The duration of the course used to be a big deciding factor for many students. However, in November 2021, the National Medical Commission of India came out with a new set of rules for Indian students who wish to study MBBS abroad. These rules are called Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021. As per the new rules, the minimum duration for MBBS abroad is 54 months (4.5 years) of studies followed by a 1-year internship in the same university abroad.

Therefore, the minimum duration for MBBS abroad now is 5.5 years.

Check complete information on MBBS in Kazakhstan for Indian students, including duration:

Here is a table showing the number of years it takes to complete the medical degree from different countries –

After clearing FMGE, you must complete a 1-year internship in India.

One of the biggest decision points for Indian students when deciding where to study MBBS abroad is the fees or overall budget. Studying MBBS in the USA, Australia, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and EU countries is more expensive than studying MBBS in Uzbekistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia or Kazakhstan. If you wish to study in English-speaking countries such as the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the UK, your budget should be in excess of ₹1.50 crores. Direct admission is not possible in the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the UK; you need to clear entrance exams.

If you want to study at a low cost or on an affordable fee and want a good-quality education, then the best choice is MBBS in Georgia or MBBS in Uzbekistan.

Russia is one of the oldest destinations for Indian students to study MBBS abroad. The reason is simple: it is affordable and offers high-quality education, making it one of the premier destinations for studying MBBS abroad. Also, almost all the universities in Russia are government universities.

Other affordable options include the MBBS in Kyrgyzstan. MBBS in Kazakhstan is another great option for Indian students. The quality of education is good, and a large number of Indian students choose to study MBBS in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan because the education is affordable.

What does an NMC-recognised university mean?

Every year, during our counselling sessions with students and their parents, we are often asked to suggest NMC-recognised universities. When MCI existed, they maintained a list of recognised medical universities for MBBS abroad for Indian students. However, since the National Medical Commission came into existence, they have not maintained any such list. The same information is available on the NMC website.

Yes, therefore, there is no list of NMC-recognised universities for MBBS abroad for an Indian student. So, the question now is, how will someone know if a foreign medical university is NMC-recognised? Here is the answer.

In November 2021, NMC introduced the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations. As per the NMC, a degree from any university that fulfils all the rules and regulations set out in the FMGL Regulations will be recognised in India. A student who obtains a degree from such a university will be eligible to appear for the FMGE in India.

Therefore, before going abroad to study medicine, you must check these rules and ensure that your university fulfils all these rules.

DISCLAIMER:

Checking and understanding the FMGL Regulations is arguably the most important factor to consider when deciding on a university/college. You should contact Global Medical Foundation if you have any doubt whether a college/university/country follows FMGL Regulations.

Undoubtedly, one of the most important things to consider is the quality of education you will receive at a particular college/university. Check the review of Bukhara State Medical Institute, Uzbekistan by two students from India –

One of the biggest doubts that Indian aspirants have is whether universities or colleges abroad actually provide good-quality education. The answer is YES! There are many universities abroad that rank higher than India’s top government colleges, and you can easily get direct admission to them.

The colleges that Global Medical Foundation will suggest to you for admission will be recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). We also recommend you to check the FMGE passing percentages of different universities across the years.

Global Medical Foundation’s representatives have visited many universities teaching

• MBBS in Russia
• MBBS in Kyrgyzstan
• MBBS In Kazakhstan
• MBBS In Bangladesh
• MBBS In Uzbekistan
• MBBS in Georgia

We suggest universities based on our experience and reviews from current and past students. One of the best universities for MBBS abroad is Samarkand State Medical University. Check what the students have to say about studying MBBS in Samarkand State Medical University:

Also, you can study in these colleges abroad at a much cheaper cost, about 75% less than what you pay at Indian private colleges. Many universities in countries such as Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan offer high-quality education to students. The student gets global exposure and gets the opportunity to study further and practice in some of the most developed countries in the world, such as the US and the UK.

In every country, you get clinical training. Students work with patients in the hospitals affiliated with the university. You will get ample practical exposure while studying abroad. There is a big misconception that practicals are not given enough importance in foreign countries.

A big factor to consider before deciding which college/university to study MBBS from is the availability of neat, clean and comfortable accommodation along with the availability of Indian food – both vegetarian & non-vegetarian.

Let us take one factor at a time. Students don’t generally face the problem of finding accommodation. This is because almost all the colleges/universities abroad provide hostels. If a hostel facility is not available, such a university generally has tie-ups with private hostels and flats in the surrounding area. Some universities offer both options. In such a case, the student can choose where they want to stay, depending on the facilities they want. Students usually stay in 2-, 3-, or 4-person rooms in hostels.

A student can also stay outside the hostel. However, most universities do not allow students to stay outside in the 1st year. When finding private accommodation (flats), the student is rarely unable to find suitable accommodation. On average, accommodation charges are similar to those in India. The rent plus bills would cost about ₹10-15 thousand per month on average if the student shares the accommodation.

Global Medical Foundation representatives have visited countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, the Philippines, Ukraine, Georgia and Bangladesh and have found good hostel facilities and also the availability of Indian food via on-campus Indian mess.

Indian mess is available in the hostels or nearby. Indian mess facility is available in countries such as Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Most colleges in these countries have Indian mess facilities. The students can also cook their own food.

The weather becomes an important factor, as some students find it difficult to settle into the cold climates of other countries. Many cities in Russia, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan experience very cold weather with snowfall, with temperatures as low as -20 to -50° C. The weather in Georgia, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan is more suitable for Indian students.

A bit of cold is not a problem for students as they generally enjoy the weather. Furthermore, every building is internally heated, so you won’t feel the cold at all inside. The temperature in the rooms/buildings is maintained at around 20-25 °C.

The weather in Georgia and Bangladesh is similar to that in India. They have a similar weather pattern. In some cities in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the weather is similar. They will see hot summers but colder winters.

The climatic conditions are important, as a similar climate to India means a similar disease pattern.

Any student with health issues should keep in mind the weather in the country they want to study MBBS in. For more information, or any doubts or queries regarding MBBS abroad, contact Global Medical Foundation.

To say the least, it is a high-priority decision point for the students and their families. Given the recent political instability in many countries, parents want to send their students only to safe countries with political and economic stability in the foreseeable future. It is safe for students to study MBBS in countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Mongolia.

To ensure that students who take admission through Global Medical Foundation are well cared for, we have a contact person at every university in foreign countries. The students can reach out to these offices/contact persons in case they face any problems. Also, a representative from Global Medical Foundation visits the students during their stay abroad.

Apart from this, the students can take help from fellow Indian students. Most colleges have Foreign Student Associations to represent the interests of these students. The campuses and hostels are safe for our students. There is no ragging in these countries. The students are safer studying MBBS abroad than they are in India when it comes to ragging. These countries are also very safe for female students.

You will have to learn the local language in countries like Russia, Poland, China, Romania, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The reason is simple: you will have to interact with the patients in the local language during your internship or clinical rotations. Also, it is more of a necessity for being able to live there for 6 years. For more information, or any doubts or queries regarding MBBS abroad, contact Global Medical Foundation.