Top 5 Countries for Indian Students to Study MBBS Abroad at Low-Cost

Top 5 Countries for Indian Students to Study MBBS Abroad at Low-Cost

Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Medicine (MBBS), is an undergraduate course for aspirants who desire to become a doctor. It's a dream career choice for students who want to be qualified medical practitioners or doctors.

What is the Course and Duration of MBBS?

The duration of the MBBS course is five years and six months, which includes one year of rotational internship at hospitals, health centres, and health camps organized by non-profit organizations (NGOs).

The curriculum of MBBS includes subjects such as anatomy, pharmacology, and pathology as well as community health & medicine, paediatrics, and surgery. The curriculum is designed in such a way that MBBS degree holders can choose a specialization for further studies and practice medicine. 

Why do Indian Students Choose to Study Medicine at Foreign Universities?

On February 26, 2022, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi stated that Indian students are going to "different countries for study, especially in medical education."

What is the Reason Behind This Trend?

The reason thousands of students go abroad for MBBS degrees is very clear as per the experts:

• The shortage of seats in India
• Relatively affordable fees in other countries when compared with private colleges within India. 

According to the Ministry of Health, there were 88,120 undergraduate seats in medical colleges in India as of December 2021 and over 15.44 lakh candidates appeared for NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - Undergraduate). Around 8.70 lakh candidates cleared the exam, which means the number of undergraduate medical seats available (88,120) can only accommodate around 10% of the total qualifying candidates.

Thus, looking at the above data, it is evidently clear that Indian students wish to get admission to medical colleges abroad due to the limited seats in Indian universities.  It is estimated that 20,000-25,000 students go abroad to study medicine each year.

What are the Advantages of Studying Medicine Abroad?

Students choose to study medicine abroad for various motives that range from better opportunities to global recognition. Here are some reasons that indicate the reasons for Indian students choosing foreign medical colleges: 

Choosing the best university abroad for MBBS is an essential task that needs to be done with detailed information in hand.

Here is a list of factors to be kept in mind while choosing the right college/university: 


Which Countries Offer Low-Cost MBBS to Indian Students?

1. Singapore: It is considered one of the developed Asian countries, which offers a financial and shipping hub to many countries for trade. Singapore is also known for its quality of education, and one of the major courses provided here is MBBS. Many international students prefer to get admission to the MBBS program offered by this country. 

The fee for MBBS in Singapore for Indian students is comparatively less than compared to other neighbouring countries.

MBBS in Singapore is a 5-year degree offered by two universities: The National University of Singapore and Nan yang Technological University, with both, ranked among the top 5 universities in Asia by QS Rankings 2023.

Following are some other reasons for pursuing MBBS in Singapore:

• Singapore has a high rate of employment.
• The Ministry of Education in Singapore offers tuition grants to international students. As per the scholarship deed, a student has to stay back after the course completion and work to pay off the loan amount.
• About 82% of the candidates get successful Permanent Residency in Singapore out of all the applied.
• Singapore had topped the Law and Order Index for 5 consecutive years as per a global study published in 2018. The environment is favourable and conducive.
• Medical Practitioners are rated highly in Singapore. Doctors can work in two types of healthcare facilities, broadly divided into Private and Public Healthcare.

2. Malaysia: This country is equipped with world-class universities that offer top-tier medicine degrees to students. Most universities in Malaysia rank among the top 200 on a global scale. 

Malaysia is popular among Indian students as the MBBS course is highly affordable compared to other nations.

The duration of an MBBS degree in Malaysia is 6 years (5 years of learning and one year for internship). 

Following are some other reasons for pursuing MBBS in Malaysia:

• All the universities are recognized by WHO (World Health Organization). A student who passed the MBBS is eligible to appear for the MCI (Medical Council of India) screening test and get a licence to practice in India.
• MBBS fee structure in Malaysia is quite low when compared to the neighbouring countries. The Malaysian government also backs the students with financial support.
• Malaysia offers low-cost living for students. The accommodation and food costs are quite low, making it a hub for medical students. 

3. Germany: The level of education given at medical universities in Germany is of extremely high quality, and it provides the perfect exposure to students from India. One of the prime reasons to study MBBS in Germany is the affordable cost. 

Following are some other reasons for pursuing MBBS in Germany:

• Germany is famous for its zero tuition fee and MBBS is no exception. The cost of living in the country is also extremely low, with cheap on-campus accommodation available at most universities and free travel services for active students.
• Doing MBBS in Germany provides more flexibility as it opens job prospects not only in this country but also in its EU sister countries.
• Universities for MBBS in Germany are among the best medical universities in the world. They are recognized by various organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Medical Council of India (MCI), and the United Nations (UN). 

4.  Russia: It is the best and most popular choice among Indian students who plan to study MBBS abroad. Ministry of Health and Education has effortlessly worked towards having highly subsidized MBBS fees. The total cost of studying MBBS in Russia is very much less than compared in other western countries.

Following are some other reasons for pursuing MBBS in Russia:

• Russia offers high-quality education that is beyond excellence.
• Indian students prefer MBBS in Russia due to its low-cost structure. When compared to other nations, the tuition is relatively reasonable there and even the living costs are quite reasonable.
• Most universities provide MBBS courses in the English language in Russia.

5. France: The medical colleges in France are committed to a more practical-based hands-on approach which increases the chances of success. The best Medical Universities in France offer MBBS degrees that are approved by the Medical Council of India(MCI). It is a 5 years course provided at a low cost.  

Following are some other reasons for pursuing MBBS in France:

• France offers a wide range of possibilities and broad exposure.
• Students studying in France can complete their internship program at world-class medical colleges and hospitals worldwide.
• The tuition fee is relatively low and affordable.
• Hostel accommodations are comfortable and up to the mark for a student's comfort.

Be Wise

Choosing the right country and college for pursuing MBBS is a priority. With the wide variety of options, it becomes important to keep a checklist of various factors that make the choice worthwhile. Connect with Canam to analyse all the factors and make a beneficial career choice.