For students striving to become doctors, one of the most popular undergraduate medical degrees is the MBBS, or Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. Students who study MBBS overseas benefit from first-rate medical education, state-of-the-art research possibilities as well as worldwide exposure to varied healthcare systems. Entailing both theoretical learning and hands-on medical training, an MBBS abroad generally takes 5-6 years to complete. A number of global programs also focus on real-world experience, linguistic abilities, and cultural flexibility-qualities that are crucial for a thriving worldwide medical career. Selecting the ideal university is essential, as it can shape a student’s medical knowledge, abilities, and future prospects to a great extent.
Why study MBBS abroad?
Pursuing an MBBS overseas is a wise choice for the reasons mentioned below:
- Budget-friendly tuition fees: In comparison to private colleges in India, superior medical education is offered by a number of countries at lower costs.
- Internationally acknowledged: Degrees earned from WHO and NMC-approved universities are highly regarded globally.
- Cutting-edge infrastructure: Pursuing an MBBS abroad provides students with access to advanced laboratories, hospitals, and worldwide medical practices.
- Exempt from entrance exams (in numerous countries): Students directly secure admission to an MBBS course based on the marks obtained in their 12th
- Cultural Experience: Students acquire a chance to experience varied healthcare systems and global settings.
Best Countries to Study Medicine
Listed below are the top countries to pursue an MBBS degree:
| Country | Highlights |
|---|---|
| United States | Well-known for state-of-the-art medical research and prestigious universities. |
| United Kingdom | Provides internationally acknowledged MBBS programs with robust hands-on clinical exposure. |
| Canada | Renowned for top-tier instruction and emphasis on real-world training. |
| Australia | Integrates outstanding teaching benchmarks with cutting-edge healthcare systems. |
| New Zealand | Provides nurturing educational settings and advanced medical education. |
| Germany | Offers budget-friendly or tuition-free medical education with advanced facilities. |
| Singapore | Integrates thorough training with state-of-the-art healthcare technology. |
| Ireland | English-speaking nation home to internationally acclaimed medical schools. |
| Netherlands | Emphasizes research-based medicine and globally accessible education. |
| France | Offers economical medical studies with a heavy focus on clinical abilities. |
| Italy | Home to renowned universities that offer English-taught medicine programs. |
| Switzerland | Renowned for leading healthcare infrastructure and a superior academic setting. |
Best Medical Colleges in the World
The top 10 medical colleges in world are mentioned below:
Harvard University, USA
The best university for MBBS in world, Harvard University is a pioneer in medical research and education, well-regarded for advancement in clinical medicine and global health.
University of Oxford, UK
One of the oldest medical schools, University of Oxford integrates robust academic training with state-of-the-art biomedical science.
Stanford University, USA
Listed among the world's top medical universities, Stanford University is well-known for innovation, entrepreneurship and robust translational medicine that bridges lab research and patient care.
Johns Hopkins University, USA
This university is well-known for leading medical teaching hospital model, public health and clinical excellence.
University of Cambridge, UK
One of the top MBBS colleges in world, University of Cambridge is known for its rich academic legacy, significant strength in basic biomedical research and clinical teaching.
University College London (UCL), UK
Outstanding in clinical medicine, medical sciences, and internationally varied research and student community.
Imperial College London, UK
Enumerated in the list of best MBBS universities globally, Imperial College London is distinguished for medical engineering, diagnostics, and integration of science & medicine.
Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
This university is internationally recognized for awarding the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine; places a heavy emphasis on medical research and public health.
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), USA
One of the top 10 medical colleges in world for MBBS, University of California, San Francisco offers leading clinical programs, particularly in specialized medicine and patient care.
Yale University, USA
This university focuses on multidisciplinary education, medical ethics, and research-led medicine with robust mentorship.
Best Undergraduate Medical Colleges in the World
The best undergraduate medical colleges in the world are as under:
- Harvard University, USA
- University of Oxford, UK
- Stanford University, USA
- Johns Hopkins University, USA
- University of Cambridge, UK
- Imperial College London, UK
- University College London (UCL), UK
- Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
- Yale University, USA
- University of Toronto, Canada
Best Postgraduate Medical Colleges in the World
Mentioned below are the best postgraduate medical colleges in the world:
- Harvard University, USA
- University of Oxford, UK
- Stanford University, USA
- Johns Hopkins University, USA
- University of Cambridge, UK
- University College London, UK
- Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
- Imperial College London, UK
- Yale University, USA
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), USA
How Much Does It Cost to Study MBBS Abroad?
Based on the country, university, and the student’s way of living, the cost of pursuing MBBS overseas differs to a great extent. With tuition fees costing between USD 40,000 to 80,000 annually, plus cost of living amounting to USD 15,000–25,000 per year, bringing the overall cost for the full program to approximately USD 200,000–400,000, pursuing an MBBS in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Australia is typically more costly. Although these countries offer first-rate facilities, rigorous programs, and robust employment prospects following graduation, the admission prerequisites are frequently stringent, including high academic scores, entrance exams, and linguistic competency tests.
On the other hand, relatively lower tuition fees, and in certain circumstances, minimal or tuition-free education (e.g., Germany) are offered by countries like the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland. In these countries the overall yearly expenses, including cost of living, generally range from €20,000 to 50,000, with total program costs approximately €50,000–€200,000. Superior education with cutting-edge clinical exposure and globally acknowledged degrees, are offered by these countries, making them a more economical choice for students striving for worldwide medical careers while balancing affordability with quality.
Scholarships for MBBS Abroad
Listed below are the various scholarships offered to students pursuing an MBBS degree abroad:
Government Scholarships
- Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
- National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
Country-Specific Scholarships
- Erasmus+ (Europe)
Merit-Based Scholarships
Depending on the student’s academic performance, entrance tests, or NEET scores, universities offer these scholarships.
Need-Based Scholarships
Financial assistance programs are offered to students from low-income backgrounds.
University-Specific Scholarships
- University of Debrecen (Hungary)
- Charles University (Czech Republic)
Private/Foundation Scholarships
- Fulbright Program (for medical research/study in US)
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation
- Aga Khan Foundation
International Organizations
- Rotary International Global Grants
- WHO Fellowships
Embassy/Consulate Scholarships
Scholarships offered for Indian students by foreign embassies.
Eligibility to Study MBBS Abroad
The typical entry requirements to study medicine abroad are:
- The student needs to have completed 10+2 or comparable with Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
- For general category, generally 50% in PCB is required. For reserved categories in India, it is 40%.
- Indian students who plan on returning back need to qualify NEET.
- If the course is instructed in English, IELTS or TOEFL test scores may be required by certain universities.
- The student needs to prove his ability to pay for tuition and living expenses.
- He/she needs to adhere to health and fitness standards of the host country.
- The student needs to hold a valid passport and student visa for the host country.
Job Opportunities After Completing MBBS Abroad
Post completing an MBBS degree from any of the top ranked medical colleges overseas, students can take up any of the following jobs:
- Public Health Specialist
- Hospital Administrator/Healthcare Manager
- Medical Writing/Health Journalism
- Forensic Medicine Specialist
- Telemedicine/Online Healthcare Services
- Volunteer or Humanitarian Medical Work
- Medical Lecturer/Professor
- Residency/Specialization in the home country or abroad
- Clinical Research Associate
- Health Policy Analyst
- Pharmaceutical or Medical Sales & Marketing
- Emergency/Disaster Medicine Roles
- Medical Tourism Consultant
- Medical Consultant in NGOs/International Organizations
FAQs: Top 10 MBBS Colleges in the World
How are the best MBBS colleges in the world ranked?
MBBS university ranking are typically based on academic standing, research output, teaching excellence, infrastructure, and global acclaim.
Which are the top ranked medical colleges in the world?
As per the QS World University Rankings for Medicine 2024, the best medical colleges in the world are:
- Harvard University (USA)
- University of Oxford (UK)
- Stanford University (USA)
- University of Cambridge (UK)
- Johns Hopkins University (USA)
These top ranked medical colleges are acknowledged for their brilliance in medical education, research, as well as clinical practice.
Can international students work while studying MBBS abroad?
Yes, while studying MBBS abroad, a number of countries permit overseas students to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic term, nevertheless rules differ depending on the country and university. During holidays or scheduled breaks, students can work full-time.
Post completing an MBBS degree overseas, can students practice medicine globally?
Yes, after completing MBBS abroad, students are allowed to practice medicine globally, nevertheless they may be required to pass licensing exams based on their intended country of practice, such as USMLE for the USA or PLAB for the UK.
For further assistance or queries students can contact us, Edwise International, and avail our wide range of services for students on destinations like Universities in USA, study in USA, study in UK, study in Ireland, study in Canada, study in Australia, study in New-Zealand, study in Singapore, study in Germany, study in France and many other countries.
