With its English-language programs and modern teaching hospitals, Kazakhstan is fast becoming one of the most popular places for Indian students to get an inexpensive, internationally recognized medical degree. Adding the affordability of modern teaching hospitals and English-language programs to the fact that the universities of Kazakhstan are listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, it is no surprise that many Indian students, who have qualified for the NEET exam, are opting for Kazakhstan medical colleges over private colleges. However, the answer to "which college is best" differs from person to person. Determining the best college is dependent on the budget, location preference, desired language of instruction, and degree recognition for licensure in India. This guide will provide the information you need to make an educated decision on medical colleges in Kazakhstan.
In India, every year approximately 250,000 students qualify for the NEET exam. Unfortunately, most of them cannot get admission into state-run medical colleges, which has led many of those students to attend expensive private medical colleges. For example, costs for a complete medical degree at private medical colleges can exceed 12 million Indian Rupees. This is cost prohibitive to most middle-class families.
This accurately describes the need Indian students have for MBBS in Kazakhstan. The benefits provided are:
- Low total course costs, including accommodation and living costs, averaging between ₹18–35 lakh
- No language barriers since the entire program is taught in English
- No capitation or donations since the only admission requirement is NEET
- Modern labs and curricula designed for a European system that incorporates early clinical work
- A safe space for students, including most of the Indian and international students
- Universities are familiar with foreign applicants and have simple admission processes along with easy to obtain visas
As Kazakhstan is located in a central position for Europe and Asia, many international students base their medical studies in Kazakhstan. This is primarily because many of the universities that are located in Kazakhstan are recognized internationally, with their medical curricula being designed to meet the education standards of Europe.
What criteria determine the best options for Indian students in medical college rankings?
1. Compliance and Recognition
Every medical school listed in the WDOMS is recognized and in compliance with an internationally agreed upon standard. The Indian authorities responsible for the verification of the medical credentials of Indian citizens will refer to this listing.
The NMC (National Medical Commission) Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021 places some additional requirements on universities:
- The duration of the MBBS course must be no less than 54 months (4.5 Years) of academic learning.
- The students must complete a 12 months internship in a foreign country at the same university.
- The entire MBBS course, including all clinical postings, must be conducted in the English language.
- The MBBS course must not be conducted in two or more countries or two or more universities.
- The students must be provided hands-on clinical experience through an adequate number of teaching hospitals.
One of the gravest errors students make is skipping this verification. A university that looks good on a consultancy's brochure but doesn't comply with the NMC guidelines could leave you with an unusable degree in India.
2. WHO Listing and Global Standing
In most cases, universities listed in the World Health Organization (now mostly integrated to WDOMS listing) are recognized worldwide suggesting that the university is compliant with the minimum standards of medical education. WHO no longer has a separate list. In practice, to check compliance with the former WHO criteria, it is sufficient to check the WDOMS listing of the university.
3. Eligibility for NEET-UG
Students from all countries must pass NEET-UG to secure admissions in foreign medical colleges. Unlike in India, where the NEET score is valid for one year, foreign admissions can be taken within a span of three years with the same score. There is no need for a high score to enroll in a medical college in Kazakhstan, as a qualifying score is sufficient.
4. Access to Teaching Hospitals for Clinical Training
The quality of a medical college can be assessed by looking at the hospitals associated with that college. Large multi-specialty teaching hospitals that offer clinical rotations early in the course and sufficient student to patient ratios should be the focus when examining available options.
5. Living Expenses and Tuition Cost
The total expenses on an annual basis for studying medicine abroad include tuition, hostels, food, and other living expenses. Almaty and Astana are costlier than other towns in Kazakhstan; however, they provide better infrastructure and the communities of Indian students are larger.
6. English as the Medium of Instruction for the Entire Course
Ensure that all six years of the course are taught in English. There are several colleges that teach in English only for the first two pre-clinical years. There can be significant academic and NMC compliance issues when other languages are taught during the clinical years.
Top Medical Colleges in Kazakhstan for Indian Students
Kazakh National Medical University (KazNMU), Almaty
KazNMU has decades of experience training students from all over the world as it is one of the oldest medical universities in Almaty, Central Asia. It has multiple hospital affiliations and offers an English MBBS.
Astana Medical University, Astana
Astana Medical University is located in the capital city and has very modern campus facilities. The students who prefer a rapidly developing city compliment the planning of Astana, as well as its convenience for travel to India.
South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent
This university has a more affordable fee structure and is great for students wanting high quality medical education with a lower cost of living than Almaty or Astana.
Semey Medical University, Semey
Offering close faculty attention and a growing Indian student population, Semey Medical University is great for students wanting a quieter academic environment.
Karaganda Medical University, Karaganda
Karaganda Medical University offers English MBBS with well-established Clinical Training and reasonably priced hostel and mess facilities.
We can help you with your MBBS in Kazakhstan for Indian Students with a university-by-university fee and infrastructure comparison for each of these universities.
Admission Process
- Qualify in NEET-UG with the minimum qualifying percentile as per your category
- Choose universities based on WDOMS listing, tuition fees, and city preference
- Either apply personally or through an authorized admission partner by submitting your academic documents, NEET score, and passport
- Admission/invitation letter will be sent to you
- Apply for a student visa to Kazakhstan with the invitation letter and the required financial documents
- Carry out document attestation from state and embassy of Kazakhstan
- Fly to Kazakhstan to complete your enrollment in the school as well as the orientation, and to start the academic year
Verify the admission calendar with the university or with a reliable counseling service before applying to ensure you have the most accurate information regarding the intake and documents needed.
Life After Graduation - Returning to India to Practice
Obtaining your MBBS from Kazakhstan is only the first part of your journey. To practice in India you must clear the licensing screening test for Indian graduates, currently the FMGE, which is transitioning to the NExT. This test is unrelated to your degree from Kazakhstan and is an assessment of your clinical skills and competencies to that of a doctor registered in India.
To prevent any issues during this process, make sure to:
- Check your university's NMC and WDOMS compliance status before you enroll, not after you graduate
- Ensure your internship is at the same university and is for a complete duration of 12 months
- Ensure that all your academic and internship documents are attested during and after your course
- Familiarize yourself with the new NMC circulars; the policies regarding overseas medical graduates have become more stringent in the recent years
Those who verify these details tend to not have issues with NMC registration. The people who have issues with registration are the ones who check the NMC and WDOMS compliance out of trust after using a recruitment agent.
Conclusion
Kazakhstan is an excellent option for Indian students seeking to complete their MBBS overseas due to its affordable, English courses and internationally accepted medical degrees. However, the "best" option for you is not the "best" university for advertising. It is the university that is compliant with NMC and is listed by WDOMS, affordable, and provides you with the clinical exposure you need.
Do your due diligence to ensure WDOMS Compliance, compare fees across Kazakhstan, and speak to local students who have studied there before making your decision. You will not regret choosing to study MBBS in Kazakhstan if you do it properly.
