{"id":5157,"date":"2024-05-22T15:31:39","date_gmt":"2024-05-22T10:01:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mindler.com\/blog\/?p=5157"},"modified":"2024-05-22T15:29:16","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T09:59:16","slug":"mbbs-abroad-for-indian-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mindler.com\/blog\/mbbs-abroad-for-indian-students\/","title":{"rendered":"MBBS from Abroad: Is it a Good Option for Indian Students?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever wondered if pursuing MBBS from abroad is worth it? Medicine is one of the most popular careers paths across the world, and the journey to becoming a doctor typically starts with gaining an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) degree.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, there is a drastic difference between the number of MBBS seats available in India and the number of applicants. This year, over 25 Lakh students<\/span>[1]<\/span> applied for the\u00a0 NEET exam, making it the highest number of applications so far, for admission to approximately 1,00,000 seats.. That amounts to nearly 25 students competing for a single seat!<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the Medical Council of India (MCI), there are 706 recognized colleges in India that offer MBBS courses, with a total of 1,08,940 seats. In comparison, there are 484 additional institutes located across the globe that are recognized by the MCI for MBBS courses<\/span><\/p>\n

Couple all this with the considerable cost of MBBS in India at private institutes (the same degree is often cheaper internationally!) and the allure of travelling abroad, and you won\u2019t be surprised to see that MBBS from abroad is becoming a popular option today.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Recommended Read: <\/span>MBBS vs. BDS vs. BAMS vs. BHMS: Which Medical Course Is Right For You?<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Advantages of Pursuing an MBBS from Abroad<\/b><\/h2>\n

There are multiple benefits of pursuing an MBBS degree from abroad. Here are the most important ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Less Dependence on NEET Rank<\/b><\/h3>\n

Although from 2018 onwards the highly competitive NEET entrance exam has become compulsory for applying to MBBS courses internationally, the competition will still be considerably less compared to Indian institutes. There are nearly 25 times as many students applying for the MBBS course in India as the number of available seats, and the competition is cutthroat as admission takes place on the basis of rank secured. In comparison, students pursuing MBBS abroad have minimal requirements in terms of NEET ranking.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Recommended Read: <\/span>Couldn\u2019t Clear the NEET Exam? Here are 9 Career Paths to Explore Instead<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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2. Lower Costs Compared to Private Indian Institutes<\/b><\/h3>\n

Government medical colleges in India are undoubtedly affordable, however, the private medical colleges are expensive, with costs around Rs. 45 lakh to 60 lakh at average to pursue an MBBS degree, some colleges with higher than this as well. In comparison, an MBBS degree in a foreign destination like China, Russia or the Philippines would cost around Rs. 30 lakh, based on the specific country. A medical degree in the US meanwhile would cost up around Rs. 70 lakh to 95 lakh or even more Also, there are many hidden costs involved in studying at a private medical college in India, which can be eliminated by studying abroad where the costs are largely up front.<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. High Quality of Education<\/b><\/h3>\n

Institutes that are recognised by the MCI and also meet the local standard of education regulations generally offer top quality education to MBBS students. As compared to domestic institutes, medical colleges abroad face extensive censure to maintain quality standards. However, it\u2019s best to verify the ranking and\/or reviews of any institution you are considering applying to.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. International Exposure<\/b><\/h3>\n

Studying abroad is a learning experience in itself, regardless of the course, as you learn about a new culture and how to adapt to a new environment. Specifically for an MBBS course, studying abroad gives exposure to a variety of medical conditions, along with advanced technology, state-of-the-art apparatus, and amenities. Apart from teachers, you will learn from interacting with students from different nationalities as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Recommended Read: <\/span>Education in India or Abroad: Consider These 8 Things Before Making Your Call<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Challenges in Pursuing an MBBS from Abroad<\/b><\/h2>\n

Apart from the benefits of completing an MBBS degree internationally, there are a few challenges too:<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. College Recognition<\/b><\/h3>\n

Medical colleges are mushrooming everywhere, inside India and internationally, and not all of them are recognised. It is essential to thoroughly research any medical college you are considering applying to, so that you can verify its recognition in its own country and in India. Visit the Medical Council of India website to confirm if the college you\u2019re interested in is recognised by the MCI. Also, check that your prospective medical school is recognised by WHO (World Health Organisation). A degree from an unrecognized institute will most likely not be of any use in your career.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. License to Practice<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you complete your MBBS degree outside of India, you will be required to pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) screening test in order to register with the MCI or any state medical council and practice medicine in India. The test is conducted twice a year by the National Board of Examinations for Indian nationals and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). FMGE is based on the MBBS curriculum and you need to score 50 percent marks to qualify.<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. Practical Training<\/b><\/h3>\n

Learning practical clinical skills is an important part of studying MBBS. However, some international medical colleges have gained notoriety for offering very little practical training to medical students. When you research medical colleges, make sure to check the percentage of practical training as well as reviews from current and previous students so that you do not lose out on learning important practical skills. Make sure to check the NMC guidelines for foreign medical graduates in India, specifying that course duration must be at least 54 months and 12 months on Internship is mandatory.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. Local Adjustment<\/b><\/h3>\n

The medium of instruction for MBBS generally remains English for the majority of nations, however, local languages also play an important role. You may also be required to study the local language, for example, Mandarin in China, or Russian in Russia. Staying away from family in a new country for 5+ years is also not easy and you will most likely take time to adjust.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Recommended Read: <\/span>Think Beyond MBBS: 14 In-Demand Career Options for PCB Students After Class 12th<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Which Countries Are the Best to Study MBBS for Indian Students?<\/b><\/h2>\n

As medicine is a crucial field in every nation, virtually all countries offer MBBS courses. However, for Indian students, the countries offering MBBS can be classified as those requiring an entrance test and those that do not.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nations such as the US, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, France, Canada and Malaysia will all require you to take a compulsory local entrance exam for admission to MBBS courses. Eligibility criterion also varies based on the destination country, for example, if you are interested in studying medicine in the US, you need to have completed your graduation (either 4 years course or an honours course) before you can apply for the MBBS entrance exam.<\/span><\/p>\n

In comparison, countries without entrance exams have been found to be more popular with Indian students seeking an MBBS abroad. Common destinations include China, Germany, Philippines, Nepal, Russia, Ukraine, Bangladesh and Kyrgyzstan. These countries offer affordable MBBS courses with an easier admissions process.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Here are some of the popular MCI-recognized universities<\/span>[2]<\/span> abroad offering MBBS courses:<\/span><\/p>\n

MBBS from China<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n