Introduction

MBBS is a vital qualification requirement to practice medicine in any country. It has become one of the most sought after degree similar to Engineering and MBA. However, due to the complexity of the nature of the medical studies, it is one of the costliest graduation available in the world. Countries like the UK, USA and India have a really high fees structure regarding MBBS. Due to the higher fees structure, several students from all around the globe seek feasible options and try to find colleges in other countries where education is affordable.

Ukraine ranks among the top five countries in European territory for the highest number of postgraduate students or professionals in the field of medicine. The government of Ukraine financially supports the medical field and it is administered by the Ministry of Education & Science, and the Ministry of Healthcare. Hence, MBBS in Ukraine is low in cost compared to other countries across the globe. Many students from countries like India and Pakistan apply for MBBS in Ukraine for rich prospects and thorough studies that establish them as a medical professional.

 

Why MBBS from Ukraine

The primary reason to pursue MBBS from Ukraine is the marginally low fee structure compared to other institutes around the world. Despite being cheap, the quality of the education is on par with the top bodies and each institute offers qualified professionals as teachers. The practical orientation of the class structure and individual attention to each student’s growth also makes it a qualitative platform. There is a lower cost of living in Ukraine, making it a highly preferred education center for MBBS and other qualifications.

It is easier to avail options like scholarships or apply for loans and redeem them easily. There are several rich scholarship programs that a student can opt for during their studies, making education much more feasible. Putting that with the already marginally lower cost of living and studies, Ukraine becomes almost affordable by any individual without posting many challenges.

There are also minimal qualification requirements and no specific cutoffs that would hinder the admission. English qualifications like IELTS and TOEFL are also not a mandatory requirement by the institutes. Although there is an option for you to learn a new language, it is not compulsory and you can choose English as the medium of language. Many universities offer English medium as a primary option.

MBBS Institutes in Ukraine are recognized by WHO, MCI, UNESCO and several other prestigious organizations from around the globe in different countries. Hence, it is easier to practice as a licensed professional due to the world recognition of the degree. You may require to complete additional tests, like how MCI conducts screening tests, but the institutes prepare you for them meticulously.
 

About Ukraine

Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe, located in the eastern region of the continent. It is surrounded by several world-famous countries like Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. Being in the rich continent of Europe, it offers everyone a chance to explore its rich culture and history, it also comprises of several scenic landscapes and blessings from nature.

More importantly, Ukraine offers fantastic and comfortable climate conditions for everyone. It has an overall moderate climate where winters are not too cold, and summer are not too hot. For students from countries like India, it is a comfortable destination for studies. People of Ukraine are welcoming and kind, they find delight in talking to people of other countries and helping them. The country has a 100% literacy rate that showcases its potential in the field of education.

 

Difference between Ukraine and Indian MBBS

Pursuing MBBS in India is not easy. It is costly and the fees can range anywhere from 20 Lakhs to 1 crore Indian rupees per annum. Whereas, average tuition fees for medical studies in Ukraine is around 2.5 lakhs per annum. Even if you mix the cost for accommodation around 50,000 INR, Medical insurance around 20,000 INR and medical checkup for 13,000 INR per year, it will still cost marginally lower, peaking at 5 lakhs per annum. Admission and registration fees are also a mere 6,500 INR.

The highly competitive examination of NEET is also extremely challenging and usually, top-ranked students are picked for admission in prestigious colleges. Other students would still need to qualify NEET to be considered for admission, and they are usually required to make a donation to get enrolled or considered for admission.

Many international conferences and seminars take place in Ukrainian colleges and students are encouraged to attend them. The facilities in the institutes are state of the art and if there is any financial requirement regarding anything from facilities to research, the government offers complete support. These institutes also offer many extracurricular activities to indulge students and cover every aspect of their life. More importantly, the curriculum is not exhaustive or rigorous as it would be in India. Hence, you can spend an apt time tuning yourself to become an overall progressive professional.

Cost of living in Ukraine

Anyone can maintain a quality lifestyle in Ukraine with minimal expenses. On average, the food would cost anywhere around 5,000 to 8,000 INR per month, there is an Indian mess available for students. Medical checkups are included in a package that cost around 6,000 for one time. If you decide to live on rent, it can cost anywhere from 6,000 to 15,000 INR per month while hostels would cost around 45,000 to 50,000 INR per year. Overall, as a student, you will need around 15,000 to 20,000 INR per month to maintain a high-quality lifestyle in Ukraine.

Other expenses like Wi-Fi, shopping, additional luxuries and leisures are up to students and their disposal. While campus offers Wi-Fi, it won’t be offered in an apartment or any other separate body you’re living in. Hence, it is preferable if students start by living in hostels of the institute they have enrolled in.

 

Fees in the top universities

The fees in Ukraine is usually higher for first-year because it covers all other procedures, from 2nd year the fees get lower and remain the same throughout the course of 6 years. Additional costs like Medical Insurance and Visa renewal may require a separate installment.

Following is the list of top Medical Colleges in Ukraine and their fees structure:

 

Name	Tuition Fees for 1st Year	Hostel Fee and Health Insurance for 1st year	Total fees for 1st year	Tuition Fees for 2nd to 6th year (Per year)	Hostel Fee and Health Insurance (per year)	Total fees per year for 2nd to 6th year	Total fees for the entire course (Approx)
Bogomolets National Medical University	4.2 Lakhs	1.26 Lakhs	5.5  Lakhs	3.15  Lakhs	1.26 Lakhs	4.5 Lakhs	28 Lakhs
Kharkiv National Medical University	3.71 Lakhs	85,000	4.5  Lakhs	3 Lakhs	85,000	3.9  Lakhs	24 Lakhs
V.N Karazina Kharkiv National Medical University	3.71 Lakhs	85,000	4.5 Lakhs	3 Lakhs	85,000	3.9 Lakhs	24 Lakhs
Poltava National Medical University	4.1 Lakhs	85,000	5 Lakhs	2.8 Lakhs	85,000	3.7 Lakhs	23.5 Lakhs
Vinnitsa National Medical University	3.9 Lakhs	70,000	4.6 Lakhs	3.1 Lakhs	70,000	3.8 Lakhs	23.6 Lakhs
Odessa National Medical University	3.85 Lakhs	1 Lakh	4.85 Lakhs	2.8 Lakhs	1 Lakh	3.8 Lakhs	24 Lakhs
Dnipropetrovsk State Medical Academy	3.3 Lakhs	84,000	4.2 Lakhs	2.5 Lakhs	84,000	3.4 Lakhs	21.2 Lakhs
Zaporozhye State Medical University	3.5 Lakhs	85,000	4.4 Lakhs	2.8 Lakhs	85,000	3.7 Lakhs	23 Lakhs
Kiev Medical University	3.64 Lakhs	1 Lakh	4.64 Lakhs	2.5 Lakhs	35,000	2.9 Lakhs	19 Lakhs
International Academy of Ecology and Medicine	3.85 Lakhs	1 Lakh	4.85 Lakhs	2.8 Lakhs	1 Lakhs	3.8 Lakhs	24 Lakhs

 

• Above given fees is in INR (Indian Rupees) format and provides approximate values. They are subjected to change according to the Universities and their requirements.
• Indian Mess option is also available in many of these universities for around 100-150 USD or 7,000 to 10,000 INR per month.  (Calculations are based on 1 USD = 70 INR)

Some universities also offer facilities like half-yearly payment of the tuition fees while others offer yearly fee options. Thus, you do not have to submit an entire sum of money at the beginning of the course.

 

The curriculum of MBBS in Ukraine

The duration of MBBS in Ukraine is of 5.8 years, the student is given an additional 4 months for an internship and other procedures. Each year is divided into two semesters. Examination of the first semester takes place in January while the second-semester examination takes place in July. Students receive 15 days of winter vacations and 1 month of summer vacation each year. Classes offer a practical approach to the students and each class comprises a lower number of students compared to other international institutes, especially Indian. Hence, they maintain a healthy student to teacher ratio for individual attention.

While the medium of education is English, a student can also take an optional language course that might add one more year to their qualification. But it might prove to be beneficial as it will add multi-lingual in a student’s profile and also help them communicate with patients in Ukraine and Russia in case they decide to pursue their career in these countries.
 

Eligibility Criteria

There is no requirement to attend any entrance examination. You don’t need to qualify or possess TOEFL and IELTS certifications either. The universities in Ukraine do not follow entrance exam or aptitude tests and you can directly apply for admission as long as you meet the following requirements:
 

• The minimum age requirement of the student is 17 and the maximum can be 25 years by the 31st December of the year of admission.
• NEET Qualification is mandatory and a student should present the scorecard. As per new education policies, it is possible to also offer another qualification that is equivalent to the qualification required for the medical course.
• Eligibility certificate has become important and should be attained by a student after 10+2 qualification. For medical, Physics, Chemistry and Biology are the mandatory subjects to pass and with a minimum of 50% marks.
• If opting for a post-graduation, an additional one year of internship in a recognized institution also becomes pivotal.

 

Application Procedure

While there is no requirement of any entrance examination, a student needs to produce a valid NEET scorecard for evaluation. As long as they meet the eligibility criteria, they will be considered for the curriculum determined by the Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Education in Ukraine.

Apart from filling the form, you are required to provide the following documentations:

• Passing Certificate and Statement of Marks of 10th and 12th Class which also acts as proof of your date of birth.
• Six passport-sized photographs that follow international guidelines of white background and other important points.
• Photocopy of the passport should be presented.
• Medical reports with recent examinations, especially HIV test report should be provided from a recognized hospital or clinic.
• Eligibility Certificate or NEET Scorecard.

Make sure that these documents are translated by a qualified translator from the Embassy of Ukraine and also attach the ones in English. You can attach and send these documents through E-mail. Payment is easy as online transfer automatically changes the currency of the funds. Receipt of the payment might be required by the institute.

The authorized representative of the university will carefully examine your documents and conduct necessary counseling or screening before approving. After approval, you will receive an invitation letter or admission letter from the institute with a visa support letter. Once you get the Visa support letter, it will be easier for you to apply for a visa and receive it.