Medicine is one of the most popular career options in India, followed closely by engineering. Moreover, India ranks pretty high regarding the quality of teachers and infrastructure in this field. However, there has been a surge in students who wish to study MBBS abroad in the past few years.
This phenomenon is sure to make you wonder – Why?
If the quality of MBBS programs in India is already excellent, why is there a need for the students to look for opportunities in other countries?
The answer covers some of the glaring problems that Indian medical aspirants face in their country.
Why Do Indian MBBS Students Need To Find Options Abroad?
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Indian students constitute a high percentage of foreign applicants to various medical colleges in other countries. Thousands of such students resort to hiring a professional essay writer to help them write the application essays and land an interview with the admissions committee. However, there are two crucial reasons behind such demand.
1. The cut-throat competition
According to reports, the number of MBBS seats in the country has increased by 56%, from 54,348 seats in 2014 to 84,648 in 2020. However, this cannot meet the demand of the number of MBBS students in the country. Moreover, India has already reached its capacity to intake medical students, which results in a severe academic competition to secure a guaranteed seat in some of the best colleges in the country.
2. The sky-rocketing fees in private institutions
Out of the 562 medical colleges, 286 are government-run, while the rest are private institutions. If the intense competition in government medical colleges is stressful, the expenses you’d have to bear to study in a private institution are even more so. As many students cannot afford to pay such costs in their own country, they have no option but to apply to foreign medical colleges.
What Should You Keep In Mind When Choosing A Medical College Abroad?
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Studying MBBS in a foreign land is an enormous step that requires proper planning. Therefore, being aware of the crucial factors you need to keep in mind during your application process will make the process smoother.
1. MCI approved institutions
The Medical Council of India (MCI) has a list of approved foreign universities that provide the MBBS degree. If you wish to continue your practice in India after obtaining your degree, graduating from any of these colleges is crucial as the board will not recognize degrees from other foreign institutions.
2. Education quality
A common misconception among students is that all foreign universities provide high-quality education. However, this cannot be further from the truth. The best way to judge whether a medical college lives up to its reputation is to go through the faculty list, alumni and student associations.
3. Daily living and tuition expenses
The amount of money you have to spend during your MBBS program abroad is not restricted to the tuition costs. Daily living expenses can add up and burn a hole in your pocket if you’re not careful. You can try to apply for scholarships and find hostels near campus to reduce the expenses as much as possible.
Top 5 Countries That Attract Indian MBBS Students
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Choosing wisely about which country to spend the vital years of your MBBS study program can help you move forward in the right direction without depending on professional essay help services for your assignments. As more students choose to study in foreign universities, let’s look at the top 5 countries that see the most interest from Indian students.
1. The United States (US)
The USA is a popular destination among medical students who wish to study in some of the best-known universities in the country. However, the competition is pretty intense in the US as well, and you’d need to have an impressive academic record and MCAT scores to land an admission.
If you’re looking for a cheaper option, then the US might not be the best option. Unless you can land a full scholarship, it would be challenging to make ends meet due to the high costs.
Some popular choices are:
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- John Hopkins University
- University of California, San Diego
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of California, San Francisco
- Yale University
- Columbia University
2. The United Kingdom (UK)
Thousands of Indian students apply to various universities in the UK for their top-notch MBBS programs. The duration of the study usually ranges from four to six years. Additionally, you have to attend a specialty program in the area that you wish to specialize in after completing four years of study.
You’d need to have a minimum of 85-90% in your 12th Board results and ensure top scores in the entrance exams like UKCAT, BMAT or GAMSAT. Another essential criterion is to score an overall 7.0 across every category in the IELTS exam.
Popular university choices among Indian students are:
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- University College of London
- King’s College London
- University of Manchester
- University of Edinburg
- University of Glasgow
- Newcastle University
3. China
China is another popular destination with approximately 45 MCI-approved institutions offering the best MBBS programs. The country has maintained a high standard of education, and it is more affordable than studying in the US or the UK. In most cases, the tuition fee is lesser than what you’d have to pay in India.
Additionally, you won’t have to worry about language differences as the institutions follow English as the medium of instruction.
According to students, the best universities that you could consider in China are:
- China Medical University
- Ningbo University
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Jilin Medical University
- Southeast University
- Jiangsu University
4. Philippines
The Philippines is one of the best options for those students who cannot afford the high costs of studying in the US. The colleges in this country follow the American teaching format. Additionally, you’ll be able to save up on the costs as the entire course is approximately 25% cheaper than what you’d have to spend in India.
To gain admission to the top colleges in the Philippines, you’d have to score high on the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT). However, it would be best to remember that the cut-off for international students is usually higher and is entirely up to the university’s discretion.
Some universities that enjoy immense popularity among Indian students are:
- University of Philippines
- AMA School of Medicine, Manila
- University of Northern Philippines
- Cebu Institute of Medicine
- Bicol Christian College
- Our Lady of Fatima University
- Angels University Foundation
- Saint Luke’s College of Medicine
5. Ukraine
Ukraine boasts some of the best world-class facilities in its medical colleges. Moreover, it won’t burn a hole in your pocket to complete your graduation and post-graduation from these universities. In addition, various international bodies like the MCI, UNESCO, AIMEE, and WHO recognize the Ukrainian colleges, thereby ensuring that you’ll have plenty of exposure globally.
You can find many Indian students in universities like:
- Kharkiv International Medical University
- Vinnytsia National Medical University
- Bogomolets National Medical University
- Kyiv National Medical University
- Ternopil State Medical University
Summing it up,
As the number of Indian students looking for MBBS options increase, you’re more likely to face an increase in competition. However, with an immaculate academic track record, high scores in all competitive exams and a dash of confidence, you’re bound to impress the admissions committee and secure your position. The five countries on this list have a stellar reputation among Indian students and are sure to provide you with the best experience in your MBBS program.
