Many Indian students are exploring opportunities abroad to fulfill their MBBS dreams. India has become one of the major source countries for medical students abroad. Based on several reports, it is estimated that every year 20,000 to 25,000 Indian students go abroad to study medicine. 

In this article, we will delve into the reasons why studying MBBS abroad can be a rewarding choice, explore top countries for pursuing MBBS abroad, provide an overview of average fees, duration, and eligibility criteria, discuss scholarships available, and shed light on the expected remuneration for MBBS graduates.

Why Study MBBS Abroad

There are several reasons benefiting your choice of study abroad in the field of medicine. Here’s a list of such advantages that studying medicine abroad brings to you:

1. Quality Education: For the Medicine subject, QS World University Ranking 2023 data shows that the top 25 colleges and universities are in the US, UK, Sweden, Canada, Australia, and Singapore. Therefore, over the years, these renowned universities abroad have provided high-quality education with state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced technologies, and experienced faculty members. 
2. Global Recognition: Statistics show that there have been 103 Nobel Laureates in medicine from the US, followed by 31 from the UK, 17 from Germany, 11 from France, and 9 from Sweden. Nobel Laureates from foreign countries have helped their countries gain global recognition. 

1. Job Opportunities: Physicians, Pediatricians, Psychiatrists, Obstetricians, Gynecologists, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), and other professionals in the field can find lucrative opportunities abroad. For example, these medical profiles in the US can have a salary from USD 74,000 to USD 229,000 per year. Having an international degree helps with your candidature. 
2. Cultural Exposure: When studying MBBS abroad, cultural exposure is one significant benefit students experience. It provides you with the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, interact with people from diverse backgrounds, and gain a broader perspective on healthcare practices and patient care.

Study MBBS Abroad: Eligibility

Although specific rules and eligibility criteria may vary among countries, here are the general eligibility guidelines for Indian students seeking to pursue MBBS abroad in some of the top countries.

Age Requirement

To pursue MBBS abroad, you must ensure that you have reached the age of 17 at the time of admission. There is no maximum age limit for applying to study MBBS abroad.

Academic Requirement 

Indian students must meet the following academic requirement before leaving for their host country:

• Must have completed 10+2 from a recognised board.
• Must have a minimum of 50% score in 10+2 level.
• Several countries abroad require National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) - Under Graduate qualification.
• Must provide the eligibility certificate issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) (formerly the Medical Council of India (MCI)).
• In the case of US and Canada medical schools, you must have already completed a bachelor’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

Medical Requirement

At the time of admission, you must present a medical certificate mentioning that you are not suffering from any contagious diseases.  

Exams Required to Study MBBS Abroad

Below mentioned are some of the exams mandatory for you to qualify:

• National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test or NEET
• Country-specific entrance exams like:
  • MCAT- Medical College Admission Test
  • GAMSAT- Graduate Medical School Admissions Test
  • UKCAT- University Clinical Aptitude Test
• English proficiency tests like International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or Pearson Test of English (PTE) or any other language proficiency in case the medium of instruction is other than English. 

Documents Required to Study MBBS Abroad

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you must be prepared with several documents. Here’s a list of documents that you must submit as an international student during admissions to foreign colleges:

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Marksheets and certificates of 10th and 12th standards
• NEET score card
• Statement of purpose (SOP)
• Letter of recommendation (LOR)
• Language proficiency certificate
• Financial statement as proof of funding your studies abroad
• Passport size photograph
• Valid passport
• Medical certificate

MBBS Abroad vs MBBS in India

MBBS Abroad and MBBS in India differ in many ways despite having many similarities. Let’s look at and understand how MBBS Abroad varies from MBBS in India.

*Source: Payscale

Top Countries to Study MBBS Abroad 

When it comes to studying abroad for Indian students, several countries top the list of popular destinations for medicine students. While choosing a country completely depends on your preferences, here is a list of top countries with their universities mentioned in the QS Ranking.

USA

The United States offers excellent medical education and has a highly competitive admission process and higher tuition fees. Unlike India, MBBS in the USA is a postgraduate program, not an undergraduate one. Students earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree upon completion of the course. To pursue an MD degree in the US, you must have completed a three to four years bachelor's in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

Here’s a list of the US colleges/universities, along with QS World Ranking by Subject 2023: Medicine, offering MD programs.

*As per university sites

UK

The UK is renowned for its prestigious medical schools and a strong emphasis on research and clinical training. You must qualify for the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) and UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT), along with meeting other eligibility criteria to pursue MBBS in the country. Here are the UK universities or colleges for medical studies and their QS World Ranking by Subject 2023: Medicine.

*As per university sites

Canada

Canada does not offer any undergraduate MBBS program; instead, it offers an equivalent postgraduate MD (Doctor of Medicine) program. It is a four years course for which you can apply if you have already completed a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a four-year bachelor’s degree in Canada. Below mentioned are a few of the top colleges in Canada, along with their QS World Rankings by Subject 2023: Medicine.

*As per university sites

Australia

Australia offers MBBS in the form of MD degrees. Further, these degrees include a Bachelor of Medical Science/Doctor of Medicine (BMedSc/MD) and a Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD). The duration of these programs varies and ranges from four to seven years. Here’s a list of Australian universities with their respective QS World Rankings by Subject 2023: Medicine that provides you with the best medical program.

*As per university sites

Scholarships to Study MBBS Abroad

To pursue MBBS abroad, various scholarships are available to help alleviate the financial burden for international students. These scholarships can provide valuable support and make pursuing an MBBS degree in a foreign country more accessible. Scholarships may vary depending on the country and university. Therefore, here are some scholarship options available for you in various countries.

Job Prospects

There are several options after completing an MBBS abroad. Most students prefer to complete their MD (Doctor of Medicine) or MCh (Master of Surgery) courses or even go on to do MBAs in healthcare management, bioinformatics, hospital administration, hospital management, and computational biology. 

Career options include positions like physicians, clinical researchers, professors, hospital administrators, medical writers, teachers, forensic psychiatrists, health analytics and informatics, medical examiners, diagnostic imaging/radiologists, and more. 

Expected Remuneration/Salary

The average salary or remuneration you can expect after completing your MBBS abroad will vary depending on the country and work profile. Here’s a list of a few of the MBBS job profiles and their average annual salary.

*A per Payscale