Top 7 MBBS Scholarships for studying abroad

Medical studies are very popular among Indian students but limited seats in govt. medical colleges and enormously high fees for private medical colleges have forced Indian students to pursue MBBS from foreign universities.

Getting a scholarship to pursue MBBS abroad isn’t a costly affair, as these abroad MBBS scholarships cover most expenses and provide multiple benefits. In this guide, we will list the top 7 MBBS scholarships abroad for Indian students.

Types of MBBS Scholarships for studying abroad

The scholarships for Indian students to pursue MBBS abroad are classified into the following categories:

1. Government-Funded Scholarships   

These scholarships are funded by the Governments of the USA, UK, Canada etc., to promote international trade in their education systems. Some examples of Government-funded scholarships are the Chevening scholarship, Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program, etc.

2. Need-Based Scholarship

These scholarships are for students belonging to financially weak families that need financial assistance. These scholarships generally have a minimum family income requirement and require proof of family income

3. Merit-based Scholarships   

These scholarships are based on the student's academic scores, leadership qualities, and athletic, artistic, or other skills.

4. Privately-Funded Scholarships   

These scholarships are sponsored by private organizations and have strict eligibility criteria.

Also read: How to get a 100% scholarship to study abroad?

Top 7 MBBS Scholarships for studying abroad

Many foreign universities are offering MBBS scholarships for Indian students. The top 7 MBBS scholarships abroad for Indian students are:

1. Brunel Medical School International Scholarships
2. Ibni Sina Medical Sciences Scholarship Program
3. FoM Master's Scholarships
4. Anhui Medical University CSC Scholarship
5. Rhodes Scholarship
6. Harvard Medical School Scholarships
7. Lester B Pearson Scholarships

Brunel Medical School International Scholarships

Brunel Medical School (BMS) offers 5 prestigious scholarships to International students for pursuing MBBS. The scholarship will not be awarded as cash; it will be deducted from tuition fees. The scholarships are worth more than £30,000 each throughout the five-year course duration. The total value of each scholarship is 15% of the annual tuition fee across the duration of the 5-year course. 15% of the first-year tuition fee is awarded in the first year, 15% of the second-year tuition fee in the second year, etc., subject to satisfactory academic progress.

The selection process to award the BMS scholarship consists of two steps. The first step is shortlisting the eligible candidates for the scholarship interview. The Brunel Medical School Admissions Committee reviews the top-ranked candidates according to their Virtual Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) score. In case the applicants have similar MMI scores, the academic grades, personal statements, and references of candidates are considered for shortlisting.

The second step is an online interview involving a brief presentation and discussion with the Interview Panel. The candidates are assessed on the following criteria:

• Aim to contribute to the school as BMS Ambassador according to the mission and vision of the school.
• Leadership skills and experience.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Aim to contribute to the medical profession after graduation according to the mission and vision of the school.
• Communication skills and thoughts organization.

Ibni Sina Medical Sciences Scholarship Program

The İbni Sina Medical Sciences Scholarship program is a government-funded, competitive scholarship for international students intending to study medical courses in Turkey. It is a full scholarship that covers all fees and combines direct university admission and award. It is granted for medicine, dentistry, nursing, veterinary medicine, and pharmaceutics to non-Turkish nationals worldwide.

The scholarship has a stipend of 50,000 TRY and covers health expenses, tuition fees, accommodation charges, Turkish language course fees, and round-trip tickets. To apply for this scholarship, the candidate should not have Turkish citizenship nor another type of scholarship from the Turkish government, must be at least 21 years of age, and have scored at least 90% in the undergraduate program.

FoM Master's Scholarships

The Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London invites applications for scholarships from outstanding candidates from the UK and overseas to pursue a wide range of Master's degree programs, PG Certificates, and Diplomas. It offers two types of scholarships for both UK and overseas students.

• Dean's Master's Scholarship: There are up to 10 scholarships worth £10,000 for national and international candidates to study a Master's program run by the Faculty of Medicine.
• Dr. Jean Alero Thomas Scholarship: There are up to three scholarships that cover the full tuition fee for national and international candidates to study the lab-based MSc or MRes program of the Faculty of Medicine.

The potential candidates have to do two things to be considered for an FoM scholarship: apply for a Master's program run by the FoM and complete the online application form. A separate form makes an application for the scholarship scheme, and students will automatically be considered for both scholarship programs. The selection panel will pick the deserving candidate based on his academic excellence, professional experience, and career trajectory.

Anhui Medical University CSC Scholarship

The government of China sponsors the Anhui Medical University CSC Scholarship for Indian students to promote cultural exchange and Chinese universities. This scholarship is available for both graduate and postgraduate students, but the student must be below 25 years of age to apply for this scholarship. Anhui Medical University enrolls international undergraduates in an MBBS program of 6 years (including a 1-year internship), with English as the teaching medium.

The potential candidate can apply to the CSC Anhui Medical University's degree program or through the Chinese consulate in India. It is a fully-funded scholarship grant that covers tuition fees, accommodation, comprehensive medical insurance, and a monthly living allowance. The candidates enrolling in an undergraduate program will get a monthly stipend of 2500 RMB, free accommodation, and a tuition fee waiver. The candidates enrolling in the Master’s program will get a monthly stipend of 3000 RMB, a tuition fee waiver, and free on-campus accommodation.

Rhodes Scholarship

The Rhodes scholarship is the oldest and one of the world's most prestigious international scholarship programs. The Rhodes Trust in Oxford administers the Rhodes Scholarships and offers over 100 fully-funded scholarships each year for full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. The Rhodes scholarship covers the tuition fee, student visa fee, round trip airfare, and associated International Health Surcharge (IHS). The students are given a stipend of £17,310 per annum, from which they must pay all living expenses, including accommodation.

To apply for the Rhodes scholarship, the candidate must be a citizen of India holding an Indian passport, should be between 18 years and 25 years of age, must have completed the undergraduate program in India, and have an excellent academic record. The candidate can only apply online with all supporting documents.

Harvard Medical School Scholarships

Harvard Medical School provides scholarships to students who are not financially stable from endowed funds, current fundraising, and unrestricted income. Financial need is the sole criterion for determining the amount of HMS scholarship a student receives. HMS scholarship support is mainly the result of donor gifts from individuals, foundations, organizations, or annual gifts to the HMS Alumni Fund. The HMS Office of Resource Development monitors these funds.

The HMS scholarship funding covers tuition and mandatory fees for a full-need student. The scholarship funding is limited to eight semesters of full tuition charges. The scholarship recipients may have to provide information like premedical background, residency preferences, personal and professional interests, and academic progress. Failure to provide this information may result in the forfeiture of HMS scholarship support.

Also read: Top 10 best medical colleges in the world

Lester B Pearson Scholarships

The University of Toronto awards the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships for outstanding international students, including international students studying at Canadian high schools. These scholarships are among the most prestigious and competitive international student scholarships awarded annually to approximately 37 students.

The students must be nominated by their school and apply to undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto to become Pearson Scholars. It is tenable only at the University of Toronto for the first entry and covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are popular MBBS scholarships abroad?

The popular MBBS scholarships abroad are Brunel Medical School International Scholarships, Ibni Sina Medical Sciences Scholarship Program, FoM Master's scholarships, Anhui Medical University CSC Scholarship, Rhodes scholarship, Harvard Medical School Scholarships, Lester B Pearson Scholarships, etc.

What is the selection procedure for the Brunel Medical School scholarship?

The selection process to award the BMS scholarship consists of two steps. The first step is shortlisting the eligible candidates for the scholarship interview according to their Virtual Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) score. The second step is an online interview involving a brief presentation and discussion with the Interview Panel.

What scholarships are offered by the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London?

The Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London offers two types of scholarships: Dean's Master's Scholarship - up to 10 scholarships worth £10,000 and Dr. Jean Alero Thomas Scholarship - up to three scholarships that cover the full tuition fee for national and international candidates.

What does the Ibni Sina Medical Sciences scholarship program cover?

The Ibni Sina Medical Sciences scholarship program has a stipend of 50,000 TRY and covers health expenses, tuition fees, accommodation charges, Turkish language course fees, and round-trip tickets.

What are the eligibility criteria for Rhodes scholarship?

The candidate must be a citizen of India holding an Indian passport, should be between 18 years and 25 years of age, must have completed the undergraduate program in India, and have an excellent academic record to be eligible for Rhodes scholarship.

Which country is best for MBBS with a scholarship?

Countries like Germany, Russia, China, and certain European countries offer affordable or free MBBS programs with scholarships for international students, including Indians.

What are the best medical universities in the world offering scholarships?
Top universities like Harvard (USA), University of Toronto (Canada), University of Melbourne (Australia), and Heidelberg University (Germany) offer scholarships for medical programs, but availability varies widely.

Is it possible to study MBBS abroad for free?
Yes, countries like Germany and Norway offer tuition-free education, though students might still need to cover living expenses. Scholarships can further reduce costs.

How can I get a scholarship to study MBBS abroad (especially for Indian students)?
Indian students can apply for various scholarships like the Erasmus Mundus, DAAD (Germany), and Russian Government Scholarship, as well as university-specific scholarships. Strong academic records and language proficiency tests may be required.

How to study MBBS abroad after 12th with a scholarship?
After 12th, students can apply directly to universities abroad that offer scholarships, considering requirements such as NEET (for some countries), IELTS/TOEFL, and strong academic performance.

Are there scholarships available specifically for MBBS students?
Yes, several scholarships, including national programs (e.g., DAAD, Chinese Government Scholarship) and university-specific scholarships, are available for MBBS students based on merit and financial need.