The cost of studying MBBS abroad can vary for Indian students, as it generally ranges from ₹15 lakhs to over ₹70 lakhs. For many aspiring doctors in India, studying MBBS abroad has become an attractive option. With the limited number of government seats and the high tuition fees at private medical colleges in India, countries like Russia, Kyrgyzstan, China, Georgia, Bangladesh, etc, are offering affordable MBBS courses which are also globally recognized. However, apart from the tuition fees, other components contribute to the total cost of studying MBBS abroad. This includes the living expenses, accommodation, flights, visa costs, and even exam preparation. Read along to understand the cost of studying MBBS abroad in popular destinations and for more details.
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The total cost of studying MBBS abroad includes various key factors such as:
Country of Study: The entire cost of studying MBBS abroad depends on the country you aim for.
City and Location: Living in a capital city tends to have higher living costs compared to smaller towns.
Type of Accommodation: Choosing the type of accommodation highly affects the cost of living, as university hostels are usually more affordable, while renting a private apartment can be expensive.
Lifestyle Choices: Your spending habits, like whether you cook at home or eat out, and how often you use public transport or private taxis, can affect the monthly budget.
Currency Fluctuations: Since tuition and living expenses are in foreign currency, changes in exchange rates can impact your overall budget.
Studying MBBS in Russia is affordable compared to private medical colleges in India. Tuition fees range between ₹15 lakhs to ₹30 lakhs for a 6 year MBBS course. As per Numbeo, the monthly expenses for a single person are approximately ₹56,765 without including the rent. The cost of living in Russia tends to be about 86.4% higher than in India.
Particulars | Average Rent (in RUB) | Average Rent (in INR) |
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 43,150 | ₹47,035 |
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 28,625 | ₹31,200 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 78,780 | ₹85,870 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 54,110 | ₹58,980 |
Source: Numbeo
Particulars | Cost (RUB) | Cost (INR) |
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 40 | ₹45 |
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 2,320 | ₹2,530 |
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 190 | ₹205 |
Gasoline (1 liter) | 60 | ₹65 |
Source: Numbeo
Item | Cost (RUB) | Cost (INR) |
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 800 | ₹875 |
Milk (regular), 1 liter | 93 | ₹100 |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 55 | ₹60 |
Rice (white), 1 kg | 116 | ₹125 |
Eggs (12) | 138 | ₹150 |
Local Cheese (1 kg) | 883 | ₹960 |
Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | 410 | ₹445 |
Apples (1 kg) | 143 | ₹155 |
Banana (1 kg) | 149 | ₹160 |
Oranges (1 kg) | 161 | ₹175 |
Tomato (1 kg) | 233 | ₹255 |
Potato (1 kg) | 70 | ₹75 |
Onion (1 kg) | 56 | ₹60 |
Lettuce (1 head) | 108 | ₹115 |
Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 56 | ₹60 |
Source: Numbeo
The cost of the flight tickets from India to Russia can depend on various factors. The cost of one-way flights starts from around ₹19,000 to ₹35,000, while round-trip flights can cost around ₹50,000 to ₹100,000. The total cost depends on where you are flying from, your destination, the time of year, and which airline you choose.
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Pursuing MBBS in Kyrgyzstan is another popular choice for Indian students. With tuition fees ranging from ₹12 lakhs to ₹25 lakhs for the entire 5–6 year program. According to Numbeo, the monthly living expenses without rent is around ₹41,215. The cost of living in Kyrgyzstan is 40.2% more than in India.
Particulars | Average Rent (KGS) | Average Rent (INR) |
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 42,595 | ₹42,920 |
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 31,630 | ₹31,945 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 81,150 | ₹81,960 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 55,960 | ₹56,520 |
Source: Numbeo
Particulars | Cost (KGS) | Cost (INR) |
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 20 | ₹20 |
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 1,020 | ₹1,030 |
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 120 | ₹120 |
Gasoline (1 liter) | 70 | ₹70 |
Source: Numbeo
Item | Cost (KGS) | Cost (INR) |
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 500 | ₹505 |
Milk (regular), 1 liter | 81 | ₹80 |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 37 | ₹35 |
Rice (white), 1 kg | 137 | ₹140 |
Eggs (12) | 145 | ₹145 |
Local Cheese (1 kg) | 691 | ₹700 |
Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | 407 | ₹410 |
Apples (1 kg) | 92 | ₹90 |
Banana (1 kg) | 158 | ₹160 |
Oranges (1 kg) | 178 | ₹180 |
Tomato (1 kg) | 133 | ₹135 |
Potato (1 kg) | 50 | ₹50 |
Onion (1 kg) | 42 | ₹40 |
Lettuce (1 head) | 52 | ₹50 |
Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 47 | ₹50 |
Source: Numbeo
Flight prices from India to Kyrgyzstan can vary depending on travel dates, number of stops, departure city in India, airline, etc. The one-way tickets for Kyrgyzstan start from around ₹17,000 and can go up to about ₹33,000. For a return flight, the cost can be around ₹33,000 to ₹70,000.
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China has become a top choice for Indian students, due to its affordable tuition and top universities. When it comes to studying MBBS in China, tuition fees range between ₹15 lakhs to ₹40 lakhs. Living costs in China are quite reasonable, too. As per a Numbeo report, the average monthly cost of living in China without rent is around ₹46,000. In addition, staying in university hostels is a lot more affordable than renting privately. Overall, the cost of living in China is about 57.6% higher than in India. With excellent infrastructure, programs taught in English, and degrees recognized by the WHO, China is a great country for medical education.
Particulars | Average Rent (CNY) | Average Rent (INR) |
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 2,965 | ₹36,635 |
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 1,800 | ₹22,250 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 6,550 | ₹80,960 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 3,820 | ₹47,240 |
Source: Numbeo
Particulars | Cost (CNY) | Cost (INR) |
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 2 | ₹25 |
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 155 | ₹1,915 |
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 10 | ₹125 |
Gasoline (1 liter) | 8 | ₹100 |
Source: Numbeo
Item | Cost (CNY) | Cost (INR) |
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 20 | ₹245 |
Milk (regular), 1 liter | 12 | ₹150 |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 11 | ₹135 |
Rice (white), 1 kg | 6 | ₹75 |
Eggs (12) | 11 | ₹135 |
Local Cheese (1 kg) | 93 | ₹1,150 |
Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | 23 | ₹285 |
Apples (1 kg) | 12 | ₹150 |
Banana (1 kg) | 8 | ₹100 |
Oranges (1 kg) | 10 | ₹125 |
Tomato (1 kg) | 8 | ₹100 |
Potato (1 kg) | 5 | ₹60 |
Onion (1 kg) | 6 | ₹75 |
Lettuce (1 head) | 4 | ₹50 |
Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 3 | ₹40 |
Source: Numbeo
The one-way ticket from India to China is around ₹8,840. For a return flight, the cost can be around ₹27,100 to ₹45,000. Flight cost from India to China varies depending on the airline, travel dates, departure city in India, etc.
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Uzbekistan is an emerging destination for students looking to pursue an MBBS degree. Some of the reasons why students prefer to study in Uzbekistan include the affordable tuition fees and the cultural similarities with India. The total tuition fees usually fall between ₹21 lakhs to ₹30 lakhs. Additionally, the cost of living is budget-friendly, with monthly expenses of approximately ₹42,665. Many universities offer hostel accommodations at very low rates, which helps keep living costs low.
Particulars | Average Cost (in UZS) | Average Cost (in INR) |
Accommodation | 4,556,675 - 13,100,660 | ₹32,245 - ₹92,700 |
Transportantion | 1,43,567 | ₹1,015 |
Food | 3,06,260 | ₹2,170 |
Flight | - | One way: ₹11,000 - 13,000 Round Trip: ₹22,000 - 28,000 |
MBBS in Georgia is another emerging choice for Indian students who are looking for affordable MBBS programs. The tuition fees for a 6 year MBBS course in Georgia is around ₹25 lakhs to ₹40 lakhs. However, the monthly cost of living in Georgia, as per Numbeo, is around ₹52,330.
Particulars | Average Cost (in UZS) | Average Cost (in INR) |
Accommodation | 1,005 - 2,885 | ₹32,885 - ₹94,400 |
Transportantion | 47 | ₹1,535 |
Food | 100 | ₹3,270 |
Flight | - | One way: ₹12,400 - 18,000 Round Trip: ₹27,000 - 45,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
MBBS degrees in India are expensive because of the high investment for infrastructure and operational costs of running a medical college and its associated hospital. In addition, there is a high competition for the limited seats in private institutions. India also offers experienced faculty, modern equipment and labs that contribute ot the high cost of studying MBBS in India.
MBBS can be free in countries like Germany, Norway and Finland, wherein there is no tuition fee charged by the public universities. However, these universities charge a nominal administration or semester fee. Apart from this, the cost of living in each of these countries is not free, so that will add to the total cost of studying MBBS abroad.
Yes, it is possible to do MBBS abroad under INR 10 lakhs. However for this you need to aim for the affordable countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan etc and also apply for a scholarship. Scholarships can help you save some amount of the tuition fees.
Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Kazakhstan are considered some of the cheapest study abroad destinations for an MBBS degree. The tuition fees for the entire duration can cost less than INR 30 Lakhs.
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