Top 7 Best And Most Affordable Countries To Study MBBS For Indian Students

Becoming a doctor is one of the most common career ambitions in the world, and Indian students are highly enthusiastic about pursuing their dreams of becoming medical professionals. A large number of Indian students have also expressed an interest in going to a different country to pursue their dreams of becoming a doctor. If you are one of those students who wish to study medical science abroad for Indian students, this blog is just the thing you need! Let us learn about the best and cheapest countries to study MBBS for Indian students based on affordability, career prospects, safety, recognition, and a sense of community. Let’s get started!  

Is NEET Compulsory For MBBS Abroad?

Let us answer the question that you probably have on your mind the most: Is NEET compulsory for MBBS abroad? The answer to this question is a definitive ‘yes!’ You do actually need NEET to study MBBS abroad. Since 2018, the NMC (National Medical Commission) has decreed that any Indian citizen who wishes to obtain an eligibility certificate to study outside India must have qualified for NEET. 

You need to qualify for NEET in order to sit for the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE), which is the mandatory licensing exam for practicing medicine in India. Although keep in mind that there are many universities, particularly in Russia, the Philippines, and Ukraine do not use the NEET score as a selection criterion. They now require proof that a candidate has qualified for NEET as a precondition for admission. This is done to ensure that a student will abide by the Indian government’s regulations after returning home. 

What Makes A Country The Best Country For MBBS For Indian Students?

There are many factors that make a country the best country for Indian students to study MBBS. In this section, we will discuss the factors that make the countries we will be discussing today, the top countries to study medicine for Indian students. 

• Recognition and Licensing Compliance:- 

If the degree (from a foreign university) is internationally recognized, then it has passed the first stage of the credibility check. Always go for a degree that is recognized by the WDOMS (World Directory of Medical Schools) or if it is acknowledged and considered eligible by the National Medical Commission of India. 

• Affordability and Return on Investment:- 

Secondly, and probably the most important thing you need to look for is the affordability of the course and the return on investment. The MBBS fees abroad for Indian students vary from country to country, but courses from certain expensive countries tend to have a better return on investment. Generally, the most popular countries have tuition fees significantly lower than those of private institutions in India. 

• Quality of Education and Clinical Exposure:- 

A good program ensures that you get hands-on experience in a hospitable environment for patients. Check whether or not these countries have English-language courses to ensure full comprehension. Also, make sure that the universities in these countries have tie-ups with reputable hospitals that can get you great internship opportunities. 

• Safety and Cultural Environment:- 

Lastly, make sure that the country you go to is safe and has a low crime rate, low instances of hate crimes, and political stability. Also, try to prefer countries where a large community of Indian students already exists. Now, let us move on to the top countries to study medicine after 12th for Indian students. 

Honorable Mentions: Top Countries To Study Medicine For Indian Students

Before we get to the top 7 best/cheapest countries to study MBBS for Indian students, it is important to look at the honorable mentions. The reasons these countries didn’t make the cut are generally because of affordability and career prospects. Also, keep in mind that we would have added Ukraine to this list if the war hadn’t happened. 

• Germany:- 

Germany is known for having zero tuition fees at public universities, plus the clinical exposure you’ll get is world-class. However, the biggest downside to studying MBBS in Germany is that you have to learn German if you want to study or practice medicine there. The licensing process is also known to be incredibly difficult.

• Kyrgyzstan:- 

Medical colleges in Kyrgyzstan are known for having an easy admissions process, plus it is one of the cheapest countries to study MBBS for Indian students. However, the FMGE failure rate is definitely higher compared to other countries, which brings Kyrgyzstan a few notches down.

• United Kingdom:- 

British med schools are known for being some of the best in the world. You can get an easy pathway to a GMC registration, and the research opportunities you get will elevate your resume above the clouds. However, every coin has two sides, and studying in the UK is extremely expensive compared to other countries on this list. 

• Ireland:- 

Ireland is probably the cheapest English-speaking European option you have if you are looking for the best country for Indian doctors to practice. Ireland has a strong job market, provides high-quality clinical training, and Irish universities are recognized internationally for their pedagogy. 

• Bangladesh:- 

The biggest advantage of studying MBBS in Bangladesh is the relatively cheap travel cost and the cultural proximity to India. It is also one of the cheapest countries in the world, so that’s a good thing. Passing the FMGE is required, but keep in mind that Bangladesh is going through intense political turmoil, making it a highly unsafe option at this time. 

Heavy Hitters: The 7 Best/Cheapest Countries To Study MBBS For Indian Students

Finally, it is time to look at the 7 top countries to study medicine if you are an ambitious Indian student. We have divided these countries into two tiers, with the first tier being the more affordable and accessible ones, and the second tier being somewhat more expensive. Let’s begin!

Tier-1 (Affordable, Accessible, and High-Volume)

• Russia:- 

Russia is a close ally of India, and Russian medical universities have a large Indian community. The quality of universities in major cities like Moscow and Kazan is noted by academics all throughout the world. Just expect a very cold climate that you might not be used to.

• Georgia:- 

Georgia has a European-standard curriculum and offers some of the cheapest fees for Indian students. Just be mindful that getting selected for English-language courses is pretty tough, considering the high competition. 

• Philippines:-

 The Philippines has a US-based MD curriculum, it also has a warm, tropical climate, and is often considered to be one of the best countries for USMLE aspirants. It is slightly more expensive than some of the other options, but still cheaper than some of the higher-end options. 

• China:- 

There is a limited list of NMC-approved universities in China, but it is worth mentioning that China is surprisingly cheaper than many other countries on this list. It is also known for having some of the best infrastructure for medical schools anywhere in the world.

• Poland:- 

Poland has higher tuition fees than most countries, but it offers a stable career path in the EU and opens doors to future opportunities in the rest of the European continent. 

Tier-2 (Premium Global Quality and Career Pathways)

• Canada:- 

Canadian medical universities have the highest global reputation; however, the entry is a bit difficult considering the sheer competition and tough standards. Most Canadian universities require you to have a previous bachelor’s degree before you seek admission there.

• Australia:- 

Australia is an incredibly expensive country to study medicine, but one thing’s for certain: the global career opportunities that one can get are immense. Australian universities are also known for their sheer focus on research, plus the clinical training has been described as world-class.

Best Universities To Study MBBS Abroad For Indian Students

Russia	Georgia	Philippines	China	Poland	Canada	Australia
Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University	Tbilisi State Medical University	University of Perpetual Help System DALTA	Capital Medical University	Medical University of Warsaw	McGill University	The University of Sydney
Kazan Federal University	Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University	Angeles University Foundation	Wuhan University	Jagiellonian University Medical College	University of Toronto	Monash University
Volgograd State Medical University	David Tvildiani Medical University	UV Gullas College of Medicine	Jilin University	Medical University of Lodz	University of British Columbia	The University of Melbourne

What are the MBBS Fees Abroad For Indian Students?

The cost of pursuing an MBBS in different countries varies. In some regions, your fees would hover around $4000, whereas in others, you can expect to pay over $50,000 per year. You have to factor both the tuition fees and the cost of living in these countries. Here is a table that lists some of the cheapest countries to study MBBS for Indian students. 

Country	Average Annual Tuition Fees	Total Program Duration	Estimated Annual Cost of Living	Key Takeaways
Georgia	$5,000-$8,000	6 years	$3,500-$5,000	Low tuition, European standard, but high competition for the best English programs.
Russia	$4,500-$7,000	6 years	$3,000-$4,500	Historically popular, high quality in major cities (Moscow, Kazan), but expect a colder climate.
China	$4,000-$8,000	6 years	$3,500-$5,500	Excellent infrastructure; must stick to the limited list of NMC-approved universities.
Kyrgyzstan	$3,500-$5,500	5 years	$2,500-$4,000	The lowest tuition fees make it attractive purely for budget constraints.

Here are some mid-tier and high-tier countries to study MBBS abroad for Indian students based on both tuition fees and cost of living.

Country	Average Annual Tuition Fees	Total Program Duration	Annual Cost of Living	Key Takeaways
Philippines	$8.000-$12,000	5.5 years (BS+MD)	$4,000-$6,000	US-based MD curriculum; good for USMLE aspirants; tropical climate.
Bangladesh	$5,000-$8,000	5 years	$2,000-$3,500	Very low cost of living; cultural proximity to India; high competition for private university seats.
Poland	$12,000-$18,000	6 years	$6,000-$9,000	Higher tuition, but offers a high-quality EU degree, opening doors to Europe and the UK.
Australia	$40,000-$60,000+	4-6 years (MD)	$12,000-$18,000	World-class clinical training and research; high entry requirements; best for global careers.
Canada	$35,000-$70,000+	4 years (MD)	$10,000-$15,000	Highest global reputation; highly competitive entry; often requires a prior bachelor's degree.

Conclusion

As you can tell, there are several countries that are hospitable for Indian medicine students. Fortunately for you, it is actually pretty easy to get admission to certain foreign universities if you just qualify for NEET. If you want to get admission to one of these universities, it is best that you try to maximize your chances of getting selected by studying as hard as possible. Here were some of the best countries to study medical science for Indian students, and if you wish to get selected in one of these countries’ universities, we wish you all the best for your future!