For many of the lakhs of Indian students taking the NEET, gaining entry to a government medical college is a dream that is out of reach. For those students, private colleges in India offer a more expensive option, and many families are pushed to consider studying medicine abroad. Studying MBBS in Kazakhstan is among the most preferred study abroad programs for Indian students, but how good is this option?
This blog focuses on the potential career opportunities that you may want to consider when thinking about studying medicine in Kazakhstan. Hopefully, this will give you more information than you may have gotten through agents that offer this service.
What Makes Kazakhstan A Top Study Destination For Indian Medical Students?
Kazakhstan is quickly gaining popularity among Indian students learning MBBS because of the many options that are available to them. There are multiple medical schools in Kazakhstan, many of which have been training both Indian and other international students for over a decade.
Affordability and recognized medical education are things that Kazakhstan, and many other similar study abroad options for India, have going for them. But affordability also is not the only consideration you need to have. In the next section, we will look at the specific advantages and disadvantages of studying MBBS in Kazakhstan.
These are the Undeniable Advantages When It Comes to Studying MBBS in Kazakhstan
1. Inexpensive Tuition
Kazakhstan is an excellent choice for MBBS aspirants on a budget. The total annual cost of the MBBS in Kazakhstan is ₹2.5 lakhs to ₹4.5 lakhs, significantly lower than the cost of Indian private medical colleges under the NRI or management quota. Middle class families can benefit even more because there are no donations or capitation fees required.
2. Recognition from NMC and WHO
A majority of the medical colleges in Kazakhstan are recognized by the NMC (National Medical Commission of India) and are WHO (World Health Organization) compliant and are part of the WDOMS. Such recognition provides the assurance to students that their medical degree will be useful and valid globally.
3. Courses are Offered in English
Disclaimer for other MBBS abroad destinations. There is a world of difference for international students in Kazakhstan in that most MBBS courses are offered in English. The biggest language barriers will be during Kazakhstan and will be for the students. So, Kazakhstan is an excellent choice when there are language barriers.
4. Simplified Admission
To get into medical schools in Kazakhstan, Indian students will need their NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) score. There are no other entrance exams. Also, admission to these medical colleges is based on merit. Hence, the admission is considerably easier compared to the competition for MBBS in India.
5. Global Exposure with a Multicultural Environment
Kazakhstan presents the opportunity to attend school with a multicultural student body from across diverse regions of Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The variety of and exposure to other cultures is helpful to the developing of skills such as adaptability and communication. While these skills are useful to any field, they are especially useful to one that's global such as the medical field.
6. Safety and Indian Student Community
There exist a plethora of Indian students in Kazakhstan. Many of those students have been in Kazakhstan for long periods of time. Consequently, many of the new students have access to informal and senior support, Indian food, and a familiar culture in an unfamiliar place, making the process of studying abroad easier.
7. Infrastructure
There are several universities in Kazakhstan that have updated labs and increased medical simulation and hospital partnerships to provide students hands-on clinical exposure during the course.
Cons of Studying MBBS in Kazakhstan
1. Cold Weather
Kazakhstan has particularly long and bitter winters. The cold is especially burdensome on students that come from the warmer areas of India. The cost of winter clothing and other supplies, along with time to adapt, are extra expenses that must be considered.
2. Language Barrier Outside Campus
University classes may only be held in English; however most interactions outside the campus – at markets, at hospitals during the later clinical years, or while interacting with the local staff – may be in Russian or Kazakh. To get by, students are expected to learn basic conversational Russian as a part of their day-to-day activities and get through clinical rotations with relative ease.
3. Distance From Home
Some students may find it emotionally challenging to be away from family for long, especially during the first year. Making travel possible to and from home may be more difficult due to limited, direct flights compared to more popular study abroad locations.
4. Need to Clear FMGE/NExT After Graduation
As is the case with students from any foreign medical university, students completing MBBS in Kazakhstan will have to clear the FMGE, which is also being gradually replaced by the National Exit Test (NExT), in order to be eligible to practice in India. This is an added step and requires a lot of preparation and discipline while pursuing the course or after it is completed.
5. Varying Quality Across Universities
The quality and standards of infrastructure, teaching faculty, and clinical exposure may not be uniform across all universities in Kazakhstan. It is important to study universities individually and check their marketing claims as well as their NMC status, WDOMS standing, faculty, and their teaching hospitals.
Career Opportunities After MBBS in Kazakhstan
The most important consideration for students and their parents is what the possible career options are after graduation. Here is a frank career option survey.
Practicing in India
Candidates are required to sit the FMGE/NExT to practice medicine after returning to India from Kazakhstan having completed their MBBS. Recognition from the NMC or the respective State Medical Council is also required. Other than that, graduates are permitted to work in hospitals, pursue MD/MS degree specializations, or establish their own clinics.
Practicing Internationally
Medical graduates of Kazakhstan are in an advantageous position because the medical schools in Kazakhstan are featured in the World Medical School Directory (WDOMS), and thus having completed their medical education, they can undertake the USMLE (USA), PLAB (UK), or similar licensing exams for Gulf Countries.
Postgraduate Studies
MBBS students from Kazakhstan have the option of undertaking their postgraduate studies in India via the NEET-PG exam, in Kazakhstan, or in other countries.
Research and Academic Roles
MBBS graduates who have a passion for academics have the opportunity to teach and practice medical research, as well as work in other countries and institutes that value the multiculturally acquired clinical experience from their training.
How to Choose the Right University in Kazakhstan
If you have opted to pursue an MBBS in Kazakhstan, you should know that selecting the right medical school is a very important undertaking. Just keep a couple of things in mind.
- Assess the quality of clinical training and patient exposure by reviewing hospital networks.
- Obtain candid feedback on the quality of life, teaching, and the level of studies by contacting former or current students.
- Analyze total expenses, including accommodation and food, instead of simply comparing the tuition.
- Indian students have to meet the NEET eligibility criteria, as qualifying NEET is compulsory for them to pursue MBBS abroad.
Is Kazakhstan the Right Option for You?
Kazakhstan is an excellent choice for students who:
- Look for an economical MBBS option with no donation requirement.
- Are willing to adjust to a new culture and language, and a cold climate.
- Are dedicated to FMGE/NExT preparations.
- Prefer early clinical exposure in a multicultural environment.
If you want a warm climate and some culture/language minimal adjustment, and you want to avoid the extra effort to pass the licensing exam in your home country, it may not be the right destination for you. As with any other country, your commitment is the most important factor for the outcome, rather than your choice for a destination.
Conclusion
Should you consider Kazakhstan for MBBS? For many Indian students, the answer is yes, especially if students were diligent in school and researched their university. Kazakhstan offers affordable tuition, has aligned its recognition frameworks with the NMC and WHO, and has supportive Indian communities. It is no wonder that Indian students are motivated to study medicine in Kazakhstan.
