Top Medical Colleges Abroad: If you’re thinking about doing MBBS abroad — i.e., studying medicine outside India — it helps to know which universities are among the top-ranked globally and which ones are more “realistic” for Indian students (considering cost, recognition, eligibility, etc.). Here are some top medical colleges abroad.
Top-Ranked Global Universities (Research Focus):
USA: Harvard, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, UCLA, UCSF, Yale.
UK: Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, King’s College London.
Canada: University of Toronto, McGill University.
Sweden: Karolinska Institute.
Realistic & Popular Options for Indian Students (Cost-Effective / NMC-Friendly):
For many Indian students, factors such as affordability, language, NMC recognition (for practicing in India), and easier admission criteria are of great importance. Several foreign universities meet these criteria and are commonly chosen.
Some popular destinations/universities-
Russia: Perm State Medical University, Siberian State Medical University, Kursk State Medical University.
Georgia: Georgian National University SEU, Tbilisi State Medical University.
Philippines: UV Gullas College of Medicine, University of Santo Tomas.
China: Capital Medical University, Fudan University, Wuhan University, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University.
Belarus: Belarusian State Medical University.
Ukraine: Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv National Medical University.
Kazakhstan: Kazakh National Medical University.
Why are these popular?
- More affordable tuition and living costs compared to the UK/USA/Western Europe.
- Many offer English-taught curricula, which helps if you’re coming from India.
- If the college is recognized by the relevant bodies (e.g., globally recognized / WHO-listed / NMC-approved), the degree can be valid for return to India or further specialization/PG abroad.
Things to check carefully-
- Whether the university is officially recognized (by WHO / NMC, if you plan to come back to India).
- Language of instruction (English vs local language).
- Living costs, hostel/housing, climate, travel distances — especially for far-away countries like Russia/Central Asia.
- After MBBS, you need to clear licensing or screening (e.g., licensing exam in India if you return, or other licensing if you practise abroad).
What to Consider When Choosing a Foreign Medical College:
When evaluating a foreign medical college for MBBS, especially as an Indian student, consider:
- Global ranking and reputation vs. affordability and return on investment.
- Recognition by global and Indian medical authorities (WHO, NMC/MCI — if planning to return).
- Medium of instruction (English or local language), entrance requirements (test scores, English proficiency), and admission competitiveness.
- Cost: tuition + living expenses + travel + potential licensing/licence-equivalence exams.
- Long-term goals: Do you want to practise abroad, return to India, go for postgraduate studies, or aim for research/academia?