"What will it cost?" is the most common question among students who are looking to study medicine abroad. The question makes sense considering that some Indian private medical colleges charge more than INR 1 crore. Cost is the major factor in marketing MBBS in Kazakhstan, and we understand that "cost" can be interpreted in many ways considering which university, which city, and your choice of lifestyle.
To help you interpret the cost, we itemize what tuition covers, accommodation, food, insurance, visa, and other potentially hidden costs. This will prepare you for potential costs that are not marketed.
How Kazakhstan's Cost of MBBS is So Much Less than Private Indian Medical Colleges
It is important that you understand price and cost. Private Indian medical colleges charge a capitation fee and donation. Their tuition cost is hidden. Comparatively, medical universities in Kazakhstan charge a transparent tuition cost. Indian metro cities that host private medical colleges have a higher cost of living than the cost of living in Kazakhstan. For these reasons, we estimate that medical colleges in Kazakhstan charge 60% to 70% less than Indian private medical colleges for a comparable MBBS program.
For these reasons, MBBS in Kazakhstan for Indian students is now a highly searched and popular option for medical education abroad.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are the biggest expense to factor in when creating your budget. Tuition costs are very different based on the university(s), the city or region in which they are based (are they government-run versus privately owned).
Typical (some say average) tuition costs are in the range of $3,000 to $6,000 (₹2.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh). For all six years of the program (which includes five years of study followed by a year of internship), an estimate for tuition is about $18,000 to $33,000 (₹15 lakh to ₹27 lakh).
Some factors that determine the cost:
- Reputation of the university and the city in which the university is located. Universities that are in large cities, for example Almaty, tend to charge more than those in Semey or Shymkent.
- Private vs. public university. Some government-run medical universities tend to be a little more affordable than private universities.
- The stability of the currency. Most of the universities in Kazakhstan set their tuition in US Dollars, so your tuition cost stays the same while the INR fluctuates. Though, do check with the university directly between the two.
They tend to change their structures every so often, so do check with a verifiable source for the most current fees set by the university directly to avoid relying on older numbers.
Cost of Your Accommodation
Most of the medical universities in Kazakhstan provide an on-campus hostel for international students. During your first few years of study, this is by far the most cost-effective option.
Hostel costs usually range from $500 to $700 annually. This depends on the room type and facilities in that university. Some universities include hostel charges in the annual fee, while some charge them separately. It is good to ask how the university deals with hostel fees when considering your options.
Students who leave to rent private apartments in later years (to gain independence and control) should expect to pay more for private accommodation than for hostel fees, but this is completely optional, and in most cases, not required.
Food and Day-to-Day Expenses
While the cost of living in Kazakhstan is low compared to other destinations, and especially for a six-year stint, they add up.
Most universities have Indian mess facilities, usually a compulsory first-year requirement, that cost between $1,000 and $1,400 annually.
Monthly living costs also include local transportation and mobile and internet costs, and add up to between $100 and $250 monthly, depending on your preference to cook or use the mess.
Budgeting for winter clothing and other essentials that don’t need to be purchased again during your stay in Kazakhstan’s long winters is especially important.
Students who stick to local markets rather than frequent eating out stay within the lower cost ranges.
Health Insurance
International students in Kazakhstan must carry health insurance during their studies. Arrangements are made through the university and/or a partner insurance provider. Health insurance for students in Kazakhstan is cheaper than in the West. Insurance can be arranged through the university and can be a part of the total fee. Check with your university and/or partner to understand the level of insurance coverage. Coverage can be quite different.
Visa and Travel Costs
Your visa is a continuing expense during your studies, not a one-time expense.
- Initial student visa application — has to be done before travel with costs that vary by the category of visa.
- Annual visa extensions/renewals — needed for each year you are enrolled.
- Flights from India to Kazakhstan — most students budget for one or two trips home in a year with costs that can be quite different based on the season and how the flights are booked.
None of these costs are significant in isolation. However, they need to be budgeted for the full six years of study. They should be considered part of your total.
Putting It All Together: Total Cost for the Full MBBS Program
When calculating the total costs for the full six-year program including the internship, most Indian students studying MBBS in Kazakhstan are spending between ₹20 lakh and ₹36 lakh. These figures come from multiple university fee structures and consulting sources for the current academic year.
Aside from living expenses, studying MBBS in Kazakhstan is much cheaper than pursuing MBBS in India. One private MBBS seat in India is more than ₹1 crore. Studying MBBS in Kazakhstan is one of the most affordable ways of pursuing MBBS abroad for Indian students and one of the cheapest MBBS programs abroad.
These Hidden Costs are Often Forgotten
Small expenses that catch students off guard:
- Fees for visa and admission document translation and notarization.
- NMC Eligibility Certificate processing fees.
- SIM cards and initial setup costs.
- Textbooks and study materials.
- Costs of exam preparation after graduation.
The exam licensing preparation costs after graduation are more of an academic than a financial consideration. However, all of these costs are small and planning for them in an overall budget helps avoid financial stress during the course.
Why Balancing Cost with Recognition is Important
It is worth considering which universities have regulatory recognition and not just the cheapest costs.
Before finalizing your choice based on the cost, check the NEET qualification requirements first. The details on eligibility and results are available on the official NEET website. All Indian students who pursue MBBS abroad are required to qualify NEET.
Check NMC compliance. The National Medical Commission (NMC) assesses your foreign degree for practice in India. Unlike other admissions, NMC requires an Eligibility Certificate before you enroll.
Confirm WDOMS listing. The World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) is the database that identifies the medical schools that conform to the minimum acceptable medical education standards. If a university is not listed on WDOMS, it could be a low-cost university but could lead to a degree that is worthless, resulting in a larger opportunity cost.
Know the WHO influence in standards. The World Health Organization (WHO) had and continues to have an influence in standards for the directories such as WDOMS and can be a point of reference for evaluation of standards in medical education.
A university that is ₹2–3 lakh cheaper, but is not recognized, is not a cheaper option. It is a larger financial and professional risk disguised as a deal.
Ways to Reduce Your Financial Burden Without Compromising Quality
- Submit your application as soon as possible. Early applications can even be rewarded with better accommodations and discounts.
- Use university hostels in the first years.
- Use the mess or prepare your own meals.
- Plan your visa and document processing with one provider to avoid administrative costs.
- Look at multiple WDOMS-listed universities that are also NMC-compliant to find the university that offers the most value.
Conclusion
For Indian students, the complete six-year MBBS program in Kazakhstan costs roughly between ₹20 lakh and ₹36 lakh for tuition, accommodation, meals, insurance, and visa fees. This is much less than the cost of private medical schools in India. However, the true value of Kazakhstan’s MBBS program for Indian students lies in the recognition of NEET, NMC, and WDOMS, which makes it a more viable and affordable option.
