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Amidst the fierce competition for MBBS seats in India, students are now turning towards doing MBBS abroad as an alternative. As per the National Testing Agency (NTA), more than 23 lakh students have appeared for NEET 2024. However, the number of seats for MBBA aspirants is 1.08 lakh. This sharp contrast shows the high competition that Indian students face, encouraging them to look for alternative pathways.
Getting MBBS admission abroad after 12th comes with high fees that often become difficult to manage. Here, scholarships become a real game-changer for students. In this article, we will explore more about MBBS scholarships after 12th.
The table shows the top scholarships that you can apply for to study MBBS abroad in 2025:
Scholarship Name | Country | Coverage | Eligibility (2025) |
---|---|---|---|
Brunel Medical School Intl. Scholarship | UK | 15% off tuition fees annually (₹10–15L) | High academic merit + interview |
Russian Government Scholarship (Open Doors) | Russia | Full tuition + stipend + hostel | Class 12 + NEET qualified |
Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) | China | Full tuition + hostel + stipend | High scores + application via CSC portal |
Ibni Sina Medical Scholarship Program | Turkey | Full tuition + monthly stipend | Academic merit + approved by the Turkish govt. |
Lester B. Pearson Scholarship (U of Toronto) | Canada | Full funding for 4–5 years | Exceptional grades + leadership qualities |
Harvard Medical School Scholarships | USA | Tuition + living for high-need students | Acceptance into Harvard Med + proof of need |
AIMSET (India) | Varies | Up to 100% tuition for select colleges | NEET aspirants; test-based ranking |
DAAD Undergraduate Scholarships | Germany | Limited (more PG-focused) | Exceptional candidates; language skills preferred |
Certain exams can help you qualify for scholarships for Indian students to study medicine abroad. These are:
NEET UG 2025: You can start applying for this test from May 2025. The test is compulsory for all Indian students who wish to go abroad to pursue their medical studies.
UCAT/BMAT: If you wish to gain admission to some of the most prestigious and top universities in the UK, then you need to take the UCAT/BMAT. You can apply for this exam from June to October 2025.
AIMSET 2025: The application deadlines for this exam opened in April and will be open till June 2025. This Indian scholarship test for MBBS/BDS is for doing MBBS in India and abroad.
AcadFly MBBS Abroad Test: This test is for getting scholarships and academic evaluation and is open to applications throughout the year.
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Nowadays, students are searching for affordable countries to study abroad. Hence, countries like Russia, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, and China are slowly becoming popular study-abroad destinations for students who want to study MBBS abroad.
The table below gives all the information about these affordable countries offering MBBS with scholarships:
Country | Avg. Annual Tuition (INR) | Living Costs (INR/year) | Scholarship Availability | Total 6-Year Cost (With Scholarship) |
Russia | ₹2.5–5 lakhs | ₹2–3 lakhs | High | ₹18–30 lakhs |
Philippines | ₹3.5–5 lakhs | ₹2.5–4 lakhs | Moderate | ₹25–35 lakhs |
Kazakhstan | ₹2–4 lakhs | ₹1.5–2 lakhs | Moderate | ₹18–26 lakhs |
China | ₹3–6 lakhs | ₹2.5–4 lakhs | High (CGS, university) | ₹20–35 lakhs |
Germany | ₹0–1.5 lakhs | ₹6–8 lakhs | Competitive (DAAD, others) | ₹20–25 lakhs |
UK (Brunel) | ₹30–40 lakhs | ₹10–12 lakhs | Partial (15%) | ₹35–42 lakhs (after scholarship) |
Before applying to any MBBS scholarships abroad, make sure to have the following documents handy:
Valid Passport (minimum 6 months validity)
Class 10 & 12 Mark Sheets (with >85% preferred)
NEET UG 2025 Scorecard
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
Financial Documents (for need-based scholarships)
Language Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/Medium of Instruction)
Medical Fitness Certificate
Admission Letter from the University
Scholarship Essay (if required)
Is it possible to study MBBS abroad for free? It is possible if you can get a fully funded scholarship from the government. Here are the steps:
Search for the affordable countries: The first step is to browse online to check which countries offer fully-funded scholarships. Some of the most affordable countries with MBBS scholarships for international students include Germany, Russia, China, and Turkey.
Apply early: Most fully funded scholarships are limited. So make sure you apply early. The deadlines for these scholarships are available between December and March.
Aim to score high in class 12 and NEET: Students who score above 90% marks in both 10+2 and NEET are likely to get fully funded scholarships.
Craft a strong SOP: Highlight your aspirations, achievements, and need for financial aid.
Apply to Multiple Scholarships: Broaden your chances across 5–10 institutions.
Appear for NEET UG 2025
Shortlist NMC-approved foreign universities with scholarships
Check eligibility & deadlines for scholarships
Apply to MBBS programs and scholarships in parallel
Gather and submit all necessary documents
Prepare and sit for university/scholarship interviews if required
Receive confirmation, apply for student visa, plan finances for uncovered costs
Here are a few tips to make it easier for you to get MBBS scholarships abroad:
Create a Google Sheet to track universities, scholarships, deadlines, and documents.
Practice sample SOPs and scholarship essays before writing your own.
Get your documents notarized and translated if applying to non-English countries.
Consult NMC guidelines before finalizing any foreign MBBS program
Studying MBBS abroad is no longer an expensive or inaccessible dream. With the right planning and a bit of strategy, Indian students can access scholarships to study MBBS abroad after 12th and even aim for fully funded MBBS scholarships for international students.
In 2025, universities are expanding global opportunities, and Indian students are more eligible than ever. Start early, stay organized, and make your dream of becoming a global doctor a reality!
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Here is a comparison between MBBS abroad and MBBS in India. It clearly shows why students consider it better to move abroad to become a doctor:
Aspect | India (Private MBBS) | MBBS Abroad (Popular Destinations) |
---|---|---|
Tuition Fees (Total) | ₹60–₹1 crore | ₹20–₹50 lakhs |
Donation/Capitation | Common | None |
Competition | Very High | Moderate |
Global Recognition | Limited to India | WHO/NMC-approved; global value |
Medium of Instruction | English/Hindi | Mostly English |
Clinical Exposure | India-based | Global/Multi-country |
Read more:
Studying MBBS abroad for free is possible with some strategies. It is possible if you can get fully funded scholarships.
The best countries to study MBBS abroad are the UK, the US, Canada, Germany, and Australia. These are famous because they offer better job placement opportunities to international students after they become doctors.
Yes, it is possible to get a scholarship for MBBS. There are several types of scholarships available to help students manage their study and living expenses abroad.
For Indian students seeking affordable countries for doing MBBS abroad, countries like Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and China are among some of the cheapest ones.
Germany is known to be the country that offers free or discounted medical study options to international students. This is because there are several public universities in Germany that are fully funded by the government.
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