MBBS Abroad On A Budget: How To Save Money?
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MBBS Abroad On A Budget: How To Save Money?

Prabhjyot KaurUpdated on 11 Sep 2025, 05:36 PM IST

Top budgeting tips for Indian medical students include scholarships, education loans, and making smart budgeting decisions for MBBS abroad on a budget. It is crucial to save money and make financial decisions for low-cost MBBS courses abroad. A few of the top countries that offer affordable MBBS courses for international students include Russia, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and China. One of the smartest decisions to save money for MBBS in abroad is to study in such countries. These countries not only offer globally recognised medical degrees at lower costs but also provide opportunities for diverse clinical experience. Additionally, other ways to save money that can help with an MBBS abroad on a budget include choosing a university and a country that offer low living expenses for international students.

This Story also Contains

  1. Choose an Affordable Country for Low-Cost MBBS Abroad
  2. Choose an MBBS College Abroad with a Low Tuition Fee
  3. Other Ways to Save Money For Studying MBBS Abroad On a Budget in 2025
  4. How to Manage Expenses While Studying MBBS Abroad?
  5. Working Part-Time to Save Money While Studying MBBS Abroad on a Budget
MBBS Abroad On A Budget: How To Save Money?
MBBS Abroad On A Budget: How To Save Money?

We have discussed some of the best ways to save money and then pursue MBBS abroad on a tight budget. A few of these include working part time, cooking for yourself, limiting leisure activities, using student discounts and using public transportation. It can help Indian students to study medicine in abroad at a low cost. MBBS abroad is generally a popular option for Indian students who were unable to get a seat in Indian medical colleges or are not able to afford the expensive private medical colleges in India choose MBBS abroad in 2025. It is essential to manage finances effectively while pursuing MBBS abroad for smart budgeting. Read the complete article to understand how to study MBBS abroad on a budget in 2025 for Indian students.

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Choose an Affordable Country for Low-Cost MBBS Abroad

First step for Indian students in order to pursue MBBS abroad at a low cost in 2025 is choosing the country with low tuition and living expenses, such as Russia, Kazakhstan, etc. It is difficult for students to study MBBS in India with affordability. This is because India poses a challenge for medical aspirants by giving intense competition for limited seats in government medical colleges and an expensive medical tuition fee structure at private colleges, which can reach up to 1 crore. Many countries offer NMC-approved MBBS degrees at a lower cost. These countries often have low living expenses for international students. Let us now explore some of the top budget-friendly countries for MBBS in 2025.

Top Countries for Low-Cost MBBS Abroad

Country

MBBS Fees (Approx.)

Average Living Expenses

Russia

INR 18 to 35 lakhs

INR 30 to 40 K

Kyrgyzstan

INR 15 to 22 lakhs

INR 10 to 20 K

Kazakhstan

INR 18 to 25 lakhs

INR 30 TO 40 K

Georgia

INR 30 to 45 lakhs

INR 50 to 70 K

Uzbekistan

INR 20 to 24 lakhs

INR 20 to 30 K

Bangladesh

INR 30 to 40 lakhs

INR 20 to 30 K

Nepal

INR 45 to 55 lakhs

INR 30 to 40 K

Note: The cost of living depends on the location and personal lifestyle.

Choose an MBBS College Abroad with a Low Tuition Fee

After selecting an affordable country to study MBBS abroad in 2025, the most important decision to save on a medical degree is to choose a cheap medical college there. Students must note that the university must be as per the NMC guidelines to study MBBS abroad and should not compromise on education quality. Let us now check some of the cheapest universities for MBBS abroad that can help international students save a lot of money.

Cheapest MBBS Colleges in the World in 2025

University

MBBS Tuition Fees (first year)

Hebei United University, China

INR 1,25,000

Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China

INR 1,90,984

Nantong University, China

INR 3,01,860

Lugansk State Medical University, Ukraine

INR 3,10,720

Orenburg State Medical University

INR 3,40,938

Guangxi Medical University, China

INR 3,48,300

Wenzhou Medical University, China

INR 3,48,300

Belgorod National Research University, Russia

INR 3,80,632

Jinzhou Medical University, China

INR 4,06,350

Bashkir State Medical University, Russia

INR 4,27,240

Nizhny Novgorod State Medical University, Russia

INR 4,27,240

Stavropol State Medical University, Russia

INR 4,50,544

Akaki Tsereteli State University, Georgia

INR 5,56,655

Also Read:

Other Ways to Save Money For Studying MBBS Abroad On a Budget in 2025

Indian students can consider applying to scholarships, education loans or any other financial aid. To do MBBS on a budget, scholarships are of great help for international students, helping them to avoid financial stress and not need to repay them after completing their MBBS degrees. These financial assistances, including scholarships as well as education loans, can help medical aspirants to pursue MBBS abroad at a low cost in 2025. Here are the ways to secure scholarships or education loans for MBBS abroad in 2025:

Apply for Scholarships for MBBS Abroad for Indian Students

Numerous scholarships for international students looking to study MBBS abroad in 2025. Some might find it financially difficult to pursue medicine in popular countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, etc. These countries offer some of the best MBBS courses in the world. However, the MBBS degrees have a high tuition fee structure. The tuition fee can range up to 1-2 crores per year in the top medical universities in such countries. Students can find different kinds of MBBS scholarships, ranging from merit-based and need-based scholarships to country-specific and university-specific scholarships. A few of the best scholarships for Indian students to study medicine abroad:

Apply for Education Loan for MBBS Abroad for Indian Students

Generally, scholarships are quite competitive for international students. Indian students failing to secure any of the MBBS scholarships can consider an education loan. It might include a small financial burden of interest; however, they need to pay it after completing their medical degrees abroad. To be eligible for an MBBS education loan, students must have a good academic record, an admission letter from the medical university and the potential for high salaries/earnings after graduation.

Education Loan for MBBS Abroad 2025

Bank

Interest rate

SBI Bank

10.65% - 11.50%

Axis Bank

11.00% - 11.50%

HDFC Bank

11.25% - 13.00%

Canara Bank

11.15% and for girls 10.65%

Bank of Baroda

11.40 - 13.05%

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How to Manage Expenses While Studying MBBS Abroad?

International students must undertake financial planning before starting their MBBS degrees abroad to manage their expenses while saving money. This includes selecting an affordable country and university, living in shared accommodation, using public transportation, and more. Check out a few smart budgeting tips for MBBS abroad on a budget in 2025.

Managing Living Expenses Abroad For MBBS Students

Expense List

Tips to Save Money

Accommodation

  • International students must consider university dormitories for accommodation as the first priority because these are regarded as the most affordable options.

  • Since the university’s dorms fill up very quickly, they can then consider shared apartments with other students, which can help them save a lot of money.

  • Additionally, they must choose accommodation that is nearby their university to help save on transportation costs.

Food

  • Students can also check with the universities about the mess plan. Sometimes the meal plans offered by the universities are quite cheaper. In those cases, they can utilise the university’s meal plans.

  • While pursuing MBBS abroad, medical students can cook their own meals, which is much cheaper than eating out.

  • Buying groceries in bulk can also help them save a significant amount of money. They can also use student discounts when purchasing.

Transportation

  • There is nearly no expense on transportation if the chosen university is very near the accommodation or if students choose to take university dorms.

  • In cases where the university is far from the accommodation, students must consider using public transport.

  • Students often get heavy discounts on public transport passes. They can also consider walking now and then.

Related Reads: What is the Cost of Studying MBBS Abroad?

Working Part-Time to Save Money While Studying MBBS Abroad on a Budget

Another way to save money and pursue MBBS abroad on a tight budget is by working part-time. It is crucial for international students to check the working requirements for candidates on a student visa in each country. Generally, international students are allowed to work for 20 hours per week. However, the number of hours permitted for part-time work varies depending on the country.

Common Part-Time Jobs Abroad for Medical Students in 2025

  • Medical assistant/receptionist

  • Research assistant

  • Freelance medical writer

  • Tutor

  • Retail sales associate

  • Baby sitter

  • Barista or waiter

  • Food delivery agent

  • Data entry jobs

There are many part-time job opportunities available abroad for medical students in 2025. However, international students must note that they should prioritise their medical studies before these. An MBBS degree is quite demanding and requires an ample amount of preparation to understand the theoretical and practical aspects of the healthcare sector. It is therefore important for students to give significant importance to the course structure. Afterwards, they can consider taking part-time jobs there to earn some extra money.

Best country for MBBS abroad for Indian students 2025:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How can I study MBBS in abroad for free?
A:

Studying MBBS abroad for free is technically possible if a student lands a fully funded scholarship. If not, it is really difficult to do so. One can also take admission in tuition free universities and then only need to cover for the cost of living. A fully funded scholarship to study MBBS abroad generally covers the complete tuition fees and living expesnes for the candidates.

Q: How can I do MBBS cheaply?
A:

One of the best tip for Indian students looking to study the MBBS degrees abroad cheaply is to target cheap countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, etc for studying. They can also choose government colleges abroad that tend to have a lower medical tuition fee structure in comparison to private ones.

Q: Which is the cheapest country for MBBS abroad?
A:

A few of the top countries that offer affordable MBBS courses to Indian students include Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Georgia, among others. The average tuition fee for the MBBS course in these countries is INR 1.5 to 4 lakhs per year. This is quite affordable for Indian students in comparison to Indian private medical colleges that can charge over 1 cr as MBBS tuition.

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