Indian students find MBBS programs in Kazakhstan appealing for a number of reasons: tuition is low; universities are internationally recognized; and cost of living is low relative to other countries. Tuition is a large part of the expense, but monthly living costs deserve more consideration than they currently receive.
It isn't only students who are guilty of tunnel vision, focusing on the costs of admission and neglecting the other costs associated with a six year MBBS program; parents are equally responsible. The costs for lodging, food, transport, internet, medical insurance, books, and daily living expenses all add up. Fortunately, when it comes to the cost of living, Kazakhstan is among the most affordable countries for MBBS programs.
MBBS students consider programs in both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Both countries have several low cost options for medical education. However, the quality of education, medical universities, and the student oriented infrastructure is significantly better in Kazakhstan.
Students should also check that the university complies with the new National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines and is included in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) before enrolling. Furthermore, students must also qualify for NEET-UG before pursuing MBBS overseas. In addition, the education complies with the international standards of medical education and the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed health care.
This guide outlines the principal monthly costs that MBBS students in Kazakhstan need to incorporate into their education budgets.
Understanding the Costs of Living When Studying MBBS in Kazakhstan
It is essential for prospective students to understand the monthly living costs so they can budget their finances in advance. This helps to avoid money-related stress when studying abroad. Knowing what the average monthly costs are helps families avoid potential financial difficulties by budgeting realistically.
In contrast to many expensive countries that require students to spend heavily on food and accommodation, Kazakhstan is more affordable. Students from India, with planning and financial discipline, should not find it challenging to cover their monthly costs.
The main components of the monthly budget include:
- The university's location
- Type of accommodation
- Food
- Personal lifestyle
- Transportation
- Internet and mobile
- Entertainment and shopping
Students from Almaty and Astana will spend more than students in Aktobe, Semey, and Shymkent, though the overall costs will be less than spending in the UK, USA, Australia, and private medical colleges in India.
Kazakhstan MBBS Student Average Monthly Living Costs
An Indian student spends about USD 180 to USD 350 monthly, depending on lifestyle and city.
Estimated monthly costs include accommodation, food, local transport, internet, utilities, study materials, and other costs.
A carefully crafted budget allows students to complete their MBBS with minimal impact on their families' finances.
Accommodation Costs in Kazakhstan
For most international students, accommodation is their largest monthly expense. Fortunately, the majority of medical universities in Kazakhstan provide cost-effective hostel facilities either on campus or in the immediate vicinity of the university.
University hostels provide international students with a safe, comfortable, and convenient place to live. Most hostels offer fully furnished rooms, heating, study lounges, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and 24-hour security.
University Hostels
Preferred option for most Indian students.
Average monthly cost:
USD 30–70
Benefits of this option include:
- Walking distance from university
- Lower living costs
- Better security
- Community of international students
- Better access to university facilities
Private Apartments
Private apartments are opted for by some senior students seeking more independence, usually after the first year.
Average monthly rent:
USD 120–250
Private apartments potentially incur additional costs: electricity, water, internet, heating, and maintenance.
MBBS Students' Food Costs
Food is another important monthly expense. Luckily, grocery costs are low in Kazakhstan, and most universities have Indian mess or nearby Indian restaurants.
Most students choose between these three options:
University Mess
Many universities offer fully prepared Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals.
Average monthly cost:
USD 70–120
Self-Cooking
This option is preferred by many, as it is cost effective and healthy.
Typical grocery costs: about $50-90 per month. Items include:
- Rice
- Flour
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Milk
- Eggs
- Chicken
- Pulses
- Cooking Oil
- Spices
Eating Out
Meals about $5-10.
Eating out infrequently is fine. Eating out regularly will increase your budget significantly. Students who most frequently prepare their own meals really benefit: they save money.
Transportation Costs
The most popular transportation choice among students is the legitimate public bus system and the Metro (which only exists in select cities) and the unofficial shared taxis.
Transportation costs about $10-20/month.
Those who stay in the student university hostels have the added benefit of most transportation costs completely dropping because of walking to class.
Internet and Mobile Costs
The mobile and internet costs are less than $5-12 per month.
There are low-cost data packages satisfying most students’ needs for online classes and study resources.
Utilities
Students living in University hostels do not pay utility bills.
Lodgers living in privately rented apartments do pay bills (at least the heating and waste collection).
These expenses are about $20-40.
Winter may mean higher heating costs.
Medical Education Expenses
Medical education means more than textbooks. Students need lab manuals, notebooks, and digital study resources.
Many universities do digital library access: this means less costly textbooks.
Estimated Total Costs
USD 10-20
Students further reduce costs through either sharing textbooks or utilizing their university libraries.
Health Insurance and Medical Care
International students must obtain health insurance for the entire MBBS course.
Health insurance covers access to basic health services and emergency care.
Insurance approximately costs USD 5-10 monthly (annualized).
Most universities have on-campus outpatient health care services.
Personal and Other Expenses
Students can set aside a small monthly personal expense allowance to cover:
- Toiletries
- Clothing
- Laundry
- Station
- Gym
- Entertainment
- Subscriptions
- Shopping
Estimated monthly personal expenses are USD 30-60.
Estimated Monthly Living Costs by City in Kazakhstan
Even though Kazakhstan is relatively inexpensive for international students, living expenses can vary by the location of the medical university. Larger cities can have a more expensive cost of living compared to smaller cities that are more affordable.
|
City |
Monthly Living Expenses in USD |
|
Almaty |
280-350 |
|
Astana |
270-340 |
|
Shymkent |
220-300 |
|
Semey |
180-260 |
|
Aktobe |
190-270 |
|
Karagana |
200-280 |
Almaty and Astana can be the most expensive cities in Kazakhstan. Even in these cities, monthly expenses can be less than the cost of living in most of the USA and European cities. One of the many reasons thousands of Indian students choose to pursue MBBS in Kazakhstan is cost.
MBBS Student Monthly Budget in Kazakhstan
The tables below give an idea of how much an MBBS student in Kazakhstan is likely to spend on various items in a month.
Expected Monthly Budget
The below breakdown shows the expected monthly budget of a Student.
|
Expense |
Monthly Cost |
|
Hostel |
USD 30-70 |
|
Food and Groceries |
USD 70-120 |
|
Transport |
USD 10-20 |
|
Internet and Mobile |
USD 5-12 |
|
Study Materials |
USD 10-20 |
|
Medical Insurance |
USD 5-10 |
|
Personal Expenses |
USD 30-60 |
|
Total Average |
USD 180-350 |
Expenditure will depend on the personal lifestyle of students. If students avoid spending money on unnecessary things and cook all their meals in their hostel, then those students most likely will spend at the lower end of the average budget.
What Determines Living Expenditure
Each student will have a different monthly budget as it depends on how a student decides to spend their money. If a student decides to lead an easier lifestyle, then it is likely they will spend more on food and travel.
Accommodation Type
If students decide to stay in hostel accommodation, then they will spend a lot less compared to students who choose to rent an apartment. They will also avoid utility costs.
Eating Habits
Eating at restaurants tends to increase the monthly budget, but if a student decides to cook then they will spend much less.
Lifestyle
Spending on entertainment, shopping, fitness and the weekend can easily stretch out a budget. This is why many students decide to have a balanced lifestyle.
Study City
Costs of transport, accommodation, and recreation will rise simply because a city is large, while smaller cities tend to have more student friendly costs. These cities will have less costs.
Hidden Expenses for Students
Most students considering study abroad options for their MBBS focus on calculating tuition and hostel stay expenses. Many loose changeers costs that accumulate throughout the duration of the course. Some of these costs consist of:
- Visa renewals
- Residence permits
- University registration
- Medicals
- Winter clothes
- Lab coats
- Stethoscopes
- Exam fees
- Educational trips
- Unexpected expenses
The latter helps cushion costs that would ordinarily disrupt the course.
Ways to Save Money While Studying MBBS in Kazakhstan
The study abroad experience comes with the responsibility of managing your own finances. With the right budget, students can save a fair amount of money while studying MBBS in Kazakhstan without putting their quality of life in jeopardy. A few ways you can achieve this:
- Stay in the university hostel
- Cook instead of eating out
- Buy food from the supermarket
- Buy less by using student discounts
- Use the university's library instead of buying books
- Make copies of notes instead of buying
- Use public transportation
- Use a budgeting app
- Avoid buying things online
- Emergency funds / cushion funds
The above will help cushion costs that would ordinarily disrupt the course.
Kazakhstan Affordable MBBS Destination
When compared with several popular countries offering MBBS abroad, Kazakhstan remains one of the most economical options for Indian students.
Kazakhstan's combination of low tuition and living costs outperforms those other countries. Medical students learn without the struggle of high housing and living costs.
Many students look at MBBS in Kyrgyzstan alongside MBBS in Kazakhstan. Medical students know Kyrgyzstan is also cheaper. Kazakhstan is home to more spacious campuses that have more advanced labs and hospitals for clinical training. Kazakhstan's developed surroundings make for a better experience.
Before proceeding with admission, students should double-check that the university is trainee approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and by the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). Indian students must also meet the NEET-UG requirement. For better acceptance, universities are recommended to follow the WHO guidelines for medical education.
Monthly Budget for Students in the Host Country
Staying within the range of 250-300 US Dollars is more than sufficient. This is the equivalent of housing, food, travel, internet, books, and other moderate personal expenses.
Careful spenders and those who wisely utilize university resources may be better off with a reduced monthly budget. More extensive travel and a more active shopping and dining out lifestyle warrants an increase to the monthly budgets.
Common Mistakes Students Make While Budget Planning
Many first-year international students face predictable recurring financial challenges. Common budgeting mistakes include:
- Not accounting for seasonal expenses, like buying winter clothing.
- Overspending in the first few months.
- Not setting money aside for emergencies.
- Eating out instead of cooking.
- Choosing more expensive housing for no reason.
- Not measuring smaller expenses.
Tracking daily costs and creating a monthly budget can help reduce the prevalence of these mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Kazakhstan expensive for Indian MBBS students?
No, Kazakhstan's MBBS program is one of the least expensive abroad options with students averaging $180–350 as monthly living expenditures.
Can students cook their own food?
Yes, a considerable benefit of shared hostels is the shared kitchen which allows students to minimize their food expenditures by cooking their own food.
Are Indian food items available in Kazakhstan?
Yes, Indian grocery stores and supermarkets are available with Indian restaurants also present in many cities, and there are universities with Indian mess service on campus.
Is hostel accommodation compulsory?
No, first year students often live in university hostels, but many students live in private accommodation in subsequent years.
Does the monthly budget include tuition fees?
No, the monthly budget is for living costs only as tuition fees are paid separately to each university and will vary.
Conclusion
For affordable and quality medical training, Indian students have always been able to rely on Kazakhstan. Combined with the low tuition, the low cost of living allows families to finance MBBS abroad more easily.
Students on a budget as low as USD 180–350 have all that is needed to live and study. This includes lodging, food, transport, internet, study supplies, and personal items. Cost reductions from improved budgeting and spending, and more use of university resources, can help make their education more pleasant.
Medical students should also consider MBBS in Kyrgyzstan as an international comparison. Make sure the medical university of your choice meets the NMC regulations, is in the WDOMS, and that the university fulfills the NEET-UG eligibility. Medical degrees that incorporate the WHO recommendations have better prepared students to launch a successful medical career.
