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MBBS Abroad 2025: Indian students consistently choose to study MBBS abroad because of the competitive examinations and limited slots in public Indian medical colleges along with high MBBS fees in private colleges. The most feasible option for Indian students is to pursue MBBS in a foreign university with affordable tuition and world-class medical education. As per the latest NMC data, there were a total of more than 24 lakh NEET UG registrations in 2024 for just 1,18,000 seats across 700 medical colleges in India. This means that the competition for these MBBS seats in India is incredibly high. This shows that it is very challenging for Indian students to pursue a medical career in the country due to the limited number of available seats in Indian MBBS colleges.
Hence, many aspiring doctors want to be a part of the top MBBS college in the world 2025. Along with the top notch education, these also offer low abroad MBBS fees. NEET is one of the significant exams for studying MBBS abroad for Indian students. Effective from 26th November 2024, degrees from foreign medical colleges not recognised under NMC guidelines will not be eligible for FMGE and medicine practice in India. We have mentioned complete details in the article below as well.
Students looking for universities in the world offering medical courses abroad for Indian students at low cost can give it a read. We have mentioned a complete guide to studying medicine abroad for international students. It includes how to apply, cheap countries for medicine, NMC guidelines, MBBS abroad fees, and many more.
NMC Guidelines for MBBS Abroad: Aspiring Indian doctors must be aware of new rules and regulations issued by NMC on 26th November 2024. As per the new guidelines, medical degrees issued by foreign medical colleges that are not recognised under NMC are not eligible to appear for FMGE or practice medicine in India.
Hence, Indian students must explore the NMC guidelines to check whether the chosen MBBS university in the world is accredited and recognised. Here are the NMC Approved Medical Colleges Abroad List:
A 12-month internship must be completed with the same medical college
There are certain subjects to study during their MBBS course including General Medicine and Surgery, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, Community Medicine, Anaesthesia, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Besides, they should also study Otorhinolaryngology, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Emergency or Casualty services, laboratory services, and other related sub-specialities.
The duration for MBBS abroad must not be less than 54 months.
All theory-based and practical training of students in the MBBS from a foreign institution must as per the MBBS course structure in India.
Study MBBS Abroad Companion Video:
Also Read: Medical Licensing Exams after MBBS Abroad
Affordable MBBS fees: The abroad MBBS fees are low in some countries as the government funds them and does not demand any university fee. There are many cheapest MBBS colleges in the world where students can study at a very low cost.
Globally recognized degree: Most of the MBBS abroad degrees are recognized globally so that students can take license exams like USMLE, PLAB, NEXT, etc.
Education quality: Abroad Institutions offer education with experts in medical fields and well-equipped laboratories, etc.
Low Cutoff marks: In India the NEET cutoff is very high to get eligible for MBBS whereas the minimum required marks to get MBBS admission abroad are low. An MBBS degree from a top globally recognized university will add a lot of value to the candidate's profile.
Suitable Student-Teacher Ratio: The abroad classrooms are less crowded maintaining up to max 1:15 student-teacher ratio.
Multi-Cultural Exposure: Students from different countries travel to study MBBS abroad. There will be diversity in culture and background in the colleges. Interacting with multicultural students enhances the candidate's communication skills and also prepares them better as future doctors to treat people from different cultures.
Considering that eligibility criteria for MBBS abroad for Indian students differ as per the country and university, students must prepare the necessary documents and eligibility requirements beforehand. Students who choose to study MBBS abroad can cross-check the very few eligibility requirements mentioned below. These apply to both Indian and other International students.
Here are the age and academic criteria to study medicine abroad in 2025:
Academic Credentials: Candidates must complete their secondary education (10+2) from a science background with subjects of Biology, physics, and chemistry from a recognized board in their country.
Entrance Exam Score: Each country has its own entrance exam for abroad MBBS admissions. Candidates need to clear the country's own entrance exams like MCAT for the US, UKCAT for the UK, UMAT for Australia, etc.
English Proficiency Exams: A few countries where English is the native language demand to submit English language proficiency test scores like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc as part of MBBS admissions abroad.
Age: Candidates must have attained the age of 17 in the year of their admission. However, there is no upper age limit to apply for MBBS abroad.
Also Read: MBBS Abroad without NEET
Depending upon the medical college in the world one opts for, the MBBS admissions process abroad varies from that of India. Students must shortlist the best countries, and universities abroad, and make sure they fulfil the eligibility criteria to study medical courses after class 12. A part of how to apply for MBBS abroad also involves arranging student visas for that country. Here is the sequence of steps that can be followed to apply for admission to MBBS abroad.
Here is the step-by-step guide for international students planning to study medical courses abroad in 2025:
Research about the Country and University: Shortlist the universities by considering the country, MBBS tuition fees, living costs, entrance exams, and other eligibility criteria.
Fulfil the eligibility criteria: The candidate can cross-check the eligibility criteria and attempt the required tests for the selected college MBBS admissions abroad. Every medical university has its own MBBS abroad eligibility to comply with.
Acquire necessary documentation: Prepare all the relevant documents for MBBS abroad admission 2025, especially the NEET scorecard.
Admission Application: Apply for the university directly from the university website and upload the necessary documentation.
Apply for Student Visa: Once the candidate receives the acceptance letter from the medical university for MBBS admission abroad, they can proceed with the visa application.
Plan Travel: Once the visa is approved the candidate can book the tickets to the abroad country well in advance after receiving confirmed MBBS admissions in Abroad.
Indian students are required to submit a set of documents to support their application to MBBS universities abroad. However, each country and institution has its own set of requirements for MBBS admissions in abroad universities. The general documents list required to secure admission in MBBS college abroad are:
ID proof -Valid passport and Visa
Marks sheets of 10th & 12th Class
Academic transcripts
English proficiency scores
NEET Score Card
Birth Certificate
Resume
Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Standardised test scores
Medical Certificates
English translation of non-English transcripts (if any)
PCC or Police Clearance Certificate
Student visa
Proof of funds
MBBS admission in India requires a mandatory NEET examination. Likewise, various countries have their entrance exams for MBBS abroad. Clearing these exams is a crucial requirement for being considered for MBBS admissions in those respective countries. Candidates must select an entrance exam from the provided list, based on their preferences, for pursuing an MBBS abroad.
MBBS Entrance Exam | Full Form | Countries |
NEET | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test |
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Medical College Admission Test |
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UMAT | Undergraduate Medical Admissions Test |
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Universal Clinical Aptitude Test | UK | |
CSAT | College Scholastic Ability Test | South Korea |
There are the best medical colleges abroad for Indian students that offer high-quality MBBS. Here are some of the best countries for MBBS for Indian students and universities to consider:
Popular Countries for Medicine Abroad | Top MBBS Universities Worldwide |
MBBS in UK |
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MBBS in USA |
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MBBS in China |
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MBBS in Russia |
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MBBS in Ukraine |
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MBBS in Philippines |
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There are some of the best medical universities in the world offering top notch degrees for Indian students. Here, we have mentioned some of the most popular and top universities that offer MBBS degrees abroad to Indian students with NEET Scores.
University | QS WUR 2025 |
Harvard University, USA | 4 |
University of Oxford, UK | 3 |
Stanford University, USA | 6 |
Johns Hopkins University, USA | 32 |
University of Cambridge, UK | 5 |
University College London, UK | – |
Karolinska Institutet, Sweden | – |
2 | |
42 | |
– |
Studying MBBS abroad can be a costly affair, but there are some countries that offers MBBS abroad at low cost for Indian students. Here are some of the cheapest countries for MBBS courses:
Russia
Ukraine
Kyrgyzstan
Kazakhstan
Philippines
Bangladesh
Nepal
Poland
Georgia
Belarus
Studying abroad is often associated with the drawback of expensive tuition fees. Nevertheless, this is not the case for those aspiring to pursue MBBS abroad. To attract a larger number of students, various countries including Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, China, and Bangladesh offer high-quality MBBS abroad at low cost for Indian students.
International students who require financial assistance can explore a comprehensive list of scholarships available to study medicine abroad or consider obtaining an education loan.
A majority of medical students choose to pursue postgraduate studies or specialisations before starting their practice. Nevertheless, there exists a significant number of students who deviate from this norm and engage in practice for a few years before embarking on higher studies. Popular job preferences for MBBS graduates include:
Getting a job in a hospital
Going for a private practice
Opting for employment in hospital management or health administration
Pursuing academic research in the field of medical science
Also Read:
If a candidate intends to practice medicine or pursue a postgraduate programme in India after doing MBBS abroad then he/she needs to undergo the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) or MCI screening test. It is a national-level licensure exam, which is conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE). FMGE exam is conducted every year in June and December.
Overseas Citizens of India who hold a Medical Degree from a Foreign College or University and intend to acquire a Provisional or Permanent registration with the Medical Council of India (MCI) are also required to take the FMGE exam.
FMGE is a computer-based exam and consists of two papers. The exam will be conducted in English language and will have a duration of 2 hours and 45 minutes. There will be no negative marking.
Candidates willing to apply for the FMGE exam should visit the official website and register themselves for filling and submit the application form online.
Related Links:
How to Apply for Eligibility Certificate for Studying MBBS Abroad
How to Acquire Medical License in India After Studying MBBS Abroad
Studying MBBS abroad has become a popular option for many aspiring doctors due to the quality of education, international exposure, and potentially lower costs. Several countries are renowned for their excellent medical education systems and attract students from around the world. Here are some of the most popular countries for MBBS abroad:
Best country for MBBS abroad for Indian students
Also Check: Beware of Fraudsters While Planning to Study MBBS Abroad
Upon finishing the course, students are required to take the MCI screening examination and subsequently have the opportunity to undertake their clinical internship in India.
An MBBS program provides graduates with a plethora of career prospects within the medical domain. Those who complete the program can opt for professions such as physicians, medical experts, surgeons, researchers, educators, or find employment in hospitals, clinics, research institutions, or public health organizations. Candidates may decide to specialize in particular medical fields by pursuing additional education and training.
There are multiple scholarships and financial aid options accessible for Indian students who intend to pursue MBBS abroad. These scholarships can be provided by the selected universities, government, or private organizations. It is advisable for students to conduct thorough research on the available scholarships and apply for the ones they are eligible for.
If we evaluate affordability solely based on monetary considerations, there are plenty of options. Various universities in Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan provide MBBS programs at a cost of less than 20 lakhs, encompassing university charges, tuition fees, hostel fees, and internship expenses.
From our perspective, selecting a foreign country as your destination for studying MBBS holds no drawbacks whatsoever. The education provided is of exceptional quality, adhering to high training standards and receiving recognition from esteemed authorities across the globe. Additionally, immersing oneself in a new culture equips students to effectively handle any level of pressure, a prevalent aspect in the medical field.
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