Best Country to Study MBBS Abroad

Medicine has been the most prestigious and popular career track for students in India. However, in recent times, the path to becoming a doctor is riddled with more hurdles than most other professions.

Although the demand for the noble profession has been mostly undeterred, most medical aspirants will tell you that the process is becoming increasingly stringent each year.

Last year, nearly 13 lakh medical attempted the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test–UG (NEET–UG) for admission. According to the Medical Council of India (MCI), they competed for 63,050 seats from 494 recognized colleges and universities. It amounts to almost 22 students competing for a single spot!

You may ask why this is an issue. It is because India requires more doctors now more than ever. Current estimates show that India has around one doctor for every 1,457 people as per the country’s estimated population of 1.35 billion. This number is much lower than what the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 1 doctor to every 1,000 patients, and the kicker is that this ratio is only going to get worse as the population rapidly grows in the next decade.

Although there are a lot of institutional options for medical students to pursue MBBS these days, with so many possibilities with various pros and cons, students often feel overwhelmed. And with so much competition and limited seats on offer, pressure on medical aspirants is increasing.

To make matters even worse, the cost of becoming a doctor has increased rapidly, which is almost the same as pursuing a degree abroad.

So, what is the solution? Well, students have figured out that studying MBBS abroad is an excellent walk around to most of these issues. Let us elaborate this further.

The Ease of Admission

As previously established, medical admission in India has become very competitive. This issue is especially prominent in India’s top-ranked medical universities such as AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) and others. The competition to acquire admission gets much more intense, depending on factors such as the level of study and discipline.

Besides, medical aspirants also have to deal with the pressure of preparing for the medical entrance exam, which is the NEET. Considering undergraduate admission at reputed foreign medical schools is often regarded to be relatively more straightforward. And the fact it offers admission for MBBS without NEET, a growing number of students from India prefer to study MBBS abroad.

Higher Quality of Education

Even though institutions in India offer good quality education and some exceptions even on par with their international counterparts, it is still not accessible to most medical aspirants due to limited seats and high costs. Most foreign institutions make up for this deficit and are lapped up by students from India. We will discuss the best countries to study MBBS for Indian students later in this article.

Better Post-Graduation Specialties and Foreign Emigration Pathway

Many of the international medical universities also offer a broader range of specialties for medical candidates that can be pursued as soon as they complete their UG if they wish to specialize in a specific field of study. Emigration is also one of the critical factors that come into play for medical aspirants who also intend to settle abroad.

Clinical Training

Clinical training (rotations) forms the most important part of medical education, and hence, it should be given due consideration. Patient interaction is critical during clinical rotations. Language is a major barrier in many countries where the patients speak different languages and students are often left without a proper understanding of the clinical scenario. Access to patients is another factor to be considered, as many universities with an increased number of students fail to provide students with sufficient patient encounters.

With that covered, let us see which are the best countries to kickstart your medical career at an affordable cost. We will also cover the pros and cons of each country to allow for a more fundamental understanding of the nation’s medical, educational prospects for Indian medical students.

China

China has been a popular choice for medical students from India due to its cost and high-quality education.

Pros:

Quality education
Recognized by the MCI
Similar cost of education as compared with medical institutions in India

Cons:

Food and culture are radically different compared with India and can be hard to adapt for some
Xenophobia
Language barrier

Philippines

The Philippines has recently been a popular option due to its proximity to India and the low costs of medical education.

Pros:

Proximity to India
Low cost of education
Broad choice universities to study medicine from
Low cost of living

Cons:

The quality of education can vary depending on the chosen university
Food and culture can put off some people
The country is prone to dangerous climatic conditions

Ukraine

Ukraine has also been a new and popular choice for medical students from India recently. Here are its pros and cons.

Pros:

Proximity to India
Ukraine has European roots and widely considered to be the closest European medical studies experience for students with a tight budget
Similar cuisine and culture as India which can ease a candidate’s stay during the study

Cons:

Ukraine follows a 5.8-year course duration
Climate can vary drastically during days and nights
Language barrier
Unlike other countries, the academic quality of medical universities in Ukraine is yet to be proven

Russia

Russia has been a top choice for medical aspirants in India since 1996. However, the country has strict emigration policies for students and forces students to learn the language to become eligible and to study. But still, that didn’t stop more than 3,500 Indian students who applied for MBBS in Russia last year.

Pros:

Russia has one of the best medical education systems in the world.
Recognized by the MCI
Lauded for its value for money proposition

Cons:

The country has a frigid climate that might not be suitable for everyone
Classes conducted only in the Russian language from fourth-year, so you are forced to learn the language
The course duration is six years
Food and culture may not be of everyone’s liking
Some cities have a high cost of living

Guyana

Guyana has always been a favorite for many US candidates, but it is now quickly becoming the top spot for medical education among Indians. Compared with other countries, Guyana can be the most-preferential study destination for Indian medical aspirants. It offers many advantages as compared with other medical education destinations on this list.

Pros:

Top medical schools in Guyana offer a higher acceptance rate for admission process and do not have entrance exams like other countries and is where top Caribbean medical university reside
They are cheaper than most medical institutions in India
They also adopt rolling admission and accelerated learning programs so that students who have missed out on an academic year can get an opportunity to join.
They follow a US-based medical curriculum and offer clinical rotation, which brings out the best in students.
Guyana has a tropical climate similar to India.
Guyana also has a sizable Indian population, and the majority of the citizens are English speakers, so adapting is easy.
There are sufficient patient interactions for students during clinical rotations.

Cons:

Adequately accredited are few and in-between you have to be wary of this fact during your research before choosing
Distance from India might put off a few

Medical University in Guyana

Texila American University (Texila) is a medical university in Guyana. Inaugurated in the year 2010, Texila has campuses in Guyana and Zambia. This esteemed university is intended to provide students with a compelling learning experience. Texila in Guyana has gained prominence among other Caribbean medical schools.

With over 4,500 students from 70+ countries, Texila is a reputed player in the global medical education sector. With established international partnerships across the globe, Texila is committed to excellence in higher education, research, and innovation.

Why Should You Choose Texila for Your Medical Education?

Texila offers a 4-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program with the US curriculum and provides a comprehensive approach to healthcare. We aim to strike a balance between promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative healthcare. The MD program is holistic and designed to instill students with the requisite knowledge and skills. Thereby, they can function as global medical professionals.

When you study at Texila, you can:

Learn through practical exposure;
Improve cognitive and communication skills;
Improve teamwork and community skills; and
Develop leadership skills and extensive domain knowledge.

Key Features

Facilities and infrastructure
State-of-the-art, environmental-friendly campus
Air-conditioned classrooms equipped with OHPs and PA systems
Avant-garde research facilities for medical and natural sciences
Extensively equipped library with both physical and ebooks
Computer-assisted language laboratory, sick-bay room, and reading room
Clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals in the USA and Guyana
Low faculty-student ratio
World-class faculty from the USA, the UK, India, and the Caribbean region.

Student Life at Texila

At Texila, we recognize the importance of balanced learning. Besides, we aim to ensure a holistic environment that includes several extra-curricular activities. Activities such as sports, debates, and community engagement are encouraged and nurtured. With international students from over 15 countries, our diverse environment enhances cross-cultural bonding as well.