Best Countries to Study Medicine in the World

Looking for the best countries to study medicine in the world? Medicine is one of the noblest of all professions. It is also an in-demand course around the globe with students opting to study abroad to get the best medical education possible.

Every country has its own set of parameters for medical students to practise medicine. USA has its own standardised screening test for medical graduates, called the USMLE test and India has FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduates Examination) of MCI (Medical Council of India) exam to practise medicine in India. The top 10 countries to study medicine in the world (not in any particular order) are discussed.

MCI Recognised Medical Colleges Abroad

The Medical Council of India (MCI) has approved several medical colleges abroad in the specified countries. Candidates are needed to take an eligibility certificate from MCI before taking admission. Upon completion of the course, one should appear for FMGE/ NBE exam and clear it with 50% scores. Listed below are the best countries to study medicine in the world as per MCI:

• Study MBBS in the UK
• Study MBBS in the USA
• Study MBBS in Canada
• Study MBBS in Germany
• Study MBBS in France
• Study MBBS in China
• Study MBBS in Ukraine
• Study MBBS in Russia
• Study MBBS in the Philippines
• Study MBBS in the Netherlands

Study MBBS in the UK

The UK is one of the first and best options to study medicine in Europe. It is one of the most prestigious study abroad destinations with excellent quality of education and life. Prominent medical schools, advanced hospitals, shorter programs, and advanced research are some of the many reasons that make the UK the best country to study medicine in the world. Some key facts about studying MBBS in the UK are as follows:

• Course Duration: 4 Years
• Medium of Instruction: English
• Language Test: 7 Bands in IELTS
• Medical Tests Required: UKCAT
• Average Fees: $13,000-$50,000

Top Universities to Study Medicine in the UK

• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• University College London
• Imperial College London
• King’s College London

Study MBBS in the USA

The USA, without a doubt, is the best country to study medicine in the world with several universities ranked in the QS Top Universities ranking. Students can choose from 172 medical colleges and are required to have a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, or neuroscience to study MBBS in the USA. Listed below are a few key facts about MBBS in the USA:

• Course Duration: 4 Years
• Medium of Instruction: English
• Language Tests: TOEFL, IELTS
• Medical Tests Required: MCAT, USMLE
• Average Fees: $25,000- $34,000

Top Universities to Study Medicine in the USA

• Harvard University
• Stanford University
• Johns Hopkins University
• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
• Yale University

Study MBBS in Canada

Canada, just like the USA, provides an MD degree on completion of the medical degree program. An MBBS degree is not offered. Students who do not have a science degree can opt for 5-year dual degree programs offered in certain Canadian universities. There are a total of 17 medical schools in Canada offering a unique curriculum, including two years of pre-clinical courses and two years of clinical training (rotation). Certain highlights of an MBBS in Canada are shown below:

• Course Duration: 3-5 Years
• Medium of Instruction: English
• Language Tests: TOEFL, IELTS 7 bands minimum
• Medical Tests Required: MCAT
• Average Fees: $16,000- $23,000

Top Universities to Study Medicine in Canada

• University of Toronto
• University of British Columbia
• McMaster University
• McGill University
• University of Montreal

Study MBBS in Germany

Germany, popularly known for its free education, is another option among the best countries to study medicine in the world. The courses are offered in English, but students need to have adequate German language skills to be able to communicate with German patients. Find below some of the highlights of pursuing MBBS in Germany:

• Course Duration: 6 Years
• Medium of Instruction: English, German
• Language Tests: TOEFL, IELTS, TestDaF
• Medical Tests Required: TMS (not compulsory)
• Average Fees: $8,300-$11,200

Top Universities to Study MBBS in Germany

• Heidelberg University
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
• Humboldt University of Berlin
• Technical University of Munich
• University of Tuebingen

Study MBBS in France

Students who pursue a medical degree program are offered an MD degree and not MBBS. MD, which is the equivalent to MBBS abroad in France, is also one of the lengthier courses. Students are required to pass a test conducted at the end of year 1 in the study to be able to continue further. Other facts about an MBBS in France are as follows:

• Course Duration: 3-8 Years
• Medium of Instruction: French
• Language Tests: TFI
• Medical Tests Required: After 1st Year
• Average Fees: $1,000- $8,000

Top Universities to Study MBBS in France

• Pierre and Marie Curie University
• Paris Descartes University
• Claude Bernard University Lyon 1
• Paris Diderot University
• University of Paris Sud

Study MBBS in China

MBBS in China is taught in English and Mandarin (Chinese) languages. Candidates should attend the Standardised Entrance Test (SET) to be able to obtain admission to medical colleges in China. Students looking to pursue affordable, quality medical education can consider MBBS in China as it is a cheaper MBBS abroad option compared to its western counterparts. Certain highlights of an MBBS in China are given below:

• Course Duration: 5+1 Years
• Medium of Instruction: English, Chinese (Mandarin)
• Language Tests: Not Required
• Entrance Tests Required: SET
• Average Fees: $3,000- $5,000

Top Universities to Study MBBS in China

• Peking University
• Fudan University
• Shanghai Jiao University
• Tsinghua University
• Sun Yat-Sen University

Study MBBS in Ukraine

Ukraine is widely popular among Asian students as an MBBS abroad option. The courses are offered in English, Ukrainian and Russian and students do not require any entrance tests to study MBBS in Ukraine. More details about an MBBS in Ukraine can be found below:

• Course Duration: 5+1 Years
• Medium of Instruction: English, Ukrainian, Russian
• Language Tests: Not Required
• Tests Required: Not Required
• Average Fees: $4,500- $7,500

Top Universities to Study MBBS in Ukraine

• Bogomolets National Medical University
• Ternopil State Medical University
• Uzhgorod State Medical University
• Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University
• Kyiv Medical University

Study MBBS in Russia

Russian medical colleges are known to offer top-quality education at very affordable prices. The courses are offered in Russian and English, but students are advised to have a basic knowledge of Russian for clinical purposes. More facts that prove Russia to be a great option to study MBBS abroad are listed below:

• Course Duration: 5+1 Years
• Medium of Instruction: English and Russian
• Language Tests: Not Required
• Tests Required: Not Required
• Average Fees: $3,500- $6,000

Top Universities to Study MBBS in Russia

• Lomonosov Moscow State University
• Saint Petersburg State University
• Irkutsk State Medical University
• Volgograd State Medical University
• Tver State University

Study MBBS in the Philippines

The Philippines is one of the top countries to study medicine in the world. Students need to have taken either the TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency tests for admission to medical universities in the Philippines. More details about an MBBS in the Philippines are shown below:

• Course Duration: 5+1 Years
• Medium of Instruction: English
• Language Tests: IELTS and TOEFL
• Medical Tests Required: NMAT
• Average Fees: $3,500- $5,000

Top Universities to Study MBBS in the Philippines

• University of Philippines
• AMA School of Medicine
• University of Perpetual Help
• Angeles University Foundation
• Our Lady Fatima University

Study MBBS in the Netherlands

World-class medical schools and cheap tuition fees for EU students make the Netherlands one of the best countries to study medicine in the world. The eligibility requirements to study MBBS abroad in the Netherlands are the same as in other European destinations. Students can pursue the three-year pre-medical course in English but need to have Dutch-speaking skills. Shown below are some of the highlights of studying MBBS in the Netherlands:

• Course Duration: 6 Years
• Medium of Instruction: English, Dutch
• Language Tests: TOEFL and IELTS, NT2, CNaVT
• Tests Required: Colloquium Doctum if required
• Average Fees: $2,270- $10,200

Top Universities to Study MBBS in the Netherlands

• University of Amsterdam
• Erasmus University Rotterdam
• Leiden University
• Maastricht University
• Utrecht University

Which Country is the Cheapest to Study Medicine?

MBBS aspirants are always on the lookout for a high-quality medical degree while keeping a watch on their budget. Listed below are the top 5 most affordable countries to study medicine:

• Russia
• China
• Ukraine
• Kyrgyzstan
• Philippines