Advisory for Indian Students to Study MBBS in Russia

MBBS in Russia is one of the most popular choices among Indian medical students due to various factors such as ease of admission, high educational standards, and a welcoming environment. Russia is home to 30 universities that are ranked among the top 100 medical institutes internationally. With a total of 58 medical universities maintaining a 7:1 teacher-student ratio, the MBBS fees in Russia are significantly low. To be eligible for MBBS in Russia, candidates must have a minimum of 50% in PCB in 12th standard and clear the NEET exam. The admission process is pretty simple and quick and the affordable fees make it accessible for Indian students to pursue their MBBS course in Russia.

This Story also Contains

1. Inadequate Guidance and Information for Students Aspiring to Study MBBS in Russia
2. Medium of Instruction/Teaching
3. Admission Process in Russian Medical Colleges
4. Information Regarding Foreign Medical Graduation
5. Medical Postgraduate Studies in Russia

Students will be awarded a medical degree called ‘Vrach’ after the completion of their medical studies in Russia.

Although Russia is one of the popular study destinations for Indian students, it is to be noted that not all aspiring Indian students get enrolled in reputed medical colleges in Russia. Some have to opt for less recognized medical colleges and often fall prey to the fraudulent activities of unscrupulous admission agents. Read the complete Advisory to Study MBBS in Russia to know more about the problems faced by Indian students aspiring to study MBBS in Russia if they have not qualified the NEET or have a very low NEET score. This MBBS in Russia Advisory will help you get in-depth information about the medium of instruction, admission process, and criteria for postgraduate medical courses in Russia.

Inadequate Guidance and Information for Students Aspiring to Study MBBS in Russia

Indian students are often deprived of adequate guidance and information when it comes to pursuing MBBS in Russia. In recent years, many instances have come to light where Indian students have been deceived and misguided by fake admission agents in the name of MBBS admission in Russian medical colleges/universities. In this regard, our Guide to study MBBS in Russia will help students make right decisions based on accurate and authentic information. This Guide to study MBBS in Russia will help them disregard all the wrong information provided by fake admission agents. It is to be mentioned that MBBS education in India or abroad should be in adherence with the National Medical Commission (NMC) so that Indian students completing their MBBS education abroad can attempt the FMGE(Foreign Medical Graduates Examination) exam to start their practices in India upon their return to India.

According to NMC, Indian students have to clear the NEET exam to pursue both undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses in India as well as abroad. Many fake admission agents dupe Indian students by saying that they will get enrolment in Russian medical colleges without NEET.

Here are a few things Indian students should be cognizant of while applying for an MBBS course in a Russian medical college:

• The undergraduate General Medicine programme in Russia has a duration of six years, consisting of a total of twelve semesters, with two semesters per year.

• During the undergraduate program, students enrolled in medical universities in Russia are required to complete a clinical rotation or internship that spans a duration of twelve months or longer.

• Although several medical universities in Russia offer courses in English, it is important for Indian students to have a good command of the Russian language for hands-on training, as it involves working with patients who speak the local language.

• Medical universities in Russia issue diplomas with registration numbers from the apposite Russian authority. Once the final examination, students are required to clear an accreditation exam in Russian to qualify for a medical practice license in Russia.

• Candidates who are interested in applying to a specific university should directly inquire with the institution to know if it adheres to the necessary criteria, including the medium of instruction, syllabus, clinical training, and internship requirements.

• Aspiring MBBS candidates should also make sure that their internship training will be provided in the same medical college from which they will complete their 54-month classroom training.

Medium of Instruction/Teaching

Students are also falsely informed that the medium of instruction will be in English in all Russian medical universities. The primary language of instruction in Russian medical colleges is usually Russian. However, many universities try to teach the first three years of the medical program in English while also providing education in Russian. Indian Students should be ready for this bilingual method of teaching. It is to be noted that some institutes may not have English-speaking faculty despite claiming to offer dual-language courses. The National Medical Commission (NMC) of India has recently mandated that the medium of instruction must be in English. Therefore, prospective Indian students are encouraged to ensure that the selected university is in accordance with these guidelines before applying.

Most Russian medical universities offer undergraduate medical courses in both English and Russian. However, there are a few medical universities in Russia that offer the entire medical program in English language. Here is a list of those universities:

• Kursk State Medical University

• Bashkir State Medical University

• Altai State Medical University

• Kazan State Medical University

• Crimea State Medical University

• Belgorod State University

• Orenburg State Medical University

• First Moscow State Medical University

• Volgograd State Medical University

• Orel State University

• Voronezh State Medical University

• Northern State Medical University

• Saint Petersburg State Medical University

• Peoples Friendship University of Russia

• Stavropol State Medical University

• Mari State University

• Smolensk State Medical University

• Orenburg State Medical University

• Ryazan State Medical University

• Perm State Medical University Russia

• Kazan Federal University Russia

Disclaimer: The medium of instruction in the aforementioned universities is subject to change as per the revision of guidelines of these respective universities. Hence, it is highly advisable for aspiring students to crosscheck the medium of instruction in any Russian medical university before applying for an undergraduate medical course in that particular university.

Admission Process in Russian Medical Colleges

To avoid any hassle or unwanted situation, aspiring medical students should know in detail about the admission process in Russian Medical colleges. Here are a few points that prospective medical students should keep in mind:

• Indian students who intend to enroll in Russian medical colleges must clear the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). It is imperative that all their documents and academic records are apostilled. The apostillation of certificates is done at Patiala House, Ministry of External Affairs, in New Delhi.

• Most Russian medical institutions have designated contractors/consultants to recruit students from various countries instead of allowing students to apply directly for admission. It is important to note that the Ministry of Education & Science of the Russian Federation does not officially recognize any education contractors or consultants. Universities collaborate with contractors for services such as hostel accommodations, student welfare, and fee collection. This arrangement is done to facilitate the transition for students who are not familiar with the local language and environment. These contractors/consultants often have sub-agents in India, and in some instances, senior Indian students serve as contractors and agents.

• Aspiring Indian students should verify that they have received appropriate and comprehensive details regarding the university, such as tuition fees, additional charges, course curriculum, language of instruction, hostel availability, and monthly living expenses. It is advisable for candidates to acquire a copy of the Indian MBBS curriculum in accordance with the Graduate Medical Regulation, enabling them to make a comparison with the curriculum offered at the intended Russian medical university.

• Russian medical colleges also conduct admission tests after students have arrived in Russia. In certain cases, students are denied admission due to factors such as incomplete documentation and delayed arrival, despite having a visa.

Information Regarding Foreign Medical Graduation

Approximately 23,500 Indian students are presently studying in different medical schools in Russia. Upon completion of their medical studies in Russia, Indian students must register for FMGE and qualify the same to be able to practice in India. The FMGE exam is conducted twice a year In June and December by the National Board of Examination (NBE).

To be eligible for admission to a medical course in a foreign institute, Indian candidates must have successfully cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) prior to appearing for FMGE.

Medical Postgraduate Studies in Russia

Indian medical graduates who intend to pursue postgraduate studies in the Russian Federation must apply to the Russian Ministry of Education to obtain certification of the equivalence of their degrees. It is the responsibility of the students themselves to submit their applications for equivalence certificates from the Ministry. It has been observed that many contractors make promises of assistance but they rarely provide any help.

Recently, the Russian Ministry has made a rule that Indian bachelor medical/dental degrees do not meet the requirements for postgraduate courses in the Russian Federation due to the shorter duration of study. This matter has been brought to the attention of the Russian Ministry. While universities may offer admissions for postgraduate courses, it is contingent upon the Ministry's approval that foreign Bachelor degrees are equivalent to Russian ones. Therefore, Indian students are advised to wait for the Ministry's ruling before enrolling in any post-graduate medical or dental courses.

All diplomas and certificates acquired in Russia must be Apostilled by the "INTEROBRAZOVANIE" (Federal Agency on Education, Centre of International Education Activities). The Mission does not authenticate Apostilled documents. Indian students completing their medical studies in Russia do not have job prospects. Visa extension is subject to the policies of the institution due to strict immigration regulations, and there is no automatic conversion of a student visa to an employment visa.

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