15 Cheapest Countries to Study Medicine in English
If you are considering starting a medical career, you might be interested in reconsidering cheapest countries to study medicine in English first. We hope this list will help you with your choice.
Now, let’s see some of the best countries to study medicine abroad. According to the resources, countries that rank at the top are for example Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, and other countries with the similar status of economic power and wealth. That is, on one side because those countries invest a lot in education and science, and on the other hand, they have lots of experts from all over the globe since they offer good conditions for specialists and enable progress in their profession. Among these countries are also the ones where you can study medicine in Europe in English for free, namely Germany, Norway, and France. In these countries, you will definitely find some of the best medical schools in Europe taught in English.
And what about the very best country to study medicine in the world? Well, it is not an easy question to answer, since there are many fields you can consider specializing in (though we will not go into detail here, we will look for medical education in general), but general rating that Top Universities suggest is the USA with Harvard University at the top. On the other side, the best country to study medicine in Europe would probably be the UK with the universities that rank the highest in medicine, such as Oxford or Cambridge. But these are also countries that are not so cheap for a living, especially if you are only a student.
That is why we are here to answer the need for studying medicine in English the cheapest. On that issue, you might also see which are the 7 Most Affordable Caribbean Medical Schools or 7 Most Affordable Medical Schools in Europe. Of course, among these, here are some recommendations for the 9 Easiest Medical Schools to Get Into. But anyway, the first thing is, if you want to study medicine abroad in English, getting to see which universities teach medicine in English. Since studying abroad has become more popular, and many organizations such as Erasmus, for example, offer scholarships and encourage students to travel abroad, many universities worldwide now offer more and more programs in English.
In our list here, we have focused on cheapest countries to study medicine in English, which does not necessarily imply the cheapest universities. The priority of our research were the countries where living costs are the most affordable for students. Nevertheless, among them, you will see some cheap universities in Europe that teach in English at least. But, as we have mentioned before, there are organizations and foundations which offer many scholarship opportunities, and also some of the universities might participate in financing as well, a encourage student mobility and offer students from poorer countries equal opportunities to develop their future careers. So, check out some of the cheapest universities for international students in the world, which CNBC listed.
Our research began with Student World Online, Medical Study Guide, Study Medicine Europe and Times Higher Education where we looked for cheapest countries with ranked universities to study medicine in English. After that we have researched suggested countries in particular to see which the universities where you can study medicine in English are. We have taken into account any level of college education, whether it was bachelor or master’s program. We have then ranked countries by the average cost of living index, as taken from the Numbeo. The number (or the index) is showing the % of living cost compared to the average living cost in the New York City, for which the cost of living index is 100.
So, since you have decided you would like to study medicine abroad in English, let’s go through the cheapest countries to study medicine in English!
15. Caribbean
Cost of living index: 69.25
As a parameter for cost of living index for the Caribbean we have taken into account the average cost for mid-2017 (which was Jamaica in this case), and not including the Bahamas because of its index overheads 100. Dominica is probably the best place to study medicine in the Caribbean in English, where Ross University is placed.
14. Taiwan
Cost of living index: 66.8
Choosing good medical school in Taiwan, Taipei Medical University is one of the top medical universities of Taiwan. Programs entirely in English are masters and PhD, while undergraduate studies are mostly in Chinese. TMU offers programs in many fields of medical education and research including dentistry, nursing, public health, biochemical materials and engineering, medical technology, etc. The graduate studies are organized in 12 departments and 14 graduate institutes.
13. Greece
Cost of living index: 61.29
Greece belongs to those European cheapest countries where you can study medicine in English. There are a lot of choices to study medicine in Greece, and many universities offer medical education in English for all levels of education. There are various opportunities to study medicine in English at Greek such as the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki or Aegean Omiros College, just to note some of the opportunities. Those universities are located in Athens or Thessaloniki, two of historical and urban centers of both ancient and modern Greece.
12. Slovakia
Cost of living index: 49.45
There are several options in studying medicine in English in Slovakia. The three universities recommended are the Šafárik University of Košice, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and the University of Comenius in Bratislava.
11. Poland
Cost of living index: 43.5
Poland is an attractive destination for studying medicine in English, for being one of the cheapest countries to live while studying. There are several universities that offer medical studies in English for international students, such as Wroclaw Medical University.
10. Malaysia
Cost of living index: 43.31
There are several universities in Malaysia which offer studying in the English language. Being one of the cheapest countries to study medicine in English, apart from Malaysian universities, such as Monash University, you can also think of applying even to something more European, a Newcastle University’s branch in Malaysia – Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia.
9. Bulgaria
Cost of living index: 40.24
Studying at Bulgarian universities will offer you recognition worldwide, and if you decide to try some of them out, you will end up having a globally recognized master’s degree in medicine from any of Bulgarian universities. One of the universities where you can study medicine in English is Medical University Sofia, in Bulgaria’s capital city.
8. Kenya
Cost of living index: 40.18
There are several universities in Kenya offering medical studies in English. As one of the cheapest countries to study medicine, Kenya has been an attractive destination for international students lately. Some of the top medical universities in Kenya include University of Nairobi School of medicine, Moi University School of medicine and Kenyatta University school of medicine.
7. Romania
Cost of living index: 38.71
Romania is one of the most affordable European countries to live for students, and also one of the cheapest countries to study medicine in English. There are many universities in Romania which offer studying not only in English but in French (and of course Romanian) as well. Some of those universities, where you can study any field of medicine are universities in Timisoara, Iasi, Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest, Arad, etc., so there is plenty of choices.
6. Mexico
Cost of living index: 36.28
Mexico is also one of the cheapest countries to study medicine in English. One of the universities where you can get the medical education in English is Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine. All of the learning books and exams are in the English language (except clinical practices which are in Spanish) no matter if you are an international or domestic student.
5. Belarus
Cost of living index: 35.2
Around 6,000 international students apply to the Belarus universities each year. Since the demand is high, many universities have enabled programs in the English language. One of the Belarus universities that teach in English is Grodno State Medical University, where around 530 international students are studying at this moment.
4. Bangladesh
Cost of living index: 35.1
If you are reconsidering the cheapest countries to study medicine in English, Bangladesh is surely a good place for that. Also, Bangladesh medical study programs rank very high, as well. The tuition fees (as well as cost of living) are not high, and there are always places reserved for international students. All of the lectures are in English (though some lecturers might use Bengali from time to time, though no prior knowledge of Bengali is needed to study medicine in Bangladesh).
3. Uganda
Cost of living index: 35.06
Studying medicine in English in Uganda is possible at the oldest and the most prestigious medical university in Uganda, the Makerere University. It was founded in 1922 as English university, and during the mid-20th century, it was affiliated to the University College of London.
2. Ukraine
Cost of living index: 29.21
We have come to the Europe’s cheapest country to study medicine in English. In Ukraine you would not need a proof of English speaking level, and since there are many foreign students, there are many programs in the English language offered by many universities and fields of education.
1. India
Cost of living index: 27.48
And finally India, one of the cheapest countries to study medicine in English. There are 42 universities in India with around 20,000 colleges, which is understandable having in mind the size of the Indian population. Among those, many offer a good education in the English language.
TOP 10 COUNTRIES TO STUDY MBBS ABROAD 2021
Medicine is known to be the noblest profession of them all. Medical professionals are respected all around the world, and it is a prestigious pursuit to study medicine. If you are a medical student, looking for options to Study MBBS abroad, we have made a list of top countries to study MBBS abroad. Keep in mind that the countries are not ranked in any particular order, depending on the individual needs, these are the best options to study MBBS Abroad.
Before that, it is essential to know that every country has its own parameters for the medical students to let them practise medicine. USA has its own standardised screening test for medical graduates, called USMLE test, just like that India has FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduates Examination) of MCI (Medical Council of India) exam to practice medicine in India.
MCI Recognised Medical Colleges Abroad:
MCI recognised colleges medical colleges abroad are the medical colleges in the below given countries, and they are approved by Medical Council of India. On the mciindia.org, you can find the list of medical colleges approved by MCI. Remember, to study MBBS abroad in these countries, you are needed to take an eligibility certificate from MCI before taking the admission.
After completion of the course, you are needed to appear for FMGE/NBE exam, and clear it with 50% of the scores. In many countries, the courses are not called MBBS, but the equivalent options are available. Enough of the technicalities. Let us dive into the top countries to study MBBS abroad.
1. Study MBBS in UK
The first and foremost is the best option to study medicine in Europe. To Study Medicine in UK at one of the most prestigious study abroad destination will only add credibility to your profile that is unmatchable.
MBBS in UK | |
Course Duration: | 4 Years |
Medium of Instruction | English |
Language Test: | 7 Bands in IELTS |
Medical Tests Required | UKCAT |
Average Fees | $13000-$50000 |
Top Universities to Study Medicine in UK:
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- University College London
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
2. Study MBBS in USA
Next comes the United States of America. You can choose from 172 medical colleges to study medicine in USA. Unlike other countries, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry or neuroscience to study MBBS in USA. The degree given after the completion is M.D, and not the MBBS.
MBBS in USA | |
Course Duration | 4 Years |
Medium of Instruction | English |
Language Tests: | TOEFL, IELTS |
Medical Tests Required | MCAT, USMLE |
Average Fees | $25000-$34000 |
Top Universities to Study medicine in USA:
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- Yale University
3. Study MBBS in Canada
Just like USA, Canada does not offer an MBBS degree. The course is of MD. If you do not have a science degree, there are 5-year courses proffered in some Canadian Universities. There are also specialised NSERC scholarships to help you study MBBS in Canada.
MBBS in Canada | |
Course Duration | 3-5 Years |
Medium of Instruction | English |
Language Tests: | TOEFL, IELTS 7 bands minimum |
Medical Tests Required | MCAT |
Average Fees | $16000-$23000 |
4. Study MBBS in Germany
Known for the Free Education, the MBBS in Germany is another option to look forward to. The courses offered in English are few, and since the patient will be Germans, it is advisable to have knowledge of German Language.
MBBS in Germany | |
Course Duration | 6 Years |
Medium of Instruction | English, German |
Language Tests: | TOEFL, IELTS, TestDaF |
Medical Tests Required | TMS (not compulsory) |
Average Fees | $8300-$11200 |
Top Universities to Study MBBS in Germany:
- Heidelberg University
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- Charite
- Technical University of Munich
- University of Tubingen
5. Study MBBS in France
The courses offered to Study MBBS in France are not actually MBBS, but MD. A test is needed to given at the end of year 1 in the study, and the student have to pass the test to continue further. MD, the equivalent to MBBS abroad in France, is also one of the lengthier courses of the list.
MBBS in France | |
Course Duration | 3-8 Years |
Medium of Instruction | French |
Language Tests: | TFI |
Medical Tests Required | After 1st Year |
Average Fees | $1000-$8000 |
Top Universities to Study MBBS in France:
- Pierre and Marie Curie University
- Paris Descartes University
- Claude Bernard University Lyon 1
- Paris Diderot University
- University of Paris Sud
6. Study MBBS in China
The MBBS studies in China are taught in English and Mandarin (Chinese) both the said SET (Standardised Entrance Test) is sometimes required for the admission to medical colleges in China. China is a cheaper MBBS abroad option compared to its western counter parts, and provides a quality education.
MBBS in China | |
Course Duration | 5+1 Years |
Medium of Instruction | English, Chinese (Mandarin) |
Language Tests: | Not Required |
Entrance Tests Required | SET |
Average Fees | $3000-$5000 |
Top Universities to Study MBBS in China:
- Peking University
- Fudan University
- Shanghai Jiao University
- Tsinghua University
- Sun Yat-Sen University
7. Study MBBS in Ukraine
Widely known for MBBS abroad among the Asian students, Ukraine is best of both worlds. It is a meeting point of the East and West. The courses are offered in English, Ukrainian and Russian. But the best part is, you do not require any entrance tests to study MBBS in Ukrain.
MBBS in Ukraine | |
Course Duration | 5+1 Years |
Medium of Instruction | English, Ukrainian, Russian |
Language Tests: | Not Required |
Tests Required | Not Required |
Average Fees | $4500-$7500 |
Top Universities to Study MBBS in Ukraine:
- Bogomolets National Medical University
- Ternopil State Medical University
- Uzhgorod State Medical University
- Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University
- Kyiv Medical University
8. Study MBBS in Russia
Russian Medical colleges are again on the cheaper side with no compromise in quality of the education. Russia proves to be a great option to study MBBS abroad. The courses are offered in Russian and English, but for the clinical purposes, you are advised to have a basic knowledge of Russian.
MBBS in Russia | |
Course Duration | 5+1 Years |
Medium of Instruction | English and Russian |
Language Tests: | Not Required |
Tests Required | Not Required |
Average Fees | $3500-$6000 |
Top Universities to Study MBBS in Russia:
- Lomonosov Moscow State University
- Saint Petersburg State University
- Irkutsk State Medical University
- Volgograd State Medical University
- Tver State University
9. Study MBBS in Philippines
Philippines is another great option to study MBBS abroad. You are required to appear for either of the English Language proficiency tests, considering study MBBS in Philippines is done in English.
MBBS in Philippines | |
Course Duration | 5+1 Years |
Medium of Instruction | English |
Language Tests: | IELTS and TOEFL |
Medical Tests Required | NMAT |
Average Fees | $3500-$5000 |
Top Universities to Study MBBS in Philippines:
- University of Philippines
- AMA School of Medicine
- University of Perpetual Help
- Angeles University Foundation
- Our Lady Fatima University
10. Study MBBS in Netherlands
For our next MBBS abroad destination, we are coming back to the Europe in one of the most happiest countries in the world. The exam requirements to study MBBS abroad in Netherlands are same as other European destinations. Dutch medical Universities are known for their medical courses and approach towards medicine.
MBBS in Netherlands | |
Course Duration | 6 Years |
Medium of Instruction | English, Dutch |
Language Tests: | TOEFL and IELTS, NT2, CNaVT |
Tests Required | Colloquium Doctum if required |
Average Fees | $2270-$10200 |
Top Universities to Study MBBS in Netherlands:
- University of Amsterdam
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Leiden University
- Maastricht University
- Utrecht University