The admission season is here, and medical aspirants in India are looking forward to understanding the cost of MBBS in UK to plan better. Do you know that the MBBS intake for the UK-based medical universities is approaching? The intakes for MBBS in the UK are around September, so a decision must be made as soon as possible. The NEET 2025 was held for all the medical aspirants in India; they appeared and performed up to their best potential. Some are staying in India, while others are planning to study MBBS abroad.
The students who want to pursue an MBBS from the UK are making a great effort, as it is not a mentally demanding choice, but one that also comes with financial considerations. Knowing the cost of MBBS in UK will help you to plan things financially and be ready to take the right step ahead to pursue your higher studies in a country that has a globally recognized reputation for its healthcare system. We shall begin now to look at the cost of MBBS in UK for Indian students, breaking down each component, one by one.
Understanding the Medical System & Education in the UK
The National Health Service (NHS), a universal healthcare system based in the United Kingdom, was ranked as the best healthcare system in the world, as per a report by the Commonwealth Fund from the year 2017. The General Medical Council (GMC) looks after details related to the cost of MBBS in UK and ensures the quality standards in medical education and professional conduct.
Despite some fluctuations in recent years, the NHS still maintains a reputation for being one of the largest healthcare systems in the world. The students who strive to study in the UK for an MBBS course are not only going to study in a country that is home to the world’s top-ranked universities and cutting-edge facilities for medical research, but also get an opportunity to take a step into a widely known and respected healthcare system in the world.
An Overview of the MBBS in the UK for Indian Students
The cost of MBBS in UK can be determined by the average of all the universities, and depending on the duration of the program. The UK generally offers a 5-year MBBS in academic learning with a mandatory 1-year internship. Sometimes, it is 6 years or 4 years in some exceptional cases for pursuing higher education in the UK for the MBBS.
| Duration of the Course | 6 Years (Including 1-Year Internship) |
| Average Annual Tuition Fee | £40,000 |
| Number of Indian Students Enrolled | 2,000+ |
| Eligibility Criteria | 50% in 10+2 with PCB; NEET; 17 Years |
| Accreditation | NMC, WHO, GMC |
Tuition Fees to Pursue an MBBS from the UK for Indian Students
The educational cost of MBBS in UK is determined by the institution of higher education that has been chosen by a student, and the particular program of the MBBS. Pursuing an MBBS in the UK at an undergraduate level is 5 or 6 years, which is provided by a university for students who do not meet the standards required for the course. In addition to this, there is a 4-year program for students who have an undergraduate degree in a related field of study.
Here is a summary of different programs to understand how the cost of MBBS course in UK can be determined for exceptional cases:
- 5-Year MBBS for eligible students in the standard academic program.
- 6-Year MBBS with a foundation year to prepare students for their academic studies.
- 4-Year Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) program for students who have a related degree.
Top Universities in UK and Their Tuition Fees for MBBS
The cost of MBBS in UK is mainly based on the university, which is not as expensive for the average domestic student, but the tuition fees are higher for international students. Tuition fees in the UK increase by 3-5% per year, while tuition fees in clinical years (training in the final 2-3 years) increase more than the preclinical years.
On average, the cost of tuition is between £175,000 and £250,000 for the total duration of the program. This makes the total cost of MBBS in UK approximately ₹1-3 crores for Indian students. Take a look at this list of all the top universities in the UK that are offering MBBS to get an idea of the cost of MBBS in UK universities:
| University | Avg. Annual Tuition Fee | Total Cost for 5 Years |
| University of Oxford | £39,000 – £44,000 | £195,000 – £220,000 |
| University of Cambridge | £63,990 (clinical years) | £250,000 (6 years) |
| Imperial College London | £47,000 | £235,000 |
| University of Glasgow | £47,000 | £235,000 |
| University of Edinburgh | £35,000 – £50,000 | £175,000 – £250,000 |
| King’s College London | £46,000 | £230,000 |
What Is the Cost of Living in the UK While Pursuing an MBBS?
Other than the cost of MBBS course in UK, the cost of living plays a big role in determining how much money you have to keep when pursuing an MBBS degree in the UK. The cost of living in the UK is not an issue for students who have accommodation in areas outside of London. The cost of living is very high in areas like London and Edinburgh as compared to other parts of the country, where the cost of living is affordable for Indian students.
The amount of money that is required to live and pay for the cost of MBBS in UK is between £12,000-15,000 per year, but it will take about £15,000-18,000 per year to live in a city like London. This is inclusive of all things, including housing costs, transport expenses, food, and other items such as books and study materials, along with the fact that there are personal expenses associated with this type of financial situation. This brings the total cost of living in the UK for 5 years to be estimated at between £60,000 and £90,000.
Additional Costs Incurred to Pursue an MBBS in the UK for Indian Students
The cost of MBBS in UK has other implications for students at the beginning stages of their education process as well. This includes the following basic steps to begin with MBBS abroad:
Application Fees
- UCAS fee – £27
- BMAT/UKCAT fees – £70-£120 (depending upon the test and location)
Visa and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- Student visa (Tier-4) fee – £490
- IHS – £776 per year
- £3,880 for a 5-year course
Travel Expenses
₹60,000-1,00,000 for a year of air travel
Medical Insurance
£200-300 per year for the additional coverage of the hospital and medical care costs
Easing Your Financial Burden: Scholarships and Financial Aid to Pursue an MBBS from the UK for Indian Students
To afford the cost of MBBS in UK, Indian students have the right to apply for a loan or a scholarship in their chosen educational career. Certain scholarship programs in the UK are not available for the undergraduate level and at specific universities. The following are some examples of the schemes and programs available for students from strong academic backgrounds:
University-Specific Scholarships:
- Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford)
- Chevening Scholarships
- Imperial College Scholarships
- Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships
Indian Government Schemes:
- National Overseas Scholarship (for students from SC/ST/OBC backgrounds)
- JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation
How to Manage Your Educational Costs to Pursue an MBBS in the UK?
Indian students have a lot of ways to manage the cost of MBBS in UK. Especially with the Tier-4 student visa of the UK, the government allows international students to work for up to 20 hours per week during their time off from studies, and allows them to work full-time during holidays. This will help the students in covering the cost of living and saving for the future. Other ways to reduce the total cost of MBBS in UK are as follows:
- Use shared housing and university halls of residence instead of a private residence
- Roam around the city in public transportation, rather than private cabs
- Consider cooking your meals in place of frequent dining out
- Take advantage of student discounts wherever possible
Final Thoughts
Indian students can expect to pay for the cost of MBBS in UK, along with the cost of living in the UK for an estimated amount of ₹1 crore to ₹3 crore. This would mean that they require a substantial amount of money for their education and accommodation. Researching and having an excellent academic background can help in getting the best scholarship possible for Indian students to be able to afford a decent university. The UK has a lot of great universities that offer excellent teaching and training in their field to help students become successful professionals in their field.
For more clarity on the cost of MBBS in UK, get in touch with Education Vibes. Our team will help you with your MBBS journey and support you in each area of your application process. Register now!