Russia has historically been India's most dependable ally since independence. This
long-standing relationship has contributed to making MBBS Russia popular among Indian students.
An MBBS degree in Russia is a highly sought-after option for Indian students seeking to study
medicine abroad. Since 1985, India has witnessed a steady stream of students heading to Russia
to pursue medical programs, cementing its status as a top destination for MBBS education in
Russia.
With over 4,000 Indian students flying every year to study MBBS in Russia,
it's evident that more than 50% of those seeking medical education abroad are choosing this
exceptional country. Its reputed institutions further accentuate Russia's prominence in
providing high-quality medical education. As such, medicine in Russia has become a popular
choice for Indian students aspiring to excel in the medical field on an international stage.
Quick Facts about MBBS degree in Russia
Medical Universities in Russia
90+
Medium of instruction
Bilingual, English, Russian
Duration of Medicine
6 Years Incl. Internship
Degree awarded
MD Equivalent to MBBS
Yearly Tuition Fee (INR)
2-4 Lacs INR
Total Budget for MBBS
20-40 Lacs INR
Ruble to INR
1 RUB =1.05 INR
Licensing Exam for Indian Students
Permitted
Internship
12 Months
Meeting NMC Criteria
Yes
MBBS degree in Russia for Indian Students
How many Indian students are pursuing MBBS education in Russia at the
moment? The answer would be that there are almost 23000 Indian students in Russia for
the MBBS program enrolled in various medical universities. Indeed, there are quite many
medical aspirants in many countries. Nearly 70–80% of Indian medical students
in Russia are studying at only 8–10 medical colleges.
MBBS in Russia vs MBBS in India
Parameter
India
Russia
College
Type
Public & Pvt
Only Public
Tuition
Fee for the course
Pub Rs. 1-3 Lac, Pvt Rs. 60 Lacs - Rs. 1.5 Cr
Rs. 15-25 Lacs
Duration
4.5 + 1 Year
6 Years
Infrastructure
Good to Below Avg
Good
Degree
Awarded
MBBS
MD Physician
World
Rank
Only AIIMS, Delhi
7 in the Top 1000
Teaching
Experience
5-50 Yrs
50-100 Yrs
Study
Pattern
Pre, Para & Clinical
European ECTS
Internship
1 Year
1 Yr incl. in 6 Yr
Subjects
in MBBS
19 Subjects
55+ Subject
ECFMG
(USA) ,UK Accreditation
Only 473 out of 706 College
All are approved
Advantages to Studying MBBS
in Russia
Russian Medical Universities offer
several benefits for Indian students:
Affordability: Russia is the most affordable option among
study-abroad destinations for medical students.
Quality of Education: Offers better education for a similar
budget compared to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, etc.
NMC Guidelines: MBBS programs in Russia follow the latest
Indian NMC guidelines (NExT-ready).
Medicine Syllabus: Covers all 19 subjects like Indian
medical colleges.
Internship: Includes over 1 year of clinical exposure,
aligning with NMC requirements.
Global Exposure: Accepts students worldwide, offering
international learning.
Safety: Russia values tradition and family; no racism or
religious discrimination.
Disadvantages of Studying
MBBS in Russia
While there are many benefits,
Indian students should be aware of the following challenges:
Language Barrier: English is not a common first language in
Russia, so basic conversation in daily life can be a major concern.
Bilingual Program: Most Russian universities run bilingual
MBBS programs or are entirely in the Russian language. Hence, the University
selection must be done very carefully.
USMLE & NExT Preparation: Agents mislead Indian students
by claiming that Russian universities offer NEXT, USMLE, or PLAB coaching,
which is not true. Russian universities are not responsible for NExT
classes. Students must prepare independently for licensing exams.
Low FMGE Passing Ratio: With an average pass rate of ~18%,
many students struggle due to lack of preparation. It's essential to
begin USMLE/NExT prep from the 1st year to avoid challenges later.
NMC Approved Russia Medical University & Grading
Over 90 medical universities are accepting international students for general medicine programs
in Russia (MBBS) in English, Bilingual, and Russian programs. Many Indian agents admit students
to bilingual programs instead of English-taught MBBS programs. As per NMC regulation for FMGE
2021, if any chance a student pursues the Bilingual MBBS program, they will not be eligible to
appear in the Indian Licensing Exam NEXT. So, if you are looking for MCI-approved Medical
colleges in Russia, selecting a University that provides an entire MBBS course in the English
language is extremely important. Only all 6 years of English taught MBBS from Russia are valid
in India. Moreover, you should prefer a University with a good quality of education.
Approximately 18 universities deliver English Taught Programs, of which only 10 or 12 have a
quality infrastructure, making them the top medical Universities in Russia recognised by MCI.
You can select the Best Medical University in Russia based on their grading or find the Top 10
Medical Universities in Russia if you wish to refer to the University grade and check the
availability of the Medicine Program in English.
Top medical university in Russia for Indian students
Note: Universities' grading is based on the quality of their education, not
their medium of instruction for medicine programs. The University (Marked Green) has a good
infrastructure and offers English-taught programs. Crimea Federal University and
Belgorod State University are located close to the Ukrainian Border and hence need
to be omitted, even though they provide an MBBS Program in English. The best MBBS colleges in
Russia for Indian students are hardly 10-12, which should be considered for the MBBS program.
Orel State, Bashkir, and Kazan State are among Russia's top 10 medical colleges. Whereas
First Moscow and People Friendship are medical universities in Moscow, Russia
A common query arises when a student plans for MBBS education in Russia: Will I get Indian food in Russia, or is Indian food available at the medical schools in Russia? So here is the answer-
Indian Mess: Indian food facilities are available in several universities, in general, and are owned by a private contractor, and they depend on the number of Indian students in a particular university.
Mess Charges: The monthly charges for 2 meals a day is approx. 100-150 USD. Prices may still vary from university to university.
Self-Cooking Option: Every hostel has a shared kitchen where students can prepare meals. Typically, the University provides this service for free.
Indian Restaurants: The Indian community is abundant in Russia, and though Indian restaurants may be slightly expensive, you will find them in most cities.
Hostel or Accommodation in Russian Universities
Every single University provides on-campus accommodation for its students.
Common Hostel- Almost every University has a common hostel for girls and boys.
Room Sharing- Medical Universities provide housing rooms in a hostel, often available in double, triple, and quad-sharing options.
Room Charges- The room charges depend upon the sharing and the condition of the room. Renovated rooms are always a bit pricey. The probability of getting a single shared room is extremely rare in the hostels.
Internet access- Every room has Internet access; students might need to pay for Wi-Fi connections in their rooms.
Drinking Water- Generally, students must purchase drinking water, often sold in 20-litre packaging. Water coolers are not available in Russia like they are in India.
Kitchen Facility- The kitchens are built on every floor and are well-supplied with Induction cooktops, refrigerators, microwave ovens, etc. Also, the student can utilize it without paying any charge.
Laundry Rooms- Washing machines are placed in common laundry rooms and can be availed at no additional cost of living in Russia.
Hostel Amenities- Most hostels have a Reading room, Gymnasium, and Indoor Games room.
Security- Mostly, the hostels are under CCTV surveillance, and there is always a warden or caretaker in the hostel on a 24x7 basis.
Cost of MBBS in Russia 2025-26
Expense
Amount
Tuition fees
Rs. 15-25 Lacs
Hostel fees
Rs. 2-3 Lacs
Food Expenses
Rs. 4-5 Lacs
Travel charge to India (6 Year)
Rs. 2-2.5 Lacs
Personal Expenses
Rs. 3-4 Lacs
Other Misc. Expense in 1st Year
Rs. 1-2 Lacs
Normally, the total cost of MBBS in Russia or any university consists of tuition fees, hostel fees, food, and other personal expenses. The lowest MBBS fees in Russia are for Orel State Medical University & Kabardino-Balkarian. Refer to the table below for the average cost of study in Russia or any Russian universities. Note: Certain expenses incurred during the first year only, like-
Health check-up
Local police verification & biometric update in Russian Security System
Translations, Attestation & notarization of documents in the University
Most of your expenditure will shift towards the university tuition Fee. Despite that, you should not choose a university just because its tuition fee is low, as you may compromise the quality of the education.
MBBS in Russia eligibility for Indian students
MBBS Admission in Russia follows the same criteria approved by the NMC for an Indian medical aspirant to pursue MBBS in foreign nations. Few universities rely upon an additional condition, over and above the NMC criteria, to find the best student to study at their University. Below is the eligibility for MBBS in Russia
NEET Qualified: Students must be NEET Qualified in any of the previous 3 years
Academic Grade: Most universities ask for over 50% in 10+2 grades. (Or even higher grades in a few cases).
Age: Candidate should be a minimum of 17 years
Entrance Exam: Some universities may conduct Online Exams to assess the candidate.
Process of MBBS Admission in Russia
Stages
Timeline
Application to University
Mar-July
Issuance of Admission Letter from the University
3-4 weeks
Issuance of invitation letter from the Ministry of Education
4-6 weeks
Visa Stamping
3 weeks
Travel to the University
2/3 Week Sept
Commencement of the Classes
1st Oct 2024
It is important to understand that the complete process takes around three months from the application till arrival at the University. Nonetheless, students applying at the last moment may not find seats available or may even struggle to complete the process. In this case, students might arrive late at the university, which may result in a loss in their academics.
Police Verification Certificate (For VISA Purposes)
Bank Statement (For VISA Purpose)
Medical Fitness Certificate (For VISA Purposes)
Licensing Exam in Russia after MBBS for Indian students
NMC Regulation for FMGE 2021
The National Medical Council's 2021 regulation for the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE), or MCI Screening Test, has implemented specific guidelines for students pursuing MBBS or medical studies abroad. These guidelines establish eligibility criteria for appearing in the NExT Exam in India. Key aspects of the NMC 2021 regulation include:
MBBS course duration should be at least 5-1/2 years, including internship.
Minimum 12 months of clinical rotation, clerkship, or internship
The medium of instruction for MBBS must be English for the entire course.
The entire study should be on one campus only.
After completing the MBBS course, the student should be allowed to register with a competent body to grant the license in the respective country.
The student is required to attend clinical rotations in mandatory specialities such as community medicine, general medicine, obstetrics, gynaecology, psychiatry, paediatrics, general surgery, anaesthesia, orthopaedics, Otorhinolaryngology, ophthalmology, dermatology, emergency medicine, and casualty services during the MBBS program.
Medical Licensing Exam Process in Russia
Indian students need to understand the medical education system in Russia to ensure they are eligible to appear in the licensing or NExT exams in India. Medical Education in Russia follows a combination of the European system and the old Soviet system. You have to clear two stages in Russia before applying for the Indian Licensing Exam.
Embarking on a journey towards a medical career is a dream cherished by countless students worldwide. When it comes to pursuing an MBBS degree, many aspiring doctors face the dilemma of choosing between studying in India and seeking opportunities abroad.
Studying medicine is a dream that many Indian students aspire to achieve. With its world-class education system and affordable tuition fees, Russia has become a popular destination for Indian students seeking a quality medical education.
The total cost of studying MBBS in Russia ranges from Rs. 20-40 lacs, including tuition fees, hostel fees, food expenses, personal expenses, and travel expenses.
To study MBBS abroad, every Indian student must qualify for the NEET exam and have completed their 12th standard with subjects of Physics, Biology, and Chemistry. Qualifying in NEET means being in the top 50% among NEET test takers.
Russian medical universities offer excellent education at a lower cost compared to many other countries. The Russian government subsidizes MBBS tuition fees, making it affordable for international students.
To get MBBS admission in Russia, students often seek guidance from top study abroad consultants like MOKSH Overseas. The first step is to check your eligibility for the Russian medical college you wish to attend. Following that, you can submit an application form to the medical college in Russia through MOKSH.
The duration of MBBS in Russia is 6 years.
The MBBS course is cost friendly due to government approved subsidies and a high quality curriculum Boards like ECFMG WDOMS and MCI approve of these university degrees.
The language barrier, climate conditions, and lack of support are several problems faced by Indian students when pursuing MBBS in Russia.
Indian food and Indian mess are available in some Russian universities usually owned by private contractors
The eligibility criteria for MBBS admission in Russia include being NEET qualified, having more than 50% in 10+2 grades, and being a minimum of 17 years old.
The process of MBBS admission in Russia includes
Complete the Application Form
Submit Documents
Get a Passport
Receive Admission Letter
Obtain Visa Invitation
Apply for Student Visa
Arrange Travel Plans
Russian MBBS degrees are widely recognized and accepted in almost every country around the world, although acceptance may vary depending on factors such as institution reputation and education quality.
Top list of MCI approved medical colleges in Russia
Kazan Federal University
Bashkir State Medical University
Irkutsk State Medical University
Altai State Medical University
Saint Petersburg State University
Khasnodar Medical University
Kuban State Medical University
Belgorod State National Research University
Crimean Federal University
Total MBBS course duration in Russia is 6 years including of Internship.
No, As per the NMC Guidelines, NEET unqualified student can’t appear in the Indian Licensing Exam i.e. NExT . NEET Qualification is one of the key requirement to take Admission in Russian Medical Colleges.
MBBS Degree from Russia is globally accepted including USA however to practice in any of the countries you need to clear the licensing exam of respective country.
The results are mixed for most of the colleges however it is around 20 overall for Russia. Key factor for passing the FMGE Exam is early preparation.
You need to check your Medical college in WSOMS List Russia. If in Sponsor note of your Medical College, it is ECFMG approved then you can write USMLE Exam and practice in USA
The MBBS course fees at universities in Moscow range from Rs. 50 lacs to 1 crore.
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