Planning to study MBBS abroad is a career-altering choice which introduces the world of work, quality education, and exposure to different medical practices. The application might be hectic, though, and a small error could have taken a big deal on your dream seat.
No matter where you are going to study in Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan or the Philippines, it is important to be able to avoid the following pitfalls that most students make when applying to study abroad (MBBS). Now, let us explore the 10 most common mistakes that you need to avoid in order to make the admission process a smooth and successful one.
Most students who plan to study MBBS abroad often enrol in universities based on gossip or affordability, without verifying key factors such as accreditation, faculty strength, hospital affiliations, or global recognition.
Tip: It is essential and mandatory to ensure that the university is approved by the NMC (National Medical Commission), WHO and other international authorities. Research reviews, alumni evaluations, and official sites.
The criteria of eligibility vary in each country through language proficiency tests, entrance exams, age restrictions, or NEET scores requirements. Failure to complete any one of them may cause rejection.
Note: When applying to a medical school abroad, it's essential to investigate country- and university-specific entry requirements, including NEET qualification and proper submission of documentation.
Seats in the best medical colleges in foreign countries are limited and fill up quickly. Many students delay the registration process, miss crucial deadlines, and end up joining lower-standard institutions for their MBBS overseas.
Tip: Remember to begin the application process 6-8 months early. This will allow you some preparation time for documents, visa and entrance examination.
Your entire career can be put at risk when you enrol in a non-accredited or black listed university. You will not be able to practice in India or take FMGE/NExT.
Tip: See whether the university is NMC approved, WHO, WFHE and included in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
In most countries, the MBBS is given in a bilingual method of training, whereas a few countries have poor English-speaking environments. This causes a big problem in studies and with the patients.
TIP: When pursuing foreign medical studies, look at universities providing a 100% English-speaking MBBS curriculum. You may even wish to learn the local language for a greater clinical experience.
Cheap tuition fees may be enticing, but really low-cost universities might cut corners in terms of infrastructure, exposure to practice or the legitimacy of the degree.
TIP: Pay attention to being good value rather than cheap. Select a high-quality academic and hospital exposure university with decent living conditions.
If you plan to return and practice in India, passing the FMGE/NExT is essential. Many students who study medicine abroad often overlook checking the university's past success rates in these crucial exams.
Tip: Find out the FMGE/NExT pass ratio of the Indian students there. Certain colleges also provide guidance regarding the Indian licensure exams in a superior manner.
There are students who become victims of masterminds of unauthorised agents who promise to secure them admission, or issue false documents or non-existent universities.
Hint: If you are pursuing a medical degree abroad, never accept an approach by an unofficial university agent or an uncertified education consultant. Never make a full payment without confirmation or a valid admission letter.
Failure to put some details or put things in the wrong format, such as passport mistakes, lack of transcripts, or the ineffectiveness of form filling, could see your application rejected or delay your visa.
Tip: Try to review all records prior to submission. Ensure to have notarised copies, passport-size photos, NEET result, and all translated versions.
Students usually just calculate the tuition and leave behind the living cost, hostel charges, health insurance, renewal of visa, and travelling. The result of it is the financial stress created by studying.
Tip: Plan a full budget of the total MBBS period, which consists of 6 years of tuition fees, hostel, food expenses and emergency funds.
Being informed about the most typical pitfalls that students fall into when tending to receive an MBBS degree abroad, you can be more direct and proactive about your decision to pursue medicine. Whether it is selecting the proper university and checking accreditation or determining finances and exam-related requirements, each step is important.
Your decision to study medicine overseas may be one of the best in your life, but only when guided and prepared properly. Never take shortcuts, be aware of red flags, and take time to do research and plan.
Further, we have a highly-trained counsellor here at Education Abroad, and they will guide you every step of the way, whether in short-listing the right universities, to visa processing and travel arrangements. So, to start living your dream of getting a medical degree in a foreign country, connect with us today to have a free consultation session!
Q.1. What are the major factors that one should consider before pursuing MBBS from abroad?
Answer: Some of the most important details in choosing the country to pursue MBBS in are university accreditation, medium of instruction, FMGE/NExT pass success, cost of the entire program including tuition fees, support and safety system in the country, and the availability of clinical exposure.
Q.2. In which country is MBBS difficult?
Answer: In countries such as the USA, the UK, and Canada, an MBBS is more challenging as there are harder entrance exams, cut-throat competition, intense pressures of studies and longer course years.
Q.3. Which country's MBBS is not valid?
Answer: MBBS degrees obtained in non-NMC-recognised or unrecognised universities in a foreign country are also not valid to practice medicine in India. When applying, always confirm whether the university is on the list of NMC and WHO.
Q.4. Is it better to be a doctor in India or abroad?
Answer: Working as a doctor in foreign countries can be better paid and provide an excellent working environment with international exposure, whereas working as a doctor in India, nowadays, will offer you familiarity, social good, and rising opportunities in work. It is contingent on your future expectations and way of life.
