Studying MBBS in Russia is a fantastic choice for students who want to become doctors without spending a fortune. In this blog, you’ll learn about the top universities, their fees, eligibility, and why Russia is a great place to study medicine.
The top universities in Russia for MBBS are the First Moscow State Medical University, Kazan State Medical University, and Russian National Research Medical University.
MBBS in Russia tuition fees range from $3,500 to $11,800 per year (₹2.9 to ₹10.4 lakhs).
To pursue MBBS in Russia, you must have at least 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in 12th grade, qualify for NEET (for Indian students), and be 17 or older.
MBBS in Russia: Overview
Russia’s MBBS program is designed to train students to become skilled doctors. It lasts 6 years, including 5 years of classroom learning and 1 year of internship. Below is a quick overview:
|
Aspect |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Duration |
6 years (5 years theory + 1 year internship) |
|
Average Tuition |
$3,000-$8,000/year (₹2.5-6.7 lakhs/year, at $1 = ₹84, October 2025) |
|
Intake Time |
September (applications open March-August) |
|
Score Requirement |
50% in 12th-grade PCB (40% for SC/ST/OBC); NEET qualified for Indians |
|
Language of Study |
English or Russian (English-medium widely available) |
|
Living Costs |
$200-$500/month (₹16,800-₹42,000) for hostel, food, and transport |
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Top Universities in Russia for MBBS
Russia has some of the best medical universities in the world, known for their advanced teaching methods and modern facilities. Below is a table of the top 10, based on ratings from the Consulate General of India:
|
CGIS Rank |
Name of the University |
|---|---|
|
1 |
The First Moscow State Medical University named after Sechenov |
|
2 |
The First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after Pavlov |
|
3 |
Russian National Research Medical University named after N. I. Pirogov |
|
4 |
Kazan State Medical University |
|
5 |
Siberian State Medical University |
|
6 |
Voronezh State Medical University named after Burdenko |
|
7 |
Ryazan State Medical University named after Pavlov |
|
8 |
Kursk State Medical University |
|
9 |
Volgograd State Medical University |
|
10 |
Altai State Medical Academy |
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Let’s get into the details of each university in Russia to pursue MBBS and see what they offer:
The First Moscow State Medical University
Location: Moscow
Tuition Fee: $11,800 annually (₹10.37 lakhs)
Sechenov University was founded in 1758. It is Russia’s oldest and most prestigious medical school. It ranks in the top 500 globally (QS World Rankings, 2025) and offers amazing research labs. Over 2,000 international students study here, enjoying an amazing campus life.
The First St. Petersburg State Medical University
Location: St. Petersburg
Tuition Fee: $5,500 annually (₹4.62 lakhs)
First Pavlov State Medical University was founded in 1897 and offers a dedicated Medical Faculty for foreign students with a Pre-Entrance Program. The university's research initiatives feature international conferences on topics like emergency medical care, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, endometriosis, and biotechnology.
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Russian National Research Medical University named after N. I. Pirogov
Location: Moscow
Tuition Fee: $5,800 annually (₹4.87 lakhs)
Pirogov University is a leader in medical research, with partnerships in 30+ countries. Its MBBS program includes hands-on training in top hospitals. It’s a top choice for Indian students, with over 1,000 enrolled (2024 data).
Kazan State Medical University
Location: Kazan
Tuition Fee: $5,200 annually (₹4.57 lakhs)
Kazan State Medical University (KSMU) was founded in 1814 in Kazan, Russia. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious medical institutions in the country, offering a 6-year MBBS program in English that includes 5 years of academic study followed by a mandatory 1-year internship.
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Siberian State Medical University
Location: Tomsk
Tuition Fee: $5,150 annually (₹4.25 lakhs)
Siberian State Medical University was established in 1878. It is a pioneer in medical innovation. It offers English-medium MBBS and has a strong focus on research, with over 500 Indian students enrolled (2024). Its campus includes modern labs and libraries.
Voronezh State Medical University
Location: Voronezh
Tuition Fee: $3,500 annually (₹2.94 lakhs)
Voronezh State Medical University named after N.N. Burdenko is a government-funded university in Russia, managed by the Russian Ministry of Health. It is one of the country’s leading and teaching centers top medical university, with over 8,000 students currently enrolled. There are six Faculties, four Institutes, and one Research Institute here.
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Ryazan State Medical University
Location: Ryazan
Tuition Fee: $4,200 annually (₹3.53 lakhs)
Ryazan State Medical University named after academician I.P. Pavlov is one of the largest specialized higher medical education institutions in the Central Federal District of Russia. For more than half a century, Ryazan State Medical University has been preparing qualified personnel for the national health system. The university has trained 34,000 students.
Kursk State Medical University
Location: Kursk
Tuition Fee: $5,500 annually (₹4.83 lakhs)
Kursk State Medical University (KSMU) specializes in healthcare education, offering programs such as Medical, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical, with a notable 6-year Medical Degree (MBBS) program. It includes a dual degree option combining an MD/BS/MPH from KSMU and Charisma University.
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Volgograd State Medical University
Location: Volgograd
Tuition Fee: $5,000 annually (₹4.39 lakhs)
Founded in 1935, Volgograd State Medical University is among the 10 best medical universities in Russia and has a long tradition of training doctors, including its MBBS program. The university's professors are renowned worldwide for their significant contributions to the development of practical and functional medicine.
Altai State Medical Academy
Location: Barnaul
Tuition Fee: $4,200 annually (₹3.69 lakhs)
Altai State Medical University was founded in 1954. It offers a comprehensive MBBS-equivalent program in General Medicine through its Institute of Clinical Medicine, leading to an MD degree as a General Practitioner after 6 years of full-time study in Russian. It also has bilingual English-medium options available at the Faculty of Foreign Students.
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MBBS in Russia: Admission Requirements for Indian Students
Getting into MBBS in Russia is easy if you meet the rules. You need good marks in school and a NEET score for Indian students.
Eligibility Criteria
You must meet these rules to apply for MBBS in Russia:
- Academic Requirements: At least 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in 12th grade (40% for SC/ST/OBC).
- Age Requirements: Must be 17 years old or more by December 31 of the admission year.
- Entrance Exam: NEET is qualified for Indian students.
- Medical Fitness: Need a health certificate showing you are fit.
Documents Required
You need these important documents to apply for MBBS in Russia:
- Passport: A valid passport with at least 18 months left.
- 12th Marksheet: Original and attested copies of your 12th-grade marks.
- NEET Scorecard: Proof of passing the NEET exam.
- Birth Certificate: Original birth certificate in English or translated.
- Photos: Recent passport-size photos.
- Medical Certificate: Health and HIV test reports.
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How to Apply to MBBS Universities in Russia?
Applying for MBBS in Russia is simple; you need to first choose a university and submit documents, then get a visa. Below are all the major and minor steps to help you apply:
Step 1: Choose a University and Apply
Pick an NMC-approved university and fill out the online form with your details. Submit scans of your 12th marks, NEET score, and passport.
Step 2: Get Admission Letter
The university checks your papers and sends an admission letter in 7-10 days if you qualify. Pay the first fee to confirm your seat.
Step 3: Get an Invitation Letter
The university sends an official invitation letter needed for a visa. This takes 2-4 weeks after fee payment.
Step 4: Apply for a Visa
Go to the Russian Embassy with an invitation, passport, photos, and a health certificate. Visa processing takes 7-15 days.
Step 5: Travel and Enroll
Book your flight to Russia and arrive before classes start in September. Complete registration at the university and start your course.
Cost of Studying MBBS in Russia
The average cost for MBBS in Russia, including tuition and living, is 2,500,000-4,000,000 RUB for 6 years (₹22.50 to 36 L at 1 RUB=0.9 INR).
Tuition Fee for MBBS in Russia
Tuition fees in Russia are low compared to those in other countries. Below are the major insights on MBBS in Russia:
- The highest tuition fee is at Sechenov University at 500,000 RUB/year.
- The lowest is Altai State at 200,000 RUB/year.
- On average, you should consider 300,000-400,000 RUB/year for tuition and plan accordingly.
Cost of Living in Russia
Living costs in Russia are affordable for students, ranging around RUB 35,000 (INR 31,500) per month.
|
Expense |
Monthly (RUB) |
Monthly (INR) |
Annual (RUB) |
Annual (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hostel |
10,000 |
9,000 |
120,000 |
108,000 |
|
Food |
15,000 |
13,500 |
180,000 |
162,000 |
|
Transport |
2,000 |
1,800 |
24,000 |
21,600 |
|
Utilities |
3,000 |
2,700 |
36,000 |
32,400 |
|
Miscellaneous |
5,000 |
4,500 |
60,000 |
54,000 |
|
Total |
35,000 |
31,500 |
420,000 |
378,000 |
Scholarships to Pursue MBBS in Russia
Scholarships help Indian students study MBBS in Russia by covering fees and living costs. For example, Indian students can pursue MBBS in Russia with the help of scholarships like the Russian Government Scholarship and the Open Doors Scholarship, which are based on merit, academic performance, or financial need.
|
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility Criteria |
Benefits/Awards (RUB) (INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Russian Government Scholarship |
Good academic record, apply through the embassy |
Full tuition + 15,000 RUB/month stipend (13,500 INR) |
|
Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project |
Winners of international olympiads, strong academic performance |
Full tuition + accommodation |
|
University Merit Scholarship |
High entrance scores, merit-based |
Partial tuition waiver up to 100,000 RUB/year (90,000 INR) |
|
Education Future International Scholarship |
Indian nationals, pursuing studies abroad |
Up to USD 10,000 (approx. 840,000 RUB / 7.56 lakhs INR) |
|
Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi Scholarship |
SC/ST students, family income less than INR 6 lakhs, studying abroad |
INR 15,000/month for 2 years (approx. 180,000 RUB / 1.62 lakhs INR) |
|
Global Education Program (GEP) |
International students, merit-based |
Partial tuition + living expenses up to 200,000 RUB/year (1.8 lakhs INR) |
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MBBS in India vs MBBS in Russia
MBBS in Russia is more affordable and easier to get into than in India. In India, there are few government seats, and private colleges cost a lot, but Russia offers low fees and no extra charges. Here is a table showing 5 major differences:
|
Aspect |
MBBS in India |
MBBS in Russia |
|---|---|---|
|
Cost |
₹50 to 90 lakhs for private colleges |
₹20 to 40 lakhs total for 6 years |
|
Entrance Exam |
NEET with a high cutoff for government seats |
NEET qualified, no high cutoff |
|
Duration |
5.5 years, including internship |
6 years, including an internship |
|
Recognition |
NMC approved |
WHO, NMC approved |
|
Seats Availability |
Limited, high competition (1 lakh seats for 20 lakh aspirants) |
More seats, easier admission |
From the Desk of Yocket
Choosing where to study MBBS abroad can feel overwhelming when balancing quality, affordability, and global recognition. Many students worry about navigating admissions, visa processes, and finding the right university that fits both budget and career goals.
With Yocket Premium, you can make the process easier and faster. Our expert counselors help you shortlist top universities in Russia, guide you through document preparation, NEET requirements, and even visa applications. Plus, you’ll get step-by-step support so you can confidently secure admission to a trusted, globally recognized Russian medical university.





