A study abroad venture was never a trend in India, mainly for irrational reasons. It was deemed as a choice for a privileged class who can bear such expenses.
In the prime of the 21st century, A scenario took a different shape as the cheapest countries to study MBBS caught New India’s attention.
Russia has quickly earned a number a mainstream spot in the countries for medical studies.
Today, other names like Ukraine, Georgia, Philippines, etc., simulated bottleneck competition at an international level of education.
The first few doubts raised on ‘cheap or affordable universities’ are, of course, regarding quality. Well, quality of education is defined by its training, infrastructure, and other timely initiatives to sharpen the overall personality of the students.
Indian private institutes charge nothing below crores.
However, it comes with an assurance of the highest standard of teaching and other amenities. That acknowledgement leads us to bring exclusive focus on countries primarily known for their excellent universities rather than it’s budget-friendly attributes.
Here are the affordable countries to pursue medicine in abroad:
Russia still competes with the countries having the largest flow of Indian students with the 14000 enrollment for the medical program.
NMC (National Medical Commission) has recognized 54 medical universities in Russia that offer MBBS course of all specialities.
Low-cost education, academic elegance, and numerous other factors captivate Indians to prefer Russia over other western countries.
Name of College |
Founded In |
Total Fees |
National Rank |
World Rank |
Bashkir State Medical University |
1932 |
2,45,000 |
136 |
3538 |
Ryazan State Medical University |
1943 |
3,15,000 |
201 |
4558 |
Orenburg State Medical University |
1944 |
4,20,000 |
233 |
5109 |
Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University |
1897 |
3,85,000 |
147 |
3804 |
Kazan State Medical University |
1930 |
4,37,500 |
124 |
3358 |
Ukraine is another dominating name in the picture of international medical education. There are more indian students in Ukraine than in Russia.
16 medical universities in Ukraine hold NMC accreditation, and the opportunities after studying MBBS are available in all areas of medicine.
Last year, 20,000 Indian students were pursuing education in Ukraine. The country is as inexpensive as Russia for providing an MBBS degree.
Name of College |
Founded In |
Total Fees |
National Rank |
World Rank |
Taras Shevchenko National University |
1834 |
2,66,000 |
2 |
1651 |
Ivan franko national university of lviv |
1999 |
2,10,000 |
3 |
1980 |
Sumy State University |
1948 |
3,01,000 |
4 |
2153 |
Ternopil State Medical University |
1957 |
2,59,000 |
15 |
3368 |
V.N Karazin Kharkiv National University |
1804 |
3,78,000 |
11 |
2829 |
Kyrgyzstan occupies a topmost position in the ranking of cheap countries for studying medicine.
The cost of the MBBS course is lower than European colleges and not to mention the elite education system and facilities. 5,000 students are the annual record of Indians migrating to Kyrgyzstan.
The following table shows all the NMC verified universities in Kyrgyzstan.
Name of College |
Founded In |
Total Fees |
National Rank |
World Rank |
International School of Medicine, BISHKEK |
2003 |
47,17,000 |
44 |
13182 |
Kyrgyz State Medical University |
1939 |
14,70,000 |
7 |
8185 |
Osh State University, Medical Faculty |
1993 |
17,49,000 |
8 |
8915 |
Jalalabad State University, Jalalabad |
1993 |
34,57,000 |
29 |
12495 |
Kyrgyz Russian Slavic University |
1992 |
16,80,000 |
1 |
4897 |
Asian Medical Institute, KANT |
2004 |
13,51,000 |
30 |
11832 |
The structure of the MBBS course in the Philippines is divided into two parts, B.S (Bachelor of Science) and M.D (Doctor of Medicine).
B.S is for 18 months, and later NMAT (National Medical Admission Test) is an entrance to enrol in M.D course.
37 medical universities have recognition from NMC and Commission on Higher Education, Philippines.
Name of College |
Founded In |
Total Fees |
National Rank |
World Rank |
University of Santo Tomas |
1611 |
14,70,000 |
5 |
2533 |
Central Philippine University |
1905 |
– |
19 |
6954 |
Angeles University Foundation |
1962 |
– |
29 |
7599 |
Manila Central University |
1904 |
– |
48 |
4620 |
Emilio Aguinaldo College, Manila |
1973 |
20,72,000 |
73 |
9590 |
The duration of MBBS is one year short in Kazakhstan, 5 years only. 12 NMC approved universities accept the admission of Indians on budget-friendly fees.
More than 5,000 students in the medical universities of Kazakhstan are Indians.
Apart from an internship, the actual course is for 5 years, making it convenient for students in terms of time availability.
Name of College |
Founded In |
Total Fees |
National Rank |
World Rank |
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University |
1934 |
14,70,000 |
1 |
1474 |
Kazakh National Medical University |
1930 |
19,35,000 |
5 |
3878 |
North Kazakhstan State University |
1937 |
10,50,000 |
27 |
6510 |
Karaganda State Medical University |
1950 |
14,25,000 |
24 |
6197 |
Kokshetau State University |
1996 |
12,25,000 |
33 |
6796 |
The cheapest option to study MBBS near India is none other than Bangladesh. The country has the highest FMGE passing rate of 27.11%, a big green signal for Indians to think about Bangladesh.
7000+ are known to be studying in 14 NMC accredited universities of Bangladesh.
Incredible advantages of scholarship and moderate living cost makes Bangladesh an affordable destination for medical aspirants.
Name of College |
Founded In |
Total Fees |
National Rank |
World Rank |
University of Dhaka |
1921 |
37,54,800 |
2 |
1965 |
University of Chittagong |
1966 |
31,24,800 |
6 |
3054 |
Rajshahi University |
1953 |
35,21,000 |
3 |
2773 |
Shahjalal University of Science & Technology |
1986 |
33,15,200 |
10 |
3236 |
Bangladesh University of Professionals |
2008 |
35,21,000 |
46 |
8716 |
Nepal is the closest option for Indians to study medicine. The fees of the MBBS in Nepal are lower than in western universities or even India’s private colleges.
A huge force of international students in Nepal is north Indians which also includes professors. The colleges also offer free FMGE coaching for Indian students.
The duration of MBBS and the teaching in Nepal is the same as in India.
Name of College |
Founded In |
Total Fees |
National Rank |
World Rank |
Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu |
1972 |
38,50,000 |
1 |
6123 |
KIST Medical College |
2006 |
48,00,000 |
7 |
21778 |
B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences |
1993 |
54,60,000 |
28 |
4891 |
U. Tribhuvan |
1959 |
61,00,000 |
29 |
3768 |
Kathmandu University |
1991 |
52,00,000 |
30 |
3143 |
Being a European nation, Poland still made it to the list of cheapest countries. The expenses required for an MBBS degree are not costlier than other European universities.
There are 10 medical colleges in Poland with official accreditation from NMC.
Poland has the 23rd ranking in the assessment program of international students. You’ll be surprised to know some of the significant medical discoveries are originated in Poland.
Name of College |
Founded In |
Total Fees |
National Rank |
World Rank |
Jagiellonian University Medical College |
1364 |
65,94,000 |
2 |
448 |
Nicolaus Copernicus University |
1945 |
50,40,000 |
6 |
779 |
Medical University of Gdansk |
1945 |
50,40,000 |
9 |
3904 |
Warsaw Medical University |
1809 |
52,86,000 |
19 |
2013 |
University of Warmia & Mazury In Olsztyn |
1999 |
51,00,000 |
25 |
1476 |
So, these are the countries that are worthy of your nominal investment. While Europe and America have become destinations for the rich class, Asia is still a land of opportunities for common people. Cheap cost does not mean the quality is compromised or somewhere less superior than expensive universities, their qualities are yet economical regardless of what they charge.
Explore more information about their universities for in-depth research and analysis before you finalize the decision.