Top Countries to Study MBBS Abroad + The Best Universities

The rising medical education costs have made it challenging for many students to afford an MBBS degree in their home countries. It has led to an increasing number of students exploring the option of studying MBBS abroad. Many countries offer affordable medical education while maintaining quality. This Abroadin article will explore some of the top countries to study MBBS abroad.

In this guide:

• The United States: A Path to a MBBS Degree
• The United Kingdom: One of the Top Countries to Study MBBS
• Canada: A Range of Medical Degree
• Germany: One of the Most Sough-after Countries to Study MBBS
• Sweden: MBBS Degree and Quality Education
• Russian Federation: One of the Best Countries to Study MBBS
• France: Affordable Fee Structure for Medical Education
• China: One of the Most Affordable Countries to Study MBBS
• The Philippines: Lower Education Costs for MBBS Degree
• Malaysia: One of the Best Asian Countries to Study MBBS
• Conclusion

1. The United States: A Path to a MBBS Degree

In the United States, pursuing an MBBS is a postgraduate program rather than a bachelor’s degree.

The extensive educational journey and curriculum required to complete an MBBS in the US are equivalent to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.

The duration of the MBBS program in this country is approximately six and a half years.

It is essential to note that the tuition fees range from $18,000 to $86,000 per year, making it a significant investment for students.

Additionally, the cost of living in the US for students is estimated to be between $1,200 and $2,500 per month.

What are the Best Universities to Study MBBS in the US?

According to the 2023 QS ranking, the top ten institutions for studying MBBS in the US are as follows:

• Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Stanford University, Stanford, California
• Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California
• University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
• Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Columbia University, City of New York
• University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
• Duke University, Durham, North Carolina

2. The United Kingdom: One of the Top Countries to Study MBBS

In the United Kingdom, an MBBS degree is recognized as a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB or MB BCh) at select universities.

The MBBS program in the UK focuses on equipping students with the necessary professional skills and knowledge required to excel in medicine.

The program typically ranges from 5 to 6 years, with an elective period of six to twelve weeks, allowing students to study outside their home medical university.

The annual tuition fees for studying MBBS in the UK can range from $25,000 to $60,000, and the average cost of living is approximately $14,000 per annum.

What are the Best Universities to Study MBBS in the UK?

According to the 2023 QS ranking, the top ten institutions for studying MBBS in the UK are as follows:

• University of Oxford, Oxford
• University of Cambridge, Cambridge
• University College London (UCL), London
• Imperial College London, London
• King’s College London, London
• London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Bloomsbury, central London
• The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
• The University of Manchester, Manchester
• University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
• Queen Mary University of London, London

3. Canada: A Range of Medical Degree

In Canada, the MBBS program is known as the Doctor of Medicine (MD). The country offers a rigorous academic standard, exposing students to an excellent educational system.

The duration of the MD program in Canada is typically three to four years. However, it must be noted that MBBS is commonly called MD in this country.

The cost of pursuing MBBS or alternative medical courses in Canada can range from $15,000 to $25,000 per year.

Scholarships sponsored by Canada’s Government are also available to international students, providing opportunities to pursue medical courses within a more affordable budget.

What are the Best Universities to Study MBBS in Canada?

According to the 2023 QS ranking, the top ten institutions for studying MBBS in Canada are as follows:

• University of Toronto, Toronto
• McGill University, Montreal
• University of British Columbia (UBC), Kelowna, British Columbia
• McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
• Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec
• University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
• University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
• University of Ottawa, Ottawa
• Queen’s University at Kingston, Kingston, Ontario
• Dalhousie University, Halifax

4. Germany: One of the Most Sought-after Countries to Study MBBS

To be admitted to an MBBS program in Germany, international students must often undergo additional exams or entrance tests.

The total duration of the MBBS program in Germany is six years and three months, including a mandatory 1-year language preparatory course for non-German-speaking students.

Notably, studying MBBS in Germany is tuition-free. Public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees for doctoral studies.

The cost of living in Germany varies across the country, with an estimated average of $6,000 per year.

What are the Best Universities to Study MBBS in Germany?

According to the 2023 QS ranking, the top ten institutions for studying MBBS in Germany are as follows:

• Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich
• Charité – Berlin University of Medicine, Berlin
• Technical University of Munich, Munich
• University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg
• University of Hamburg, Hamburg
• University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg
• University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Bavaria
• Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt
• Hannover Medical School, Hannover

5. Sweden: MBBS Degree and Quality Education

Sweden is home to several universities that offer exceptional MBBS programs delivered by highly educated faculty.

These universities have achieved impressive QS rankings due to their commitment to delivering quality education.

The annual tuition fees for MBBS programs in Sweden range from approximately $9,500 to $10000. As an international student, you will need $940 monthly, totaling $11,280 annually.

What are the Best Universities to Study MBBS in Sweden?

According to the 2023 QS ranking, the top eight institutions for studying MBBS in Sweden are as follows:

• Karolinska Institute, Solna, Stockholm
• Lund University, Lund
• University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg
• Uppsala University, Uppsala
• Umea University, Umea
• Linköping University, Linköping
• Orebro University, Orebro
• Malmo University, Malmo

6. Russian Federation: One of the Best Countries to Study MBBS

International students aspiring to study MBBS abroad, including in Russia must qualify for the NEET exams and meet specific academic requirements.

The duration of the MBBS program in this country is six years, conducted in the English medium.

The tuition fees at Russian medical universities range from $2,800 to $8,400 per year, depending on the chosen university.

Studying MBBS in Russia allows international students to receive a quality medical education at a more affordable cost.

What are the Best Universities to Study MBBS in Russia?

According to the 2023 QS ranking, the top ten institutions for studying MBBS in Russia are as follows:

• Sechenov University, Moscow
• Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow
• Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow
• Pavlov First State Medical University of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg
• RUDN University, Moscow
• Saint Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg
• Kazan Federal University, Kazan
• Saint Petersburg State Medical Academy, St. Petersburg
• Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk
• Kazan State Medical University, Kazan

7. France: Affordable Fee Structure for Medical Education

In the French medical education system, the first two years are common for students pursuing Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Odontology, and Physio-kinesiotherapy.

The tuition fees for MBBS in France amount to approximately $39,000 annually for international students, excluding the first year.

While the competitive examination process filters out a percentage of students after the first year, those who progress receive a quality medical education in France.

What are the Best Universities to Study MBBS in France?

According to the 2023 QS ranking, the top ten institutions for studying MBBS in France are as follows:

• Sorbonne University, Paris
• Paris-Saclay University, Paris
• University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux
• Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon
• PSL Research University, Paris
• Aix-Marseille University, Aix-en-Provence and Marseille
• University of Montpellier, Montpellier
• University of Lille, Lille
• University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg
• Paul Sabatier University, Toulousea

8. China: One of the Most Affordable Countries to Study MBBS

Opting for an MBBS in China is highly commendable due to the global recognition of many Chinese medical universities.

These universities rank among the top 500 Medical Schools worldwide and offer a 6-year MBBS program.

The program consists of 5 years of classroom training to acquire comprehensive medical knowledge and one year of hospital internship to enhance clinical skills.

Tuition fees for MBBS programs in China range between $11,000 and $31,000, depending on the university, making it an affordable option for students seeking quality medical education.

What are the Best Universities to Study MBBS in China?

According to the 2023 QS ranking, the top ten institutions for studying MBBS in China are as follows:

• Peking University, Beijing
• Fudan University, Shanghai
• Tsinghua University, Beijing
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai
• Zhejiang University, Hangzhou
• Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan
• Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou
• Wuhan University, Wuhan
• Nanjing University, Nanjing
• Sichuan University, Chengdu

9. The Philippines: Lower Education Costs for MBBS Degree

Studying MBBS in the Philippines presents a significant advantage in lower education costs than other countries.

The MBBS program in the Philippines is divided into two parts: Bachelor of Surgery (BS) and Doctor of Medicine (MD), spanning a total duration of 6 years, including a one-year internship.

The charges for an MBBS degree in the Philippines range from $22,000 to $32,000 for the five-year program.

These MBBS degrees offered by colleges in the Philippines are confirmed and approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), ensuring quality education with a 100% success rate in the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

What are the Best Universities to Study MBBS in the Philippines?

According to the 2023 QS ranking, the top two institutions for studying MBBS in the Philippines are as follows:

• University of the Philippines, Manila
• University of Santo Tomas, Manila

10. Malaysia: One of the Best Asian Countries to Study MBBS

Malaysia’s universities for international students perfectly balance practical and theoretical approaches in their MBBS programs.

Renowned universities with excellent infrastructure make studying MBBS in Malaysia a desirable option. The duration of the MBBS program in Malaysia is five years, without a provision for an internship.

The average cost of studying medicine in Malaysia ranges from RM70,000 to RM110,000 per year, approximately $15,000 to $24,000 per year, for a 5-year medical degree program at the current exchange rate.

What are the Best Universities to Study MBBS in Malaysia?

According to the 2023 QS ranking, the top ten institutions for studying MBBS in Malaysia are as follows:

• University of Malaya (UM), Kuala Lumpur
• National University of Malaysia (UKM), Bandar Baru Bangi
• Science University of Malaysia (USM), Minden, Penang Island
• University of Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor
• The MARA Technological University (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor
• Taylor’s University, Subang Jaya
• International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuala Lumpur
• International Medical University (IMU), Kuala Lumpur
• UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur
• University of Technology Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

Conclusion

Studying MBBS abroad opens up opportunities for students passionate about pursuing a career in medicine.

Some of the best countries to study MBBS include the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, Sweden, the Russian Federation, France, China, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

However, it is crucial for students to thoroughly research and understand the requirements, tuition fees, living costs, and other aspects before deciding. Do you have any questions? Feel free to leave a comment.

Sources:

https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2023/medicine