Table of Content
Introduction
With Medicine (MBBS) gaining its preference as a career option with students there is a rapid increase in the number of MBBS aspirants each year.
In the year 2023 almost 21 lakh students appeared for NEET against almost 95000 medical seats in India. For the remaining students who could not make it to the government seat and also do not possess strong financial capacities to explore MBBS in Indian Private Medical Colleges MBBS Abroad seems to be a potential option. MBBS Abroad comes at relatively a lesser cost but there are some serious challenges as well which medical aspirants need to be aware of else this can turn out to be a very bad career decision.
In the current context National Medical Commission, the medical education regulator of the country has presented some conditions for MBBS Abroad students to fulfill in order to be eligible to come back to India and write their exit exam (NEXT). Due to these NMC regulations if not being followed, the career of a medical aspirant can be compromised thereby making MBBS abroad a risky decision.
To bring the real picture in front of you, here is the blog informing you which all countries offer MBBS Abroad.
Let’s know in detail about each country to get in-depth knowledge.
Is it safe to study MBBS Abroad?
In any country which does not comply with FMGL regulations, the student’s future will come at stake as then they will not be able to come and practice in India. Let's know in detail which countries fulfill FMGL conditions and which ones do not adhere to FMGL requirements. But first, let us discuss the FMGL guidelines that each nation is required to abide by.
FMGL Regulations 2021
Condition 1: Content of course or Training leading to primary medical qualification
(a) The course and internship or clinical clerkship shall be commensurate with the MBBS course of India in accordance with the Regulation on Graduate Medical Education 1997.
(b) The course curriculum shall be made available for review by appropriate authorities, and if necessary, on the website of the institution or university where the course is being pursued at the time of joining the course.
Condition 2: Location of medical college or institution and administration of the course or training
The entire course, training, and internship or clerkship shall be done outside India in the same foreign medical institution throughout the course of study and no part of medical training and internship shall be done in India or in any country other than the country from where the primary qualification is obtained.
Condition 3: Duration of the course
The student is required to undergo a course leading to a foreign medical degree with a minimum duration of fifty-four months and also undergo an internship with a duration of twelve months in the same foreign institution in English.
Condition 4: License to Practice
As per NMC regulations, no medical aspirant shall be granted eligibility to write NEXT exam in India unless the student is registered and obtain a license to practice medicine from the registered respective professional regulatory body of the country in which medical degree is awarded at par with the local students.
Condition 5: Location of Medical College and Transfer
The entire course, training and internship or clerkship shall be done outside India in the same foreign medical institution throughout the course of study and no part of medical training and internship shall be done in India or in any country other than country from where the primary medical qualification is obtained.
Countries to Study MBBS Abroad
The nine countries listed below, comply with FMGL Regulation 2021 and are by far the best options for studying MBBS abroad, in our opinion.
1. MBBS in Nepal
Nepal Medical Commission is the licensing body responsible for providing MBBS programme in Nepal. The duration of medical education is 4.5 years with 1 year of internship making it in total of 5.5 years.
There was a time when Nepal did not allow foreign nationals to give Nepal Medical Commission Licensing Exam to participate, however, now finally National Medical Council has allowed foreign nationals to write the licensing exam. Overall, studying MBBS in Nepal is surely a wise choice because in Nepal, it is inexpensive to study MBBS. There are no VISA requirements in Nepal, and all of the colleges have MCI approval.
Regarding the FMGL Regulations 2021, Nepal does, meet all of the requirements outlined by the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate. Pursuing MBBS from Nepal is a wise decision since there is now no risk involved.
Quick Highlights of MBBS in Nepal
| Duration of MBBS in Nepal | 4.5 Years + 1 Year (Internship) |
| Licensing Body | Nepal Medical Commission |
| Licensing Exam Name | Nepal Medical Council Licensing Exam |
| Language of Exam | English |
| Budget | 50 Lakhs and Above |
| Clinical Exposure | Very Good |
| Fulfilling NMC Regulation | Yes |
| Risk Associated | NIL |
2. MBBS in Bangladesh
Pursuing MBBS in Bangladesh is beneficial as the clinical exposure provided by the medical college is very good. The exam pattern followed in Bangladesh is similar to that of India and also the lifestyle.
Degrees awarded to Foreign students was mentioned that foreign students cannot practice in Bangladesh BUT in October BMDC (Bangladesh Medical & Dental Commission) passed a fresh resolution that allowed foreign students to be registered in Bangladesh to practice in country which is same awarded to local citizens. Looking at the perspective of FMGL regulation, Bangladesh is now fulfilling all the new FMGL regulations 2021 and so MBBS in Bangladesh is possible and thus no risk is involved.
Quick Highlights of MBBS in Bangladesh
| Duration of MBBS in Nepal | 5 Years + 1 Year (Internship) |
| Licensing Body | Bangladesh Medical & Dental Commission |
| Licensing Exam Name | No Exam |
| Budget | 30 Lakhs and Above |
| Clinical Exposure | Very Good |
| Fulfilling NMC Regulation | Yes |
| Risk Associated | NIL |
3. MBBS in Russia
With a literacy rate of 99.6%, Russia is a well-known and reputable place to study medicine. Because MBBS in Russia is economical and provides a conducive environment for studying medicine, it is one of the top destinations for students. There is a significant risk if you plan for MBBS in Russia. Due to this, it is unclear from the Russian government whether the MBBS curriculum in Russia lasts six years including a one-year internship or six years plus an additional year of internship.
Students need to write a Special licensing Exam after their MD education which will be conducted in Russian language. Unfortunately, there is no clarification about the duration and internship from Russia in spite of repeated requests.
There is no clarity that till 2021 Russia used to offer 6 years of Medical Education and an internship has to be completed in India after that but how come suddenly this 6 year of education now includes internship if there is no change in Russian education system. No single Russian university has presented a curriculum that satisfies that 6 years education also includes internship as per CRMI conditions of the National Medical Commission.
According to Team Get My University, it is therefore risky to plan an MBBS in Russia. As the Russian government has not made it clear if the MBBS curriculum in Russia lasts six years including one-year internship or six years plus an internship.
Quick Highlights of MBBS in Russia
| Duration of MBBS in Nepal | 6 Years + 1 Year (Internship) |
| Licensing Body | Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation |
| Licensing Exam Name | Special Licensing Exam |
| Language of Exam | Russian |
| Budget | 25 Lakhs and Above |
| Clinical Exposure | Moderate |
| Fulfilling NMC Regulation | Yes |
| Risk Associated | Internship can be extra 1 year + Licensing exam in Russia |
4. MBBS in Georgia
Students who want to become doctors choose to study MBBS in Georgia since it is the sixth-safest nation in the world. But now, things have changed after FMGL Regulations 2021.
As right now, MBBS in Georgia stipulates that after completing the program in 6 years, students would be considered Junior Doctors. In India, Registration awarded to a MBBS doctor is to practice Independently whereby he can write his prescriptions and is accountable for his medical advice. In Georgia in order to practice independently student need to complete his Post Graduate Residency which is of 2-3 years. To get a seat in this program he needs to clear an PQLE exam in Georgian language.
As a result, Team Get My University does not currently advise obtaining an MBBS in Georgia as there is a high degree of assumptions which may be a big problem for medical students.
Quick Highlights of MBBS in Georgia
| Duration of MBBS in Nepal | 6 Years + 2-3 Year (PG DIPLOMA) |
| Licensing Body | Ministry of Health, Labour & Social Affairs |
| Licensing Exam Name | Unified PG Qualifying Exam |
| Language of Exam | Georgian |
| Budget | 30 Lakhs and Above |
| Clinical Exposure | Moderate |
| Fulfilling NMC Regulation | Yes |
| Risk Associated | After 6 Years Junior Doctor Registration is awarded which may not be accepted by NMC |
5. MBBS in China
An excellent alternative that offers medical aspirants an affordable pricing structure is studying MBBS in China. Language is the only factor that can be difficult in pursuing medicine in China. Chinese is the hardest language to master, thus learning it is a major deal in itself.
The sole risk associated with studying medicine in China is the language barrier, despite the fact that MBBS adheres to all FMGL rules. Since many medical aspirants who are already under stress from their MBBS courses would find it challenging to take the HSK 4 licensing exam in Chinese.
Quick Highlights of MBBS in China
| Duration of MBBS in Nepal | 5 Years + 1Year (Internship) |
| Licensing Body | National Medical Examination Center |
| Licensing Exam Name | The National Medical Licensing Examination |
| Language of Exam | Chinese |
| Budget | 25 Lakhs and Above |
| Clinical Exposure | Good |
| Fulfilling NMC Regulation | Yes |
| Risk Associated | Licensing exam in Chinese language HSK 4 can be a difficult task |
6. MBBS in Egypt
The cost of an MBBS programme in Egypt is approximately greater than in other countries and the duration also lasts for 7 years where it is 5 years of medical education plus 2 years of internship. So, here the challenge is an extra year of internship which is found risky as well as time taking for the students.
No doubt, good emergency clinics are available to MBBS students in Egypt for professional training. However, Team Get My University advises students to calculate the overall cost of education which will be not less than 45 to 50 lakhs.
Quick Highlights of MBBS in Egypt
| Duration of MBBS in Nepal | 5 Years + 2 Year (Internship) |
| Licensing Body | Egyptian Medical Syndicate |
| Licensing Exam Name | Egyptian Medical Licensing Examination |
| Language of Exam | English |
| Budget | 70 Lakhs and Above |
| Clinical Exposure | Moderate |
| Fulfilling NMC Regulation | Yes |
| Risk Associated | 1 Year extra internship |
7. MBBS in Kazakhstan
It is a wise choice to pursue MBBS in Kazakhstan, however, since there is no required licensing exam to satisfy FMGL requirements, it can be challenging to make that choice. Students are advised to review all the requirements before enrolling in any medical college in Kazakhstan because FMGL has not provided an update on this issue.
Overall, the 6-year duration of the Kazakhstani MBBS programme makes it a balanced choice. However, if a student wants to plan their career in the UK, the time frame will be 7 years, including the two years of necessary internship.
Quick Highlights of MBBS in Kazakhstan
| Duration of MBBS in Nepal | 5 Years + 1 Year (Internship) |
| Licensing Body | Ministry of Education and Science |
| Licensing Exam Name | National Centre of Independent Testing Exam |
| Language of Exam | English |
| Budget | 25 Lakhs and Above |
| Clinical Exposure | Moderate |
| Fulfilling NMC Regulation | Yes |
| Risk Associated | NIL |
8. MBBS in Kyrgyzstan
The MBBS programme in Kyrgyzstan is unquestionably a wise choice, but it can be challenging because there is no licencing exam, which is a must to follow FMGL regulations. In Kyrgyzstan, a significant number of students apply for admission each year, although it is advisable to verify with the college beforehand to avoid any unforeseen problems.
Quick Highlights of MBBS in Kyrgyzstan
| Duration of MBBS in Nepal | 5 Years + 1 Year (Internship) |
| Licensing Body | Licensed Commission of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic |
| Licensing Exam Name | No Licensing Exam |
| Language of Exam | English |
| Budget | 25 Lakhs and Above |
| Clinical Exposure | Moderate |
| Fulfilling NMC Regulation | Yes |
| Risk Associated | NIL |
9. MBBS in Uzbekistan
MBBS in Uzbekistan has become a popular destination among many Indian students in recent years, but as there is no licensing exam conducted by any of the medical colleges in Uzbekistan, a student should think a lot about it before getting into any of the medical colleges in Uzbekistan.
Therefore, it is advised to think and consult an expert before planning to study MBBS in Uzbekistan because the student may subsequently encounter unfavorable situations when coming back to India.
Quick Highlights of MBBS in Uzbekistan
| Duration of MBBS in Nepal | 5 Years + 1 Year (Internship) |
| Licensing Exam Name | No Licensing Exam |
| Budget | 25 Lakhs and Above |
| Clinical Exposure | Moderate |
| Fulfilling NMC Regulation | Yes |
| Risk Associated | NIL |
Plan Your MBBS in Abroad with Team Get My University
With over ten years of experience in the field of counselling, Team Get My University can give you the necessary knowledge. We shall be there for medical aspirant starting with free counselling and continuing through their MBBS journey.
Team GMU can be of immense help to you in securing your student's future and offering the best medical college possible. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. Watch this video, whose link is provided below, for a better understanding. To stay updated with all the latest information of MBBS Abroad, do not forget to subscribe to our channel.
