MBBS in Nepal for Indian Students - Universities, Colleges, Fees 2025, Deadlines

Nepal is one of the emerging study-abroad destinations for international students and is home to a lot of top universities for MBBS programs. Nepal is an affordable choice as compared to private universities in India. The tuition fees range from INR 8 lakhs to INR 20 lakhs. Nepal has a culture that is easily adaptable for Indian students due to a lot of similarities in festivals, food habits, shared borders, and no major language barrier. A MBBS from Nepal is NMC recognized, and Indian students must qualify for NEET eligibility to return and start their practice in India. The language of instruction for an MBBS in Nepal is English, making it easier for Indian students to adapt.

According to the QS Rankings by Subject 2025, Tribhuvan University is the top-ranked MBBS university in Nepal, ranking #701-850 in Medicine. All aspiring candidates must appear for the NEET-UG entrance exam as well as the MECEE - BL

In recent years, more than  1,400 Indian students moved to Nepal to pursue Medicine courses. Apart from Medicine, some of the top courses to study in Nepal are Computer Science, Information Technology, Business & Management, Engineering, Cybersecurity & Forensics, Hotel Management, Tourism & Travel Management, Law, and more. While pursuing MBBS in Nepal, students can choose to specialize in one of the following fields:

MBBS in Nepal: Highlights 2025

The duration of pursuing an MBBS degree in Nepal usually is between 5 - 6 years, including 5 years of clinical and theoretical studies, followed by a 6-month/1-year internship. Students can apply for admissions via the application process for medical colleges in Nepal between September and October. Applicants are required to meet the basic criteria, like a 10+2 certificate with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, with at least 50-60%. The table below includes the highlights for MBBS in Nepal for international students:

MBBS in Nepal: Rankings

QS World University Rankings is a globally renowned top university ranking body that publishes annual rankings of universities based on eight key indicators like Employability, ROI, Entrepreneurship & Alumni Outcomes, Thought leadership, and Class & Faculty Diversity, and new parameters such as Sustainability, Employment Outcomes, and International Research Network.

Mentioned below is the list of top MBBS universities in Nepal, as mentioned in the prominent ranking bodies:

MBBS in Nepal: Admission Requirements

For admission to MBBS programs in Nepal, the exact entry requirements vary based on the choice of university. Admission is on the basis of entrance exam scores and academic performance. However, there are Below are general admission requirements that students need to fulfill before applying for admission in MBBS in Nepal:

• Senior Secondary Higher Education with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology;
• A minimum of 50 - 60% aggregate marks in the above-mentioned subjects;
• Must be at least 17 years of age before December end of the admission year;
• NEET-UG entrance exam qualification;
• Class 10 and 12 marksheets
• Valid passport with at least 18 months of validity
• A medical fitness certificate from a registered clinic or hospital.
• Birth certificate, recent photographs, and proof of nationality
• Note: Some universities may require the Medical Education Commission Entrance Examination (MECEE) in addition to NEET.

Note: Some universities may require the Medical Education Commission Entrance Examination (MECEE) in addition to NEET.

MECEE - BL Basics:

If you are an international student, you must appear for the Medical Education Common Entrance Examination for Bachelor Level, also known as MECEE-BL which is considered mandatory and is conducted by Nepal for MBBS admissions in various top colleges including public and private colleges. The exam can be considered competitive but the curriculum is quite similar to that of NEET and it decides merit based seat allocations among universities. The Nepal Medical Eductaion Comission provides the guidelines for this exam annually and ensures transparency is maintained. 

NEET Qualifications:

Indian students must qualify for NEET to pursue MBBS abroad, and also to practice back in India after the completion of the degree. Without NEET, an MBBS degree from abroad would not be considered valid in India. After graduating from Nepal, students must qualify for the National Exit Test (NEXT) (formerly known as the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, FMGE), which is also known as the Screening Test, to obtain a license to practice in India.

Indian students must make sure to appear and qualify for both NEET and MECEE – BL if they wish to pursue MBBS in Nepal. NEET is considered a compulsory eligibility criterion to study abroad and practice back in India, and MECEE is mandatory to secure seats in universities in Nepal, especially government and semi–government. Both these exams ensure a structured and merit-based admission process.

Check out the table below to have a general idea of the eligibility requirements to study at the best universities for MBBS in Nepal:

Licensing and Internship rules:

It is mandatory to complete the entire MBBS program along with a 1-year compulsory rotating internship for Indian students, which is conducted by the university in affiliated teaching hospitals. The NMC mandates both the MBBS program and an internship abroad before appearing for the NEXT exam. Indian students must complete all parts of the degree, qualify for the FMGE / NEXT exam, and then register under the Medical Council of India to begin practicing.

MBBS in Nepal: Scholarships Offered

Opting to study abroad is a major step that student take for their career, and managing the expenses, including the tuition fee and living costs, plays a deciding factor in this decision. Here is where scholarships come in and help students study in their dream college by cutting down a portion of their expenses. Here are some scholarships offered by MBBS universities in Nepal that are available for international students:

• Narotam Sekhsaria’s Scholarships
• Hani Zeini Scholarship
• Unimoni Student Stars
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Scholarships
• C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad

Visa Requirements in Nepal

Indian students do not require a student visa to study in Nepal. Indian students as well as citizens are allowed to travel to Nepal without a visa, post the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty between both countries. Nonetheless, Indian students are advised to carry additional documents like a government-issued ID or proof of enrollment for verification by the university. While studying, no additional student visa is needed.

Most Indian students do not practice in Nepal after the completion of their MBBS degree since post–study work opportunities are limited for Indians in Nepal. However, graduates can choose to stay and apply for a temporary internship or a training extension by their university before heading back to India to practice.

Application Timelines:

The entire admission process of pursuing an MBBS in Nepal might take around 3 – 4 months. The MBBS admissions in Nepal generally start after the declaration of NEET results in India, after which the MECEE – BL application opens by the Medical Education Council. This is followed by applying to preferred universities, counselling, and seat allotment in phases for government, semi-government, and private universities. The academic session of the MBBS degree usually begins in the second half of the year.

Is studying MBBS in Nepal Expensive?

According to the table listed below, the average annual tuition fee for pursuing an MBBS in Nepal is around INR 8 L - 20 L. Hence, this makes it affordable to study MBBS courses in Nepal. Refer to the table below for the annual tuition cost required at the top universities in Nepal:

Cost of living:

The cost of living in Nepal is very cheap, as compared to other destinations outside India. Cities like Kathmandu require a bit more for covering daily expenses as compared to smaller towns like Lalitpur and Bharatpur. The table below includes the cost of living in cities having the top universities for MBBS in Nepal: