Why to choose MBBS Abroad & Challenges of Pursuing MBBS in India:
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High Competition for Seats: Securing an MBBS seat in a government medical college in India is extremely difficult due to limited availability. This is primarily caused by a shortage of infrastructure and qualified faculty in medical colleges.
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Faculty Shortage: A significant number of medical colleges lack adequate faculty, with reports indicating over 40% and 65% vacancies in non-clinical and clinical subjects respectively for institutions opened in the past five years. This directly impacts the quality of education for medical students.
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Limited Infrastructure: Inadequate infrastructure in medical colleges across India further restricts the number of MBBS seats available.
Alternatives for Medical Aspirations:
- why to chose MBBS Abroad: The high competition for MBBS seats in India drives many students to pursue their medical education abroad. As of 2023, an estimated 18,000 Indian students are enrolled in medical universities globally, exceeding one-third of the student body in private medical colleges within India. This trend highlights the growing number of students seeking MBBS opportunities outside the country.
High Competition for MBBS Seats in India:
Limited Seats, Growing Aspirants: The number of MBBS seats in India, despite an increase of 23,000 seats in the past five years due to new colleges, struggles to keep pace with the rising number of medical aspirants. This is evident in the declining success rate for NEET-UG, which dropped from 6.68% to 5.29% in the last five years. With over 21 lakh students appearing for the exam in 2023 to compete for seats in just 706 colleges, securing a government seat remains a significant challenge.
Infrastructure Lags Behind Demand: The growth of medical education infrastructure, including both government and private colleges, hasn’t kept up with the surge in medical aspirants. This lack of sufficient infrastructure directly contributes to the limited availability of MBBS seats.
Systemic Issues: India’s medical education system faces ongoing challenges, including disconnected education and healthcare delivery systems, high education costs, and underutilized resources. Additionally, the complexity of various entrance exams for medical seats adds to the difficulty for students. These factors collectively contribute to the bottleneck in accessing MBBS education.
High Tuition fees charged by private medical colleges in India
- Private medical colleges in India charge extremely high tuition fees, making it very difficult for middle-class students to afford.
- These fees can range from 60 Lacs to 15 Cr, creating a huge financial burden for students and their families.
- Even if students manage to pay these fees, they often find that the quality of education and facilities provided by these colleges is not up to standard.
- Many private colleges lack proper infrastructure, such as adequate facilities and equipment, which affects the learning experience.
- Moreover, there is a shortage of patients in these colleges, which means students don’t get enough practical experience.
- Another issue is the shortage of qualified faculty members, which affects the quality of teaching.
- As a result, many students and their families question whether it’s worth it to invest so much money in these private colleges when the education and facilities are not of high quality.
Advantages of MBBS Abroad
There are many benefits of MBBS Abroad. Please look below the table
| Aspect | Public & Private Universities | Private Universities |
|---|---|---|
| University Type | Offers both public and private options | Exclusive to private sector |
| World Ranking | Rankings available | No available rankings |
| Recognition | Recognized by NMC and few others Recognized by WHO, WFME, ECFMG, US GMC, UK, etc. | Recognized by NMC and few others |
| Teaching Experience | Varied experience, up to 200 years | Typically limited to around 10 years |
| Tuition Fee | Affordable, ranging from 2-5 Lacs per year | Expensive, ranging from 8-25 Lacs per year |
| Global Exposure | Significant global student presence | No exposure to international students |
| Batch Size | Small groups of 15-20 students | Larger batches of 100-150 students |
| Teaching Methodology | Emphasizes PowerPoint presentations | Utilizes University Level, CBME approach |
| Grading of Academics | Follows European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) | Not specified |
| Opportunities for Medical PG | Offers global opportunities including US, Canada, Gulf Region, UK, etc., with primary focus on India | Primarily focuses on opportunities within India |
| Patient Interaction | Moderate to high level of patient interaction | Very limited patient interaction |
| Affiliated Hospitals | Associated with multiple hospitals catering to various specialties | Relies solely on college hospital for practical training |
Cost Of MBBS Abroad
- The expenses associated with pursuing an MBBS program abroad range from 17 Lacs to 25 Lacs***
- Therefore, it’s crucial to thoroughly assess your budget before making any decisions regarding the destination or institution for your MBBS studies overseas.
- Variations in costs are primarily influenced by the destination chosen for the program.
- The total cost of the MBBS program abroad typically encompasses three main categories:
- Tuition fees for the MBBS program itself.
- Expenses related to hostel accommodation or private housing arrangements.
- Cost of living abroad, including daily expenses such as food, transportation, and other necessities.
Tuition fee for MBBS Abroad
- The tuition fees for MBBS programs abroad are the same for all students, regardless of where they come from.
- Once set, these fees remain constant for all years leading up to the start of the academic session.
- Typically, the cost of tuition varies depending on the language of instruction:
- It’s usually cheaper for programs taught in the student’s native language.
- Moderately priced for bilingual programs.
- Most expensive for courses entirely conducted in English.
- To know more click here
Hostel & Private Accommodation
- Many universities abroad provide hostel accommodation options for international students, offering various types of rooms with different facilities.
- These hostels feature a range of room categories, including independent rooms, shared rooms for 2-4 students, and rooms with attached washrooms and living spaces.
- Hostel charges vary based on the room category selected, with prices determined by factors such as room amenities and infrastructure.
- Room allocations are typically based on availability upon the student’s arrival at the university.
- Each hostel room is equipped with basic amenities such as a bed, mattress, table, wardrobe, and central heating system.
- Students also have the option to rent private apartments at their own expense if they prefer.
- It is the student’s responsibility to maintain cleanliness in their hostel rooms.
- However, it is advisable to choose university-hostel accommodation, especially for international students, due to potential language barriers and unfamiliarity with local laws and routes.
- Generally, hostel charges range from 500 USD to 2500 USD annually, varying depending on the country and the facilities provided.
Indian Food
- Each hostel floor typically features a communal kitchen where students can prepare their meals.
- The university equips these kitchens with basic amenities, including an induction cooktop, fridge, and microwave oven.
- However, students are responsible for bringing their utensils and other cooking utilities.
- For those who prefer Indian cuisine, some universities abroad offer Indian Mess facilities.
- These messes, often run by private contractors, provide three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Indian Mess options are commonly found in countries like Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, etc.
- The monthly cost of joining these messes typically ranges from 100 to 150 USD, depending on the number of meals provided
Cost of living Abroad
- The cost of living abroad encompasses all expenses, including personal expenditures.
- Personal expenses vary depending on the individual student’s needs and lifestyle preferences.
- Initially, expenses tend to be higher as students must purchase clothing, footwear, and other essentials to establish themselves in a new environment.
- On average, excluding food costs, students can expect to spend around 80-100 USD per month on living expenses.
Obtaining a Medical License in India After MBBS Abroad:
1. Eligibility:
- University Accreditation: Your MBBS degree must be from a university recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC), formerly known as the Medical Council of India (MCI). Ensure the university is on the NMC’s approved list before applying.
2. Qualifying Examination:
- FMGE or NEXT: You’ll need to pass a qualifying exam to be eligible for licensure. Currently, most students take the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE). However, the National Exit Test (NEXT) is planned to replace the FMGE in the future. Stay updated on the NMC’s website for any changes.
3. Internship:
- Compulsory Internship: After passing the FMGE/NEXT, you must complete a mandatory one-year internship program. This internship typically takes place at a government medical college or a hospital affiliated with the NMC.
4. Permanent Registration:
- State Medical Council: Upon successful completion of the internship, you can apply for permanent registration with the State Medical Council of your chosen state in India. This council will grant you the official license to practice medicine within that state.
Additional Tips:
- Regularly check the NMC website (https://www.nmc.org.in/) for the latest updates regarding licensing procedures and eligibility requirements.