While medicine is one of the most sought-after noble and rewarding professions, many aspirants are often confused regarding which country is best for medical studies. You may, sometimes, also feel stuck as to whether they should study MBBS in India or abroad.
To help you decide and make the right choice, I have mentioned some of the most well-equipped countries to study medicine in the 21st century, along with important aspects like top universities for medical programs, specialization, scope, and job opportunities after MBBS abroad, etc.
All the countries listed in the article are known for their medical courses; it is up to your discretion to decide the best country to study medicine inper your needs and suitability.
The curriculum for a medical course varies from university to university. It mainly depends on the specialization and field you have opted for.
To begin with, you should have a rough idea of the medical courses and their syllabus. These courses, spanning four to five years, are established to provide students with the knowledge of human anatomy and other intricate details of human functionality. This is followed by a year or two of a fellowship or a foundation program.
Additionally, some of the mentioned countries also offer part-time postgraduate courses in the field of medicine and allow international students to get part-time employment per their visa status. This allows them to work 20 hours each week while pursuing their medical degrees.
The degrees may have different names in different countries. The Doctor of Medicine degree, for instance, is awarded for completing the foundational curriculum course, the clinical fellowship, and the required exams.
Some of the most popular medical courses fields worldwide countries are as follows:
1. Physiology
2. Biomedical Sciences
3. Biological Sciences or Life Sciences
4. Neuroscience
5. Veterinary Medicine
6. Dentistry Medicine
7. Human Anatomy
8. Pathology
9. Radiology
10. Anesthetics
11. General Practice
Why Choose Abroad for MBBS Education
Choosing to study medicine abroad is often a no-brainer for Indian medical aspirants.
Pursuing an MBBS degree is sometimes more affordable in foreign countries, while another factor can be the relative ease of admission/entry into several foreign colleges in comparison to Indian medical colleges, which have huge competition for a limited number of seats.
Here are some reasons worth considering for choosing to study medicine abroad:
The gap between the demand and supply of Indian medical institutions is a major reason why medical aspirants choose to study abroad. According to a recent report, 7-8 lakh students qualifying for the NEET annually (the entrance examination for medicine in India) compete for just a little over 90,000 medical seats in the country.
Another factor is the cost of studying MBBS in India. More than 50% of the total medical seats are in Government institutions, which may otherwise be affordable but are hard to get admission into unless you get a massive NEET score. The same holds true for even Government quota seats in private medical colleges.
The fees for MBBS courses abroad in several countries, including the coaching cost for clearing the screening test upon returning to India, are normally around $41,00-$42,000. However, tuition fees for MBBS programs in private Indian medical colleges are usually around $53,000-$65,000 or higher.
Some other advantages that make students venture abroad for MBBS degrees include exposure to advanced technology and state-of-the-art infrastructure for learning, including better laboratories and world-class faculty.
Lucrative salaries after studying MBBS abroad are another plus point. For instance, the average annual salary for doctors in the USA is $216,399 per Glassdoor, July 2024 stats. This is because medical degrees from top universities and colleges are globally accepted.
Diverse and enriching cultural exposure is another advantage of studying MBBS abroad, where students can broaden their knowledge of different cultures, communities, and people. This gives them exposure and skill sets that are highly coveted by employers today.
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Top Universities to Study MBBS Abroad in 4 Popular Countries
1. United Kingdom
The UK’s excellent infrastructure, prominent medical schools, high-tech hospitals, and research facilities ensure some of the best medical programs worldwide.
Here are some of the leading UK medical colleges with their admission requirements and tuition fee:
Name of University
Courses Offered
Duration
Tuition Fee*
Entry Requirements
University of Oxford
Medicine (graduate entry)
4 years
Pre-clinical annual fees are GBP 43,670 (INR 46.65 Lakh), while clinical (years 4-6) annual fees are GBP 57,690 (INR 61.74 Lakh)
Good academic record and Specific subject requirements that vary with the chosen course.
3 to 6 years depending on the program chosen (UG, PG or PhD)
GBP 41,650 - GBP 53,700 per year (INR 44.57 Lakh - INR 57.47 lakh)
1. Generally A or AAA grade in specific subjects like biology, chemistry and mathematics is required.
2. English language requirements as set by the college.
Source: university websites
2. United States of America
The USA is often regarded as the world’s best country for medical studies owing to the top-notch hospitals, world-class medical schools, expert faculty, amazing opportunities, and progressive research.
The courses offered by the leading medical colleges of America provide a brilliant mix of theoretical and practical learning. According to the QS World University Rankings, here is a list of some of the best universities in the USA for medical studies:
2. Completion of six credits of undergraduate research
3. Completion of the neuroscience sequence as well as the mathematics and science courses required for the BS, prior to matriculating into the program the first semester.
UAMS College of Medicine
3-Year MD Program
3 years
$645 (INR 54,002) per credit hour
Prior to matriculation, applicants should have completed requisite semesters in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, Statistics, and Social Sciences. A baccalaureate degree/equivalent is necessary along with MCAT scores.
UCSF School of Medicine
MD Program
4 years
$57,369 (INR 48.03 lakh) per year
Students should pursue a four-year undergraduate course and get a baccalaureate degree before applying. Course requirements include semesters in Physics, Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry. MCAT scores are also required.
Source: university websites
3. India
India hosts some of the premier institutes that are known worldwide for their medical studies. The popularity of these courses within India is so much that lakhs of students prepare hard for years to get enrolled into these institutes despite the cut throat competition. Mentioned below are some of the prestigious institutes that offer UG, PG, and doctoral programs:
Name of University /Institute
Courses Offered
Duration
Tuition Fee*
Entry Requirements
AIIMS
BSc (Hons) (Medical Technology in Radiography/ Nursing)
3 years
Tuition fee ranges from INR 1,628 - INR 4,125 for courses on average.
One needs to clear the BSc Nursing Entrance exam conducted by the AIIMS.
MSc Nursing/Biotechnology/Reproductive biology and clinical Embryology
2 years
1. Qualify in the entrance exam conducted by the AIIMS. 2. BSc Nursing degree.
PhD Geriatric Medicine/Forensic Medicine /Toxicology
5 to 6 years
1. MSc with at least 60% in the relevant discipline. 2. NET and GRE score.
MD in Emergency Medicine
3 years
1. MBBS from University recognized by the National Medical Commission/Medical Council of India as notified by Govt. of India. 2. Candidates must have obtained at least 55% marks in aggregate for all categories (50% marks for SC/ST). 3. Candidates must have completed the required period of 12 months compulsory rotating Internship/Practical training.
IISc, Bangalore
PhD in Neuroscience
5 years
Nominal fee of INR 800 at the time of application.
1. Master’s degree in any branch of Science/ 4 year Bachelor of Science degree. 2. Valid GATE score / NET JRF is mandatory. 3. GPAT score (for BPharma).
Christian Medical College, Vellore
MBBS
4.5 years
INR 56,330 for first year.
Passed 10+2 with Physics, English, Chemistry, and Biology and with 60% marks at least.
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
MBBS
4.5 years
INR 70,88,530 for total course.
10+2 with English, Biology/Biotechnology, Physics, and Chemistry, with at least 50% taken together in them.
4. Australia
Australia can be your destination to pursue medical sciences as it offers cutting edge curricula, state of the art health facilities, and good employability opportunities straight after the completion of the course.
1. Overall score of 6.5 for IELTS (Academic) with minimum band scores: Listening 6.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.0 and Speaking 6.0 for IELTS (Academic) with minimum band scores: Listening 6.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.0 and Speaking 6.0
1. Your score must satisfy Australian Year 12 ATAR score.
2. IELTS overall 6.5 with a score of 6 in all the sections.
Source: university websites
*all INR conversions are as of July 31, 2024
Specializations Medicine Programs Abroad
Specialization after MBBS is slowly becoming the need of the hour because of the rising competition. Moreover, the demand for consulting a professional for even a common ailment is constantly increasing.
To take up a specialized medical course in the US, you must take the ECFMG and USMLE, while in the UK, you must appear for the PLAB.
The specialization can come in the form of an MD, MS, or Diploma degree. Some of the most popular specialization courses in the US include Biochemistry, Emergency Medicine, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, and Sports Medicine.
On the other hand, some of the most popular medical specializations in the UK include Anesthetics, Pathology, Psychiatry, and Surgery.
The countries listed in the article offer medical courses from the undergraduate level to various specializations. As far as the latter is concerned, one can opt for an MS, MD, or even a diploma course lasting a year.
Job Prospects After MBBS Abroad
Now that we know the best countries to study medicine, it is time to look at the job prospects. Medicine is one of the most challenging degrees to pursue because of its vast scope and diverse work prospects.
Some of the most prominent fields for job roles in medicine are as follows:
1. Physician and Surgeons
2. Pharmacists
3. Optometrists
4. Veterinarians
5. Physical Therapists
6. Radiation Therapists
7. Dentists
8. Podiatrists
9. Radiologists
10. Obstetricians
11. Gastroenterologists
12. Dermatologists
13. Endocrinologists
14. Anesthesiologists
15. Hematologists
Expected Remuneration or Salary After MBBS Abroad
Getting your BSc, MS, MBBS, or PhD degree from reputed universities can bring in great returns on your investments. This is because of the financial viability of the medical field. In addition, an MS or MD can add to your future growth prospects immensely.
The expected remuneration in terms of some of the possible popular jobs include following::
Job Role
Average Annual Salary
Family Physician
$208,219
Physician (Medicine)
$228,501
Obstetrician
$247,091
Physician (ER)
$282,101
Neurologist
$256,311
Radiologist
$355,388
Doctor, General Medicine
$180,735
Source: Pay scale, July 2024
Conclusion
As can be seen, there are several countries where you can consider studying MBBS abroad. Check all the admission requirements and fees carefully for each chosen university and country before going ahead with your applications.
Disclaimer: All fees and salaries are indicative and subject to change at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to study medicine?
The best country to study medicinecan be the USA or the UK, going by the QS World University Rankings by Subject-Medicine list for 2024. The UK has four and the USA has five institutions on the top-10 list. Other top countries include Sweden, the Netherlands, Australia, and Canada, to name a few.
Is MBBS good in India or abroad?
MBBS from India is a good option if you have a high NEET rank and can get admission into a reputed Government institution. However, it can otherwise be expensive at private colleges/universities since getting into Government institutions is hard due to the high competition for seats.
In this context, studying MBBS abroad can be a great option since the degree is usually globally accepted and unlocks career opportunities worldwide with lucrative remuneration.
In which country MBBS is free?
MBBS is not free in almost every country. International aspirants have to pay requisite tuition fees to pursue these courses. The only option is to secure a place in an MBBS program in a German public university. These universities do not charge tuition fees, but there are semester and administrative fees to be paid each semester, which add up to a nominal amount.
Which is the cheapest country to study medicine?
The cheapest countries to study medicine include Russia ($4,000 - $6,000 per year), China(¥30,000 - ¥50,000 per year), Ukraine ($5,000 per year), and Kyrgyzstan ($3,000 - $5,500 per year), to name a few.
Pragya Sharma is a content developer and marketer with 6.5+ years of experience in the education industry. She started her career as a social media copywriter for NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics & IT, and has now scaled up as a 360-degree content professional well-versed with the intricacies of digital marketing and different forms of content used to drive and hook the target audience.
She is also a co-author of 2 stories in an anthology based on the theme- women empowerment.
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