MBBS Abroad Without NEET

Updated on 09 November, 2023

Neha Uppal

Neha Uppal

Sr. Content editor

Have you been thinking about pursuing MBBS from a foreign university but are worried about appearing for the NEET examination to secure admission to study abroad?

The good news is many universities abroad welcome applications and offer direct admission to MBBS without NEET. These universities accept alternative entrance examinations. So, NEET is not a prerequisite to realizing your dream of studying abroad. 

Keep reading as we detail every essential aspect of pursuing an MBBS without NEET abroad. 

 

An Overview of MBBS Without NEET in Abroad

NEET stands for National Eligibility Cum Entrance Exam, which is designed for students interested in pursuing MBBS and BDS programs. It is mandatory for all students seeking admission to medical universities in India and abroad to clear the NEET examination as per National Medical Commission.

For students interested in studying in foreign medical universities, NEET acts as the “Eligibility Certificate” that will allow them to take the screening test. It is an examination that is compulsory for Indian students to take to practice medicine in India after studying MBBS abroad. 

However, students not interested in practicing medicine in the country don’t require the “Eligibility Certificate,” for which NEET is important.

As such, these students can look for institutions abroad that offer admission to MBBS without NEET. These institutions grant admission based on some alternate examinations, such as BMAT, MCAT, or UKCAT. 

 

Lay Foundation for a Promising Career with Top Universities for MBBS Without NEET in Abroad 

Pursuing a career as a doctor demands excellent education and extensive preparation. And it all starts with choosing a medicine degree from an institute with a remarkable reputation. Fortunately, there are multiple universities abroad that offer you MBBS without NEET. 

In this section, we've outlined the best universities for MBBS without NEET abroad.

1.University College London 

Ranked 6th in QS University Rankings for Medicine, the University College London offers an integrated and dynamic MBBS curriculum. It supports students' comprehensive training and development as a medical professional. 

University Type  Public Institution 
Location  London 
QS World University Rankings by Subject: Medicine 6
Program Offered  MBBS BSc 
Course Duration  Six years 
Fee structure  GBP 47,000
Exam Requirements  BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)

2.Imperial College London 

Having one of the largest medicine departments in Europe and partnerships with an array of NHS Trusts, clinics, and hospitals, Imperial College London is another great choice for aspiring medical students. 

University Type  Public Institution 
Location  London 
QS World University Rankings by Subject: Medicine 8
Program Offered  MBBS BSc 
Course Duration  Six years 
Fee structure  GBP 50,400
Exam Requirements  BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)

3.University of Edinburgh

A medicine degree at the University of Edinburgh offers you a modern, integrated curriculum designed to prepare students for contemporary medical practices. It ensures an in-depth understanding of evidence-based medicine and clinical research

University Type  Public Institution 
Location  Scotland, Edinburg 
QS World University Rankings by Subject: Medicine 22
Program Offered  MBChB Medicine  
Course Duration  Six years 
Fee structure  Starting from GBP 35,000
Exam Requirements  University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)

4.NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

The university goes beyond supporting exceptional doctors by nurturing empathetic values and ethical medical practices in students. 

University Type  Public Institution 
Location  Singapore  
QS World University Rankings by Subject: Medicine 20
Program Offered  MBBS  
Course Duration  Five years 
Fee structure  SUSD 168,308
Exam Requirements  BMAT/UCAT

5.McMaster University 

The MBBS program at McMaster University is designed to acquaint you with a wide range of human health disorders and offers early exposure to medical practices. 

University Type  Public Institution 
Location  Canada
QS World University Rankings by Subject: Medicine 44
Program Offered  MBBS  
Course Duration  Five years 
Fee structure  USD 96,000.44
Exam Requirements  Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Benefits and Drawbacks of Pursuing an MBBS Abroad without NEET

Most students planning to build a career in the medical field have two choices – take direct admission in MBBS without NEET abroad or clear the NEET examination to secure admission in MBBS abroad. Both these choices have their benefits and drawbacks. 

The following are the benefits of studying MBBS abroad without NEET :

  • Securing admission to MBBS abroad without the NEET fee structure allows you to save time and money associated with the preparation and taking the examination. 
  • Secondly, some universities abroad have their own examinations they give importance to when granting admission to international students in MBBS programs. For instance, University College London provides admission based on the BioMedical Admission Test (BMAT). 

Drawbacks of studying MBBS abroad without NEET 

  • Scores of UCAT and BMAT entrance tests are valid for only a year, while NEET scores are valid for three years for admission abroad. So, pursuing MBBS without giving NEET means if you fail to secure admission in the test-taken year for any reason, you would have to appear again. 

Careers to Explore After Completing MBBS Abroad without NEET 

Once done with MBBS studies abroad, students have many career options to explore. You can decide to continue with your education journey with postgraduate medicine courses or start with your residency. Moreover, you would also find numerous opportunities to work in the medical sector with certain job prospects. 

So, keep reading to learn about the career prospects available to you after completing the MBBS degree abroad without NEET. 

Residency in the USA 

If you have done your MBBS from an international university, you can still do a residency in the US. USMLE – United States Medical Licensing Examination is for foreign medical graduates to establish themselves as medical practitioners in the United States. It has three steps, namely: 

  • USMLE1: An online MCQ examination given at the end of MBBS's second year.
  • USMLE2: It has two sub-steps, including: 
    • USMLE 2 CK: Computer-based test day examination given in the 4th year of MBBS. 
    • USMLE 2CS: Test takers must check and diagnose individuals acting as patients. It has to be taken in one of the five centers in the United States.
  • USMLE3: An online examination mandatory to take by all medical graduates to become licensed doctors in the United States. 

Notably, students to be eligible for the USMLE must have studied MBBS from a WHO-recognized university. 

Practice Medicine in the United Kingdom

All medical students passing from the UK universities from the academic year 2024-2025 onwards will be asked to clear the MLA as part of their degree before they enter the medical register. While international medical students interested in practicing medicine in the country must take PLAB and even MLA starting in 2024. 

  • Medicine Licensing Assessment (MLA): It is a test that will examine the core knowledge, behavior, and skills of doctors who wish to practice in the UK. 
  • Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board Exam (PLAB): International graduates who have completed their education from outside the UK will have to clear this exam to practice medicine in the country. 

Job Opportunities Available  

Gone are the days when you have few choices to rely on after completing MBBS. Since the world of medicine is constantly evolving, it has opened up new opportunities for medical graduates to choose from. Such as: 

Job Prospects  Salary 
Medical Professor  USD 429,564 
Pharmaceutical researcher USD 98,222
Medico-legal advisor USD 78,069
Forensic Psychiatry USD 273,801
Organ transplant coordinator USD 117,399

Credits: Official Sources

Conclusion

Medicine is one of the most popular career choices in the world, and many students aspire to study and practice medicine abroad. If you are one of them, you can seek admission for an MBBS without the NEET examination in foreign countries. 

Since NEET acts as an “Eligibility Certificate” mandatory for screening tests to register as a doctor in India, those students who wish to settle abroad can forgo NEET. Many prestigious universities allow admission to study MBBS without NEET abroad. Start with researching these universities and select the one that best suits you! 

FAQs

What are the eligibility criteria for studying MBBS abroad without NEET?

Following is the list of eligibility criteria to be fulfilled by aspiring students seeking admission to MBBS abroad without NEET:

  • Completion of 10th and 12th from a recognized board
  • Studied subjects like Biology, Physics, and Chemistry mandatorily at the higher secondary level
  • Submit test scores of university-specific entrance exams MCAT, BMAT, and UKCAT
  • Proof of English proficiency with TOEFL and IELTS

Do note that each university will further have its specific requirements to grant admission.

What would be considered a good MCAT score for admission to medical institutions?

Most medical universities do not specify a minimum score for MCAT. However, students can aim to achieve a good or highly competitive score to enhance their admission chances. To achieve this score, you need to earn between 129-132 in each four sections in the MCAT exams or between a 514-528 composite.

Did you find this article helpful?

Neha Uppal

Sr. Content editor

Neha Uppal is a passionate content creator and editor. She carries 7.5+ years of experience working with leading edutech companies where she worked as a Faculty, Community Manager, and Content Marketeer. At upGrad, she is helping out people keep informed about the scopes and opportunities of studying abroad via informational articles/blogs.

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