Indian students love to flock to other countries, whether it is for study, a job, or settlement. They are always ready to take on challenges and explore, but this time, the one study destination that Indian students have decided to prefer is different from traditional English-speaking hot destinations. Yes, it is Russia; yes, Moscow, which has seen a jump in the number of Indian students looking to pursue the MBBS program. Indians are smart and budget-friendly, but these two reasons are not sufficient to change the momentum from India to Russia. There are a plethora of reasons why Indian students are inclined towards Russia for MBBS programs.
Why Indian Students Prefer Russia for MBBS?
Fierce Competition
India is the most populous country in the world. Thanks to China for leaving the 1st spot and giving this opportunity to India (hahaha). As per the report, India has the majority of the youth population, and it holds the top rank when it comes to having the world’s largest youth population; the number is more than 808 million, or 65%, who are under 35 years old. For medical exams, i.e., the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test or NEET, every year around 2 million or 20 lakh students appear, but only around 1 lakh seats are there in public and private medical colleges for MBBS. As far as the recent data is concerned, in 2024, around 24 lakh Indian students appeared for this reputed assessment, and the MBBS seats were only 1 lakh, so there is huge competition amongst the students. Sometimes, even deserving candidates fall short of obtaining a government seat and are left with only two choices: either pay a hefty fee to private institutions or look for an affordable study destination abroad.
Budget-Friendly Destinations
Russia is a budget-friendly country when it comes to pursuing an MBBS degree. The whole six years of the degree can be attained with a budget of around 12 lakhs to 30 lakhs, which not only includes tuition fees but also living costs and accommodation, whereas for the same degree in India, sometimes students need to spend more than 1 crore for the full programme in a private medical college.
Recognition and Accreditation
Russian universities’ degrees are widely recognised by top-notch bodies such as the World Health Organisation, the Medical Council of India, now known as the National Medical Commission, the European Council, etc. Of course, this recognition allows indian students to pursue their practice in different countries such as India, the UK, the USA, etc.
Robust Infrastructure and Healthcare System
Russia has one of the strongest infrastructures across the globe. As far as healthcare is concerned, since 1993, everyone in the Russian Federation has been entitled to free medical treatment under the local constitution.
Clinical Exposure and International Community
MBBS is not a regular degree; it is one of the reputed and prestigious ones, and of course, the single factor that plays the key role in this is clinical exposure, which means it allows the students to gain the practical knowledge that they have attained through books and lectures. When we talk about clinical exposure, Russia provides tremendous clinical exposure to the MBBS students, as Russian universities are equipped with simulation labs where the students can hone their clinical abilities before working with actual patients. Even Russian institutions are affiliated with public and private hospitals with a large patient volume. These institutions are typically teaching facilities that offer a range of case exposures.
Traditional Reservation System
In India, it is a kind of unfair competition, as quotas or the reservation system are prevalent in every public sector. For medical college admission, the government has set the rule to provide reservation for a certain number or percentage of the seats to the different categories, such as scheduled caste, scheduled tribe, other backward classes, etc. This reservation system gives fewer opportunities to the general quota students to enrol in medical colleges. Thanks to Russian universities, there is no such concept.
Top 3 Affordable Universities in Russia
- Bashkir State Medical University
Bashkir State University is one of the top-notch universities in Russia for medical and pharmaceutical programs. The MBBS programs in Bashkir are taught at an English level.
Overview of Bashkir State Medical University
Location: Ufa
Founded: 1932
MBBS Duration: 6 Years
Ranking: 136th in Russia & 3538th Globally
Accreditation: National Medical Commission of India, World Health Organization
Admission Criteria: Grade XII with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology 50% , and NEET exam result for Indian Students
Admission Charges: There is no separate admission fee.
2) Altai State Medical University
Altai State Medical University (Barnaul) is a well-known public, state-owned university providing high-quality, low-cost education. It emphasizes practical skills and contemporary medical technologies.
Overview of Altai State Medical University
Location: Barnaul
Founded: 1954
MBBS Duration: 6 Years (5 years medical course + 1 year internship)
Ranking: 4,471 (Globally)
194th (Russia)
.Accreditation: World Health Organization (WHO) and medical councils worldwide.
Admission Charges – No additional fee or donations.
Entrance Exam Required – There is no separate entrance exam required. Indian students, however, need to clear the NEET-UG exam in order to be eligible to get admission.
Tuition Fee Range: Approximately 323,600 rubles per year (3.5 lakh INR)
3) North Caucasian State Academy (NPSA)
The North Caucasian State Medical Academy is a reputable public university with an excellent combination of quality, affordability, and international recognition for MBBS students.
Overview of the North Caucasian State Academy
Location: Cherkessk
Founded: 1936
MBBS Duration: 5.8 Years
Ranking: 82nd in Russia, 3033 Globally
Accreditation: National Medical Commission of India, World Health Organization
Admission Criteria: Grade XII with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology 50% , and NEET exam result for Indian Students
Admission Charges: There is no separate admission fee.
Tuition Fee Range: 302,000 Rubles or 325,000 INR Per Year
Studying in Russia means you have an exciting opportunity to experience a perfect mix of academic excellence, rich cultural experiences, and unbeatable affordability. With prestigious universities in cities like Moscow and St Petersburg, you’ll find top-tier programs across a wide range of disciplines.
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