NEET 2017 results are out. If you are unsure of your opportunity to study medicine in India, then read this article properly, understand your options to pursue MBBS and how to practice successfully in India.

The Medical Council of India (MCI) has listed medical universities in various countries besides India, where Indian students can study MBBS and thereafter practice in India after successfully passing the MCI Screening Exam or FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduates Examination).

The common notion that many students and parents have is that the MCI Screening is difficult to pass and hence feel it as a risk to study MBBS abroad.

So let’s understand what an MCI Screening Test comprises of and how easy or difficult it is.

FMGE Syllabus:

PRE and PARA CLINICAL Subjects (100 Marks)

Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Forensic Medicine.

CLINICAL Subjects (200 Marks)

General Surgery, Anesthesia, Orthopedics, Radio-Diagnosis, Radiotherapy, Paediatrics, Medicine, Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, Psychiatry, Dermatology and sexually transmitted diseases, Opthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Community Medicine.

FMGE TEST PATTERN

Objective Based Test (300 MCQ’s)

There is NO NEGATIVE MARKING

There are NO RESTRICTION ON NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS as per the current rule of MCI

It is held twice in 1 year.

An applicant shall be declared as having passed the test, if he/she obtains a minimum of 50% (150) of marks in the examination.

After passing this test, you can do internship at any hospital or clinic in India and shall be registered with MCI as a certified medical practitioner.

This exam will be conducted after you have become a doctor. The purpose of this test is to gauge your knowledge and your capability to practice as a medical professional.

With no negative marking, no restriction on number of attempts and objective based paper pattern, it is possible to clear this test with appropriate preparation.

You also need to be aware that the Government of India is planning to implement a common licensure exam called NEXT (National Exit Test) for all Indian doctors before they start practice in India and go for PG. So whether you study from India or abroad will not matter. It is time to accept this thought and move ahead with positivity.

Now let’s understand that if you want to go abroad and study medicine which countries should you choose, what are the various parameters you need to consider, cost of education and quality of education.

USA, UK, CANADA, AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND are countries which are known for excellent quality of medical education.

The process of admission to these countries is that first you need to take admission to a pre medical course of 2 to 3 years, then appear for an entrance exam to get a seat in medical program. It is extremely challenging to get a seat in medical school and extremely expensive. Total expense can be above 1 Crore. Hence these countries are not commonly preferred by students.

1. POLAND (EUROPE)

Located in East – Central Europe

Poland is the eighth largest and one of the most dynamic economies in the European Union

According to the World Bank, Poland has a leading school educational system in Europe. The country provides free university education, state-funded social security and a universal health care system for all citizens.

Quality of Education: Excellent

Cost of MBBS or BDS: Approximately 6.5 lakh per year

Course Duration: 5 years + 1 year Internship

Medium of Instruction: English

Admission Eligibility: 12th Science with minimum 50% in PCB
Skype Interview

Admission Intake: September. Applications are accepted from February onwards. Seats are limited so it is advisable to apply early.

Recommended Universities:

Collegium Medicum Jagiellonian University, Krakow

Karol Marcinkowski Medical University, Poznan

Warsaw Medical Academy

2. UKRAINE (EAST EUROPE)

Located in Eastern Europe

Earlier a part of Soviet Union (USSR), it is now an independent country.

Though in Europe, it is NOT a part of EUROPEAN UNION. Hence lacks the privileges that other countries in European Union Share.

Because of the Soviet Union's emphasis on total access of education for all citizens, which continues today, the literacy rate is an estimated 99.4%.

Quality of Education: Good to Excellent (Depends on the choice of university)

Cost of MBBS or BDS: Approximately 2.5 to 4 lakhs per year (Depends on the choice of university)

Course Duration: 5 years + 1 year Internship

Medium of Instruction: English

Admission Eligibility: 12th Science with minimum 50% in PCB

Admission Intake: September. Applications are accepted from February onwards. Seats are limited so it is advisable to apply early.

Recommended Universities:

Gorky’s Donetsk State Medical University

Odessa State Medical University

Sumy State University

3. RUSSIA (EUROPE and ASIA)

Russia is the largest country in the world by surface area, covering more than one-eighth of the Earth's inhabited land area.

Extends across the entirety of Northern Asia and much of Eastern Europe

The Russian economy ranks as the twelfth largest by nominal GDP and sixth largest by purchasing power parity in 2015

As a result of great emphasis on science and technology in education, Russian medical, mathematical, scientific, and aerospace research is generally of a high order.

It is still considered one of the best destinations for medical education abroad.

Quality of Education: Good to Excellent (Depends on the choice of university)

Cost of MBBS or BDS: Approximately 2.5 to 6 lakhs per year (Depends on the choice of university)

Course Duration: 5 years + 1 year Internship

Medium of Instruction: English

Admission Eligibility: 12th Science with minimum 50% in PCB

Admission Intake: September. Applications are accepted from February onwards. Seats are limited so it is advisable to apply early.

Recommended Universities:

Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow

First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow

Dagestan State Medical University

Kazan State Medical University

Kursk State Medical University

4. GEORGIA (EAST EUROPE)

Earlier a part of Soviet Union

Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia

It is a comparatively new country offering admission to Indian students for medical education.

It can be kept as an option if you are unable to get admission to any good university in other mentioned countries.

Quality of Education: Good to Excellent (Depends on the choice of university)

Cost of MBBS or BDS: Approximately 3.5 to 5 lakhs per year (Depends on the choice of university)

Course Duration: 5 years + 1 year Internship

Medium of Instruction: English

Admission Eligibility: 12th Science with minimum 50% in PCB

Admission Intake: September and February.

Recommended Universities:

Tbilisi State Medical University

Akaki Tsereteli State University

Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University

5. KYRGYZSTAN

Located in Central Asia

Since independence, Kyrgyzstan has officially been a unitary parliamentary republic, although it continues to endure ethnic conflicts, revolts, economic troubles, transitional governments and political conflict.

Is mainly considered by Indian students due to the low cost of medical education. It can be kept as an option if you are unable to get admission to any good university in other mentioned countries or cannot afford the fees.

Quality of Education: Average to Good (Depends on the choice of university)

Cost of MBBS or BDS: Approximately 1.7 to 3 lakhs per year (Depends on the choice of university)

Course Duration: 5 years + 1 year Internship

Medium of Instruction: English

Admission Eligibility: 12th Science with minimum 50% in PCB

Admission Intake: September.

Recommended Universities:

Osh State Medical University

Asian Medical Institute

6. PHILIPPINES (ASIA)

3rd largest English speaking country in the world

Medical education pattern similar to that of USA

It is considered as a gateway for further studies in USA as USMLE preparation is facilitated in Philippines medical colleges.

Quality of Education: Good to Excellent (Depends on the choice of university)

Cost of MBBS or BDS: Approximately 3 to 4.5 lakhs per year (Depends on the choice of university)

Course Duration: 5.5 years (1.5 years Pre Medical + 4 years MD)

Medium of Instruction: English

Admission Eligibility: 12th Science with minimum 50% in PCB

Admission Intake: September.

Recommended Universities:

Angeles University Foundation (AUF), Angeles

University of Perpetual Help (UOPH), Manila

Our Lady Of Fatima University (OLFU)

You can opt for good universities in the above mentioned countries if you are unable to get a medical seat in Government medical colleges in India and can’t afford Private medical colleges in India.

Given here is a comparison of approximate savings by studying medicine abroad.

Thus as you can see from the above table you can save a considerable amount when you choose to study medicine abroad.

We advise you to choose universities which are listed with MCI and WHO, have considerable experience in teaching international students in English medium and preferably government universities.

Your journey to study MBBS abroad will also give you an opportunity to explore various cultures, meet various interesting people, to become a better individual.

We at EDIFICE EDUCATION are on a constant endeavour to guide students with the best options for their career. Get in touch with us for a FREE CONSULTANCY to study medicine at MCI approved universities abroad.