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 Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Updated on Dec 25, 2025 22:21 IST
The study of medicine and health sciences otherwise referred to as MBBS has grown over the years among the young in India. Today the number of students applying to study MBBS abroad is far greater than what it was a couple of years back. Why so? A limited number of government seats coupled with exorbitant tuition fees levied by private colleges.

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

Studying MBBS Abroad is a popular pathway for Indian students. It is to pursue a medical degree in countries like Russia, Georgia, and Philippines at 50% of the cost of Indian private colleges. These are some of the best countries for MBBS studies. For the 2026 intake, students must choose universities that comply with the NMC FMGL Regulations 2021 (54 months course + 12 months internship) to be eligible for NExT Exam and practice in India.

With over 25 lakh students competing for limited government medical seats in India, the competition is fierce. This reality drives thousands of Indian students to choose MBBS abroad as their "Plan B." It offers a chance to become a global doctor without paying heavy donations. However, choosing the right country and university is critical to ensure your degree is valid back home. There are some pros and cons of studying MBBS abroad.

This guide is only for students who want to study MBBS out of India in 2026.

Table of contents
  • Why Study MBBS Abroad?
  • Eligibility of MBBS Abroad for Indian Students in 2026
  • 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
View More

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 GermanyUK, 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 that 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 2026

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

MBBS Abroad Eligibility 2026
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.
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:   Why do students go abroad for MBBS?
A:

Students choose MBBS abroad primarily due to limited number of government seats in India. Also, fees of private medical colleges in India is expensive. Foreign universities offer quality education at affordable fee.

Q:   Is it a good option to pursue MBBS in India? Or should I prefer any foreign country to pursue MBBS?
A:

India is best if you secure a government seat. MBBS abroad is a smarter choice than expensive private Indian colleges. It offers affordability and global exposure, provided you choose an NMC-approved university.

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Documents Required for MBBS Abroad

Check out list of documents you need to have for getting MBBS admission in foreign universities:

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 one's 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 2026. 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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