Medical Sciences

There are multiple benefits of pursuing medical sciences abroad:

International Exposure
Studying medical sciences abroad can be a huge learning experience, not just in terms of education but also learning about new cultures and adapting to a different environment. A student pursuing medical sciences abroad is exposed to a variety of medical conditions, advanced technology, amenities, and state-of-the-art apparatus. Also, interacting with teachers and students from different religious and cultural backgrounds can be an experience of its own.

No Donation
Apart from the yearly fee, students in India are required to pay a donation for admissions in some private colleges. It can be an added expense when the educational cost is already high. The donation factor is eliminated when a student decides to pursue medical studies abroad.

No Entrance Exam
Getting admission into a dream college abroad becomes easy when there’s no entrance exam. Well, that’s true for most medical universities abroad. For admission to top medical colleges in countries like Russia or Ukraine, a student isn’t required to sit for an entrance exam. They only need to fulfil the eligibility criteria set by the university. The process becomes pretty straightforward after that.

Practice anywhere in the world
One added benefit of pursuing medical study abroad for Indian students is that they can practice anywhere in the world. Studying medicine abroad opens the doors to global opportunities. With a globally valid degree in their hands, a student can choose to stay in their host country, come back to India, or practice anywhere else in the world.

Low cost of living
Studying in a foreign country does not mean that one has to burn a hole in their pocket. Most countries in CIS region are extremely affordable and provide the best of learning. Though it can be cheap to live and study there, the added expenses can depend a lot on a student’s lifestyle.

Before enrolling for medical courses in foreign countries, a student must consider the following factors:

Quality of Education
It’s not easy to determine the quality of education of an institute abroad without actually being there. And sometimes, the most expensive colleges can turn out to be a scam. So, a student is left with no options but to consult a professional or reach out to the existing students & graduates from that university.

But there are other ways to determine the quality of education in an institute as well. Class size, student-teach ratio, academic facilities like laboratories, libraries, clinics, hospitals, qualified teachers and educational opportunities; all of these factors can help determine the quality of education in an institution.

Cost of Education & Living
When it comes to medical studies abroad, one must compare the cost of education and the cost of living. Usually, the cost of education in the CIS region is low and affordable. Many universities in countries like Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and more, offer Medical Study Abroad for Indian students at a low cost. Also, the cost of living in these regions is highly affordable. So, while selecting the medical university abroad, ensure keeping factors like affordability and financial support (scholarship programs) in mind before finalizing.

Medium of Instruction
Another most important factor is the medium of instruction. While studying abroad, one of the biggest disadvantages can be the language barrier. But that barrier is easy to overcome with an easy-to-understand medium of instruction.

Even though most of the universities offer English as a medium of instruction, some don’t. So, ensure that the course is provided in a language that you can understand.

Accommodation & Safety
While studying abroad, you’d need fully functional, secure, and affordable housing. Make sure that the university you opt for provides you with it. Most of the student housing/hostels are available within the university campus. Also, the rooms are provided on an individual as well as a sharing basis. So, look at all your options and then choose what you find most suitable.

Credibility of Degree
And lastly, the most important factor is the degree’s validity. You surely don’t want to end up in a situation where your medical degree from abroad isn’t getting accepted in India. So, make sure that the chosen university is MCI-approved and recognized by international bodies like WHO, FAIMER, UNESCO, etc. That way, you’ll be able to find work in India or any other part of the world.

Here are some of the popular countries in the CIS region for medical study abroad for Indian students:

Study in Kazakhstan

Considered the powerhouse of Central Asia, Kazakhstan has newly emerged as the go-to destination for Indian students to study medical sciences abroad. Apart from having a well-developed education system and modern training facilities, the country offers a window to an uncharted territory of the world.

Kazakhstan provides a range of higher education programs, MBBS being the most popular one.

An Indian student can have a multi-cultural, multi-religious, and multilingual experience while studying in the country. Officially, the country has two languages – Kazakh and Russian. But an Indian student enrolling in a medical university can expect English as the medium of instruction. Moreover, the cost of education and the cost of living in the country is cheap. Also, there are universities providing scholarships to students, making studying in the country even more affordable.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a Kazakh medical university, a student must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• The student must be at least 17 years old on or before 31st December of the year of admission.
• The student must obtain a minimum of 50% in 10+2. For the reserved category, the minimum score must be 45%.
• The medical aspirants must qualify NEET and submit their mark sheet.

Top Universities in Kazakhstan to Study Medical Sciences Abroad

• Karaganda Medical University
• South Kazakhstan Medical Academy
• SD Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University
• Astana Medical University
• Semey State Medical University

Study in Russia

With over 700+ universities and 400+ fields of study, Russia is another major go-to destination for medical study abroad for Indian students.

The country’s well-developed education system caters to the fulfilment of dreams of those who opt to study here. Russia has one of the highest literacy rates compared to the majority of countries in Western Europe. The biggest reason why Indian students prefer to go to Russia is due to its low-cost education. The Russian government subsidizes the educational cost, leaving a student to pay just 10-20% of it.

Over 10,000+ students are pursuing MBBS in MCI-approved Russian universities currently. The degrees provided by these universities are recognized by international bodies like FAIMER, WHO, NMC, etc. So, Indian students can come to India (practising in India requires one to clear MCI-screening test) or go to any other part of the world and start their practice.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a Russian medical university, a student must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• The student must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, English, and Biology as compulsory subjects.
• The student must have cleared 10+2 with an aggregate of 50% marks.
• The students must be 17 years or older as of December 31 of the admission year.
• An Indian student must qualify for the NEET exam.

Top Universities in Russia to Study Medical Sciences Abroad

• Perm State Medical University
• Tver State Medical University
• Northern State Medical University
• Orenburg State Medical University
• North Ossetian State Medical Academy
• Crimea Federal Medical University
• Russian National Research State Medical University
• People’s Friendship University of Russia
• Bashkir State Medical University
• Rostov State Medical University
• Ulyanovsk State Medical University
• Kabardino Bulkarian State University
• Kirov State Medical University

Study in Kyrgyzstan

Known for its beauty and nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan is another popular destination among Indian students to study medical courses abroad. Several state and private run universities in the country offer best-in-class education and training in medical sciences. Studying in Kyrgyzstan provides an opportunity for Indian students to get a premium education at a lower cost. The education provided by Kyrgyz universities is comparable to the European standards.

Medical colleges in Kyrgyzstan provide worldwide recognized degrees, no donation, easy admission procedures, and MCI-approved colleges. The country serves as the perfect spot for Indian students to kickstart their careers in the field of medicine. Although the majority of the country speaks Russian & Kyrgyz, the universities in Kyrgyzstan offer English as a medium of instruction for international students.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a Kyrgyz medical university, a student must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• The students must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board (for example, CBSE/ICSE).
• The student must attain a minimum of 60% marks in subjects, including Physics, Chemistry, English, and Biology.
• The student must have cleared the NEET exam.

Top Universities in Kyrgyzstan to Study Medical Sciences Abroad

• Asian Medical Institute
• Ik Akhunbaev Kyrgyz State Medical Academy
• Osh State University
• Jalal-Abad State University
• Scientific Research Medical Social Institute
• Kyrgyz Russian Slavic University
• Kyrgyz State Medical Academy
• International Higher School of Medicine

Study in Ukraine

Ukraine is among the top international destinations for Indian students to study medical courses in Abroad. The country’s medical education system is on par with the global standards. It is also home to many world-class government medical universities offering MBBS and MD at low cost.

The medical universities of Ukraine are recognized by medical bodies such as MCI, WHO, FAIMER, etc. Students completing their degrees from a Ukrainian university are eligible to work anywhere in the world.
Alongside an excellent quality schooling and framework, the medium of instruction for all international students is in English. From quality education to globally recognized universities, Ukraine has everything a student is required to kickstart a career in medicine.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a Ukrainian medical university, a student must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• The student must be over 17 years and under 25 years as of 31st December of the year of admission.
• The student must have completed 10+2 with subjects including English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from a recognized board (CBSE, ICSE, etc.).
• The student must have attained a minimum of 50% marks in 10+2 (40% for the reserved category).
• The student must also have qualified for the NEET exam.

Top Universities in Ukraine to Study Medical Sciences Abroad

• Kyiv Medical University
• Bogomolets National Medical University
• Odessa National Medical University
• Kharkiv National Medical University
• V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University
• Kharkiv International Medical University
• Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
• Poltava State Medical University
• Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University
• Vinnitsa National Medical University
• Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University
• Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University
• Ternopil National Medical University
• Zaporizhzhia State Medical University
• Dnipropetrovsk State Medical Academy