Many Indian students prefer sojourning abroad for further MBBS (and other) studies. One such destination is the UK, a territory with an efficient education system. There are many other reasons why the UK is a splendid choice for Indian MBBS students.
This post looks at them and the several other aspects of undertaking an MBBS programme in the UK.
Table of Contents
- MBBS in UK: Course Highlights
- Benefits of Studying MBBS in UK
- MBBS Colleges in UK for Indian Students
- MBBS Duration in UK
- MBBS in UK for Indian Students: Fees
- Cost of Living in UK
- MBBS in UK: Eligibility Criteria
- Exams Required to Study MBBS in UK
- Study MBBS in UK with Scholarship
- PG in UK after MBBS
- How to Study MBBS in UK?
- FAQ
MBBS in UK: Course Highlights
Course highlights can differ from university to university.
The following are the course highlights of Oxford University.
Also Read: Masters in Endodontics in the UK
Program |
Medicine |
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Course |
BMBCH |
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Duration of the Course |
6 Years |
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Eligibility |
For Indian international students:
For Indian international medical students: Entrance requirements: A*AA (excluding Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and General Studies) Subject requirements: Chemistry with either Maths, Further Maths, Biology or Physics |
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Entrance Exams |
BMAT
Note:- These are just a few Oxford entrance exams. More can be found on: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/for-international-students/ER |
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Tuition Fees |
Pre-clinical - INR3527227.38 Clinical - INR4658240.50 |
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Jobs |
Medical doctor Cardiologist Anaesthetist Neurologist Clinical Forensic Medical Examiner Ophthalmologist Sports and Exercise Medicine Psychiatrist, etc |
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Average Salary |
Medical Doctor - $222/year Cardiologist - $302,978/year Anaesthetist - $307,342/year Neurologist - $232,904/year Clinical Forensic Medical Examiner - $102,594/year Ophthalmologist - $228,630/year Sports and Exercise Medicine - $182,807/year Psychiatrist - $218,146/year |
Benefits of Studying MBBS in UK
- The UK boasts 4 of the world's top 10 universities as well as the second most Nobel Prize winners, the UK is a renowned global leader in education and hence an excellent study destination not only for MBBS but also for other disciplines
- Being a global leader in education implies that certificates obtained from UK institutions attract worldwide respect or recognition
- International students have opportunities of being awarded scholarships, grants, bursaries, and other forms of financial assistance.
- It is a G7 member state meaning that you would be studying in one of the most advanced economies on earth
- Not only is the UK highly developed but it also boasts modern state-of-the-art research (and other educational) facilities
- Medical students can easily go for an internship in any of the several prestigious hospitals in the UK
- The UK offers a wider career scope with a lot of rewarding jobs (either as a student or after graduation) as well as networking opportunities with people from all over the world
- Being the home of English language, it presents an opportunity for foreign non-native English students to improve their written and spoken English language skills
- It is an opportunity to tour around and learn the culture of one of the world's most influential empires
Also Read:
MBBS in AustraliaMBBA in Canada
MBBS in USA
MBBS in Ireland
MBBS Colleges in UK for Indian Students
Name of the University |
QS World Ranking |
University of Edinburgh |
16 |
University of Oxford |
2 |
Imperial College London |
7 |
University of Cambridge |
3 |
University College London |
8 |
King’s college London |
35 |
University of Bristol |
62 |
Newcastle University |
134 |
Queen Mary University of London |
117 |
University of Manchester |
27 |
MBBS Duration in UK
MBBS Courses last five (or sometimes six years, especially if the degree is intercalated): pre-clinical studies that last for three in an academic setting and clinical training of between two to three years in a teaching hospital and in community settings. There is close integration between medical schools and teaching hospitals.
MBBS in UK for Indian Students: Fees
MBBS tuition fees rank among the highest in the tertiary education system.
Here is a breakdown of tuition fees in some quality UK institutions.
Name of the University |
Duration |
Annual Tuition Fees in INR |
University of Edinburgh |
6 years (MBChB) |
INR3076739.85 (pre-clinical); INR4782843.64 (clinical) |
University of Oxford |
6 years (BMBCH) |
INR3527227.38 (pre-clinical); INR4658240.50 (clinical) |
Imperial College London |
6 years MBBS/BSc |
INR4471335.79 |
University of Cambridge |
MB, BChir |
INR5841203.55 |
University College London |
MBBS |
INR3642245.66 |
King’s College London |
5 years or 6 years if an optional intercalated degree is undertaken (MBBS) |
INR4106152.74 |
University of Bristol |
5 years (MBChB) |
INR3527227.38 |
Newcastle University |
5 tears (MBBS) |
INR3450548.52 |
Queen Mary University of London |
5 years (MBBS) |
INR4073564.23 |
University of Manchester |
6 years (MBChB) |
INR 2779608.53 (pre-clinical); INR4600731.36 (clinical) |
Cost of Living in UK
Apart from the comparatively higher tuition fees facing international medical students, they also have so many other sundry expenses to incur, especially those without support networks such as family members, relatives, and close friends in their study countries.
However, for an independent undergraduate or postgraduate student, living costs in the UK can depend on your lifestyle, city of abode, and budget. For instance, international students wishing to study in London are required to show evidence indicating that they can spend at least £1,334 per month for up to 9 months while those outside London should be able to spend from £1,023 per month for up to 9 months.
But Oxford University estimates that a single, full-time student, with no dependants needs to spend between £1,215 and £1,755 per month in 2022-23.
Read More About: Cost of Living in UK
Below is a detailed breakdown of the university's cost of living estimates for international students.
Kind of Expenses |
Amount in GBP |
|||
Per month |
Total for 9 months |
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Lower range |
Upper range |
Lower range |
Upper range |
|
Food |
£290 |
£410 |
£2,610 |
£3,690 |
Accommodation |
£680 |
£810 |
£6,120 |
£7,290 |
Personal items |
£135 |
£260 |
£1,215 |
£2,340 |
Social activities |
£45 |
£120 |
£405 |
£1,080 |
Study costs |
£45 |
£100 |
£405 |
£900 |
Other |
£20 |
£55 |
£180 |
£495 |
Total |
£1,215 |
£1,755 |
£10,935 |
£15,795 |
MBBS in UK: Eligibility Criteria
The following requirements must be met by Indian undergraduate medicine students hoping to study medicine in the UK:
- The student must be above 18 years old.
- He or she must have a GPA of over 90% in the 12th grade. Students must have completed International Boards or ICSE/CBSE.
- The student must achieve success in UK entrance exams such as UKCAT, GAMSAT, and BMAT.
- Possess the required A-level: AAA, including chemistry and any other science subject, for example, math, biology, physics, or psychology.
- Score at least 7.5 overall in IELTS, with no component having a score that is below 7.0.
For postgraduate studies, the conditions listed below must be met.
- An undergraduate degree not lower than 2:2 grade.
- Passing necessary tests like the PLAB, GAMSAT, UCAT, or BMAT.
- Having the required scores in English language proficiency tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, and others
- Professional work experience (several universities require a minimum of two years of professional work experience that excludes the internship period)
- Excellent recommendations
- A strong and persuasive personal statement
- The institution you obtained your first degree from must be recognized by the General Medical Council (GMC) of the UK
Exams Required to Study MBBS in UK
Below are some exams that may be required to study MBBS programmes in the UK.
Exam |
Minimum Score |
GAMSAT |
50 (Can differ from university to university) |
BMAT |
No uniform scoring; usage differs from university to university |
70 (can differ from university to university) |
|
600 (can differ from university to university) |
|
7.0 (can differ from university to university) |
|
UCAT |
2650 (can differ from university to university) |
51 (can differ from university to university) |
|
Score over 163/780 (can differ from university to university) |
Study MBBS in UK with Scholarship
Name of the Scholarship |
Details |
Eligibility |
Amount in GBP |
Chevening Scholarship |
This programme assists talented professionals who have shown prior leadership abilities and outstanding success in their fields. |
You must:
|
No fixed amount. Covers a lot of areas with varying amounts, e.g., the “event travel top-up amount” below is just one of the several areas.
|
Commonwealth Scholarship |
Students from Commonwealth countries may apply for fellowships and scholarships through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom. |
You must:
Note:- The eligibility criteria for each type of scholarship and fellowship vary. |
No fixed amount. Covers a lot of areas. Eg:- stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,116 per month, or £1,369 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2020-2021 levels) |
Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarship |
These scholarships are awarded to Indian students who are in their early or mid-career and have expertise in the arts, heritage conservation, or humanities. |
You must:
|
No fixed amount. Varies according to the many grants offered by CWIT |
Great Scholarship |
The GREAT Britain Initiative of the UK government and the British Council's Study UK campaign have partnered to finance this scholarship. |
You must: Be an international student from one of the following countries:
Have an undergraduate degree that will enable you to enter a postgraduate (taught) program in a UK university. Be motivated and academically able to follow a UK postgraduate course. Be active in the field with work experience or proven interest in the subject area. Meet the English language requirement of the UK university. |
Each scholarship is worth a minimum of £10,000 towards tuition fees for a one-year taught postgraduate course |
PG in UK after MBBS
Like in other disciplines, there are several PG opportunities in the UK after MBBS. But before being admitted into a PG programme in medicine, you have to clear exams such as the UKCAT (or UCAT), GAMSAT, or the two-part PLAB which is the most widely accepted exam for foreign MBBS graduates. The PLAB test is the main way of determining whether International Medicine graduates demonstrate that they possess the necessary knowledge and skills to practice in the UK. It is conducted by the GMC of the UK. Passing PLAB is a sufficient condition to get registered by the GMC, a compulsory requirement in the UK.
If you do not want to use the PLAB route, there are few UK institutions (such as the British University) that admit international medical graduates without having to write a PLAB test. This privilege comes under a partnership involving a number of medical organisations in the UK. The programme allows international PG students to be registered by the GMC without PLAB. However, students that have sat for and failed PLAB previously are not eligible for this waiver.
Another way to escape PLAB is via passing the MRCP exam. MRCP is a postgraduate medical diploma in the UK that also attracts the all-important GMC registration
You'll also have to obtain the required grade in English language proficiency tests such as IELTS and TOEFL. Several universities require a minimum of two years of professional work experience (that excludes your internship period). Finally, the institution you obtained your first degree must be recognized by the GMC.
Also Read:
Healthcare Courses in the UK
Masters in Healthcare Management UK
Healthcare Management Courses UK
Masters in Public Health in UK
How to Study MBBS in UK?
- The first step is to choose a medical specialization and a university where you intend to undertake your undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral studies. Be sure to obtain all important information about the course, university, and host country, especially things like course duration, study and living costs, work permit requirements, and other necessary information.
- List all the academic and language requirements, e.g., academic transcripts, proof of English proficiency test scores such as TOEFL/IELTS/, GAMAT, UCAT, NEET, and other vital documents like UK student visa, passport, and degree certificate copies, and so on.
- Provide all details required on your application form and then submit it at the UCAS website and sign up. Note that each applicant must submit their applications via the UCAS platform. The most interesting aspect of the UK admissions process is that you can apply for as many as five different courses at different universities with a single form.
- Finally, wait for an offer letter from the university you selected. The application and evaluation procedure usually lasts a few weeks. Upon receipt of the offer letter, you can then start searching for accommodation and also apply for student loans and grants.
FAQ
How much does it cost to study MBBS in the UK for Indian students?
The tuition fees for MBBS in the UK will be from GBP 22,000 to GBP 53,000.
How can Indian students get MBBS in the UK?
Yes, Indian students can get MBBS from the UK if they qualify for admission by completing the eligibility criteria.
Is NEET accepted in the UK?
Yes, the NEET score is accepted in the UK, and you can get admission to a medical school.
How can I get a scholarship for MBBS in the UK?
You can search for the scholarships from our scholarship page and apply online if you fall in the eligibility criteria.
Be sure to contact AECC if you need any kind of study abroad assistance or advice.