Studying MBBS is such a huge dream for a lot of students and their parents. Doctors are the most respected profession in the whole world. From neighbours, relatives to strangers everyone looks at a doctor with respect and awe.
If a son or daughter in a family becomes a doctor, the entire family gets respect from the society. Because doctors save lives and help people when they are in pain. It is still one of the best professions in the world.
But becoming a doctor is not very easy. Especially in a country like India where the competition is really high it’s really difficult to become a doctor. Unless you have 75 lakhs to 1 crore to spend. India has only 80000 medical seats but every year 15 lakh students write NEET exam.
That’s why most Indian students choose to study MBBS abroad in countries like US, UK, Philippines, Russia, China, etc. Studying MBBS abroad is a wonderful opportunity for students who are willing to work hard during their MBBS course. So it is alright if you don’t score 200 out of 200 in your 12th standard. All you need is the commitment to study hard during your MBBS course abroad, you can easily become a really good doctor. Let us see some of the pros and cons of studying MBBS abroad and in India.
Comparison of studying MBBS in abroad vs in India
This is a comparison of studying MBBS in India vs abroad.
Description | MBBS in India | MBBS in Abroad |
Duration of MBBS course | 5.5 – 6 years in total | 4 to 6 years to complete the degree |
Cost | Very low fees in government colleges, 75 lakh to 1 crore total budget in private colleges | Budget starts from 16-24 lakh total for 5.5 years |
Marks required in NEET | Very high NEET marks for government colleges. Qualifying marks for private colleges under management quota | Minimum pass mark in NEET is enough |
Exams to qualify | NEET | NEET compulsory, No requirement of SAT, TOEFL, IELTS in many countries.. |
Admission process | Very high marks in NEET is required. Or you need a very high budget for a private seat in India, to get one of the 80,000 medical seats in India among the 15 lakh+ people competition. | Admission process is easy compared to India. You don’t need a very high budget in spite of the foreign country travel + stay expenditure. Everything comes to around 25 lakhs total for 5 years! |
USMLE Training | No | Yes. You can have the option to prepare for USMLE and get settled in USA |
Exit Exam for License (for medical practice) | Qualifying in NEXT exam is getting compulsory for license | Qualifying in NEXT exam is getting compulsory for license. |
Jobs opportunities worldwide | Bigger process to move to another country and practice. | Easier for MBBS abroad graduates to get a job in US, UK, Europe, Australia and get settled there. |
Let us look at some of these points in detail!
Which is affordable cost wise – MBBS in India or in abroad?
If you can manage to secure a government seat in India, then the cost is going to be very less. But to get a seat in a government medical college, the competition is very high. Students would have to get top ranking in NEET exams. To get top ranking in NEET exams, students spend 1-3 years after their +2 in training centers, preparing for NEET exams. NEET training alone costs between 60000 to 2 lakh INR per year.
Cost of doing MBBS in a private college in India is very expensive. On top of the NEET training expenses, you would have to spend around 75lakhs to 1 crore for the tuition fee and capitation fee to study MBBS in India.
Cost-wise, studying MBBS abroad wins by a large margin. It starts from 17 lakh for the whole course duration of 5-6 years. This makes it possible for many students to not give up on their dream of becoming a doctor!
NEET marks requirement – MBBS in India vs abroad
You need to qualify in NEET, in both study MBBS abroad option and to study in India.
To get admission in India, you either need to score 600+ marks for government colleges or you need to have a very high budget to get a seat in management quota in private colleges.
To study MBBS abroad, you need to get a basic minimum pass mark in NEET. There are some universities which might ask for a minimum of 200 marks in NEET but in most cases, you just need to get the qualifying pass mark in NEET.
This makes studying MBBS abroad a lucrative option for students who scored less marks in NEET and they don’t have to spend a fortune to get a private college seat. They can choose to study abroad with a minimum of 16-24 lakhs budget for the entire MBBS course.
Admission process – MBBS in India vs abroad
In India, if you score really high marks in NEET exam, that is 600+, it becomes a bit easier to get admission. Even still, you won’t be able to choose the college you want, you can only choose from the college of which you clear the cut-off. More than 14 lakh students out of 15 lakh students who appear for NEET every year, will not even have one option open to them for MBBS in India.
When it comes to studying MBBS abroad, you just need to get basic qualifying marks in NEET, you will get the option to choose from a number of colleges in different countries. The admission process is very easy. The university or their admissions office in India will help you with getting your VISA and other formalities. So comparatively the admission process to Universities abroad gives you a range of options to choose from.
For example, you can look at various highly-preferred universities/colleges in the Philippines and choose your option based on your budget and the description of the college here. Or you can also call us at +91 9445553877 for support & enquiries about studying MBBS in the Philippines. We would be happy to help.
Future prospects – MBBS in India vs abroad
While there is no help for USMLE preparations in Indian medical colleges, medical universities abroad provides you the option to train for USMLE. USMLE is like America’s NEET exam. Clearing the 3-step exam gets you a PG seat in the US. Getting a PG seat in the USA is most coveted because you get to study free of cost along with a huge stipend and you can easily settle down in the US with a high profile career.
Apart from USMLE, an MBBS degree from abroad makes it easy for you to get PG admissions in foreign universities and also to get high-paying job opportunities in USA, UK, Europe and Australia.
If settling down abroad is what you are planning for your future, you can blindly choose to study MBBS abroad!
Should I wait one more year to re-attempt NEET or should I go study MBBS abroad?
The biggest challenge that students face is if they should take a drop year and prepare for NEET exam again or to choose to study MBBS abroad. Only you and you alone can make the judgement in this question. You’ll know if it is worth taking a drop year or not.
If you think you can score at least 580+ marks in NEET (or the marks required for the quota that applies to you) or if you are certain that somehow, you will get a seat in India next year, then take a drop and prepare diligently for NEET. But keep in mind that there are only 80,000 seats for more than 15 lakh aspirants.
At the same time, if you think it is difficult to wait one more year to try NEET again & score 550+ marks, or if you think the monetary & energy investment for NEET training is too high, don’t hesitate! Choose to study MBBS abroad this year itself, and save the time and energy and money.
Only you can decide what is best for you. Sit down, contemplate, talk to your seniors studying in India and abroad, and make the best decision for yourself. The goal is to become a good quality doctor finally. Remember that there are many ways to be successful, you need to choose the smartest path for you.
If you need any support/guidance about studying MBBS abroad, call us at +91 91767 89889. We would be happy to help.
