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Explore Scholarships for MBBS Abroad

Updated on 14 March, 2024

Kanika Pruthi

Kanika Pruthi

Sr. Content Writer & Study Abroad Expert

Scholarships for MBBS Abroad

An estimated 20,000-25,000 students from India venture abroad every year to study medicine. Along with affordable MBBS costs, another reason is the lack of ample seats. 

For 7-8 lakh aspirants qualifying the NEET, there are just 90,000+ seats available in the country. If you are also planning to pursue MBBS abroad, then knowing about your funding options is crucial. 

Here is a guide to some of the scholarships for MBBS abroad that are worth considering. 

Advantages of Studying MBBS Abroad for Indian Students 

Before looking up abroad MBBS scholarships, it is crucial to learn a little more about some of the benefits of pursuing this course abroad. They include the following: 

  • Many countries and foreign universities charge comparatively lower MBBS tuition fees in comparison to their Indian counterparts, especially private medical colleges. Getting a scholarship for MBBS students to study abroad also helps save more money on tuition and living costs. 
  • Studying MBBS abroad can help you gain exposure to diverse communities and cultures. Along with broadening your mindset, it will help you build valuable global networks. 
  • Several global universities offer top-class medical training and learning, in tandem with cutting-edge infrastructure and reputed faculty members. High-quality education is often the reason why many Indian students choose foreign universities for MBBS programs. 
  • Global career prospects are another benefit of pursuing MBBS courses abroad. A foreign degree and experience can help aspirants gain entry into prestigious hospitals and medical organizations abroad. 
  • Indians pursuing MBBS abroad also stand to earn higher salaries. According to Glassdoor, the average salary after MBBS in India is around 1,22,000 per month, which means an annual salary of 14.64 lakh. In comparison, it is $2,33,136 annually in the US according to Glassdoor, which equates to 1.93 crore. In the UK, it is £59,599 as per Glassdoor, which equates to 62.81 lakh. 
  • Many foreign countries have more highly-ranked medical schools and colleges. For example, in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Medicine, the US alone has 112 institutions out of 682 in the list along with 5 of the top 10. The UK has 48 and Canada has 17, while Australia has 26 institutions in the list. 

Popular University Scholarships for MBBS Abroad for Indian Students 

Here are some of the popular scholarships for MBBS abroad that Indian students can consider. 

Scholarship NameInstitution NameBenefits
Harvard Medical School Scholarship Harvard University (Harvard Medical School)Tuition and mandatory fees are covered 
Tata-Cornell ScholarshipCornell UniversityTuition fees (up to eight semesters)
Vagelos Scholarship ProgramColumbia UniversityCost of attendance is covered for one year after deductions of the available resources of the student. 
Sydney International Student AwardUniversity of Sydney20% contribution to tuition fees 
International Medicine MBBS ScholarshipsBrunel University London

The scholarships are cumulatively worth over  £30,000. 

Each individual scholarship covers 15% of annual tuition fees throughout the course duration

Lester B. Pearson International Student ScholarshipsUniversity of TorontoTuition, incidental fees, books, and full residence support for four years

Popular External Scholarships for MBBS Abroad for Indians 

Here are some popular external abroad MBBS scholarships for Indian students. 

Scholarship NameOrganizationBenefits
Beijing Government ScholarshipsBeijing GovernmentPartial/full tuition fees (renewable yearly)
National Overseas Scholarship for SC etc CandidatesMinistry of Social Justice and Empowerment, India

Annual Maintenance Allowance- USD 15,400/GBP 9900 

Annual Contingency Allowance- USD 1,500/ GBP 1100 

Tuition fees, medical insurance premium, airfare, incidental journey allowance and equipment allowance, visa fees

Chevening ScholarshipChevening, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organizations, UK Government Tuition fees, airfare, arrival allowance, cost of visa, departure allowance, cost of TB testing if needed, travel top-up allowance, and monthly personal living allowance/stipend 
Zolve Global ScholarshipZolve

5 scholarships of $2,000 each 

15 scholarships of $1,000 each 

Read More: 

Tips for Successfully Getting MBBS Scholarships 

Here are a few tips that will help you successfully get MBBS scholarships. 

  • Build your scholarship profile- Search for awards that are a perfect fit for your profile. Look at factors like academic merit, interests, affiliations, identity, gender, fraternity, financial need, etc.  
  • Do your research- Search for available scholarships and financial aid at multiple universities (country-wise). You can do a Google search too and find other organizations offering scholarships in your preferred regions. 
  • Stay organized- Create your own scholarship list with due dates, documents required, and other key application information. This will help you as a ready reckoner for the future. 
  • Contact people for assistance- Reach out to your friends, relatives, and members of the academic fraternity like your teachers or academic advisors. Someone you know may be able to find something that is the right fit. 
  • Choose strategically- There are several bigger scholarships with higher awards and coverage for multiple expenses. However, they are harder to get and require a more stringent application process and criteria. Hence, try and find scholarships offering smaller awards with easier criteria and higher chances of approval. 
  • Keep your documents ready- Keep your academic transcripts, resume, and other work experience details ready. You will need them frequently while applying for multiple scholarships. Make sure that all your documents are in proper English without spelling and grammar errors. 
  • For scholarships, tailor personalized statements within word limits, emphasizing motivations, criteria fit, future goals, desired study location, institution, and course choice. Obtain letters of recommendation from teachers, professors, or supervisors, facilitating the process by providing academic transcripts and resumes.
  • Show your gratitude- Send an email to the scholarship committee after applying, expressing your gratitude for their time and consideration. They will appreciate your gesture, no matter the outcome of your scholarship application.

Conclusion 

There are several scholarships for MBBS abroad that you can opt for. Keep doing your research on the available options and make sure you apply within the due dates. With a little time and effort, you may be able to get a scholarship that helps you fulfill your dream of pursuing an MBBS at a top foreign university. 

More Related Resources:

FAQs

Can I study MBBS in the US for free?

While it is not possible to study MBBS for free in the US, you can try applying for scholarships that cover a sizable part of your tuition and living costs. 

Which country offers the highest salaries for doctors?

Luxembourg is the country offering the highest salaries for doctors. In Indian rupees, specialists earn approximately 26,292,200 annually, while general practitioners earn around 20,769,800 per year in the country. 

What is the average salary for doctors in the US in Indian rupees?

Specialists earn in excess of 24,428,200 annually in the US. At the same time, general practitioners have annual earnings of approximately 22,228,600 in the country.

Kanika Pruthi

Sr. Content Writer & Study Abroad Expert

Kanika has 5+ years of experience as a writer and content developer. She has written for a wide range of industry verticals, including hospitality, restaurants, non-profits, finance, IT, HR, technology, payroll, and education. She has worked as a creator for a few leading companies and has also helped brands grow through her creative writing.

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