MBBS in Russia: Admission 2024-2025, Fees, Top Colleges, Placements & Salaries

MBBS in Russia is a 6-year full-time program that combines academic training and practical clinical experience. Over 20,000 students from India go for an MBBS in Russia every year. The country has 54 Russian universities approved by the Medical Council of India for an MBBS degree. Students generally complete their degrees in Russia and come back to India to practice medicine. The licensing exam conducted by the MCI to practice in India is called FMGE, and it will be replaced with NExT in August 2025.

With average tuition fees of 3,87,828 RUB (3.48 lakhs INR), it is a comparatively affordable study-abroad option for Indian students, even cheaper than private medical colleges in India. Plus, the almost equal currency values make the cost of living in Russia similar to that in India.

It is taught in English at many colleges but doesn’t have any English Language Proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, etc) requirements. However, English is one of the prerequisite subjects for MBBS in Russia, apart from Physics, Chemistry and Biology. At colleges where the programs are conducted in Russian, students are taught the Russian language as an extra subject from the first year.

You need a minimum of 50% in each subject to be eligible for admission to MCI-approved Russian medical schools. A NEET requirement score of 150 (out of 720) is considered enough for admission to MBBS in Russia. This makes you eligible to come back to India and practice medicine.

Top Medical Schools in Russia

As of 2019, the Medical Council of India made it mandatory for students wishing to pursue MBBS abroad, including in Russia, to clear the NEET exam. The rule applies to all Indian citizens intending to practice medicine in India after completing their MBBS degree in Russia. The top 10 colleges in Russia for the MBBS (General Medicine) program along with their application deadlines are tabulated below.

MCI-Approved Medical Colleges in Russia

The recognition status of medical universities by NMC, WHO, and WDOMS will help you ensure the college you’re looking at is legit. The Medical Council of India has approved a total of 54 medical colleges in Russia. The full list is provided below.

• Altai State Medical University
• Astrakhan State Medical University
• Bashkir State Medical University
• Belgorod State National Research University
• Chechen State University

… [View Full List]

Why Study MBBS in Russia?

• Russian medical colleges are high ranked providing quality education with substantial practical training.
• Indian medical colleges have only 30% practical training and theory covers 70% of the course, whereas Russian medical colleges have 70% practical training (internship) and 30% theory.
• Many Russian medical universities offer MBBS programs taught entirely in English, removing the language barrier for international students.
• The student-faculty ratio in Russian medical colleges is 17:1, ensuring better individual attention.
• The value of 1 Russian ruble is roughly equivalent to 0.9 Indian rupees, indicating that the economies of India and Russia are almost on par. As a result, accommodation and other costs are comparable to those in India.

Check Out: Study in Russia

MBBS Admission in Russia

The majority of Russian medical universities offer admissions in two intakes:

• September Intake (Main Intake)
• February Intake (Additional Intake)

The application period for MBBS in Russia usually falls between May and August for the main September intake.

MBBS in Russia Eligibility for Indian Students

Admission to medical colleges in Russia is a straightforward process, with some colleges not having a minimum academic score. All you need as an Indian student is:

• Senior secondary education with 50% in English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

NEET Requirement for MBBS in Russia

• NEET is not mandatory for all Indian students aiming to take admission to Russian universities or to practice in Russia.*
• Note: However, you will not be eligible to practice medicine in India without NEET. A score of 150 out of 720 in NEET can secure admission to MBBS in Russia.

Russian Student Visa

You can apply for a student visa at the Russian Embassy (Consular Department) or the Russian Consulate in India. The documents you’ll need are:

• A negative HIV test report, issued within the last three months
• 3.5 x 4.5 cm (1.18 x 1.57 inches) photographs with white background
• A passport with at least 18 months of validity
• Official and original invitation to enter Russia
• Application form
• Application fees (INR 8,360 for a single entry)
• Proof of funds

Cost of MBBS in Russia

The cost to study MBBS in Russia is almost equivalent to India in terms of tuition and other expenses. A detailed breakdown is given below.

MBBS in Russia Tuition Fees

Some top universities for MBBS in Russia, like Kazan State Medical University, Siberian State Medical University, etc, fall under 20-25 lakh INR. The high-end medical colleges, like the Northern State Medical University, cost up to 35 lakh INR in Russia. The tuition fees for some of the top universities for MBBS in Russia are:

Affordable MBBS Colleges in Russia for Indian Students

The Russian medical colleges that have the most Indian students include:

Cost of Living in Russia

The cost of living in Russia is not much higher than in India. The estimated monthly expenditure and living expenses for an international student is around 60,000 RUB (53,900 INR), with the majority of the cost being spent on accommodation.

A breakdown of living costs is outlined in the chart below.

MBBS in Russia vs MBBS at Private Colleges in India

If your NEET exam scores are above average, your options in the medical field include private colleges in India and medical schools abroad. Here’s why MBBS in Russia is the better alternative:

• The quality of education that Indian private universities provide at a cost of nearly INR 1 crore can be achieved under 20 lakh in Russian universities.
• Studying in Russia would mean increased international exposure, as you can attend and present at international conferences.
• The research programs in Russian institutes, like Privolzhsky Research Medical University and Kazan State Medical University, are world-class.
• You can also attend government universities in Russia with subsidized fee structures with your NEET score, like the Bashkir State Medical University.

In India, you will be studying in a college, while in Russia, you will attend a university. This means you’ll have access to more courses and programs, and will have better opportunities for research work.