MBBS Abroad: Top Universities, Fees, Eligibility Criteria & Admission Process
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MBBS Abroad: Top Universities, Fees, Eligibility Criteria & Admission Process

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Raj
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Updated on Oct 23, 2025 10:36 IST

MBBS abroad is popular among many Indian students. Every year, more students go overseas to study medicine for better career opportunities. In India, seats are limited, and private college fees are very high.

Study MBBS Abroad

There are limited seats in Indian medical colleges. That's why Indian students choose to study MBBS abroad. Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Philippines are popular countries for MBBS studies at lower costs. Universities here are approved by global medical boards. This makes their degrees accepted worldwide. To apply for MBBS abroad, students must be at least 16 years old.

Low cost MBBS universities abroad give students a chance to get advanced medical training and global exposure. Studying MBBS abroad can be a life changing experience. It offers modern learning environments and expert faculty. This article will help you to explore best countries and universities for MBBS studies this year.

Table of content
  • Why Study MBBS Abroad?
  • Eligibility of MBBS Abroad for Indian Students in 2025
  • Documents Required for MBBS Abroad
  • Exams Required to Study MBBS Abroad
  • MBBS Abroad vs MBBS in India
  • Top University & Colleges for MBBS Abroad
  • Top Countries for MBBS Abroad for Indian Students
  • MBBS Jobs and Career Opportunities
  • Scholarships to Study MBBS Abroad
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Why Study MBBS Abroad?

MBBS or Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery is a qualification which requires immense patience, hard work, and focus. There are many countries apart from India such as Germany, UK, Russia, Bangladesh, and Canada, which offer medical programmes that too at reasonable and sometimes lower costs as compared to studying MBBS in private universities in India. Below, we have mentioned some advantages of studying MBBS abroad:

  • Affordability of MBBS Abroad Fees: Many Countries located in the East of Europe and Asia, such as China, Georgia, and the Philippines, have institutes which offer MBBS or equivalent degrees at less than 10,000 USD. This is way less than what students would have to pay in the UK and the USA for the same degree.
  • Enhanced Knowledge: Another plus point of studying internationally is that every country has its own specialised research area, concepts, and knowledge. By studying at a location outside India, you will gain an expanded understanding of medical practices which may be unfamiliar and more advanced. This will also improve your market value as a healthcare worker.
  • Polished Education: There are many nations where medical programmes offered are of high standards. With excellent teaching faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, learning there becomes truly substantial.
  • Building Network: When you move to a foreign land to pursue higher education, you will also meet and get acquainted with people who are in the same field as you but of different origins.

Eligibility of MBBS Abroad for Indian Students in 2025

Each country has its own set of rules and eligibility criteria for international students wanting to pursue MBBS abroad. Here we have mentioned general eligibility for Indian students wanting to pursue MBBS abroad. Make sure you are eligible to apply: 

MBBS Abroad Eligibility 2025
Age Requirements Must be 17 years old by December 31 of the year of admission. No upper age limit to apply for MBBS abroad.
Academic Requirements
  • Completion of 10+2 from a recognized board.
  • Minimum 50% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
  • English must be a compulsory subject in 10+2.
Entrance Exam Must qualify for the NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test), even for MBBS abroad.
Language Proficiency You may need to show the score card of Duolingo, PTE or other proficiency tests.
Eligibility Certificate Required to produce an Eligibility Certificate at the time of admission to a foreign medical university.
Medical Requirements The candidate would be required to submit a medical certificate at the time of admission stating that the applicant is not suffering from any contagious diseases.

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Documents Required for MBBS Abroad

Document Required Description & Purpose with Links
Academic Transcripts Official certificates, degrees, and related documents; get them translated if needed
Passport Valid passport with intact validity
Language Proficiency Certificate IELTS, TOEFL, or OET scores if required by the university/country: IELTS, TOEFL, OET
Proof of Funds Evidence showing you can cover study and living expenses
Personal Financial Statements Detailed statement of your financial capacity
Student Visa Official visa allowing you to study abroad
Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
Statement of Purpose (SOP) Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Resume (CV) Resume (CV)
Standardized Test Scores Standardized Test scores required for admission
NEET Score Card Score card of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for medical courses
Medical Certificate Proof of sound mental and physical health
Passport-sized Photos Recent photographs as per university specifications
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

Exams Required to Study MBBS Abroad

It has been announced that NEET is mandatory for all Indian students wanting to study MBBS abroad. Candidates should note that the upper limit for appearing for the NEET is 25 years for General candidates and 30 years for SC/ST/OBC candidates. The NEET score is valid for a period of three years.

Other than this, it is required to appear for an English proficiency test to prove their knowledge of the English language. Depending on the English language requirements of the university, the candidates can opt for TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or OET.  Also, there may be different entrance exams for every country, such as:

MBBS Abroad vs MBBS in India

There are some more similarities than differences between pursuing MBBS in India and pursuing MBBS abroad. National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) is mandatory to apply to all medical colleges in India and abroad. Duration of MBBS in India is 5.5 years. This includes one year of clinical internship. This duration can stretch up to 6 years including a year of clinical rotations (internship).

Students who have pursued their medical studies abroad need to appear for FMGE exam. This exam is important to practice in India. Unless the student has pursued his medical studies in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, or New Zealand, and is recognised for enrollment as a medical practitioner in the respective country, then he is exempted from appearing for MCI FMGE. For those planning to work in Dubai, the DHA Exam is a mandatory licensing requirement.

Criteria MBBS in India MBBS Abroad
MBBS Fees

INR 10 Lakh - INR 50 Lakh per annum (Private)

INR 20,000 - INR 7.5 Lakh per annum (Public)

INR 15 Lakh - INR 70 Lakh per annum (Depending upon the country)
MBBS Duration 5.5 years 5-6 years
Top Universities for MBBS
  1. AIIMS
  2. King George's Medical University
  3. University College of Medical Sciences
  4. Christian Medical College Vellore
  5. Madras Medical College
  6. Armed Forces Medical College
  1. Harvard University
  2. Imperial College London
  3. Yale University
  4. Johns Hopkins University
  5. Stanford University
  6. University of Cambridge
Cheap Universities for MBBS
  1. Maulana Azad Medical College
  2. Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences
  3. Ramaiah Medical College
  4. Maharaja Agrasen Medical College
  5. Kasturba Medical College
  1. Belgorod National Research University (BelSu)\
  2. Bashkir State Medical University
  3. Eastern Medical College
  4. First Moscow State Medical University
  5. Peoples Friendship University
Entrance Tests NEET, AIAPGET, AFMC IMAT, MCAT, OMET, USMLE
English Proficiency Tests Not Required TOEFL, IELTS
MBBS Starting Salary INR 6 Lakh (per annum) $357,300 average (per annum) / INR 29.67 Lakh

Top University & Colleges for MBBS Abroad

Candidates wanting to pursue MBBS abroad would want to know more about top universities for MBBS abroad. Given below is a list of top ranked MBBS colleges abroad for 2025. Candidates can click on each college name to know about courses offered, eligibility, fee structure, and much more. Here is a list of top medical universities abroad to pursue MBBS for Indian students.

University

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Medicine

Harvard University
Cambridge, United States
#1
University of Oxford
Oxford, United Kingdom
#2
Stanford University
Stanford, United States
#3
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States
#4
University of Cambridge
Cambridge, United Kingdom
#5
University College London (UCL)
London, United Kingdom
#6
Karolinska Institutet
Stockholm, Sweden
#7
Imperial College London
London, United Kingdom
#8
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States
#9
Yale University
New Haven, United States
#10
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Cambridge, United States
#11
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, United States
#12
King's College London
London, United Kingdom
#13
University of Toronto
Toronto, Canada
#14
Columbia University
New York City, United States
#15

Top Countries for MBBS Abroad for Indian Students

Candidates wanting to pursue MBBS abroad would want nothing but the best for themselves. There are a number of factors that go into making a country popular among Indian students. Cost of studying, living expenses, MCI-recognized universities and a solid curriculum-based education are among the top factors that help in making a destination popular among the Indian diaspora.

Country Avg Total Cost (₹) Key Highlights
Russia 18 to 40 lakh Indian community, English medium, NMC approved
Georgia 25 to 38 lakh Easy visa process, modern curriculum, English taught
Kyrgyzstan 15 to 25 lakh Lowest fees, Indian mess food, simple admissions
Philippines 24 to 35 lakh US-style MD, strong NExT/FMGE results

MBBS Jobs and Career Opportunities

A maximum of medical students opt for postgraduate studies or specializations before setting up a practice. However, there are a lot of students who break from the mould and practice for a couple of years before applying for higher studies. Common MBBS job preferences include.

  • Being employed with a hospital chain
  • Pursuing clinical research and academics
  • Setting up private practice
  • A career in Health Administration/Hospital Management

Scholarships to Study MBBS Abroad

One of the acknowledged disadvantages of studying abroad is the high tuition costs. However, it is not so for students wanting to pursue MBBS. To attract more student footfall, countries such as Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, the People’s Republic of China, and Bangladesh among other countries provide quality education at a very competitive price. Candidates who would prefer to get an education loan or financial aid could check out a list of available scholarships to apply for.

Still have more questions about pursuing an MBBS abroad? Get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors on our website.

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Q:   Which country is best for studying MBBS?
A:

The best countries for Indian students to pursue MBBS are USA, UK, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia. Medical degrees provided by these universities are the widely recognizeble.

Other than this, you can choose universities of Russia, Georgia, Philippines and Bangladesh. These countries offer medical education at budget friendly fees.

Q:   What is the average GMAT cutoff for MBA in USA?
A:

The average GMAT cutoff for MBA in USA ranges anywhere between 545 to 755. The applicants can aim for B-schools in USA accordingly. 

Q:   Does the University of New Hampshire require GRE?
A:

Yes, for most of the graduate course the University of New Hampshire requires the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores along with other standarized test scores including GMAT, PRAXIS, or others.

The university has not release any minimum scores for the GRE test. Moreovier, international students are also required to submit the English language test scores to be considered for the selection at the university.

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About the Author
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Written by
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Hi, I am Raj. I help Indian students figure out study abroad without the confusion. For 8+ years, mostly in Ed-Tech, I have written about the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. I cover what peo Read Full Bio
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Comments

(23)

S

Saurabh Thapliyal

11 months ago

Is there any upper age limit to get admission in m.b.b.s. course in Russia, can I take admission in Russia at the age of 36 years

Reply to Saurabh Thapliyal

S

Shreya Singh

a year ago

Can I apply to abroad Universities for studying MBBS while participating in NEET Counseling simultaneously? Is it valid?

Reply to Shreya Singh

D

Dia Lizabeth

a year ago

To study abroad, do I need to select an MCI approved university?

Reply to Dia Lizabeth

A

Aradhiya Singh

2 years ago

I got 150 in NEET still can I apply for abroad mbbs.

Reply to Aradhiya Singh

R

Rahul Singha

2 years ago

Hello Aradhiya. For applying to universities abroad, candidates are only required to qualify for the NEET exam. However, I would advise you to check the eligibility criteria of your preferred university.

M

Mamoni Devi

2 years ago

How much marks required in neet for abroad studies for general students?

Reply to Mamoni Devi

R

Rahul Singha

2 years ago

Hello Mamoni. Thank you for writing in. Please note that universities abroad do not recognize socio-economic categories. Secondly, while applying to universities abroad, candidates are required to successfully pass the NEET exam to be considered for admission to medical universities abroad. However,

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