The advent of globalization did not just revolutionize the economic and financial sector but also others. As it included the transfer of people, ideas, and knowledge as well, the educational sector was also impacted and the biggest reflection of this is the increasing appeal of MBBS Abroad.
Since then till now, there has been a regular increase in the number of such opportunities. Among the many nations that have opened their doors for foreign students, Russia and Ukraine are some of the most sought-after.
As both these destinations are in huge demand, it becomes important to distinguish the 2 so that medical aspirants can make a better and more informed choice.
FMGE Passing Rate
A huge chunk of the Indian medical aspirants who come to Russia/Ukraine for MBBS has the aim to go back to India and practice there. To be able to do so, they need to pass the FMGE Exam i.e. the Indian licentiate exam.
As far as the record of MBBS in Russia students is concerned, the FMGE passing rate over the years has been up to 40%, which are some of the most impressive statistics.
Ukrainian universities on the other hand have had a much better record, with an FMGE Passing rate of around 66.16%.
Affordability
No matter how much a university excels in offering the best possible curriculum, pedagogy, research training, international exposure, exchanges, etc, the major factor influencing most people’s decisions is the “fees”
In terms of affordability, the MBBS in Ukraine prospect falls slightly short of its Russian competitors, as the latter seems to be more affordable in some cases. In most cases though, the average fees of the top universities in both nations stand around INR 25-26 Lakh.
However, the minimum fee one can expect in Ukrainian universities is INR 20 Lakh, that too in rare cases like the “Kyiv Medical University”. On the other hand, certain Russian universities like the “Crimea Federal University” and the “Kabardino Balkarian State University” can offer fees as low as INR 13-18 Lakh.
Lifestyle in Both Cases
When a candidate decides to enroll in a medical university in Russia/Ukraine, s/he also decides to devote 6 years of his/her life to living in the country where the university is located. Thus, knowing the kind of life one can expect to live there becomes extremely important.
Students pursuing MBBS in Russia need to be prepared for some extreme temperatures, thanks to the proximity to the North Pole. This includes some long, cold, and harsh winters. However, there are brief relieving summers in between as well.
That should not deter them as the Indian cultural impact is quite high in Russia, thanks to decades of positive Indo-Russian Relations. From a huge Indian diaspora living in Russia to the celebration of Indian festivals and the presence of local Indian products in almost every general store, Russia has it all. In fact, don’t be surprised to find Indian movies playing in theatres there.
The quality of life is great during MBBS in Ukraine as well. Unlike Russia, the weather here is not too taxing, especially for foreign students. Thanks to relative distance from any water body, this country witnesses overall pleasant weather that is also non-humid. Also, many universities here have separate dormitories for boys and girls.
However, students may feel homesick here as compared to Russia because the Indian cultural impact, though present (thanks to India’s relations with the Soviet Union), is quite minimal. Students can get authentic Indian cuisines in the canteen. Cafeteria, and hostel mess though.
Question of the Hour: Is a Medical Degree from Russia/Ukraine Valid?
This is the question currently everyone is pondering on after the release of the NMC Gazette at the end of last year. The main guidelines pertaining to MBBS Abroad include: -
- The minimum course duration of 5.5 years (including 1 year of mandatory internship)
- The entire course in English medium
- University recognized by relevant local and international authorities.
Both prospects fulfill all the above-mentioned criteria, and thus, students coming from here are eligible for the Indian licentiate exam.
All in all, while MBBS in Russia is a cheaper and much more familiar option (due to the Indian presence), MBBS in Ukraine has a higher success rate in FMGE.
