Russia is a popular alternative for people pursuing an MBBS degree because of its excellent educational system, internationally renowned medical institutes, and reasonably affordable tuition. Both academic and practical training are part of the six-year MBBS curriculum in Russia. Following global medical standards, the curriculum has been authorized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Medical Commission (NMC). Overseas education especially for pursuing an MBBS course has become a trend among the students of India and Russia is one of the favorite countries due to its recognized quality education, low fee structure, and international degrees. Currently, there are over 50 numbers of top medical universities in Russia which have been offering excellent medical education to the foreign students for many years. In this article, we will discuss why students choose to study MBBS in Russia, how to apply, the cost, and everything in between to assist students make the right decision.  

Why Study MBBS in Russia in 2025?

• Russian medical universities are relatively cheaper as compared to universities in the developed countries of the West.
• The degrees in the medical field from Russia are recognized by WHO, MCI, and all other medical councils in the world.
• Russia does not follow some other countries' practice of making students sit for extra entrance exams apart from NEET.
• Since the concern is global, most of the universities provide MBBS with an English medium to meet the needs of the students.
• The training at Russian universities contains a lot of practical information, which prepares students for future work and practice.
• It is relieving to note that there are several institutions worldwide that offer international students scholarships in order to minimize costs.

MBBS Russia Vs MBBS India

• Tuition Fees: The cost of studying MBBS in Russia is relatively cheap, charging between INR 15-30 lakhs for the completed course. However, the cost of an MBBS degree in India varies considerably; much higher than in above cited countries, especially in private colleges; where fees can touch figures of more than 50-80 lakhs. To the students seeking affordable quality education in medicine, Russia holds out the best offer in terms of cost.
• Admission Process: For both Russia and India, there is a prerequisite for taking the NEET exam for Indian students. However, one main difference can be made based on competition intensity. In Russia, clearing NEET is often enough to get an admission while in India there are very few seats available, and hence many deserving youths do not get the chance to make it.
• Medium of Instruction: Russia has MBBS courses in English and Russian that further help students from other countries to pursue their degrees. Most studies in Indian medical Colleges are in English although few universities offer education in regional language according to the state. The language flexibility in Russia is a plus since the student may prefer an English-medium program in an environment, which is more foreign.
• Student-to-Faculty Ratio: In this case, Russian medical universities have a lower rate of student-to-faculty ratio as compared to many other universities to allow student centered approach where students are trained to receive individual consideration both in class and clinical practice. However, in India, the student-teacher ratio is high because each batch size is large, especially in the government universities or colleges where for each teacher the number of students may be in the hundreds and therefore little one on one tutoring can be expected.
• Living Costs: The living cost in Russia is relatively good which makes the expenses to be an average number for foreign students. However, the cost of living in India depends on the region, the state, or the city, as the main cities are considered to be more or less costly than other states. Nevertheless, in general, the living expenses in both these countries are not very high but yes they need to be planned to the core, perhaps marginally less in Russia as compared to the USA for students on average.
• International Exposure: The students are highly internationalized, many Russian universities have enrollments from around the globe, therefore, the international outlook of Russian institutions is considerable. In India, there is some contact with foreign students, but it is not very extensive because, in most of the colleges and universities, including the majority of government medical colleges, the majority of students are Indian. 

Russia for MBBS for Indian Students

• Average Fees and Cost of Living
• Culture and Students
• Campus well facilitated with modernized laboratories
• English-Medium Programs
• Accommodation, Admission Requirements, and Alternative Student Services

Cost of MBBS in Russia

• Places for Living and Taking Foods for Indian Students: While most Russian medical universities provide hostel accommodations, the students have the options of single and multi-sharing basis, or fully furnished accommodation with or without additional amenities such as internet connection– wireless and laundry among others, and security. Most of the hostels also provided Indian mess for those who have a special preference for Indian food. Students can also go out to look for cheaper food to buy since they are offered in the major cities either India or international food.
• Expenses incurred in daily life during studies for MBBS in Russia: The costumer living expenses of students who are coming from other countries to study in Russia are from $200 to $400 a month depending on the city and expenditure standard. This includes tariffs for shelter, food, transportation, and sundry expenses which if well controlled by the students are reasonable.
• Traveling Cost in Russia: Local transportation expenses are affordable in Russia; buses, trams, and metro facilities are also available in all the main cities. Single trips, if you don’t use public transport frequently, are rather expensive but monthly passes are more reasonable and can be bought for convenience and at affordable prices; students can always get reduced fares if they apply.
• Fees for MBBS in Russia: This can cost students between $5000 - $7000 per annum. However, fees may vary from institute to institute. There are major differences with such rates in other countries, which makes Russia one of the most prospective and cheap places to find good-quality medical education.
• Duration of MBBS Russian Course: MBBS in Russia takes 6 years, 5 academic years, and one year of practical internship. Students in Russian-medium courses may need an extra preparatory year.
• Medium of Teaching in Russia: A large number of universities around the world provide English-medium education to international students wishing to pursue MBBS. However, some of the universities also teach in Russian. Students in Russian medium education are advised to undertake a year of language prior to enrolling in regular programs.
• Intake for MBBS Study in Russia: Russian universities typically admit students in September and they open their admission processes in April. Applicants should apply as soon as possible so that they get the appointment done on time and start the visa process to begin their academic career.

Steps to Take Admission to Russia MBBS College

• NEET scorecard
• Passport copy
• Passport-size photographs
• Medical fitness certificate
• Document for payment of fees for first-degree programs
• Admission letter from the university

Eligibility Criteria for MBBS in Russia

• Minimum age of 17 years
• In PCB, must have passed 12th grade with 50% marks for the general category and 40% for reserved categories.
• Qualifying NEET exam score
• Valid passport

Scholarship given for MBBS in Russia

Russia’s Top Most Coveted and Recognized Medical Universities of Russia for Students 

• First Moscow State Medical Academy
• University of Peoples Friendship of Russia
• Kazan Federal University
• Tver State Medical University
• Novosibirsk State University
• Pskov State University
• St. St Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University
• Ryazan State University of Medicine
• The Siberian State University of Medical and Technical Sciences
• Perm State Medical University
• Bashkir State Medical University
• Volgograd State Medical University known as VolgGMU

MBBS Syllabus in Russia 2025

• Human Anatomy
• Human physiology
• Human biochemistry
• Pharmacology

• General Medicine
• Surgery
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Radiology 
• Community medicine

Russia Top 5 Universities for MBBS 

Student Life of Medicos in Russia

• Students express that their campus experience in Russia as international students is a vibrant one and rather comfortable. 
• In order for students to get the full experience, universities engage in holding festivals, cultural shows, sporting activities, or seminars, among others. 
• Besides, the majority of Indian clients have cultural groups and organizations that assist them in their new environment in Russia.

Is it costly to study MBBS in Russia?

It is not expensive to study MBBS in Russia. These fees may be considered as very high if benchmarked with the fees charged by government medical colleges. While benchmarking with other private medical colleges, one will be amazed to know that the fees in Russia are fairly low.

In comparison to nations in the West, living expenses in Russia are comparatively modest, and students can immerse themselves in a cosmopolitan setting. After qualifying NEXT Exam for licensing to practise in India, the degree enables graduates to choose higher education or medical practice in nations including the USA, UK, India, and other countries. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Kazan Federal University, and Crimea Federal University are a few prominent educational institutions.