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.
Unfortunately, there is a drastic difference between the number of MBBS seats available in India and the number of applicants. Last year, there were nearly 13 lakh students attempting NEET for admission to approximately 80,000 seats.
According to the Medial Council of India (MCI), there are 494 recognized colleges in India that offer MBBS courses, with a total of 80000 seats. In comparison, there are 407 additional institutes located across the globe that are recognized by the MCI for MBBS courses
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’t be surprised to see that MBBS from abroad is becoming a popular option today.
Advantages of Study MBBS from Abroad
There are multiple benefits of pursuing an MBBS degree from abroad. Here are the most important ones.
1. Less Dependence on NEET Rank
Although from 2019 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 3 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.
2. Lower Costs Compared to Private Indian Institutes
Government medical colleges in India are undoubtedly affordable, however, the private medical colleges are expensive, with costs around Rs. 55 lakh to pursue an MBBS degree. In comparison, an MBBS degree in a foreign destination like China, Russia or the Philippines would cost less than Rs. 25 lakh, based on the specific country. A medical degree in the US meanwhile would cost up to Rs. 90 lakh. 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.
3. High Quality of Education
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’s best to verify the ranking and/or reviews of any institution you are considering applying to.
4. International Exposure
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.
Here are some of the popular MCI-recognized universities abroad offering MBBS courses:
China
- Nanjing University
- Jiangsu University
- Qingdao University
- Soochow University
- Xi’an Jiaotong University
- China Medical University
Philippines
Russia
- Kazan Federal University
- Crimea Federal University
- Bashkir State Medical University
- Kuban State Medical University
- Petrozavodsk State Medical University
Georgia