Advantages and Disadvantages of MBBS Abroad

Studying MBBS abroad offers several advantages, including lower tuition fees, high-quality education, and exposure to diverse cultures. However, it also comes with several disadvantages such as language barriers, recognition issues, cultural shock, and intense competition for admission. Students must weigh these factors carefully.

Pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) abroad has become an increasingly popular choice among aspiring medical professionals. Indian students who want to become doctors but due to intense competition for limited medical seats, and high MBBS fees in India are facing hurdles in pursuing their career, MBBS abroad is the best option. 

The advantage of studying MBBS includes the high-quality education, modern infrastructure, and diverse cultural experiences. Additionally, the affordability of MBBS abroad fees compared to private medical colleges in India makes this option appealing.

However, studying MBBS abroad also comes with its disadvantages. Language barriers, and obtaining recognition for their degrees in India, are some big disadvantages of MBBS abroad. Foreign medical graduates have to pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to practice medicine back home. 

A lot of Indian students wanting to study MBBS travel abroad for numerous reasons. From being able to study medicine in one of the top countries to being able to practice in a foreign land and eventually settle down, the motives could be infinite. A lot of times not being able to secure a medical seat in India can drive students to apply for MBBS abroad. Today, we are going to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of studying MBBS abroad. While the student experience is bound to differ from one individual to another, below we have elucidated a few general advantages and disadvantages of studying medicine abroad. 

Advantages of Studying MBBS Abroad

Listed below are the advantages of pursuing an MBBS degree abroad. As mentioned earlier, the student experience is bound to differ from one individual to another. We have taken the liberty to write down the general advantages of studying MBBS abroad.

Best Universities in the World

Just like in India, universities/institutes abroad provide students with state-of-the-art facilities complete with modern amenities for a wholesome education experience. You get a chance to study in some of the best-ranking universities in the world and get an opportunity to work under Nobel laureates. The universities not only boast world-class faculty but also provide internationally recognized degrees to students to be able to create a mark in the medical field globally. Universities and colleges abroad also provide paramount safety and security to students so they can feel at home in a foreign land. Students also get the opportunity to work and learn cutting-edge technology in the medical field. 

Use of English language

To attract international students, a lot of colleges and universities abroad use English as their primary language of instruction and communication in medical universities. This again works as an advantage in attracting international and Indian students. However, applicants should note that being versed in the local language is always a bonus. Learning the local language is always a good idea even if the mode of instruction in the university is English because it makes it easier to interact with the local people of that country and adjust to the foreign land.

Better ROI

The cost of pursuing an MBBS abroad is at par or lower compared to private universities in India. The cost of studying including visa, tuition fee and accommodation in countries like Russia is comparatively less than the MBBS degree fee in any private Indian university. This is one of the major reasons for students choosing abroad for an MBBS degree than private universities in India. Upon successful completion of their course, students are allowed to practice in the host country. This provides them with an opportunity to earn big money thus yielding a better return on investments in the long run.

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Enough Medical Seats

Due to the limited number of government medical seats in India, extremely heavy competition, and exorbitant tuition fees at private universities, a lot of aspirants are unable to pursue their dream of studying MBBS in India. However, international universities have been able to tap into this student group simply by keeping their tuition fees low, education standards high, and above all providing a larger number of seats as compared to their government counterparts in India. 

Scholarships and Financial Aid

To promote a healthy flow of students coming into foreign countries to pursue medical studies, universities and institutions have announced several scholarships and financial grants to students to encourage studying MBBS abroad. Not just foreign universities but there are even external agencies which provide scholarships for Indian students going abroad for higher education. Students can check out a list of scholarships available to them to pursue MBBS study abroad.  

Disadvantages of studying MBBS Abroad

Listed below are the disadvantages of pursuing an MBBS degree abroad. As mentioned earlier, the student experience is bound to differ from one individual to another. We have taken the liberty to write down the general disadvantages of studying MBBS abroad

Language Barrier

Some of the popular countries for pursuing MBBS abroad are Ukraine, Russia, China and Poland where English is not widely spoken. Hence the movement of Indian students who are not well-versed in the local language would be limited. Universities catering to the international diaspora would always have classes in the English language but students with knowledge of the local language would always enjoy an upper hand and it becomes easier to interact with the locals and job prospects within that country increase many folds. Some universities also indulge in bilingual lectures, making it difficult for students with limited language knowledge to understand the entire content of the lecture and it causes frustration as you are not able to understand the minute details of the concept. Hence, it is important to choose a university that has English as a mode of instruction in their universities and colleges. Sometimes even the books and curriculum is written in the local language which creates more friction in understanding the concepts. in the English language.

Varying Standards of Education

No two countries would be imparting the same experience to MBBS students. Hence, it is important to understand the curriculum, truly believe in it, and apply for the same. Along with varying standards of education, medical practices would also differ from one university/Country to another. Hence, applicants are always advised to do thorough research before applying to the university they are most comfortable. Discussing with alumni and university student representatives is always helpful during such times and is a good start.

Choosing Your University

A lot of times, the weather, culture, and physical attributes play an important role in shaping the university curriculum. For example, illnesses, rampant in a cold country would be different from that in a warm country. Hence, it is always wise to choose a university that would give you maximum clinical exposure. It is also important to see how much they focus on practical knowledge and theoretical knowledge. Indian students who wish to return to their home country to practice should be careful while choosing their university as not all universities abroad are recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

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Making the Right Choice

While studying abroad brings with it merits beyond measure, it has also given rise to several fake universities, or universities that are simply not up to the mark. Applicants should always be careful about such swindles and steer clear of them. Because getting admission into one of such colleges could be easy but would be worthless in the long run. To prevent students from being admitted to below-average universities for MBBS study, the Medical Council of India (MCI) has a list of universities that are recognized by the body and provide at-par education.

Foreign Medical Graduates Examination

Students can always come back to India and practice. However, students who have pursued their MBBS abroad are mandatorily required to qualify for the MCI-approved Foreign Medical Graduates Examination or FMGE to practice on their home turf.

if you have more questions regarding the importance of the pros and cons of studying MBBS abroad, do write to us in the comments below. Candidates can also get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors on our website. 

Is it Worth Doing MBBS from Abroad?

A MBBS degree in a foreign country can be a very good investment for many students because of the cut throat competition for medical seats both in India and world over. Currently, more than 25 lakh students appear for about 1,00,000 MBBS seats to get admitted in medical colleges in India. This clearly states the level of competition for medical seats in India.

Many a time, getting admission to MBBS abroad offers an opportunity to complete quality education at relatively low fees compared to the private medical college in India. However, some aspects which have to be taken into consideration are the acceptance of the obtained degree in the home country, in case of India the students have to clear Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to practice medicine in India.