Russia has always been a great friend to India. It welcomes thousands of Indian students to provide them medical education and has served as an alma mater to renowned doctors around the world.
Russia holds the 8th rank globally in terms of quality education. It has more than 25 top ranked medical institutes globally. The Russian government provides subsidized education to Indian students for its healthy relations with India.
The Russian terminology for an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) degree is Doctor of Medical Sciences. Russia opens up a plethora of career prospects to its MBBS students. The country offers a rich study experience and a supportive community, making it an ideal choice for an MBBS degree.
Russia has a range of renowned medical universities that are globally recognised by the NMC, WHO, FAIMER, etc. The admissions for MBBS program in Russia start in the month of September every year. Indian students can easily get their MBBS degree in Russia for 15 to 45 lakhs INR only. The affordable fee structure and top notch education makes Russia a leading country for an MBBS abroad.
Important features of MBBS in Russia:
Aspect | Details |
Rank in Education | 8th rank for quality education |
Recognitions | Recognized by NMC, FAIMER, WDOMS, WHO |
Duration of Program | 5.8 years |
Eligibility | 10+2 pass with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English; NEET qualified; minimum age of 17 years |
Fee | 15 to 45 lakhs INR for the entire MBBS program |
Teaching Methods | Lectures, lab classes, clinical training through internships, evidence-based learning, medical camps |
Post-graduate | FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduates Exam) required to practise in India or pursue post-graduation in Russia |
Advantages | Globally recognized universities, international exposure, affordable tuition fee, no IELTS/TOEFL required |
Living Cost | Approx. 20,000 INR per month |
Scholarships | Available for meritorious students |
Language Training | Russian language training provided |
Infrastructure | State-of-the-art infrastructure with advanced facilities |
Safety | Considered a safe country for Indian students |
Hostels | Comfortable and safe hostels with Indian chefs and wardens in some universities |
Recognitions of MBBS colleges in Russia
The medical colleges in Russia are recognised by the National Medical Council of India (NMC), Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER), World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS), and the World Health Organisation (WHO). These recognitions are a proof of quality education provided and a globally valid degree. MBBS in Russia for Indian students is recommended as it follows NMC 2021 regulations. Overseas Education experts recommend Russia as the best destination for Indian medical aspirants seeking to study MBBS Abroad.
Duration of MBBS in Russia
MBBS in Russia lasts for 6 years which includes classroom lectures and medical internship. Top medical colleges offereing medical education to International students offer internships along with their regular education.
Eligibility for MBBS in Russia
The eligibility criteria for Indian students as set by the institutional bodies are:
- Must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English as subjects.
- 50% score for unreserved category students, 40% for OBC/ SC/ ST reserved category students in class 12th or equivalent.
- Candidates need to have a minimum age of 17 years and no less than 25 years as in the year of admission.
- Candidates must have qualified for the NEET exam.
- A 50 percentile NEET score is required for unreserved category students and 40 percentile is required for OBC/ SC/ ST reserved category students.
Course structure for MBBS in Russia
An MBBS in Russia is called Doctor of Medical Sciences. It lasts for 5.8, which is nearly 6 years. The course includes 5 years of theoretical training and one year of medical internships.
During the classroom training, MBBS students attend different lectures and practical lab classes everyday. They are supervised by senior doctors and faculty members.
During the internship period, MBBS students are posted in different departments of hospitals or clinics, wherein they actively participate in patient care, treatments and tend to different hospital work. This provides students with required exposure and helps them gain a broader understanding of how life as a doctor works.
Syllabus
The syllabus for an MBBS in Russia consists of an in-depth analysis of all the medical topics. The country follows an advanced syllabus for medicine which is updated from time to time.
The syllabus for the complete 6 years of MBBS as divided between different semesters is as follows:
Year | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
1st Year | Biology | Russian Language |
Anatomy | Latin | |
Russian Language | Physical Education | |
Latin | Nursing | |
Physical Education | Physics | |
Nursing | Russian Language | |
Physics | Biology | |
Anatomy | ||
Histology | ||
2nd Year | Russian Language | Physiology |
Anatomy | Biochemistry | |
Histology | Russian Language | |
Physiology | Microbiology | |
Biochemistry | Immunology | |
3rd Year | Microbiology | Pathophysiology |
Immunology | Pathoanatomy | |
Radiology | Internal Medicine | |
Surgery | Surgery | |
Pharmacology | Pharmacology | |
Pathophysiology | Pathoanatomy | |
Pathoanatomy | Internal Medicine | |
Internal Medicine | Topo Anatomy | |
4th Year | Topo Anatomy | Hygiene |
Hygiene | Oncology | |
Oncology | Gynecology | |
Gynecology | Neurology | |
Neurology | Gynecology | |
Neurology | ||
Ophthalmology | ||
Psychiatry | ||
Pediatrics | ||
5th Year | Therapy | Traumatology |
Pediatrics | Obstetrics | |
Psychiatry | Hospital Surgery | |
Obstetrics | Dermatology | |
Hospital Surgery | Clinical Anatomy | |
Dermatology | Traumatology | |
Clinical Anatomy | Therapy | |
Traumatology | Hospital Surgery | |
6th Year | Therapy | |
Obstetrics | ||
Gynecology | ||
Surgery | ||
Pediatrics | ||
Emergency Medicine |
Teaching methodologies
Various teaching methodologies are used during the MBBS program in Russia. MBBS students undergo intensive training to help them become skilled doctors. The Russian medical colleges work hard to provide students with all the necessary skills for them to have a victorious career. The teaching methodologies used by Russian medical colleges are as follows:
Lectures:
Russian professors deliver lectures to MBBS students, which covers all the topics spread over the semesters. These lectures help students with a structured learning experience so that they understand complex terms of medicine easily.
Lab classes:
Medical students have laboratory classes where they get hands-on learning experience. The lab classes allow students to make use of their theoretical knowledge. Students learn to conduct basic medical procedures first on animals and then on cadavers.
Clinical training through internships:
All medical students handle patients, provide them medical treatment, take history, recommend them medical procedures, and interact under the supervision of senior doctors. Students develop diagnostic skills during their medical internship.
Practical based learning:
MBBS students often work on case studies, assignments, and presentations on medical scenarios and research breakthroughs in medicine. These healthy discussions allow them to develop their thinking and reasoning capabilities.
Medical camps:
Medical students in Russia go on camps to rural places to provide people with medical care. Students learn about community medicine and provide care to people.
Simulated patients:
Medical colleges often have simulated patients. These are individuals trained to act like patients to portray different symptoms and communicate as actual patients. MBBS students deal with such simulated patients, which helps them assess their skills as growing doctors.
Medical internships
All the students pursuing an MBBS in Russia undergo a mandatory medical internship program during the final year of MBBS. The training period helps them transition from being an MBBS student to a full-fledged doctor. Students receive hands-on practice by providing treatment to patients in the actual hospital surroundings.
The medical internship begins in the final year of the MBBS program and goes on for a year. Students are posted in different departments of the hospital and are rotated. This rotation gives students a comprehensive training and practical exposure. Students gain proficiency during this phase.
The prime objectives of the medical internship are to:
Improving knowledge: Students apply the theoretical knowledge in the real life clinical setting. It helps them make use of the things they studied throughout medical education.
Polishing clinical skills: During the medical internship, MBBS students work with senior doctors who help them improve their skills. They actively participate in hospital work and serve as doctors in training. The real life hospital setting helps them transform into skilled doctors.
Develop decision making skills: MBBS students in Russia during the internship are involved in decision making for clinical settings under the supervision of senior doctors. This helps them develop their thinking abilities and learn to make independent decisions.
Diversified experience: MBBS students in Russia are posted in different departments of the hospital and are rotated through them. This gives them an opportunity to work with different departments such as surgery, paediatrics, gynaecology, obstetrics, dermatology, etc. This varied experience helps them make a choice for a specialisation degree if they wish to pursue it.
Learn to handle emergencies: Medical students often tend to assist in medical emergencies. This helps them develop critical thinking and learn to take quick actions.
Thus, an MBBS in Russia equips medical aspirants with all the required skills and practical training for them to have a fruitful career.
Entrance exams or Exit exams
Medical aspirants can get admission into an MBBS in Russia with low NEET scores as well. However, MBBS graduates need to pass the licensing exam, Foreign Medical Graduates Exam (FMGE) to be able to practise as a doctor in India.
The FMGE exam assesses the MBBS graduates from foreign universities and provides licences to these graduates upon successfully passing the exam. Russian medical universities provide coaching to Indian students to help them pass the exit exam easily. In fact, Russia has one of the highest passing percentages in the FMGE exam among other leading countries.
Students who pursue an MBBS in Russia can choose to do a specialization program of their choice in Russia. They can also opt for a job in the country itself.
Cost
Education is relatively affordable in Russia. The country makes a large expense on providing affordable education to both its citizens and international students. Every year thousands of international students land in Russia to pursue their dream program.
For an MBBS, the total fee ranges from 15-35 lakhs INR only. This includes tuition fee, hostel, food and other documentation fee. The fee structure varies for different institutions.
Most colleges provide world class education at an affordable fee. Russia also offers numerous scholarships to meritorious students.
If we compare this fee structure to that of India, it’s much more affordable. In India, MBBS students nearly spend 50 lakhs to 2 crores on an MBBS degree. If we talk about private colleges then it may even reach 4 crores for the degree. Pursuing an MBBS in Russia saves you up to 40% to 70% of the fee as compared to fee in developed countries.
Documents required for MBBS Admission in Russia
MBBS candidates need to provide the following documents in original form and some photocopies:
- Duly filled admission form
- Class 12th Pass Certificate
- Class 10th Pass Certificate
- NEET exam score card & Admit card
- 6 passport size photographs with white background (4.5 cm by 3.5 cm)
- Scanned copy of passport
- A valid ID proof such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, Driving License, etc.
Process of admission for MBBS in Russia
The admission process for an MBBS in Russia is streamlined and easy. The follow steps need to be followed for admission into MBBS in Russia:
- Fill the required admission guidelines of the chosen Russian medical college.
- Pay the documentation fee.
- Send documents via email.
- Obtain information about the course & Pay remaining fee.
- Receive the offer letter. It may take 4 to 15 working days.
- Appear for counselling.
- Receive the confirmation letter. Talk to the advisor.
- Apply for student visa by providing necessary documents
- After getting a visa, book a flight to Russia.
Cost of living
Living costs in Russia are not that high as compared to other countries. Common amenities are fairly priced even in big cities like Moscow. Transportation costs are lower as well. MBBS students can avail student discounts on intercity travels. Indian students can easily manage their expenses within 20,000 per month during their stay for an MBBS in Russia.
Crisis of MBBS seats in India
Every year more than 15 lakh students compete for merely 90,000 seats in medical colleges of India. Such a shortage of seats makes it difficult for medical aspirants to get their desired college. Even after securing good scores students fail to get medical college seats. Such a pathetic system causes many students to lose their dream of becoming a doctor, many fall into depression and others end up taking drop years to secure a seat.
This pitiful situation is wrong for the growth of medical aspirants. The main causes for this situation are:
Lesser seats in India:
Due to relatively less developed infrastructure and high population, India is not capable of providing opportunity to all of its medical aspirants to pursue medicine. There are much fewer seats in medical colleges. Only 5-7 % of the total qualified candidates get a seat in medical colleges.
High population of India:
India is the most populous country in the world. The competition is neck to neck for medical colleges and jobs. Even after securing good scores, most students do not get their dream college due to this competition. There are not sufficient numbers of medical colleges and hospitals as per the current reports.
Less developed infrastructure:
Due to the significantly high population, India needs to work on making the infrastructure strong. The work is going on, however it will take a lot of time to accommodate such large number of students.
As a result, a majority of Indian medical aspirants choose foreign destinations to pursue a degree in medicine. Russia is one of the top places chosen by Indian medical aspirants to pursue their dream career. Thousands of Indian students arrive in Russia every year to enrol themselves in different top ranked universities.
Due to less population, advanced infrastructure and affordable medical education, Russia is capable of hosting lakhs of medical students. The country offers equal opportunities to all of its international students and provides a fair and unbiased medical education. MBBS graduates from Russia excel in their medical career and serve humankind by delivering medical treatment.
Advantages of an MBBS in Russia
Russia serves as an ideal place for Indians to pursue an MBBS abroad. Some of the factors that makes Russia an ideal choice are as follows:
Globally recognised universities:
Russian universities are not only recognised by the National Medical Commission (formerly known as Medical Council of India) but also highly regarded by the WHO, WDOMS, etc.
International exposure for MBBS students in Russia:
Russia helps MBBS students expand their horizons. Students get to meet several renowned medical professionals and students all around the world that helps them get international exposure.
Scholarships for MBBS in Russia:
Russia provides different scholarships to meritorious students. This helps students from financially weaker backgrounds to pursue medicine without any worry.
Post-graduate opportunities in Russia:
After completing an MBBS in Russia, Indian students can opt for the FMGE exit exams to practise in India or they can pursue post graduation specialisation degrees or take jobs in Russia itself.
Affordable tuition fee for MBBS:
Russia offers medical education starting at only 3-5 Lakhs per year, which is much more affordable as compared to that of India and other foreign places. Students can save a lot by pursuing medicine in Russia.
No IELTS or TOEFL required in Russia:
Getting an English proficiency test such as IELTS or TOEFL is no less than a tussle for busy medical aspirants. In Russia, medical candidates are not required to go through the trouble of these tests when most of the Indian population are highly skilled in English language. Candidates only need to have English as a subject in 10+2.
The medium of instruction for an MBBS degree in Russia is English.
Availability of medical seats in colleges:
The lack of seats is one of the major difficulties for medical aspirants in India. Even after scoring high, students do not get the desired colleges. However, no such difficulty is faced in Russia. Russia has numerous top ranked medical colleges which have a plethora of seats to accommodate students.
No donation required in Russia:
Russian universities have strict policies against donations. It offers admission to students without any bias or capitation fees.
Affordable living costs:
The living costs in Russia are similar to that of India. Students can manage their expenses within 20,000 per month. Note that living costs also depend on the kind of lifestyle you want to pursue. In Russia, things are relatively cheaper and all the basic amenities can be availed within 20,000.
Russian language training:
MBBS students in Russia are taught the Russian language to help them have smooth communication with their Russian classmates and patients.
Advanced infrastructure:
Russia has state-of-the-art infrastructure such as advanced smart classrooms, high tech practical labs, research labs, and simulated learning experience. All thanks to the huge amount of money that Russia spends in improving their infrastructure and education sector.
Safe country:
Due to its really good ties with India, Russia is much safer for Indian students as compared to other foreign destinations.
Exit exam training:
This is one of the best aspects of pursuing an MBBS in India as compared to other places. Russian universities provide FMGE exit exam coaching to Indian students to help them pass the medical licensing exam.
Comfortable hostels:
Russia provides comfortable and safe hostels to all its students. The hostels have comfortable rooms, large study halls, entertainment halls, sports complexes, and canteens that serve delicious nutritious food. Some Russian universities also have Indian chefs and wardens due to the high number of Indian students in the colleges.
Medical training:
MBBS in Russia equips medical students with the necessary skill set by intensive training and mentorship. MBBS students undergo a mandatory medical clerkship in the final year of their degree. Medical students are posted in different departments such as gynaecology, dermatology, paediatrics, obstetrics, orthopaedics, surgery, etc.
Benefits of an MBBS in Russia
- No IELTS or TOEFL required.
- Globally valid degree.
- Higher passing percentage in the FMGE exam.
- No donation required.
- World class medical education.
- Affordable tuition fee.
- Top notch medical laboratories.
- Get to study in top ranked universities.
- Safer place for Indian students
- Admission at low NEET scores as well.
- Various scholarships provided.
- Hassle free admission process
- Affordable living cost.
- Coaching for exit exams.
- Medical internship at top hospitals.
- PG programs of choice available.
Conclusion
An MBBS in Russia will prove to be the best choice for medical aspirants. The high quality education, expert faculty, world class infrastructure and mentorship provided helps MBBS students become successful doctors.
Russia offers affordable education and serves students with all required training. MBBS graduates from Russia have always proved to be skilled in their art by scoring high percentages in the exit exams. The country boasts many top ranked medical universities and a world class learning environment.
Thus, an MBBS in Russia will help you excel in your career as a skilled and successful medical professional.