MBBS Abroad vs India – Which is Better?

Eligibility Criteria to Study MBBS in India vs. MBBS Abroad

1. Age Requirement

MBBS in India:

Every Indian student aiming to pursue an MBBS career must be 17 years old. The age requirement to study MBBS in India is 17 years, and there is no specific upper age limit to study MBBS in India.

MBBS Abroad:

17 years is the minimum age requirement necessary for any student, whether they are residents or international students, to study MBBS abroad.

2. Academic Qualification:

MBBS in India:

To pursue MBBS in India, students must have completed Class 12 with PCB subjects and English. Nearly 40 - 60% should be scored by the students in Class 12 to pursue MBBS in India.

MBBS Abroad:

To study MBBS abroad, students must have completed high school (Class 12) with PCB subjects. They must also have scored at least 50% in these subjects. Depending on the country, the high school score requirements for MBBS admission abroad may vary. For example, some countries mandate 70 - 80% marks in high school to pursue an MBBS degree abroad.

3. Essential Citizenship

MBBS in India:

To pursue an MBBS in India, the student must be either a citizen of India or an overseas citizen of India (OCI).

MBBS Abroad

Any international student and local students can study MBBS abroad.

4. Entrance Exam

MBBS in India:

NEET is the entrance exam that all Indian medical aspirants appear for and pass to study MBBS in India.

MBBS Abroad

To study MBBS abroad, all Indian students are required to pass the NEET examination. Also, depending on the country where you want to study MBBS abroad, you need to appear for the additional examinations conducted by the country to get MBBS admission.

Note: Not all countries will conduct additional examinations for MBBS admission. Many countries demand only the NEET qualification to render MBBS admission for Indian students.

5. English Language Test

MBBS in India:

No need to appear for the English language test to study MBBS in India.

MBBS Abroad:

Based on the country and university you choose to pursue the MBBS at, you need to appear for ELP tests, including IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE. Some countries mandate international students to pass the ELP tests to study MBBS in their countries.

6. Additional Essentials

MBBS in India:

To pursue MBBS in India, no additional essentials, like recommendations, previous experience, or statements, are required.

MBBS Abroad

If you are an Indian student planning to study the MBBS program abroad, then you need to submit a few additional essentials, like letters of recommendation (LORs), a statement of purpose (SOP), relevant work experience, volunteer experience, or a CV.

A Clear Comparison of MBBS in India and MBBS Abroad

1. Entrance Examination and Admission

MBBS in India:

Indian medical aspirants must appear for the NEET entrance examinations and qualify with the necessary cut-off marks based on their category, like general, PWD, and more, to secure an MBBS seat in India. Both the government and private medical colleges require the NEET qualification to grant the MBBS admission.

MBBS Abroad:

The same requirements apply to studying MBBS abroad, which means Indian students must appear for the NEET examination and obtain the necessary cutoff marks to secure an MBBS seat abroad. Also, Indian students must sit for additional examinations to obtain an MBBS seat in foreign countries, depending on the nation and university they choose.

Note: Not all foreign universities demand high cutoff marks in NEET; they just demand NEET qualifications (accept low cutoff marks) to grant MBBS admission to their university.

Also, read -

• MBBS Abroad With NEET

• Which Countries Accept NEET Score for MBBS?

2. Language Test Requirement

MBBS in India:

Indian students do not need to appear for any language test to study MBBS in India.

MBBS Abroad:

Some foreign countries and universities mandate Indian students to appear for language tests, like IELTS, TOEFL, and so on, to allow them to pursue an MBBS abroad.

Note: Not all foreign countries conduct language proficiency tests for Indian students to allocate them MBBS admission abroad.

Read More - Entrance Exams for Studying MBBS in Abroad

3. Tuition Fees:

MBBS in India:

Depending on the college type, including government, private, and deemed institutions, the tuition fees for the MBBS program vary.

Government Universities: The tuition fees at government medical universities are highly affordable and mostly subsidised. The average tuition fee at government medical colleges ranges from INR 15,000 to INR 1,00,000 per year.

Note: Depending on the state, quota, and institution, the tuition fee varies at government medical universities.

Private Medical Colleges: The average annual tuition fee at the private medical colleges ranges from INR 6 lakhs to INR 25 lakhs.

Note: The tuition fees at some private medical colleges can exceed 25 lakhs, too. Depending on the state, quota, and university, the tuition fee at private medical colleges may vary.

Deemed Universities: The annual tuition fee necessary to study MBBS at deemed universities ranges from INR 15 lakhs to 30 lakhs.

Note: Depending on the state, quota, and university, the tuition fee for the MBBS program may vary.

Management Quota: Many students who fail to get merit-based MBBS seats in private colleges will opt for the management quota MBBS seats in the private colleges to study the MBBS course in India. The total cost for the management quota MBBS program in India ranges from INR 50 lakhs to INR one crore and more for the entire course.

MBBS Abroad

Depending on the country and university, the tuition fee for the MBBS program per year varies. However, some foreign countries, like Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and more, offer MBBS seats at affordable prices, while some other foreign countries offer MBBS admission at high prices. When comparing the cost of an MBBS course between private colleges in India and medical universities in foreign countries, the cost of an MBBS abroad is generally lower. Additionally, some universities just demand a NEET qualification to offer MBBS seats for Indian students at a low fee structure. Choosing MBBS abroad to pursue medicine is the best choice for Indian students, as the universities offer high-quality education at affordable prices and offer high value for money.

Note: When considering foreign countries to pursue MBBS, Indian students must consider the cost of living to study MBBS abroad, including food expenses, living expenses, hostel fees, accommodation fees, medical insurance, visa extension charges, and other essentials. Not all foreign universities provide MBBS seats at affordable prices and accept only the NEET qualification.

Also, read -

• MBBS Abroad Fees for Indian Students
• What is the Cost of Studying MBBS Abroad?

4. Education and Facilities:

MBBS in India:

The quality of education and facilities in India at the top medical universities will be flawless. Many medical universities in India offer world-class education, modern infrastructure, advanced laboratories, and experienced faculty. However, some of the medical colleges in India still have outdated infrastructure, overcrowded classes, limited patient exposure, and limited faculty.

MBBS Abroad:

In foreign countries, medical universities offer a good quality of education and world-class facilities. Usually, foreign universities offer modern infrastructure, advanced education, early clinical exposure, international teaching standards, and the best curriculum. MBBS abroad is a better choice for Indian students, as the universities offer them a competitive edge globally in the medical field.

5. MBBS Course Total Duration:

MBBS in India:

The total MBBS course duration in India is 5.5 years, including a one–year mandatory internship. The academic learning will be 4.5 years, and one year will be a mandatory internship program.

MBBS Abroad:

The total MBBS course duration in foreign countries will usually be six years, including a one-year mandatory internship. The entire course duration includes academic sessions and practical training. However, the course duration of the entire MBBS program varies depending on the country and university.

Note: If you’re an Indian student planning to study abroad and practice in India, it is mandatory to choose a university that offers a 54-month MBBS course and a one-year mandatory internship program.

6. Medium of Instruction and Clinical Exposure

MBBS in India:

The medium of instruction for the MBBS program in India is primarily English, but some universities also offer MBBS programs in regional languages. The clinical exposure in India is very high, considering the high patient load and diverse cases.

MBBS Abroad:

The medium of instruction in most foreign universities is English. However, some foreign universities offer courses in their official languages. The foreign universities offer early and extensive clinical training.

Note: As per the NMC guidelines, Indian students planning to pursue MBBS abroad and practise in India should choose a university that offers the entire MBBS course in English.

7. Global Career Opportunities and Exposure

MBBS in India:

After an MBBS in India, the medical students must register for a licence in India. Following the NMC guidelines is mandatory for registration. Additionally, if aspirants want to pursue higher education after completing the MBBS program in India, they can qualify for the NEE-PG examination conducted in India. Due to limited seats in India, gaining admission for higher education is also complex. However, there are many local and global career opportunities for Indians who have pursued an MBBS program in India. With the medical degree gained in India, Indian students can work across the globe, as the demand for doctors has increased after the COVID pandemic. However, to work in other countries, they need to pass the licensing exams conducted in those countries.

MBBS Abroad:

Indian students who have studied MBBS abroad can gain diverse learning opportunities, international exposure, and global career prospects. With the MBBS degree gained from a foreign university, Indian students can work in different foreign countries as well as in India, but they must pass the licensing exams conducted in each country.

8. Licensing and Practice:

MBBS in India

To work in India after completing MBBS in India, professionals need to register for a licence to practise in India.

MBBS Abroad

If you’re an Indian who has studied MBBS in foreign countries and would like to practise in India, then you must pass the FMGE exam conducted in India. After qualifying for the FMGE exam, you need to take a one-year mandatory internship in an Indian medical hospital approved by the NMC. After completing the internship, you are allowed to register for a licence to practise in India.

Also check - MBBS abroad for Indian students

NMC Guidelines to Pursue MBBS Abroad

Indian students must follow the NMC guidelines to pursue MBBS abroad for practising in India. The NMC guidelines include

• NEET Qualification: NEET qualification is mandatory to pursue MBBS abroad.

• MBBS Course Duration: The MBBS course must be at least 54 months.

• Internship: Complete a 12-month mandatory internship at the same university

• Medium of Instruction: English.

• Mandatory Subjects: The MBBS course should cover all the subjects specified by the NMC in the FMGL regulations.

• Gain Licence: As per the NMC, Indian students who have studied MBBS in foreign universities must gain a licence to practise medicine in that country.

Read more - What is 54 Months Rule for MBBS Abroad?

Final Thought: Which One is Best: MBBS in India vs. MBBS Abroad?

Both choices, including an MBBS in India vs. MBBS abroad, offer advantages and disadvantages. Depending on your various factors, including your goals, financial stability, and career plans, you should choose the best option. Studying MBBS in India is a good choice for Indians if they can secure a medical seat in government medical institutions and want to gain a licence to practise in India without any examinations. You can choose to study MBBS abroad if you fail to get government medical seats, do not want to pay the expensive tuition fees in private medical colleges in India, wish to gain a good education at affordable options, want to practise abroad, are ready to clear the FMGE exam, and seek global career opportunities.