MBBS is one of the most sought-after programs to study in the UK for international students. Explore the top medical schools in the UK, their fee structure, eligibility criteria, application process, scholarships, and more.
Several top-ranking universities in the UK offer the most competitive courses to study MBBS in UK for Indian Students. Offered as an MB (Bachelor of Medicine) degree in BS, ChB, BCh and BAO, MBBS in the UK is a 5 to 6-year program that deals with three major areas of medical study: medicine, surgery and obstetrics respectively.
To apply for MBBS programs at UK universities, Indian students must score at least 50 percentile in NEET. MBBS courses typically cost between 22,800 and 52,000 GBP in the UK. For Indian students, this equates to approximately 23.52 lakhs to 53.65 lakhs INR. This article is a guide to study MBBS in UK for Indian students. Learn about the top medical universities, requirements, costs, scholarships, and many more.
Top MBBS Colleges in UK for Indian Students
Thousands of Indian students pursue MBBS programs in the UK every year as it has some of the prestigious medical colleges in the world. The following table lists the top colleges to study MBBS in UK for Indian students, along with their program details, duration, and latest QS rankings:
| University | QS World Rankings 2022 | Course | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | #2 | BM BCh Medicine | 6 years |
| University of Cambridge | #2 | MB BChir | 6 years |
| Imperial College London | #7 | MBBS/BSC Medicine | 6 years |
| University College London (UCL) | #8 | MBBS/BSC Medicine | 6 years |
| The University of Edinburgh | #16 | MBChB Medicine | 5 years |
| University of Manchester | #27 | MBChB | 5 years |
| King’s College London | #35 | MBBS Medicine |
5 years |
| University of Glasgow | #73 | MBChB | 5 years |
| Queen Mary University of London | #117 | MBBS Medicine | 5 years |
| Newcastle University | #134 | MBBS Medicine and Surgery | 5 years |
Why Study MBBS in the UK?
It can be beneficial to get your MBBS degree in the UK to pursue your career back in India, as most medical universities are MCI-approved. Here are some of the reasons why MBBS in the UK is a good choice for medical aspirants:
- According to QS News Ranking 2020, 45 top UK universities are among the top 600 medical schools worldwide.
- In the UK, doctors and other medical professionals earn on average 67% more than other occupations.
- In the last 4 years, the pay grade of doctors/physicians has increased steadily. There has been an increase in annual pay from 245,000 GBP in 2016 to 267,000 GBP in 2019.
- To practice in India, MBBS graduates from UK universities are not required to take the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination.
Course Structure of MBBS in the UK
The UK universities follow a different curriculum and structure for MBBS than that of the Indian universities. Here, students are awarded an MB degree that qualifies them as medical practitioners. It is the minimum qualification that a candidate must hold in order to practice as a doctor in the United Kingdom.
Apart from MB, top UK universities award other degrees as well, such as BS, ChB, and BCh (Bachelor of Surgery). After completing one of these degrees, students can practice as a surgeon.
To qualify for obstetrics, students must pass the obstetrics section of the exam. Upon passing this exam, one is awarded the degree of Bachelor of Obstetrics (BAO). Thus, an MBBS degree in the UK corresponds to an MB(BS, CHB, or Bch), or BAO based on which university you attend for your medical degree.
Requirements to Study MBBS in UK for Indian Students
In order to attain an MBBS degree in the UK, Indian students need to meet certain requirements. These requirements might differ from one medical school to another, but the general eligibility criteria for the MBBS program remain the same. Under this section, we will understand the eligibility criteria and the documents required to pursue the MBBS program in the United Kingdom.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply to UK universities for MBBS, Indian students must have a 10+2 completion certificate and required NEET scores. Given below are the eligibility criteria for studying MBBS in the UK for Indian students:
- The candidate must be at least 18 years old
- The candidate must have secured a minimum of 80% marks in 10+2 (a good score in Chemistry and Biology is essential)
- Scores from the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT), the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT), or the GAMSAT are required
Below is a table of average cut-off scores for MBBS entrance exams in the UK:
| Test | Minimum Scores Required |
|---|---|
| UKCAT | 650 |
| BMAT | 4.5 – 5.0 |
| GAMSAT | 60 – 66 |
| NEET | 50 percentile |
Documents Required
International students must make sure to keep their important documents ready well in advance in order to avoid last-minute delays. Following are the documents that are required for MBBS admission in the UK:
- Marksheets of the 10+2 along with their copies
- Diploma certificate (if any)
- An academic reference letter from any recent professor.
- Letters of reference from supervisors (if any)
- A Statement of Purpose
- An updated Resume
- Photocopies of IELTS/UKCAT/BMAT scores
- Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS /TOEFL/C1 Advanced)
- Proof of funds
- Copy of a valid passport
Application Process
In order to increase their chances of admission, medical aspirants are advised to apply within the deadlines set by UK universities. You should follow these steps to apply for MBBS in the UK:
- You will need to collect your documents and get them verified by the respective authorities. Non-EU residents must apply before 30th June & 1st September.
- Applications can be made via UCAS or through the university's website. You just have to register with either one and fill out the application form.
- Please wait for the confirmation and invitation letter after submitting your application.
- To begin the immigration process, you need to visit the nearest British Embassy.
- Please inform the university in advance of your arrival date so that a representative can be arranged to pick you up.
Cost of Studying MBBS in the UK
International students incur slightly higher costs for pursuing an MBBS in the UK due to the program duration and the additional utilities required. The total expenses associated with studying MBBS in the UK can be categorized into pre-arrival costs, tuition fees, and living costs.
Pre-arrival Costs
Students interested in pursuing MBBS courses in the UK have to pay these one-time fees before getting accepted to a university in the country:
| Type of Expense | Amount (in GBP) |
|---|---|
| Application Fees | 60- 90 |
| Visa Application Fees | 348 |
| IELTS Fee | 150 |
| TOEFL Registration Fee | 140 |
| NEET Fees | 150 |
Tuition Fees
The University of Cambridge and the University of Glasgow have the highest MBBS tuition fees in the UK, i.e., 55,900 GBP and 47,900 GBP per year, respectively. The following table shows the annual tuition fees to study MBBS in UK for Indian students at top medical schools:
| University | Annual Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford | £22,879 |
| University of Cambridge | £52,000 |
| University College London | £39,363 |
| Imperial College London | £45,640 |
| The University of Edinburgh | £27,456 |
| King’s College London | £30,266 |
| University of Glasgow | £47,900 |
| University of Manchester | £26,616 |
| Newcastle University | £33,600 |
| Queen Mary University of London | £39,363 |
Living Costs
For international students, the average cost of living in the UK is around £12,000 per year. According to UK Visa and Immigration, you need a budget of £1,334 per month to study in London. You must show this amount in order to get a visa to study in London. However, this amount is lower for studying outside London. Accommodations cost about $150 a week on average.
To cover other living expenses, you will need an additional £104 per week in addition to rent. Costs of living vary depending on your budget, spending habits, and social activities. You can calculate your estimated costs based on the length of time you plan on staying in the UK.
MBBS Scholarships in UK for Indian Students
One way to ease your monetary stress is to find an MBBS scholarship in the UK. Students can receive waivers on the course fees according to their performance in academics and extracurricular achievements. Besides scholarships, students can also consider applying for a study loan to reduce their financial burden. The table given below shows the top scholarships to study MBBS in UK for Indian students, along with the amount details:
| Scholarship | Amount (in GBP) |
|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarship | 18,000 |
| Global Health Future Leaders Scholarship | 2,500 |
| Hulk York Medical School International Scholarship | 8,737 |
| Imperial College Faculty of Medicine Scholarship | 1,000 |
| Rhodes Scholarship | 15,141 |
