Annually, numerous aspirants attend the NEET UG exam with the aim of pursuing a career in medicine. Unfortunately, due to the limited number of government medical college seats, many students who successfully qualify for NEET come away disappointed from the exam. The reality is that achieving a good score in NEET does not guarantee a seat in government medical colleges for most students, especially if they are in the Category as Competitive and/or the candidates whose rank is beyond the government seat cutoff.
Fortunately, not getting a government MBBS seat does not translate to the termination of a medical career. An increasing number of students in India are now looking for the international medical education option by going for MBBS Abroad. There are a number of countries like Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Tajikistan, which are now providing international medical programs with registered degrees at a low cost.
These students may take advantage of advice platforms, for example, MBBS Advisor, to learn more about the medical colleges that provide admission along with criteria for eligibility, and career options after MBBS outside India.
What Are Your Options After Qualifying NEET and Missing a Government Seat?
After the NEET results are declared, a number of students verify their rank and assess their chances of securing a government college seat through various available resources. Some of the candidates use the NEET Rank Predictor to get an idea of their probable rank and assess their chances of government college admission.
If you don't make the cutoff rank for government medical colleges, you have three options.
Try for Counselling Rounds
First, you can try to get a seat through the counseling rounds by seeing if there are any seats available through state, mop-up, or stray vacancy rounds. Some students get a seat after other students withdraw their admission or change their preference.
Choose Private Medical Colleges in India
If that is unsuccessful, you could choose a private medical college in India. This isn't the most ideal choice, since private medical colleges have much higher fees, but it is an option.
Choose MBBS Abroad
If you don't want to pay the high private medical colleges fees, you could choose the option of studying MBBS Abroad. This option is comparatively lower and has the advantage of providing international exposure and modern medical training.
Which of these options you choose will depend on your budget and long-term career goals.
Popularity of Studying MBBS Abroad for NEET Qualified Students
Studying MBBS Abroad has become one of the most preferred options for students who qualify NEET. This is mostly due to the limited government medical college seats and the high demand for medical education in India.
There are many foreign medical universities that provide admission to students who qualified NEET and meet their other requirements. The admission process is much easier than the limited seat private medical college admission process in India.
Some Benefits of Studying MBBS Abroad Include:
- Less expensive tuition than many Indian private medical colleges
- Medical degrees that are recognized worldwide
- An international classroom
- New, well-equipped labs and training hospitals
- Different systems of healthcare
- The chance to have a medical career anywhere in the world
Students must check the accreditation and recognition of any university of their choice. The WHO (World Health Organization), NMC (National Medical Commission), and the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) are reliable sources for checking the standards of medical education.
Best MBBS Options for Students Who Have Passed the NEET
MBBS in Georgia
Georgia has become one of the most popular countries for Indian students to pursue a degree in medicine abroad. Georgia has safe surroundings for international students, offers English programs, and has universities that are recognized worldwide.
Georgian medical universities have modern medical education, and teach using modern pedagogy, and have a focus on the practice. The admissions process is also convenient for students, making Georgia a popular destination for NEET-qualified students.
Choose universities that follow NMC guidelines and offer the right clinical training. MBBS abroad has all the information on clinical training and all the options for universities and the details of the admissions process.
MBBS in Kazakhstan
Another country that has become popular for Indian medical students is Kazakhstan. With a healthy infrastructure and well-trained faculty, Kazakhstan has affordable medical education.
English MBBS programs are available in many of the medical colleges in Kazakhstan and are fairly inexpensive, making it an affordable option for families who want to consider medical education for their children.
MBBS in Uzbekistan
The combination of better medical infrastructure and lower costs has made Uzbekistan a popular choice for Indian students. Universities offering MBBS programs in Uzbekistan design them with the global standards of medical education in mind.
There will also be an opportunity for cross-cultural exchanges as a result of the diverse student population.
MBBS in Russia
Russia is one of the countries with a long standing history in medical education with many quality medical schools. The combination of quality faculty and medical school infrastructure has made Russia a popular medical school destination for Indians for many decades.
Medical schools in Russia also offer MBBS programs in English.
MBBS in Kyrgyzstan and Other Countries
Lasting travel restrictions as a result of Covid-19 Pandemic has made other countries in Central Asia such as Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh also viable medical school options with similar admission procedures.
Students are encouraged to do due diligence on their options.
Eligibility Requirements for MBBS Abroad After NEET
For Indian students that want to pursue an MBBS degree abroad, there are some basic requirements that must be met. These are usually:
- Passing the NEET UG exam
- Completing the 10 + 2 education with the subjects Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
- Satisfactory scores as per the medical education regulations
- Real and valid proof of school and national identity
More information is available on the NEET official website with the latest updates and relevant information concerning eligibility.
Since the different universities and countries have their own unique eligibility requirements and admission procedures, students are encouraged to check all the requirements thoroughly.
Private Medical Colleges vs MBBS Abroad: What's a Better Option?
Many believe that the only major difference between studying medicine abroad and getting a seat in one of India's private medical colleges is the cost.
Education in private medical colleges in India entails a high financial burden. In contrast, foreign medical universities provide medical education at a lower cost.
The decision to study MBBS abroad must not be influenced by only the costs. The safety of the country, the recognition of the university, quality of education, available clinical training, and opportunities for future licensing must be taken into account.
A medical degree abroad is a long-term investment, and choosing the right university is a critical factor in determining the future of the investment and the medical career.
What Next After Completing MBBS Overseas?
A graduate who has completed MBBS from abroad must fulfill the requirements of the Indian Medical Council to practice medicine in India. This involves complying with the licensing regulations as they were at the time of graduation.
MBBS graduates are not limited to India to practice medicine. They are free to pursue medical practice in other countries by complying with the respective medical council's regulations.
After MBBS, One Has Multiple Career Options to Choose From:
- Practicing as a General Physician
- Pursuing Postgraduate Education and Specialization in Surgery, Cardiology, Pediatrics, Dermatology, etc.
- Working in Healthcare Corporations
- Medical Research and Teaching
How MBBS Advisor Aids Students in Selecting the Best Medical Career Option
To select the correct overseas medical university, extensive research and planning is needed. Students often experience uncertainty and are confused regarding countries, medical universities, expenses, university recognition, and the admissions process.
MBBS Advisor shows possibilities for MBBS abroad programs and guides planning for medical education. MBBS Advisor helps students choose the right universities and have a clear understanding of the admission requirements and prepares students for the informed decisions they need to make.
Students need to do their research to make sure they compare programs, check the legitimacy and recognition of the universities, and have a clear understanding of the pathways and opportunities they may have to pursue their careers with the degree they earn.
Conclusion
It is certainly a great disappointment to qualify for NEET and not secure a seat in a Government Medical College, but it should not be the end of the dream to become a doctor. There has been a great increase in the number of possibilities to study MBBS abroad. For many, this has opened new avenues and makes pursuing a medical career more feasible.
Many of the countries with low-cost and easily accessible medical programs that are recognized can present great opportunities for students who are not able to earn a seat in the government programs in India. However, to ensure the right choice is made the recognition of universities and the future licensing requirements must be considered.
There are many possibilities to study abroad for NEET qualified students and with the guidance of MBBS Advisor.
Russia
Belarus
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Uzbekistan
China
Nepal
Bangladesh
Poland
Romania
Slovakia
Hungary
N. Macedonia
Vietnam
Canada
Armenia
UK
Australia
USA
Ireland
Germany
New Zealand
Italy
France
Singapore
Netherlands
Sweden
Switzerland