Studying medicine in a foreign country, especially the one aiming to apply for the MBBS degree could be of a lot of interest to many Indian students after their 12th grade. This infinitely long write up will explain the whole process starting from eligibility, applications, payments and how to excel.
The Basics of the MBBS Degree
The MBBS degree is a medical degree that is awarded to a student who has completed coursework or training for the practice of medicine. The content covers hands-on and theory components across several medical disciplines. The duration for an MBBS degree in many countries is around five to six years, after that they have to go for a residency for further training.
Reasons for registering to study MBBS Abroad
There are several reasons why students decide to study abroad for their MBBS degree:
- Standard of Education: A number of universities abroad have built a name for themselves with their medical courses and provide good education with nice infrastructure.
- Recognition of Degree on Global Scale: If completed from a foreign accredited university, degrees might find relevance in many countries allowing the degree holder to work in many countries.
- Exposure: The students are studied and worked with students with different ethnic backgrounds, on different topics which would add value to their education.
- Affordability: In a few nations the cost of getting a medical education might be much lesser than in institutions back home.
Eligibility Criteria
- When students want to study MBBS abroad they have to comply with the following eligibility criteria.
- Educational Qualifications: A student has to qualify for the 12th grade with mandatory subjects of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB). Most universities have this minimum percentage criteria of admission, usually 50%.
- Entrance Exams: Some countries may ask for certain standardized tests such as NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) in India or SAT/MCAT in the USA.
- Language Proficiency: A few students are good in English language and would need proficiency in it and also need to submit their TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Choosing the Right Country
- While deciding upon the country to study MBBS, students should consider the following factors before making a choice.
- Language of Instruction: Find out the language in which the program is taught and ensure it’s one you understand well.
- Tuition Fees: Check the difference in the cost of education in various countries.
- Living Expenses: Check how much it will cost you to live in the chosen country including rent, food, and travelling.
- Recognition of Degree: Ensure that the degree is recognized not only in your own country but also in any other country in which you wish to practice.
Some popular countries for studying MBBS include:
- USA: It is renowned for its quality education combined with advanced medical research.
- UK: Provides an array of well-known medical institutions that possess a long-standing tradition of teaching medicine.
- Russia: Offers cost-effective medical courses and an increasing number of programs conducted in English.
- China: Is becoming more attractive because of the relatively low fees charged and a good number of courses offered in English.
- Ukraine: Provides good educational standards at a far lower price than the West.
Process of Application
The general procedure for applying to study MBBS overseas is as given below:
Step 1: Look Up Information About Universities and Create a List Of Chosen Ones
First, find out which universities provide MBBS courses. Check for their positions, amounts of courses, staff, and student feedback. It’s time for you to make a list of universities that satisfy your requirements.
Step 2: Assemble the Necessary Paperwork
The following are the most typical documents needed:
- Proof of academic achievement in Form 10, 12.
- Certificate of birth.
- A copy of the individual’s passport.
- Certification of language ability
- Colored photographs.
- Application for admission.
Step 3: Go To University Website To Submit An Application
The vast majority of institutions have an online portal for applications.
Step 4: Participate in Required Interviews For Admission
Some schools and universities may expect that students part of the program to complete an interview for qualification purposes. To better prepare for this, students are encouraged to find the most widely used questions in interviews and reasonable answers to them.
Step 5: Receive your Letter of Acceptance
After the acceptance is done, you are notified through an admission letter. This letter plays a key role in applying for a student visa in the country you will be studying at.
Let’s Talk Money
Pursuing an MBBS degree from abroad can be a hefty financial decision to make. These factors could be important:
Tuition Fees
The cost of tuition will differ depending on the university you are attending as well as the country you will be studying in. To give you an example, attending a university in the US can be quite costly but countries such as Russia or even Ukraine have much more reasonable prices.
Living Cost
Take into account the costs for accommodation, food, transportation and any personal expenditures. You should also look for the average living expenditures of the country you will be going to study at.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
A lot of global universities do offer scholarships for their international students. You should look for the scholarships that are available and apply to them as early as possible. Moreover, if needed you can also look into educational loans.
The Visa Process
After receiving your admission letter, the next step is applying for a student visa. The steps are usually:
- Filling out the visa application document.
- Providing and validating documents (The acceptance letter, proof of funds, etc.).
- If required, attending the interview.
- Payment of the visa fee.
Preparing Yourself for the Big Day: Departure
There are a couple of points to keep in mind while preparing for your studies.
- Housing: Get your quite rooms arranged or if not possible, a place that is nearby.
- Health insurance: It is best to ensure that you are covered by adequate health insurance in order to facilitate your stay abroad.
- Travel Plans: Make travel plans that do not hinder your ability to take a plane with your schedule.
The existence of a foreign student
Adapting to the surroundings of the new place that one has migrated to is important and this can be done this way:
- Being able to Adjust to the Culture: Try to accept new cultures and value their traditions including local students, their activities and involvement with other community members.
- Campus Life and Studies: Learn the system of academics including grading, attendance tracking, and course credit requirements.
- Availability of Health Services: Contact details or steps for seeking medical attention whenever needed in the new country should be known.
Clinical Internship Placement
In the course of every MBBS program one gets to have clinical exposure which is key in acquiring experience. This usually comprises of:
- Clinical Attachments: This is where trainees undertake practicals in the different disciplines of medicine that they are being trained in.
- Internships: Some programs are offered in a hiring hospital or clinic as an intern, and this is one of the many requirements.
The Exams and Registration
Once you complete your MBBS program, the next step is to be registered to become a qualified medical practitioner. This process varies from nation to nation and is as follows:
- United States: Successful completion of the USMLE test is essential to register.
- United Kingdom: A passing grade on the PLAB test is obligatory.
- India: For students coming back to India after studying outside their home country, the NEXT test will be completed.
Job Opportunities Available After MBBS
After you finish your MBBS studies, you will have a number of career options that are available to you:
- Residency: Get engaged in a residency training program in the field of interest.
- Fellowship: Go for further specialization by completing a fellowship program.
- Practice Medicine: Work as a primary care doctor or a specialty physician.
- Teaching and Research: Get involved in medical research or work as an academic in the medical field.