MBBS Abroad: Students From 5 or 6-Year Programmes Do Better In FMGE

Foreign medical colleges with five to six year MBBS programmes show higher success rates in the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE). In comparison, graduates of MBBS programmes lasting less than five years show lower pass percentages, as per data from the FMGE exam. However, the data also raises grave doubts about the quality of MBBS abroad or equivalent programmes.

MBBS Abroad: FMGE Statistics of Past Years

Around 33,000 Indian graduates appeared for NBE FMGE 2022 after completing MBBS programmes of five or more years. Of them, 8,438 students – or, 25.5 percent – passed the FMGE. While this pass percentage is dismal, it is still higher when compared to candidates of MBBS or equivalent programmes below five years. Out of 3,772 students appearing for FMGE from colleges with MBBS programmes of less than five years, 897 students passed – 23.8 per cent.

As per FMGE 2022 result statistics, a total 52030 candidates appeared for the exam and only 12148 have passed. Since the FMGE report does not specify the MBBS course duration, the data samples in this article do not cover the entire list and have been picked up after verification from various sources including the official websites.

MBBS Abroad: Are 5 or 6-Year programmes Better?

Not so much. Many institutions with relatively better FMGE pass records appear to be deficient in other ways. Such colleges appear to lack transparency, reliable accreditation, hospitals and even websites.

MBBS Abroad and FMGE Exam

How does the duration of a medical programme affect you? In India, medical education takes about five and a half years to complete. This includes four-and-a-half years of classroom or theory-based learning and a year-long mandatory internship.

The eligibility for FMGE, mandates submission of the “Eligibility Certificate”, issued before commencement of the course and proof of the primary medical qualification from the respective medical institution.

National Medical Commission’s guidelines for foreign medical graduates specifies that students can practise in India if the MBBS course abroad is for fifty four months, and comes with a mandatory twelve month internship abroad as well as in India.

Note: It is to be noted that the eligibility for appearing in FMGE and practising in India is separate. Candidates will not be allowed to practise in India on the basis of qualifying FMGE.

Duration of MBBS abroad

It is seen that the duration of an MBBS degree abroad may vary from country to country. Not all foreign medical institutes have a five-and-a-half-year MBBS programme with a mandatory internship. Moreover, the institutes may or may not provide an internship along with the degree.

NBE FMGE: Longer MBBS Duration, Higher Pass Percentage

Careers360 analysed 20 foreign medical colleges that showed relatively high pass percentages in FMGE in 2022. The analysis shows that colleges with higher pass percentages offered MBBS programmes of five or more years. Of these, 12 colleges had less than 10 students appearing for FMGE in 2022. These were:

• University of Adelaide Faculty of Health Sciences, Australia

• Royal College of Surgeons In Ireland Medical University of Bahrain, Bahrain

• Mymensingh Medical College, Bangladesh

• M Abdur Rahim Medical College, Bangladesh

• Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College, Bangladesh

• Diabetic Association Medical College, Bangladesh

• Khwaja Yunus Ali Medical Colleges, Bangladesh

• North East Medical College, Bangladesh

• St. George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada

• Spartan Health Sciences University School Of Medicine, Saint Lucia

• Muhimbili University of Health And Allied Sciences School of Medicine, Tanzania

The remaining eight, listed below, had substantial numbers of Indian graduates and also a good FMGE record.

Foreign Medical Colleges: High Pass Percentage in NBE FMGE

Careers360, found information on only 195 colleges out of the 470 MBBS colleges abroad listed in FMGE 2022. The checks included valid accreditation, functional websites, global rankings and compulsory rotational internships. Colleges that had the maximum number of Indian students appearing for FMGE 2022 were looked at.

Checks on clinical internships were not possible for many due to lack of proper websites as well as language barriers. Checks with the official regulators were also not possible in many countries due to language barriers.

It was found that MBBS abroad has different names in different countries. Countries like Ukraine, Russia, USA award an MD to their medical graduates which is equivalent to MBBS in India.

MBBS Abroad: 3 Years Duration

The Avalon University School Of Medicine, Curacao was the only college in the list with a three year MD degree. The college has a valid accreditation, is associated with a hospital and has its own website but is not ranked by any global agency. It offers a minimum of 48 weeks and 24 weeks of elective clinical rotations. However, the college offers a BS-MBBS course for 10+2 students as its three year MD course (equivalent to MBBS) is for graduates and not high school students.

Fifteen graduates from this university had appeared for FMGE 2022, but just four graduates passed (26.7 per cent). While its FMGE pass percentage is high, it is unclear which programme the Indian students have completed before appearing for FMGE 2022.

MBBS Abroad : 4-5 Years MBBS Course Duration

Sixteen institutions offered an MBBS course of four to five years duration. 3,707 Indian graduates from these institutes appeared for FMGE in 2022 and 893 of them cleared it (24 per cent). The table here lists 10 such colleges. However, none of the colleges in this set fulfilled the eligibility criteria set down by NMC.

4-5-Year MBBS Abroad With Most Indian Graduates

Note: ** It is unclear what kind of internship is offered or if it is mandatory

Only four colleges, Nobel Medical College Nepal in Nepal, Texila American University College Of Medicine in Guyana, Manipal College Of Medical Sciences Mcoms in Nepal, and American International Medical University School Of Medicine in Saint Lucia seemingly offer compulsory rotational internships.

Manipal College Of Medical Sciences Mcoms in Nepal and American International Medical University School Of Medicine in Saint Lucia have 48 weeks of compulsory internship and 28 weeks of elective internship as part of their MBBS programme.

MBBS Abroad: 5 Years Duration

As many as 10,238 Indian graduates appeared for FMGE 2022 from 65 medical colleges offering five-year MBBS programmes. Only 2,044 students cleared it ( 20 per cent). The table indicates the number of students from 10 such colleges and their respective FMGE statistics.

5 Year MBBS programmes With Most Indian Graduates

Note: ** It is unclear what kind of internship is offered or if it is mandatory

Only Southern Medical University in China met all the NMC parameters. It is to be noted that The Embassy of India, Yerevan has advised Indian students against taking admissions in St. Tereza Medical University, Armenia.

Also Read | FMGE: Why Armenia’s low-cost MBBS abroad is not as attractive as it sounds

Four colleges, International Higher School Of Medicine in Kyrgyzstan, National Medical College Birgunj in Nepal, Southern Medical University in China, and Caspian University International School Of Medicine in Kazakhstan indicated compulsory rotational internships.

MBBS Abroad: 5-6 Years Duration

A total of 1,300 Indian graduates appeared for FMGE from these institutes; 352 of them, or 27 per cent, could clear the test.

5-6 Year MBBS Programme with Most Indian Graduates

Note: ** It is unclear what kind of internship is offered or if it is mandatory

It was seen that none of these colleges meets the basic parameters. Internship was indicated by only Tehran University Of Medical Sciences School Of Medicine, Iran.

MBBS Abroad Duration: 6 Years

Around 110 medical colleges were found to offer MBBS programmes of six years in duration. Over 20,000 Indian graduates from such institutes appeared for FMGE in 2022. About 5,561 students passed the exam or 27%. Careers360 analysed 10 such medical colleges as given in the table here.

6 Years MBBS Programme With Most Indian Graduates

Note: ** It is unclear what kind of internship is offered or if it is mandatory

Only China Medical University, China was found to match all parameters. Mention of internships was found on the websites of Davao Medical School Foundation College Of Medicine in the Philippines, Bukovinian State Medical University, Odessa National Medical University and Kharkiv National Medical University in Ukraine.

MBBS Abroad: Which course and duration to choose?

As the analysis shows and as per NMC rules, it is advisable that students aspiring to study MBBS abroad must pick colleges that offer an MBBS programme of fifty four months in duration with a mandatory clinical rotational internship of twelve months. This not only meets the NMC criteria but also gives aspirants a decent chance to qualify in the FMGE exam thereby leading to eligibility to practise in India.