Scholarships & Affordable MBBS Abroad Options for Indian Families

    Studying MBBS in foreign countries has been a trendy option for Indian students because of the low number of seats, strong competition, and escalating tuition fees in India. Each year, thousands of students attend foreign medical universities offering quality education, global exposure, and low cost. However, the cost of studying MBBS abroad is one of the greatest fears of Indian families. Consequently, the good news is that many universities offer scholarships, low tuition fees, and flexible payment structures, making MBBS abroad a dream that is within reach.

    In this blog, we will discuss the cheapest MBBS abroad for indian students, what scholarships are offered, and why studying medicine in a foreign country can be a smart and economical decision.

    Why Indian Students Choose MBBS Abroad

    Given below are the reasons why Indian students are choosing MBBS abroad:

    High Competition in India: With more than 20 lakh NEET applicants annually and very few government seats, most of the students fail to secure a place in Indian medical colleges.

    Affordable Options Abroad: A large number of universities in such countries as Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan provide affordable MBBS programs than those of Indian private colleges.

    Global Recognition: NMC (National Medical Commission), WHO, ECFMG, and FAIMER recognize the leading medical universities in the world, and graduates can practice medicine in any country in the world.

    English-Medium Programs: In order to make education affordable, several universities provide complete MBBS programs in English.

    Cultural Comfort: With thousands of Indian students already studying abroad, Indian food, hostels, and student communities are easily available.

    Affordable MBBS Abroad Destinations for Indian Families

    Here are some countries that offer cheap MBBS courses overseas without compromising on quality:

    Russia

    Russia has been positioned as the best destination for Indian students because of its global infrastructure and cheap tuition fees. The average cost of an MBBS in Russia is between $3000 - $6000/year.

    • Popular Universities: Kalmyk State University, Orenburg State Medical University, Pskov State University, Tver State medical University, Mari State University, Perm State medical University.
    • Living Cost: Approx $100–$150 per month

    Armenia

    Armenia is reputed to have affordable MBBS programs and a secure atmosphere where an MBBS programme can be studied at approximately $3000 - $4,500 per year.

    • Popular Universities: Mkhitar Gosh Armenian-Russian International University, Yerevan State Medical University
    • Living Cost: $100–$120 per month

    Georgia

    Georgia has become popular because of its contemporary teaching styles and clinical direct exposure. The fees range from $4,000 – $6,000 annually.

    • Popular Universities: Tbilisi State Medical University and Georgian National University.
    • Living Cost: $150 – $200 per month

    Kazakhstan

    Kazakhstan is a fast-developing medical centre that offers cheaper MBBS programs with simple entry procedures. The tuition costs range between $3,000 - $5,000 per year.

    • Popular Universities: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Astana Medical University.
    • Living Cost: $100–$150 per month

    Kyrgyzstan

    Kyrgyzstan is also considered to be one of the cheapest MBBS destinations with numerous NMC-approved universities. Tuition charges are approximately $2500 - $4000 per annum.

    • Popular Universities: Osh State Medical University, Kyrgyz State Medical Academy
    • Living Cost: $80–$100 per month

    Scholarships for MBBS Abroad

    Numerous universities in foreign countries are aware of the expenses of educational opportunities for Indian families and offer scholarships for MBBS abroad. Here are some options:

    Merit-Based Scholarships

    Awarded to students who have excellent NEET or academic results. In Russia, Georgia, and Armenia, universities usually offer partial waivers to outstanding performers.

    Government Scholarships

    Other nations, such as Russia and Kazakhstan, provide government-funded scholarships to foreign students. This may include tuition fee waivers, hostel allowances, and stipends.

    Need-Based Financial Aid

    Some schools evaluate the financial status of a student and offer a solution accordingly so that deserving students do not miss out because of a lack of money.

    Indian Government & Private Scholarships

    Indian students may also apply for scholarships such as:

    • National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) for Scheduled Caste/Tribe students
    • J.N. Tata Endowment for Higher Education
    • State Government Education Loan & Scholarship Schemes

    Tips to Make MBBS Abroad More Affordable

    Here are some tips to make your MBBS abroad more affordable:

    Choose the Right Country: Before making the right decision, compare the tuition costs, cost of living, and the ranking of the university.

    Apply Early for Scholarships – With most universities, they release a small number of scholarship seats on a first-come basis.

    Opt for Universities with Installment Payment Options: A lot of Universities have semester or annual payments to reduce financial pressure.

    Look for Indian Communities Abroad: This can help reduce food and accommodation costs through shared arrangements.

    Use Education Loans: Some Indian banks and NBFCs offer education loans to do an MBBS in foreign countries at reasonable interest rates.

    Why Studying MBBS Abroad is a Smart Investment

    Below are some major reasons why studying MBBS abroad is a smart investment in 2025-26:

    • Lower Cost than Indian Private Colleges: MBBS in foreign countries costs range between 15 - 30 lakh ($18,000 - $35,000), whereas in India, colleges can cost up to 70+ lakh rupees to 1 crore in private colleges.
    • International Recognition: Students get exposure to world medical practices and are able to take exams such as FMGE/NExT, USMLE, and PLAB.
    • Better ROI (Return on Investment): Once students complete the MBBS in a foreign country and pass the licensing examinations, they are allowed to work in India or any other country and get high-paying jobs.

    Final Thoughts

    Having heard all the arguments, we concluded that the MBBS in foreign countries is a good, cheap, and profitable opportunity for Indian families who are concerned with the increasing cost of medical education in India. Moreover, having numerous low-cost destinations, a variety of scholarships, and financial assistance, students can finally afford their dream of becoming doctors without overloading their families.

    Further, if you are planning to study MBBS in a foreign country, contact Education Abroad. We will guide you from admission to graduation, and support you at every step to make your journey smooth and successful.

    FAQs

    Q1. Which country is cheapest for MBBS abroad for Indian students?

    Answer - Kyrgyzstan and Russia are among the cheapest, with fees starting from $2,500 – $4,000 per year.

    Q2. Can Indian students get scholarships for MBBS abroad?

    Answer - Yes, most of the universities in other countries provide merit-based, need-based and government scholarships to international students, including Indians.

    Q3. What is the average cost of MBBS abroad?

    Answer - MBBS cost in other countries varies between ₹20–35 lakhs for the full course, depending upon the nation and university.

    Q4. Is MBBS abroad better than private medical colleges in India?

    Answer - Yes, the MBBS in foreign countries is cheaper and offers international exposure in compared to the Indian college, which can be 2-3 times higher.

     

    Get Free Counselling