Right from the Soviet era, Russia has been an exceedingly popular destination for pursuing MBBS studies. In particular, Russian MBBS colleges are preferred by Indian students.

The trend got underway in the year 1996, wherein Indian students began to travel to Russia to pursue MBBS studies. Over the past 25 years, 6,000 students have returned back to India after completing their MBBS studies in Russia.

The new avenues for MBBS education were opened by MCI approved medical colleges in Russia. One of the factors that make MBBS education in Russia preferable for Indian students is the low fees for the colleges. Russian MBBS colleges now attract nearly 3,500 students each year.

When one enrolls in an MCI approved MBBS College in Russia, his degree is recognized in India and he can practice medicine in India. A number of countries across the globe recognize degrees by Russian MBBS colleges. So the students are empowered to practice medicine anywhere in the world after passing out from a Russian medical college. Across the decade gone by, there has been a tenfold increase in Indian students traveling to Russia for medical education.

In Russian universities, the medium of education is frequently English, Russian or bilingual. So one must try and go for a college that teaches medicine in English unless one knows Russian. The student to teacher ratio in Russian universities is 1:7.

MBBS in Russia

About Russia

Russia is a nation situated in Asia and Eastern Europe. By land area, Russia is the largest country in the world. It covers one-eighth of the land area across the world.

The huge size of the nation, along with its distance away from large water bodies results in a continental climate for the country. This implies that there are extreme temperatures in summers and winters, and the difference in average temperature between summers and winters is huge.

This trend in climate is consistent throughout Russia. Tundra region and extreme southeast of Russia are different.

Russia is known for its harsh winters. A few of the coldest places in the world are in Russia. In some places, the lowest daily temperatures in winters are in the line of -30 degrees Celsius and lower.

But Russia has all climate zones, except the tropical zone. The Volga is the main river in the country which flows right to the Caspian Sea.

Towards the south of Russia are mountains. They obstruct the flow of warm air from the Indian Ocean. But plains in west and north allow the nation to receive Atlantic and Arctic influences.

European Russia hence has a humid climate throughout the year. This is where the cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg are located. Around the Scandinavian Peninsula, the subarctic climate is prominent. In Northeast Siberia, the winters are severe.

Russia is also frequently mentioned as the Russian Federation, which is the official name of Russia.

Russia’s capital is Moscow, which is also the largest city in the world. Russia’s population is 146.6 million. Democracy prevails in Russia.

Vladimir Putin has bought political stability in Russia, which makes the country a brighter prospect for Indian students to study medicine.

Why study medical in Russia?

Average MBBS fees in Russia varies in midst of the bracket 2.5 Lakhs to 5 lakhs yearly. The cost is low because the Russian government grants subsidies over medical education. This is more affordable as compared to the fees of medical colleges in India or Europe. But a bright career in medicine is assured for the students.

Each of the medical universities in Russia is approved by WHO and MCI. Students go not just from India, but from all over the world for their medical education in Russia. The quality of medical education granted by Russian universities is high. Students also find practical working exposure to healing patients and working over advanced equipment.

Residing in Russia, while one’s medical education lasts is easy and comfortable. The students can enroll for fully furnished hostels provided by Russian universities. Moreover, the students are also eligible for a scholarship if they meet the scholarship criteria.

All Indian students get full medical treatment while their course lasts. They are medically ensured. MCI screening test, FMGE or the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination is also kept in mind by Russian professors and medical universities while teaching medical science.

A few of the top Russian universities have been teaching medicine for as long as 150 years now. They ensure a good career for Indian students.

Another enticing factor of medical education in Russian colleges is the low cost of living. It is nearly half of what it used to be in 2013. Similarly, the fee is also lower from what it used to be.

Eligibility criteria for admission to Russian medical colleges are lower as well. They initiate from 50% to 65% in 12th PCB.

But while the demand for medical education is high, the number of seats is limited. So, one has to act in a timely manner to access the seats. International students from all countries are vying for them, and they are granted on a first-come-first-serve basis.

One also has to meet the eligibility criteria as defined by the Russian Universities and the MCI, or the Medical Council of India for the Indian aspirants of Russian medical education.

Let us take a look at the MCI’s criteria for Indian aspirants of Russian Medical Education:

1. The age group must lie within 17 and 25 years, on 31st December of the year of taking admission.

2. One must pass class 12th with PCB as subjects, from an institution recognized by authorities in India.

3. One must secure at least 50% marks in PCB for class 12th.

4. Qualifying for the NEET exam is a must.

MBBS in Russia for Indian Students 

Applications dates and the related deadlines

For admission to a medical college in Russia for MBBS, the applications are characteristically accepted starting from 1st May each year. This varies from one college or university to the other.

It is preferable to fill up the admission forms from 1st April to 31st July. By 30th July, the applications must be submitted.

Applying early is likely to render more choices at hand for an Indian aspirant for medical education in Russia.

Academic sessions

In each academic year in Russia are two semesters. The first among the two initiates in September and lasts through to January. Similarly, the second semester starts in February and lasts up to July. Towards the end of each semester, students appear for examinations. They have two weeks' holiday in winter and a two months break in summers.

A few of the top benefits for Russian medical education for Indian aspirants:

• No donation
• Subsidized course fee
• Degrees granted by Russian medical universities are recognized worldwide. The medical colleges are recognized by top medical councils across the world, including WHO, MCI, FAIMER, and IMED.
• Most medical universities make Indian canteen available
• A high success rate for MCI screening test
• Russian medical universities offer references for students. They can work in leading hospitals worldwide. The pass-outs work not just in India as doctors, but also in countries such as the UK, the USA, Canada, and Australia.
• Each of the medical universities in Russia is the Government of Russia university. The Russian government regulates the universities.
• Strong political and economic connections shared by Indian universities make Russia a prime destination for medical studies.
• Russian medical universities are deeply focused upon theoretical and practical aspects of education.
• The faculty at Russian medical colleges is commendable. They are experienced and talented.
• Admission processes are easy and smooth.
• Russian medical colleges open up a world of possibilities for the students who take admission.
• The hospitals are well equipped and boost the odds of tertiary education for the students.

List of documents required for admission to a Russian University:

• Admission form – duly filled
• Scanned copies of class 10 and 12 mark sheets
• Scanned copies of NEET result
• 6 passport-sized photographs in a white background
• A scanned copy of the student’s passport (first and last page)
• Birth certificate in English. It may otherwise be translated into, notarized.
• Official admission letter from a Russian university.
• Each of the documents authorized by the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.
• Visa fees
• The bank receipt that you receive for payment of first-year tuition fees. This is required by some of the universities.

MBBS in Russia for Indian students Fee Structure

There is some favorable news in store for Indian students who are planning to study medicine in Russia or in any of the overseas universities. The government of India has introduced an amendment in eligibility of Indian students for admission into foreign medical universities for undergraduate courses.

Following NEET 2019, the result of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test would be valid for three years, following the date of declaration of the results. This is useful in emergency scenarios of varied natures. If a student fails to go and get admission to an overseas medical university for any reason, he can go ahead with the same in the year that follows.

This is a new and favorable change. Earlier, the result of NEET used to be valid for one year only. 

Let us take a look at a few tips for the selection of the right country to study MBBS abroad:

A student and his parents/guardians must analyze the country which is best suited for their child to complete medical studies from abroad. Here are the parameters that influence decision making and which they must keep in mind:

• Decide upon your budget you would spend on studying MBBS abroad.
• The number of Indian students who are already doing their medical studies in that country.
• How cold does it get during winters?
• Does the student need to learn any specific languages for completing his studies?
• Do the studies take place only in English, or is it a bilingual structure of studies that are undertaken?
• Is the environment safe for Indian students, within and outside campus?
• How different is the culture from the culture that prevails within India?
• Is the locality populous, or are there any populous cities in the vicinity, which ensures a higher influx of patients?
• Cost of living in a country where the overseas university is located.

Similarly, a few factors must be kept in mind for choosing the overseas university for study as well:

• The university’s grade.
• How many years of experience does it have in teaching MBBS studies to overseas students?
• What is the size of hospital affiliations, or how many hospital beds does the medical university have?
• How large is the library?
• Do they have a canteen that offers Indian food?
• What is the tuition fee? Take the hostel fee into consideration as well.
• How many Indian students are there on the campus?

What is the grade of an overseas university?

A number of factors are considered to define the grade of a university. They include the number of years of experience a university has in imparting medical education to foreign students. Similarly, patient flow, hospital bed affiliations, investments made over laboratory and equipment, English speaking teachers, library size and student to faculty ratio is some other factors that help define the grade of a university.

Campus life

Campus life for Indian students in Russian medical colleges is healthy and happy. Of the 4,500 Indian students currently studying in Russia, 80% are medical students. Infrastructure and accommodation for the students are of the finest quality. Each of the facilities is made available at subsidized costs.

The environment that the students come across is multicultural. Each year, a number of festivals and cultural activities are organized within the universities. When students participate in such events, it gives them a glimpse into varied cultures.

The universities also enable a good fitness environment for the students. Sports facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, basketball courts, football ground, and badminton courts are frequently made available.

The students, both Indians and those from other countries have a choice at returning to their native country and practice medicine over there.

The best in the class living environment in Russia makes it a highly lucrative destination for a student intending to complete medical education from abroad.

Duration of an MBBS course from Russia:

• For students who have chosen Russian as their medium of education, the duration of an MBBS course is 6 years.

• If English is chosen as a medium for completing medical education, the duration of the MBBS course is 6 years.
• If a student chooses English as his medium of education, he is still taught basic Russian.

 Let us take a look at top medical universities for an MBBS in Russia 2020:

1. Kazan State Medical University, KAZAN

2. Altai State Medical University, ALTAI

3. Crimean Federal University, CRIMEA

4. Dagestan State Medical University

5. Kursk State Medical University

6. Irkutsk State Medical University

7. Mari State Medical University, MARIY EL

8. Bashkir State Medical University

9. Orel State University

10. First Moscow State Medical University

11. Nizhny Novgorod State Medical University

12. Kazan Federal University

13. Northern State Medical University

14. Omsk State Medical University

15. Novosibirsk State Medical University

16. Orenburg State Medical University

17. Ryazan State Medical University

18. Perm State Medical University

19. Saint Petersburg State Medical University

20. Tambov State University

21. Smolensk State Medical University

22. Belgorod State University

23. People’s friendship university of Russia

24. Tver State Medical University

25. Pirogov Russian NRM University

26. Siberian State Medical University

27. Saratov State Medical University

28. Volgograd State Medical University

29. Syktyvkar State Medical University

List of Medical Colleges in Russia