number of students who appear for NEET every year. This is another reason why students think of pursuing an MBBS from abroad. 

MBBS in Abroad - A Few Facts 

Students need to qualify for the NEET examination even if they want to study MBBS abroad. 

Students have to complete a 10+2 or equivalent exam from a recognised board and achieve a minimum of 50% marks in Science Stream with Biology, Chemistry, Physics and English being the compulsory subjects. English is a must for students who wish to study MBBS abroad. 

Test of the basic language of the region, which is IELTS or TOEFL, is also required. 

MBBS Abroad - Overview 

Why Study MBBS Abroad - Advantages 

Studying in a foreign university seems like a dreamy experience to many. Here are some of the main reasons why students prefer studying MBBS abroad. 

• An MBBS degree from abroad can hold worldwide recognition. It is a gem of your portfolio. 
• The quality of education and training provided in foreign universities is par excellence. 
• Studying in a foreign university is a rewarding experience as you get to know different cultures and ethnicities. 
• You can seek further specialisations and enhance your career as a doctor. 
• Doctors are in huge demand all across the world, especially after the pandemic. So having a worldwide recognised degree can help you settle anywhere you want. 
• Doctors with a degree from abroad secure better salary packages in India due to their talent and specialisations. 

Duration of MBBS Abroad 

• The duration of the MBBS course is generally 5-6 years abroad. 
• The 6 years duration of the MBBS course includes the internship.
• A course that includes an internship with MBBS is generally recommended to the students. 
• Given below are the durations for different medical courses abroad

Eligibility Criteria for Completing MBBS Abroad 

• Age: The minimum age required for getting admission in MBBS from a foreign university is 17 years. The student must be of age 17 years or more on or before 31 December of the year in which they apply for MBBS. Many universities have a maximum age criteria as well of 25 years of age. You must check the university website before applying. 
• Education: You need to complete a 10+2 examination from a recognised board. You must achieve at least 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. English is also a compulsory subject for MBBS abroad. 
• NEET qualification: Yes, students who want to study MBBS abroad need to qualify for the NEET examination. 
• English Test: Some foreign universities also ask students to provide proof of their English language proficiency through IELTS/TOEFL scores. However, it is not applicable to all universities. 
• MCAT Requirement: If you are applying for MBBS in the US, you need to qualify the MCAT examination as well. 

Information to Keep in Mind Before Starting MBBS Abroad 

• MBBS degree will be taught in English only. So, students must master the English language as well. 
• Some universities also offer MBBS courses in their native language. Students might not apply to those universities where the medium of teaching is not English. 
• You will have to learn the native language of the country eventually but keeping it as a medium of instruction is not recommended. 
• The courses generally commence in September/October. So the students must start applying accordingly from July/August. 
• Every university has its own admission criteria that students must consider before applying for MBBS. 
• The earlier you apply for MBBS abroad, the easier the process will be for you. 
• The university will make the final decision about your admission to the MBBS course. 

Recognition of Medical Universities Abroad 

The following organisations recognised medical colleges and universities abroad for MBBS and other medical courses: 

• World Health Organisation (WHO)
• National Medical Commission (NMC)
• Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates or ECFMG
• Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research or FAIMER
• World Federation for Medical Education or WFME

Essential Documents for Completing MBBS Abroad 

• Scanned copies of your Class 10 and Class 12 Marksheets (Please confirm if they require transcripts or not)
• Scanned copy of the NEET score
• Scanned copy of IELTS/TOEFL/MCAT scores
• Valid Passport and visa 
• Passport size photographs 
• Birth certificate (Should be plated in English if it is in another language)
• Migration certificate from your school 
• School leaving certificate 
• Medical certificate 
• Application form that you applied to a university 
• Letter of acceptance from the university
• Police clearance certificate 
• Proof of funds (generally bank statements of your guardian to show that you will be able to pay the fees and other expenses abroad)
• Personal statement or statement of purpose 
• Recommendation letters (you will need them during admission)
• Resume (you will need it during admission)

Students must ensure that the documents they submit are either in English language originally or, if not, are translated in English language. All the documents should be 100% authentic otherwise your admission will be cancelled. 

Admission Procedure for MBBS Abroad

Once you know you have to apply to which universities, you can quickly start with the admission procedure for MBBS abroad. 

Step 1: Select your preferred university for MBBS and check its eligibility requirements, admission process, and provisions for international students. 

Step 2: Prepare for the English language test (if required) and NEET. Appear in an English language test as early as possible so that it does not clash with the admission process. 

Step 3: Prepare all the required documents that you need from your school like recommendation letters, personal statement or college essay, resume, birth certificate, transcripts, and so on. 

Step 4: Fill in the application forms, attach the required documents and pay the application fee. 

Step 5: Once you receive the acceptance letter, you have to apply for a student visa from the respective embassy of the country. You will get the information about the student visa application from the immigration website of the respective country. Take note of all the requirements and apply for the visa as soon as possible. 

Step 6: Meanwhile, start preparing for your travel abroad. Read more about the country, the locality where you will be staying. Find hostels or local accommodations. Make sure to visit a few weeks before the classes actually start so that you can settle easily. 

MBBS in Abroad Destinations for Indian Students    

MBBS in China

China has some top medical institutions like Shihezi University, Shanghai University of TCM, Qingdao University, Liaoning University of TCM, and Jilin University. Most medical schools in China offer 6-year MBBS courses where 5 years are spent in classroom learning and the last 1 year is spent over the internship. 

MBBS Fee in China for Indian Students

MBBS in Georgia

Georgian Medical Universities offer MD/MBBS, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Nursing courses. Some of the best medical colleges in Georgia are Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Tbilisi State Medical University, Ilia State University, Akaki Tsereteli State University, and New Vision University. There are more than 15 medical universities in Georgia that are recommended by WHO, UNESCO and NMC. 

MBBS Fee in Georgia for Indian Students

MBBS in Germany 

Top NMC approved medical universities in Germany are Ludwig-Maximilian-Universitat Munchen, Georg-August-Universitat Gottingen, Universitat Heidelberg, Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin, Freie Universitaet Berlin, and Tech in the Universitat Munchin. German medical colleges are known for their extremely low tuition fees. Germany being known for its top-notch medical and technology advancements is one of the best destinations to study MBBS abroad. 

MBBS in the Philippines

Medical institutions in the Philippines offer MD courses which are equivalent to MBBS in India. The duration of the course is 6 years just like MBBS. You can also pursue dentistry, pharmacy or nursing courses in the Philippines. Top medical universities in the Philippines are  AMA School of Medicine, University of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of Fatima, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Manila Central University and Bicol Christian College of Medicine. 

MBBS Fee in the Philippines for Indian Students

MBBS in Russia

Russia has around 28 universities that offer MBBS courses recognised by NMC, FAIMER, ECFMG, WDOMS, etc.  Some of the best medical universities and colleges in Russia are Altai State Medical University, Omsk State Medical University, Orel State Medical University, Ulyanovsk State Medical University, and Bashkir State Medical University. The duration of MBBS in Russia is 6 years only. Students can either apply for February or September intake in Russia. 

MBBS Fee in Russia for Indian Students

MBBS in Ukraine

Many students prefer studying in Ukraine after European nations. Did you know that over 65000 global students from 147 nations were studying in Ukraine before the Ukraine-Russia War? Bukovinian State Medical University, Lviv National Medical University, Dnipropetrovsk State Medical Academy, Ternopil National Medical University, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University and Kyiv Medical University are some of the top medical universities in Ukraine. 

MBBS Fee in Ukraine for Indian Students

MBBS in US

A country that needs no introduction, pursuing MBBS abroad in the USA is a dream of many students. The cost of pursuing MBBS from the USA might be quite expensive. However, pursuing MBBS in the USA can turn out to be extremely rewarding and beneficial for your career. Some of the top medical universities in the USA include Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, University of California - San Francisco, Stanford University, University of Washington and University of Pennsylvania. 

MBBS Fee in USA for Indian Students

MBBS in UK

UK is another popular destination amongst students for pursuing MBBS abroad. MBBS in the UK is also known as Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery which is called MB ChB or MB BCh at some UK Universities. The duration of MBBS in the UK is 5-6 years. Some of the top universities of UK are University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University College London (UCL), Imperial College London, and the University of Edinburgh. 

MBBS Fee in UK for Indian Students

MBBS in Australia

Over the past few years, Australia has become the most popular destination for international students. Some of the top universities that offer MBBS courses to international students in Australia include the University of Melbourne, Australian National University, Monash University, The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, Deakin University, and University of Tasmania. Students can pursue MBBS, MD, BClinSci, BMed, BMed/Sc courses in Australia. 

MBBS Fee in Australia for Indian Students

MBBS in Canada

MBBS is known as the Bachelor of Medicine in Canada. Students can pursue courses like BSc Medicine, Undergraduate Medical Education (UME), Bachelor of Kinesiology, Bachelor of Nursing, Pre-med programs, Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc). Some of the top MBBS universities in Canada are McGill University, University of Toronto, University of Sherbrooke, University of Sherbrooke, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and McMaster University. 

MBBS Fee in Canada for Indian Students

*Please note that all the information about tuition fees, living costs and any other expenses mentioned above is an approximation. You can find the exact information on the website of the university where you are applying. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is the duration of MBBS in Abroad?

The duration of MBBS in foreign universities may vary depending. For example, the duration of MBBS courses in the UK is 5-6 years while in the USA it is 3-7 years. In general, most countries have an average duration of 6 years for MBBS courses. 

2. Is NEET mandatory for MBBS from Abroad?

Yes, NEET or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is a mandatory requirement for MBBS admissions abroad. 

3. Is MBBS abroad degrees valid in India?

Yes, MBBS abroad degrees hold international recognition. You can practice as a doctor anywhere in the world. 

4. Is it Good to Study MBBS Abroad?

Yes, it not only gives you exposure to a different culture but gives you the opportunity to learn from the best teachers. You can either return and practice here in India or abroad.

5. What type of Visa will I need to go to study MBBS Abroad?

You will have to apply for a student visa once you receive the acceptance letter from the university.