MBBS in Russia

MBBS in Russia Eligibility for Indian Students

Here are the complete eligibility criteria for Indian students –

Percentage requirement in class 12th – 50% aggregate marks in PCB for General category students and 40% for SC/ST/OBC.

NEET score – Indian aspirants must be NEET must be qualified in the current or the previous two years. For MBBS abroad, the NEET result is valid for 3 years from the date of declaration of the results.

Age Criteria – The student must be 17 years old on or before the 31st of December of the year in which the admission is being taken.

Passport – A passport is required.

Entrance exam by the university – Yes, every Russian medical university will conduct an entrance exam. Only those who successfully pass this exam will get admission to the respective medical university in Russia.

Read more about the Entrance exam for MBBS in Russia admission.

MBBS in Russia without NEET

Every year, the counsellors of the Eduglobe Consultants receive hundreds of queries for admission to MBBS abroad without NEET. However, Eduglobe Consultants is not in favour of sending students for MBBS outside of India without NEET. The reason for this is that as per NMC rules and regulations, you will not be eligible to appear for FMGE/NExT if you take admission for MBBS abroad in any country without NEET.

MBBS in Russia without NEET or without qualifying NEET = Degree not valid in India

Q. Can I get admitted to Russia without NEET this year and then qualify NEET later?

No, this is not allowed. You have to qualify NEET first and then apply for MBBS abroad.

Q. I don’t want to come back to India or I don’t want to practice in India, do I still need to be NEET qualified?

No, in this case, qualifying NEET is not mandatory.

Q. How much NEET score is required for MBBS abroad?

As per NMC rules and regulations, you are required to be NEET-qualified for MBBS admission outside of India.

For a student from the General category, you need 50 percentile for qualifying NEET and 40 percentile to be NEET qualified if you are from SC/ST/OBC.

NEET result is valid for a period of 3 years from the date of results for MBBS abroad. In 2022, the following are the minimum marks required to be called NEET qualified –

• General – 117
• SC/ST/OBC – 93

Intakes Available in Russia

Unlike a single intake in Indian universities, Russian universities offer two intakes. However, only a few universities have a second intake. Most universities only have a single intake. The two intakes available in Russia are:

September intake – A popular intake among Indian students, classes in the September intake start in the month of September.

March intake – Available for a limited number of universities, admission for the March intake usually starts in January and classes start in March.

Please note that admission is on a first-come-first-served basis and the best time to apply is right after appearing for NEET. For MBBS admission in Russia, call on 9899566022.

Last date to apply for MBBS in Russia

There is no ‘one particular’ last date to apply for Russia MBBS. Every university will have its own last date. Moreover, as admissions are on a first-come-first-served basis, a university will close its admission whenever its seat quota for international students gets filled. Therefore, the last date for any university will be either the unique date that a particular university has set or the day when its seats get filled, whichever happens first.

We would suggest that you apply immediately after appearing for NEET if you are confident that you will qualify. MBBS abroad admission is not possible if you don’t qualify NEET. If you have already qualified NEET in the previous 2 years, then apply in the month of May.

The classes usually start in September and the universities start conducting entrance exams in May-June. If you miss the entrance exams, then also, admission will not be possible. The admission process takes some time as we need to apply for your visa also. Therefore, you should apply for admission as soon as you can. Contact Eduglobe Consultants today for any queries and for admission.

Most important rules for Indian students (Don’t apply for MBBS in Russia without checking these rules)

In November 2021, NMC released an e-gazette (Check the pdf of the e-gazette here – Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations 2021) called the National Medical Commission Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021. The FMGL Regulations define the regulations to be satisfied by a foreign medical graduate for a grant of permanent registration in India. These rules are applicable to all the countries outside of India and are not exclusive to Russia only.

Below, we will check what these rules are and how Russian medical universities fulfil these rules.

These regulations are as follows –

Rule	Response by the Indian Embassy in Russia
Course duration must be 54 months	The course duration of the General Medicine course is 6 years which is the same for local and foreign students.
Undergo an internship of 1 year	The 6-year General Medicine course includes a clerkship/clinical rotation of 12 months or more. However, NMC says: a student ”Should have been completed internship of twelve months in addition to such course referred to in clause.” Therefore, as per our understanding, a student has to do an internship in addition to the 6-year course.
The medium of instruction must be English	A number of Russian universities impart education in the English medium.  However, becoming proficient in the local language is a must as you will need to interact with patients in the Russian language during hospital visits. It will also be required for day-to-day interaction with locals. Also, you have to clear licensing exam in Russia which will be in the Russian language only.
Registered with the respective professional regulatory body and getting a license to practice in that country	Russian medical diplomas have a registration number from the competent Russian authority. However, you have to clear the accreditation exam which will be held in the Russian language to get a license to practice in Russia.

As per information received by the Indian Embassy in Russia and as per the Russian medical universities, Russia is fulfilling all the above-mentioned regulations as laid down by NMC.

As of 2023, there are very few countries which are satisfying the regulations written in FMGL Regulations, 2021. You should get in touch with Eduglobe Consultants for admission in Russia. Call us on 9899566002.

You need not worry about FMGL Regulations if you choose to study in Russia, but you need to keep a few key points in mind – 

• The total duration of the foreign medical graduation course shall be completed within ten years from the date of joining the course.
• You have to be proficient in the Russian language.
• If you go to a university with a bilingual pattern, your degree will not be valid in India.
• If you take admission without clearing NEET beforehand, your degree will not be valid in India. MBBS abroad without NEET is not possible if you want to come back to India and sit for NEXT. 

Note – in case NMC does not accept the internship which is included in the 6 years, you will have to spend another 1 year doing an internship after the 6 years in Russia.

Is MBBS in Russia valid in India?

Yes, MBBS from Russia is valid in India.

If a student studies MBBS in Russia after qualifying NEET and fulfilling the eligibility criteria set by NMC, then he or she will be allowed to appear for NEXT. You need to clear this exam in order to practice in India, your Russian MBBS degree will be valid after clearing NEXT.

The National Exit Test or NEXT will be a common licensing exam for students who do MBBS study abroad and also in India. All the rules and regulations relating to NEXT are not clear yet. NEXT is expected to start in 2024.

MBBS in Russia Fee Structure

Studying in Russia is affordable and very cheap compared to private medical universities in India. Even when compared to the medical universities in the USA/UK/Australia/EU, MBBS in Russia fees for Indian students is very affordable.

The tuition fee is only one part of the expenses. Please note that the tuition fee of most universities is fixed in Rubles and for some, it is USD. There will be other costs as well which you must consider at the time of selecting a Russian medical university to apply to. Here are the indicative figure of MBBS in Russia fees for Indian students in Rupees –

Russian medical university tuition fees	₹2.50 lakh to ₹8.50 lakh per year
Hostel fees	₹30,000 to ₹85,000 per year
Indian mess fees	₹8,000 to ₹10,000 per month
Travel expenses for flights between India to Russia	₹30,000 to ₹35,000 (one-way)
Medical Insurance	₹5,000 to 15,000 per year
Visa Extension fees	₹5,000 to 10,000 per year
Personal expenses (bills, shopping, eating out, etc.)	₹7,500 to ₹15,000 per month
NExT online coaching	₹5,000 to ₹15,000 per year
One-time charges	₹35,000 to ₹1,50,000 (one-time)
Consultancy fees + visa from India (plus other services)	₹1 lakh to 1.50 lakh (one-time)

Check University-Wise MBBS in Russia Fees

Top Universities for MBBS in Russia

While cost is a major factor when deciding the right university for you, no one looks at only the MBBS in Russia fees. Every student prefers a university that not only fits their budget but also has a high ranking and reputation. Eduglobe Consultants helps its students in securing admission to the top medical universities in Russia.

We would suggest that the students must check the FMGE passing percentage of Indian graduates from different medical universities in Russia. This will help you get an idea of the universities from which Indian graduates are performing well in the licensing exam in India.

Eduglobe Consultants has many years of experience sending students to Russia. We are in constant touch with Indian students in different Russian medical universities. Thus, we get actual and recent feedback from the students. We are committed to sending our students to only the top medical universities in Russia.

A student from Delhi answers some questions about Russia MBBS:

As per the FMGE passing ratio, fee structure in Indian rupees, student feedback, quality of education, faculty, facilities such as hostel and Indian food, and considering many other criteria, these are the best medical colleges in Russia for Indian students –

• Mordovia State University
• Kazan State Medical University
• Kursk State Medical University
• Bashkir State Medical University
• Crimea Federal University
• Kazan Federal Medical University
• Rostov State Medical University
• Northern State Medical University
• Ulyanovsk State University
• Peoples Friendship University
• Far Eastern Federal University
• Altai State University
• North Ossetian State Medical Academy
• Volgograd State Medical University
• Samara State Medical University

Is it safe to study in Russia in 2023?

The war between Russia and Ukraine broke out in March of 2022. For this reason, many parents and students feel that Russia is not a safe country anymore. However, this is far from reality. Russia continues to be a safe place for Indian students. The war is being fought in Ukraine and thus, Russia is safe for Indian students. Indian students have been going to Russia for many years now and more than 15,000 Indian students are currently studying there. 

Apart from the war and in general, Russia is a country that is friendly with Indians. Vyom Jayaswal of the Eduglobe Consultants has visited many medical universities in Russia. Indian female students have no issues regarding safety within Russia.

All Russian medical universities provide hostel facilities to Indian students which are fully safe and secure as they have entry restrictions for outsiders and have security in place. Russia is a modern country where the dominant religion is Christianity and is a safe place for international students.

Is Russia good for MBBS for Indian students?

Is it a good decision to study medicine in Russia in 2023? The answer is yes.

Russia is one of the best options for Indian students. Moreover, as discussed above, it is one of the very few countries which satisfies all the new rules and regulations as per FMGL Regulations 2021.

Is Russia good for Indian students? Find out what these students studying at Ulyanovsk State University have to say:

Russia is a good option for Indian students in 2023 because of the following reasons –

• Following NMC FMGL Regulations 2021. This means that your degree will be valid in India to appear for NExT.
• Many medical universities in Russia have high FMGE passing percentages. At the end of the day, all that matters is whether you become a doctor or not and for that, you have to clear the screening test.
• You can get admission to some of the Top-500 ranked universities in the world as Russian universities have very high rankings.
• Russia MBBS Tuition fee for Indian students in Rupees is still very affordable.
• All Russian medical universities are public or government universities.
• There is no donation or capitation fee for admission to any medical university in Russia.
• The medium of instruction will be English for the full course duration.
• Indian students have been studying in Russian universities for MBBS for many years now. Therefore, the faculty and the university have many years of experience in teaching Indian students. However, you must get in touch with Eduglobe Consultants as we will help you in selecting the best medical university in Russia.
• Russia has historically been a friendly nation to India. Russians welcome Indians and treat them with warmth.
• Indian Embassy in Moscow is always helping Indian students by issuing guidelines and providing adequate support.

MBBS in Russia is not good?

Many people will tell you that MBBS in Russia is not good. This statement is partially true and not entirely incorrect. Here disadvantages of studying in Russia:

Bilingual Course: There are many universities providing education in bilingual languages to students. This means that some years will be taught in the English language and the rest will be in the Russian language. This causes problems for the students. It is better to study at Crimea Federal University, Kazan State Medical University, and Ulyanovsk State University which provide 6-year English medium studies to the students, however, the local language is taught to the students.

Bad guidance by Agents: A lot of consultancies have never visited the university personally and are not aware of the actual situation in the universities. This means that students are misguided more often than not. This is why selecting the right consultancy is important. Eduglobe Consultants‘s Vyom Jayaswal has visited medical colleges in Russia and therefore, we can guide students in the best way.

Corruption in many universities: There is corruption in many universities where students are asked for money for passing the exams. There are many students who are happy to pay for this by themselves so that they don’t have to study. This results in poor education for such students and eventually results in failing FMGE/NEXT.

The difference in Climate: Many students are unable to adjust to the cold climate in Russia. It is to be noted that the weather will be below zero degrees for 2-3 months in a year. However, one should not go to Russia if you have any problem related to a cold climate.

Need to clear licensing exam: As per the new NMC rules (FMGL Regulations 2021), you have to get a license from the country from which you are studying medicine abroad. This means that after completing the 6-year MBBS course from Russia, you have to appear for a licensing exam in Russia. As per Indian Embassy in Moscow, this exam will be held in the local language which is Russian. Every student will have to master the language in order to clear this exam. If you study MBBS in Uzbekistan, you will not have to appear for any licensing exam. 

The banking system is not working since the war: This might be a short-term problem. Since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in March 2022, a lot of sanctions were placed on Russia. One of the problems raised because of this has been a ban on SWIFT in Russia. This led to disruption in the process of sending money from India to Russia via banks. 

Despite the problems, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages and if you select the right university through the right consultancy, your experience will be good and you will one day become a good doctor.

MBBS in Russia Duration

We have already discussed FMGL Regulations 2021 which dictates that a student must undergo a 54-month (4.5 years) medical course plus a 1-year internship.

Russia’s MBBS duration is 6 years which includes a 1-year internship or more (as per information received by various Russian medical universities and the Indian Embassy in Moscow).

Here is the screenshot of the information on the website of the Indian Embassy in Moscow (https://indianembassy-moscow.gov.in/pdf/Information%20for%20prospective%20Indian%20medical%20students.pdf).

However, if NMC does not accept this course structure at any point in the future, then you will be asked to do a 1-year internship after completion of the 6-year course duration in Russia.

Is a 5-year MBBS in Russia possible?

Many students search for 5-year Russia MBBS options. However, Russia’s MBBS duration for Indian students in 2023 is 6 years. The duration of the medicine course at Russian medical universities has never been 5 years. 

A 5-year MBBS from Russia is not possible and not available. The course duration in Russia is 6 years.

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Medium of Instruction for MBBS in Russia

In Russia, many universities teach the first few years in the English medium and then switch to the Russian medium of instruction. You must avoid bilingual universities for MBBS in Russia. If you go to any such university, your degree will not be valid in India. Here is what the Indian Embassy in Moscow, Russia has to say on the medium of instruction in Russian medical universities –

MBBS in Russia English Medium Universities

There are a lot of Russian universities which will teach the entire course in English medium. Some of the universities in Russia that teach in English medium are –

• Bashkir State University
• Mordovia State University
• Crimea Federal University
• Kazan Federal University
• Kazan State Medical University
• Ulyanovsk State University
• Volgograd State Medical University
• Rostov State Medical University
• Peoples Friendship University
• Russian National Research Medical University
• First Moscow State Medical University
• Altai State Medical University
• Omsk State Medical University

and many more.

Is it compulsory to learn the local language?

Yes, it is compulsory to learn the local language which is Russian. Even in universities which teach in English medium for the whole duration, learning the local language is compulsory.

The language course is a part of the syllabus itself. There is no extra fee for language training. The local language will be required for interaction with the patients during hospital visits. Learning the local language will also help you in day-to-day interaction with the locals.

Also, as per the FMGL Regulations 2021, you must clear the licensing exam in Russia to be eligible to appear for NExT in India. This licensing exam will be held in the Russian language. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you learn the local language.

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Education loan for MBBS in Russia

Yes, you can get an education loan for MBBS in Russia. However, you might have to go to a few banks to get an education loan as not every bank provides a loan for MBBS abroad.

A loan for studying in Russia is possible.

The banks can give you a loan of up to ₹7 or 7.5 lahks without the need for any security or collateral. For a loan of a higher amount, the bank will ask for collateral. The banks will check the documents of the parents along with details like the admission letter which you will get with the help of the Eduglobe Consultants.

For an education loan, you should first apply with a Government Bank or a PSU bank –

• Canara Bank
• State Bank of India
• Allahabad Bank
• State Bank of Mysore

Tip: The first bank you should approach for an education loan is the one where you already have an existing account.

You will have to apply with a bank which is located near your house. You cannot apply for an education loan from a bank in the country where the college is located. You will get a loan where you have house/address proof.

For complete information, check the Education loan for MBBS abroad.

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Scholarship for MBBS in Russia

The truth is that there is no scholarship for MBBS in Russia from the side of the government, university, or any NGO. Most of the claims for scholarships are nothing but marketing tactics.

By definition, a scholarship means –  “a grant or payment made to support a student’s education, awarded on the basis of academic or other achievements”. For most people, a scholarship would mean a relaxation of a significant part of the fee structure. This is unfortunately not possible. Either the parents of the students will finance their studies or you will require an education loan.

There are some universities that do provide scholarships on the basis of the performance of the students in the exams. However, this kind of scholarship will be available to a few students and hence there is no guarantee that you might get it. It is better to plan according to your budget and not depend on scholarships. We will help you in selecting the university which fits your budget. Get in touch with us today!

MBBS in Russia Review

Just like in India, there are good, decent, and bad medical universities in Russia as well. Not all medical universities in Russia are equally good. This is due to the following reasons –

• many Russian government medical universities teach in a bilingual pattern
• the English speaking faculty is not experienced in many universities
• no Indian mess is available in many colleges
• the infrastructure is not equally good in all the Russian medical colleges
• the climate is not suitable in many regions of Russia where the temperature goes as low as -50° C.

It is important to choose a university where Indian students are getting a good quality education and the students are clearing the screening test in India. Vyom Jayaswal has visited some universities in Russia and asked the students to review their experience, here are some Russia MBBS review videos –

A student from Bihar gives his views on studying at Mordovia State University, one of the best universities in Russia:

Options After completing MBBS in Russia?

MBBS in Russia is a great choice as it gives many options to students graduating from Russian universities. Please note that medical PG from Russia is not yet valid in India.

After completing their education in Russia, a student will have the following options:

Come to India: The most commonly chosen option is to come back to India and appear for NEXT (previously FMGE). Prepare for this exam, clear this exam and get your license and registration number from the Medical Council of India for medical practice in India.

Stay in Europe: After completing your degree from a medical university in Russia, you can explore the opportunities available in Russia itself and go for PG also and settle in Russia. You can also look for work in EU countries or the country of your choice. There will be exams which you will need to clear.

Medical PG and Settle Abroad: While studying, you can apply for USMLE Step 1 & 2 in case you want to settle down or practice in the United States. USMLE has 3 steps and those who clear all the 3 steps and get Permanent Registration from the medical council of the USA can practice there. PLAB, which is the licensing exam of the UK is another popular option available to students. Students can also go for PG in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

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Hostel Facility in Russia for Indian Students

Hostel video of Mordovia State University & Ulyanovsk State University:

Hostel facility is provided to students in all the universities in Russia. Vyom Jayaswal has personally visited many Russian medical universities’ hostels and the hostel facility in Russian medical universities is amongst the most comfortable and best in the world. The living cost is low in Russia.

The hostel rooms will have all the facilities like beds, almirah, tables, chairs, central heating system, etc. as you can see in the video above. Also, an Indian representative will be available 24×7 to the students in both these universities. Indian mess facility is available to the students and also, kitchen facility is there for the students. The students who wish to cook food for themselves can do so. Hostel rooms will be on sharing basis.

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Why Eduglobe Consultants for MBBS in Russia?

• Eduglobe Consultants is an official and an authorized representative of many Russian medical universities.
• We have sent more than 500+ students for studying MBBS in abroad.
• Shobhit Jayaswal has visited many Top-Russian medical universities.
• We have our own Indian partner for taking care of students in Russia.
• Right experience to provide guidance to Indian students.
• Genuine and complete information about all the universities in Russia.
• 100% visa guarantee.
• Complete admission assistance, visa assistance, assistance with foreign exchange, payment of fees, and forex card at our office.
• Assistance with flight booking, we send students in groups.
• Free study material, laptop bag, and lab coat for every student.
• We can provide references of the current students and passed-out students.

FAQs about Studying MBBS in Russia

Will the student travel alone to Russia or with other students?

The students do not travel alone. We make sure that the students travel in a group from India with other students going to the same university.

From which airport do students travel?

The students will be travelling from IGI Terminal-3 Airport in Delhi.

How will I communicate with my parents once I reach the airport in Russia?

The students can use the free WiFi facility available at the airports in Russia. They can use WhatsApp calling to connect with their relatives back in India.

How will the students get a Russian SIM card?

Eduglobe Consultants makes sure that all the students who go to Russia through us will get a SIM card once they reach the hostel.

How will I get local currency to manage my day-to-day expenses?

Before departure to Russia, you need to get a Forex Card or International Debit Card issued from a bank in India. With this, you can withdraw Ruble from an ATM in Russia.

What is the travel duration from India to Russia?

There are multiple options to travel from India to Russia. The duration of travel will also depend on where the university is located. A direct flight from Delhi to Moscow is of around 7 hours.

Do I need to carry a laptop to Russia?

Yes, it is recommended that you carry a laptop to assist with your medical education.

Should I submit my fees to my consultancy in India?

Absolutely not. You should transfer the fees to the university’s bank account.

How much luggage can I carry to Russia?

It will depend on the flight. On most flights, you get to carry 30 kg + 10 kg.

Can I get snow jackets from India?

You can easily get snow jackets from India. If you are traveling in September, then there is no need to buy one from India.

Is Indian food available in Russia?

Indian food is available to the students at the Indian mess located at the universities. There is no Indian mess at many universities. At these universities, the students have to cook food for themselves by using the kitchen facility provided to them at the hostel.

Can I cook food for myself?

Yes, you can cook food at the kitchen facility available to you in the hostel. There are no extra charges for using the kitchen facility.

Is a single-seater room available at the hostel?

Most of the rooms are 2, 3, or 4 seaters in the hostels. If you wish for a single-seater room, then you can do so by opting to move out of the hostel and into an apartment.

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