Best Countries to Study MBBS Abroad
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Medicine is one of the most sought-after courses among the young in India. The number of young students wanting to become a doctor or pursue a career in medicine is only rising steeply. The number of Indian students looking to pursue medical studies abroad is also on the rise.
Choosing the best countries to study MBBS abroad can feel confusing for many Indian students. With less MBBS seats in India and very high fees in private colleges, many students start looking for good and affordable options in other countries. This guide helps you understand the top choices in a simple way, using clear facts and our real experience of helping MBBS students.
In India, there are only around 118379 MBBS seats in 780 medical colleges for almost 2-2.5 million NEET applicants. The competition is very tough. Because of this, more Indian students now choose countries like Georgia, Russia, Philippines, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Egypt for medical studies that fit their budget and still give good quality education.
Studying MBBS abroad gives you modern classrooms, better hospital training, and global exposure. In many countries, the MBBS fees are lower than private colleges in India, and some universities also follow NMC rules, which helps in future exams in India. Here, we will look at the best countries to study MBBS abroad based on education quality, course fees, living cost, and career options. This will help you make a clear and confident decision for your medical future.
READ: Top MBBS Colleges Abroad
- Best Country for MBBS abroad for Indian students
- Why Pursue MBBS Abroad?
- Eligibility Criteria for MBBS Abroad for Indian Students
- MBBS in UK
- MBBS in USA
- MBBS in Bangladesh
- MBBS in China
- MBBS in Nepal
- MBBS in Russia
- MBBS in Ukraine
Best Country for MBBS abroad for Indian students
Some of the top countries for MBBS study abroad are:
| Country |
Course Duration |
Total Estimated Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 years |
₹15 – ₹35 lakhs |
|
| MBBS in Kyrgyzstan |
5 years |
₹13 – ₹19 lakhs |
| MBBS in Bangladesh |
5 years |
₹20 – ₹35 lakhs |
| 6 years |
₹25 – ₹40 lakhs |
|
| MBBS in Poland |
6 years |
₹30 – ₹35 lakhs |
| 6 years |
₹15 – ₹25 lakhs |
|
| 6 years |
₹20 – ₹35 lakhs |
|
| 5.5 years |
₹20 – ₹30 lakhs |
|
| 8 years |
₹2.5 – ₹5 crores |
|
| 5-6 years |
₹1.5 – ₹3 crores |
Countries like the UAE offer lucrative opportunities, provided you clear the DHA Exam.
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Why Pursue MBBS Abroad?
Many Indian students think about MBBS abroad because the competition in India is extremely high and the number of seats is very low. In India, there are only around 118379 MBBS seats in almost 780 medical colleges, but every year nearly 20 to 25 lakh NEET applicants try for these seats. This huge gap makes it very hard for students to get a government seat.
Because of this shortage, many students are pushed toward private medical colleges in India. But the fees in private colleges are very high, sometimes going up to ₹80 lakh to ₹1.2 crore, which most families cannot afford. This is one big reason why students look for affordable MBBS abroad options.
In many countries, the MBBS fees are lower, usually between ₹20 lakh to ₹40 lakh for the whole course. Students also get modern labs, better hospital exposure, and international learning environments. Countries like Georgia, Russia, Philippines, and Kazakhstan have become popular because they offer good quality medical education at a budget-friendly cost.
Many foreign medical universities also follow NMC guidelines, making the degree acceptable for Indian licensing exams. Overall, MBBS abroad gives students a chance to study medicine without the extreme pressure of limited seats and very high fees in India.
Eligibility Criteria for MBBS Abroad for Indian Students
Rules for MBBS abroad may change a bit from one country to another, but here we just look at the common eligibility for Indian students.
- You must be 17 years old on or before December 31 of the year when you take admission.
- You should have passed Class 12 from a recognised board.
- In your 12th exam, you need 50% or more in Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB) and also studied English as a subject.
- An Eligibility Certificate from the NMC is needed when you go for admission in a foreign medical university.
- Clearing the NEET exam is compulsory. Even if you want to study MBBS abroad, NEET is still required.
So these are the basic MBBS abroad eligibility criteria for Indian students. If you don’t meet them, you may not be able to apply for medical studies in foreign universities.
Also Read
- Advantages and Disadvantages of MBBS Abroad
- Eligibility Requirements & Admission Process for Studying MBBS Abroad
Now let us talk about the top universities to pursue MBBS abroad for Indian students.
MBBS in UK
Students from many countries go to the UK for MBBS because the education quality is high and medical universities rank top. The MBBS course in UK mostly takes 5 to 6 years to finish. If you plan to do MBBS in UK, you need a good academic record. Marks in Biology and Chemistry must be strong. You also have to give exams like UKCAT or BMAT and get good scores. An English language proficiency certificate is also compulsory for admission. The MBBS in UK cost is not cheap. It can be around £20,000 to £45,000 per year, sometimes even more depending on the university
Top Medical Colleges in the UK include:
| University | Course Duration | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | 3 years (BA) 6 years (BM BCh) |
Pre-Clinical: £43,670 (INR 44,30,394) Per Year Clinical: £57,690 (INR 58,52,747) Per Year |
| 6 years (MB, BChir) | £63,990 (INR 64,91,892) Per Year | |
| 6 years (MBBS BSc) | £50,300 (INR 51,03,019) Per Year | |
| 6 years (MBBS BSc) | £53,700 (INR 54,47,955) Per Year | |
| 5-6 years (MBBS) | £48,600 (INR 49,30,551) Per Year | |
| 6 years (MBChB) | Pre-Clinical 1,2,3 years: £37,570 (INR 38,04,438) Per Year Clinical years: £51,000 (INR 51,74,035) Per Year Year 4 direct entry: £51,000 (INR 51,74,035) Per Year |
|
| 5 years (MBChB) | Year 1 & 2: £34,500 (INR 35,00,083) Per Year | |
| 5 years (MBChB) | £56,520 (INR 57,34,048) Per Year | |
| 5 Years (Medicine) | £48,700 (INR 49,40,696) Per Year |
MBBS in USA
In the USA, obtaining admission into an MD programme (Doctor of Medicine) is quite tough as the competition is stiff. Those who are interested in this programme need to possess a bachelor's degree with important coursework in subjects such as physics, biology, chemistry, and math. MCAT is an important exam to get MBBS admission in USA.
Top Medical Colleges in the USA include:
| University | Course Duration | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Years (Medical MD) | $69,300 (INR 57,64,205) Per Year |
|
| 6 Years (MD) | $21,781 (INR 18,11,690) (Quarterly) | |
| 4 Years (MD) | $76,744 (INR 63,83,378) 1st Year | |
| 6-7 Years (MD) | $43,843 (INR 36,46,754) 1st Year | |
| 4 Years (MD) | $57,369 (INR 47,71,813) 1st Year | |
| 4 Years (MD) | $35,654 (INR 29,65,613) 1st Year | |
| 4-5 Years (MD) | $29,875 (INR 24,84,929) 1st Term | |
| 5 Years (MD) | $69,363 (INR 57,69,445) 1st Year | |
| 4 Years (MD) | $65,940 (INR 54,84,728) 1st Year | |
| 4 Years (MD) | $69,756 (INR 58,02,133) 1st Year |
MBBS in Bangladesh
Indian students who want to pursue their medical studies from Bangladesh can apply for direct admissions under the SAARC Countries quota – that allows students from India to study the Programme at a very normal fee. Students can apply to universities in Bangladesh also if they do now want to go through the SAARC program. Pursuing the MBBS course in Bangladesh would cost students approximately anything between 30 – 60 lakhs for the entire program.
Top Medical Colleges in Bangladesh include:
| University | Course Duration | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Years (MBBS) | $45,000 (INR 37,42,990) Full Fee | |
| Delta Medical College |
5 Years (MBBS) | $44,200 (INR 36,76,448) Full Fee |
| 5 Years (MBBS) | $45,000 (INR 37,42,990) Full Fee | |
| Jahurul Islam Medical College |
5 Years (MBBS) | $41,000 (INR 3410280) Full Fee |
| 5 Years (MBBS) | $42,000 (INR 34,93,458) Full Fee | |
| 5 Years (MBBS) | $56,000 (INR 46,57,942) Full Fee | |
| 5 Years (MBBS) | $35,947 (INR 29,90,000) Full Fee | |
| Enam Medical College and Hospital |
5 Years (MBBS) | Around $40,000 (INR 33,27,102) Full Fee |
| 6 Years (MBBS) | Around $40,000 (INR 33,27,102) Full Fee |
MBBS in China
According to the Ministry of Education (MoE) of the People's Republic of China, only 45 universities in China are qualified to teach MBBS degrees in English and admit international students (including India). So, if Indian students want to pursue MBBS in English then they have to take admission in any one of these educational institutions else they have to pursue medical studies in the Chinese language.
The cost of medical studies in China ranges from INR 3 Lakh to INR 8 Lakh annually, which is the reason they are highly popular amongst the Indian and international students as they get quality education at a reasonable budget. This is a major reason why international students prefer to pursue MBBS from China. In China, Clinical Medicine is taught either in Chinese or English medium. Apart from this, Clinical Integrative Medicine is the other English medium course that includes Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine. READ: Why should you pursue MBBS from China?
Top Medical Colleges in China include:
| University | Course Duration | Tuition Fees |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Year (MBBS) | RMB 52,000 (INR 5,92,968) Per Year | |
| 6 Year (MBBS) | RMB 35,000 (INR 3,99,114) Per Year | |
| North Sichuan Medical University |
5 Year (MBBS) | RMB 46,916 (INR 5,35,000) Per Year |
| Southwest Medical University |
5 Year (MBBS) | RMB 30,000 (INR 3,42,098) Per Year |
| 6 Year (MBBS) | RMB 38,000 (INR 4,33,324) Per Year | |
| 6 Year (MBBS) | RMB 24,000 (INR 2,73,677) Per Year | |
| 6 Year (MBBS) | RMB 35,000 (INR 3,99,114) Per Year | |
| 5 Year (MBBS) | RMB 25,000 (INR 2,85,082) Per Year | |
| Peking University |
6 Year (MBBS) | RMB 40,000 (INR 4,56,130) Per Year |
| Fudan University |
6 Year (MBBS) | RMB 75,000 (INR 8,55,243) Per Year |
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MBBS in Nepal
Another preferred destination for Indian students to pursue medical studies is Nepal. The close proximity and relaxed immigration policies have made this landlocked country a major hub among Indian students wanting to study MBBS abroad. The tuition costs for the entire program ranges from 30 – 45 lakhs for the entire program. Nepal and India also share cultural similarities, and climate making it easy for Indian students to settle abroad. Some of the top colleges in Nepal to pursue medical studies are listed below.
Top Medical Colleges in Nepal include
- Kathmandu University (KU)
- College Of Medical Sciences (CMS Nepal)
- National Medical College
- Nepal Medical College
- Janaki Medical College
- Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS)
- Kathmandu Medical College
MBBS in Russia
High quality of medical education combined with low tuition fees is one of the prime reasons for students to pursue MBBS from Russia. All Russian Medical Universities are recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and 12 of these universities teach MBBS in the English medium. To attract the best minds, the Russian Government provides a subsidy for education and the MBBS fee in Russia is low keeping the very point in mind. Due to its international affiliations, all students who pursue MBBS from Russia can practise anywhere in the world including India. Russia is the cheapest country to study MBBS in the world. The MBBS fees in Russia are around INR 2.14 lakh per year. READ: Is it Worth Studying MBBS in Russia?
Top Medical Colleges in Russia include
- Belgorod National Research University (BelSu)
- Nizhny Novgorod State Medical University (Nizhgma)
- Stavropol State Medical University
- Bashkir State Medical University
- The Orenburg State Medical University
- Mordovia State University
- Northern State Medical University
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow
- Siberian State Medical University
- Ryazan Medical University, Ryazan
- Kuban State Medical University
MBBS in Ukraine
Located in Eastern Europe, Ukraine is one of the most sought after study abroad destinations for medical studies. The country is home to top government medical universities offering MBBS, MD and other medical/ medicine-related degrees to students. Top medical universities in Ukraine are all recognized by major organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Medical degrees of qualifying Graduates are recognized everywhere and are eligible to apply for medical positions in any corner of the world. Popular medical fields of MBBS in medical universities of Ukraine include Dentistry; General medicine; Pharmacy and Pediatrics. Candidates are not required to appear for any entrance examination to get admission to a medical university. The average duration of an MBBS Programme in Ukraine is for 5.8 years.
Top medical colleges in Ukraine
- Kharkiv National Medical University
- Lugansk State Medical University (LSMU)
- M. Gorky National Medical University (DMNU)
- Bogomolets National Medical University
- Ternopil State Medical University
- Donetsk State Medical University
- National Medical University
- Vinnytsia National Medical University
Candidates are reminded that they would be required to clear the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination, or FMGE, to be able to practice in India. It is established that studying abroad is cheaper compared to the tuition fees in India; however, candidates should always go for medical universities abroad that fulfill NMC guidelines and avoid dodgy study institutions.
The cheapest country to study MBBS abroad in 2025 is often considered Russia, where annual tuition fees can be as low as two to three Lacs rupees. Other affordable options include Kyrgyzstan, China, and the Philippines, with tuition and living costs combined typically between three to six Lacs rupees per year. These countries offer English-medium courses and recognised degrees. Russia and Kyrgyzstan are especially popular among Indian students for their cost-effectiveness and quality education.
Some of the best countries for Indian students to pursue MBBS at the lowest cost are:
Country | Annual Tuition Fee (in INR) |
|---|---|
Russia | INR 3 L – 4 L |
Ukraine | INR 5 L – 8 L |
Nepal | INR 8 L – 10 L |
Bangladesh | INR 12 L – 15 L |
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Comments
(3)
R
4 years ago
Hello John. If you are looking to study in the Philippines, you can check out popular universities in Phillippines here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/philippines Or get in touch with our counsellors here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply
D
4 years ago
R
4 years ago
R
5 years ago
Hello Sudeep. How do you define best? we have got a list of popular universities for you. Choosing your university is a personal choice which you would have to accomplish. you can also read: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/bachelors-in-mbbs-courses-in-abroad-sl1338 and https://studyabroad.shiksha.c
While it is very tough to find universities that offer MBBS studies for free, students can look at German public universities that are known to offer tuition-free medical education to students.
However, students must still have to pay other expenses like semester fees, & living expenses.
Some popular institutes known for offering tuition free medical education includes: RWTH Aachen & Technical University of Munich.