Study MBBS Abroad: Requirements, Courses and Careers
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Study MBBS Abroad: Requirements, Courses and Careers
The study of medicine and health sciences has been a prevalent career choice for several decades in India. It was believed to offer incredible avenues and success, as is still true to this day. A practising doctor in India not only has a satisfactory role of a medical professional but has job security. However, in recent years, there has been a change in the trend wherein students are now aspiring to study MBBS abroad.Â
Why Study MBBS Abroad?
Here are just a few reasons why one should opt to study MBBS abroad:
- Limited Seats in Indian Colleges: With just about 542 medical schools across the country, heavy competition among aspiring students is inevitable.Â
- Need for More Doctors: There is an urgent need for greater practising medical professionals in India as the number of doctors per person is relatively low.Â
- Better Student Labs: Colleges abroad offer state-of-the-art along with a highly stimulating environment for learning.Â
- Globally Applicable Degree: Once a student qualifies as a medical professional, he/she is certified to practice medicine in many countries, including India.
- Exposure to New Cultures: Studying abroad can broaden perspectives through exposure to foreign cultures and environments. Such experiences can play a large role in one’s holistic development.
- Better Return on Investment(ROI): A professional degree from a college or university such as AUA offers you the opportunity to get paid after completing your undergraduate degree through Match- a residency program for international students. This is quite beneficial for those intending to settle in North America.
MBBS Abroad Eligibility and RequirementsÂ
The eligibility requirements for MBBS courses abroad are as follows:
Age Eligibility for MBBS Abroad
A student should attain the age of 17 by the 31st of December of the year he/she is pursuing MBBS admission abroad. There is no upper age limit to apply for an MBBS course abroad.
Academic Eligibility for MBBS Abroad
- Passed Higher Secondary Education: Students should have completed 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as subjects. An exception is given to students from International or IB Schools such as Cambridge as the board does not permit three science subjects for 12th grade. They should have, however, studied the subjects in 10th or 11th grade.Â
- Currently Pursuing Higher Secondary Education: Students who are currently in 12th grade can also apply for MBBS abroad. The students will be required to submit their 10th and 11th standard mark sheets indicating that they have scored 70% and above in their science subjects. They will then be given conditional acceptance for the same. Their acceptance will stand cancelled if they do not qualify for this condition.
- Foreign Students in India and Other Exceptions: Non-Indian citizens studying in India with a curriculum that does not have one science subject can be considered. However, for Indian citizens, having all three subjects is mandatory. Math or English subjects are considered alternatives in cases where students did not have all three science courses.Â
- Criteria for NRI Students Pursuing MBBS Abroad: If an NRI student does not hold an Indian passport, he/she can get admission to an Indian Medical College without qualifying for the NEET exam. If they want to apply to either of the programs, NEET is not a requirement. However, if there are students who have Indian citizenship and hold an Indian passport, they have to qualify for the Indian NEET exams in order to be eligible for either of the programs.Â
- Mandatory Exam: Qualifying for the NEET examination is mandatory for all MBBS abroad applicants.
Exam(s) Required to Study MBBS in Foreign Countries
The most crucial prerequisite to study MBBS abroad is clearing the NEET Undergraduate examination. It is an acronym for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, formerly known as the All-India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT). NEET is an all India pre-medical entrance test for students who wish to pursue undergraduate medical, dental, and equivalent courses in government and private institutions in India and those intending to pursue primary medical qualification abroad.
Admission Process for Studying MBBS Abroad at AUA
The admission process for studying MBBS at AUA has the following documentation requirements:
- Require Letters of Recommendation: Students who apply for the Pre-Med to MD program need to get two letters of recommendation from their faculty members and the institution’s principal, where they completed their 11th and 12th grades. However, if they’re applying for the BSc to MD program, those letters of recommendation are not required.Â
- Submit Personal Statement and Interview: Another additional document needed is a personal statement collected from a student applying for Pre-Med to MD (this is not required for the BSc to MD program) and will also have to give an interview — a Zoom or Skype call for Pre-Med to MD. There are no Zoom interviews for BSc to MD, and it’s purely based on the student’s merit and grades.Â
- Provide Marksheets: The submission of 10th/11th, and 12th Marksheets is mandatory.
Course Structure for MBBS Abroad at AUA
Both the programs, that is, the BSc to MD and Pre-med to MD, have a similar curriculum. The only difference is that the students studying in India pursue their degree in Manipal for the first two years rather than studying in AUA. The curriculum, the exam format, everything is the same as that followed in AUA during the course.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the MBBS abroad course structure at AUA:
- The student pursuing MBBS abroad would start their pre-clinical science or basic science semesters at AUA. The semesters are called MED – 1,2,3,4.
- An additional semester called Basic Science Integration Semester or BSIS (duration – fifteen weeks) will take place after all the four semesters are successfully completed when students pursue MBBS abroad. After completing this additional semester, students appear for the USMLE Step 1 Exam. USMLE stands for the United States Medical Licensing Examination.
- Qualifying students will then move to Clinical Sciences Rotations. Clinical Sciences or rotations take place in the US, where 84 weeks are divided into CORE and elective rotations.Â
- Once the entire term of 4.5 years is completed after pre-med, students get an MD degree under AUA College of Medicine, allowing them to apply for the residency Match program equivalent to an Indian MD or MS specialization.
- If a student joins the four and a half years pre-med to MD program in Antigua, they will get an AS degree (Associate of Science degree) after completing two years in pre-med. They will also get a Bachelors of Science Degree once they complete the preclinical/Basic sciences semester. This is in addition to the MD degree that they receive after completing the entire program.Â
MBBS Abroad vs MBBS in IndiaÂ
There are quite a few noticeable similarities between the MBBS programs abroad and India. The program duration for MBBS programs in India and abroad is approximately five and a half years.Â
There are some advantages of pursuing an MBBS abroad vs in India.Â
In India, after the 12th grade, a student can take the UG NEET exam to join an MBBS program which is five and a half years (four and a half years of classroom education and one year of internship). After completing the course, they receive an MBBS degree from a university or college before moving forward to pursue their master’s degree. This is, however, quite different from MBBS courses abroad, where students begin preparing for the Match — a residency program to initiate the process of moving permanently.Â
Pursuing MBBS abroad can offer global exposure in terms of culture and environment, great laboratories and a better student-teacher ratio. Students can even choose to practice in the host country in the long run. The Match program in AUA is one such opportunity in that direction. The program allows students to begin earning as they study in AUA College of Medicine.Â
In case students want to practice in India, they will have to appear for the Medical Council of India Screening Test. It is also referred to as the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (MCI FMGE). Then, they can bring their global experience to their homeland.Â
Career Opportunities with MBBS Abroad
MBBS in foreign countries opens up many doors for students pursuing a professional career in medicine in countries such as India as well as many countries abroad. Completing a medical degree from a foreign institution such as AUA College of Medicine gives you the ultimate opportunity for exposure to a global environment.
Here are a few career opportunities students can pursue upon graduating:
- Opt for Private Practice.
- Appear for the Match examination. It will allow students to apply for residency in the United States and Canada.
- Get employed at a hospital chain.
- Pursue a career in medical research or academics.
- Jobs in Health Administration/Hospital Management.
Now that you have a clearer idea about pursuing MBBS abroad, consider it an option when planning one’s education. Contact us if you choose to join AUAMED for pursuing an MBBS abroad.