Studying medicine abroad can open doors to global opportunities, but choosing the wrong university can ruin your career dreams. Every year, students fall victim to unrecognized or fake institutions, wasting years of hard work and huge sums of money.
If you are planning to study MBBS abroad, the most important step is to verify whether the foreign medical university is genuine and officially recognized.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the right decision.
Understanding Foreign Medical University Verification
Verifying a foreign medical university means ensuring that the institution is legally recognized, academically reputable, and accepted by relevant authorities like the NMC (National Medical Commission) in India.
Important Point: NMC approval is mandatory for Indian students pursuing MBBS abroad.
Main Parts of Verification:
Accreditation: Check recognition by WHO, NMC, and respective country’s health ministry.
Ranking & Reputation: Review global rankings and student testimonials.
Mode of Education: Ensure it offers full-time, on-campus instruction.
Local Laws: Confirm it is licensed to operate in its own country.
The first step is to confirm whether the university is recognized in its own country.
Visit the official Ministry of Education or relevant higher education authority’s website of that country.
Ensure the institution has valid approval to operate as a medical university.
Look for recognition by global accreditation bodies such as the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).
Current Practices and Their Pitfalls
Many students rely solely on agents or unofficial websites for information. This can lead to:
Important Point: Over 30% of Indian students who go abroad face issues due to poor university vetting.
Common Mistakes:
Trusting unauthorised agents
Skipping NMC list verification
Ignoring language of instruction
Not checking course duration
Overlooking clinical training opportunities
A Better Way to Verify Universities
Avoid falling into these traps. Here’s a more reliable way to check university credibility:
Important Point: Always cross-check from official government and embassy sources.
Main Ideas of the New Method:
Use the official NMC Approved List of Foreign Medical Colleges
Visit the university’s official website and verify accreditations
Email the Embassy of India in that country
Look for genuine student reviews on platforms like Quora and Reddit
Benefits of This Approach
Being thorough saves money, time, and your medical career.
Important Point: Genuine verification improves admission success and safety abroad.
Things That Get Better:
Admission in recognised college
Eligibility to practice in India
Improved safety while studying abroad
No surprise expenses or visa issues
How to Verify a Foreign Medical University
First Step: Check NMC List
Go to the NMC Foreign Medical Institutions List. Search for your target university by name or country.
Second Step: Accreditation Check
Visit the university’s official website. Confirm recognition from:
Local Ministry of Education or Health in that country
Third Step: Contact Embassy
Write to the Indian Embassy in that country. Confirm legitimacy and any advisories against certain institutions.
Expert Advice:
Avoid universities with poor infrastructure reviews
Don’t depend solely on agent claims
Use forums like EducationTimes and MCIHelpdesk
How to Verify a Foreign Medical University
First Step: Check NMC List
Go to the NMC Foreign Medical Institutions List. Search for your target university by name or country.
Second Step: Accreditation Check
Visit the university’s official website. Confirm recognition from:
Local Ministry of Education or Health in that country
Third Step: Contact Embassy
Write to the Indian Embassy in that country. Confirm legitimacy and any advisories against certain institutions.
Expert Advice:
Avoid universities with poor infrastructure reviews
Don’t depend solely on agent claims
Use forums like EducationTimes and MCIHelpdesk
Best Practices
Top Method 1: Start Early
Begin research at least 6 months before application season.
Top Method 2: Use Multiple Sources
Use official websites, embassy lists, and verified testimonials.
Top Method 3: Speak to Alumni
Join Facebook/Telegram groups of current or former students.
Important Point: Combining multiple sources ensures better results.
Solving Common Problems
Problem 1: University Not in NMC List
Solution: Don’t proceed. Look for alternatives that are recognised.
Problem 2: Course in Local Language
Solution: Opt for universities offering English-medium instruction.
Problem 3: Agent Pushes One Option
Solution: Get a second opinion from embassy or education counsellors.
Expert Advice:
Stay informed with NMC updates
Attend university info webinars
Don’t rush decisions
What's Coming Next in Study Abroad
Trend 1: Centralised Verification Portals
Govt bodies may soon offer a single platform for all approvals.
Trend 2: AI-Powered Reputation Scores
Online tools will offer better insights into university credibility.
Trend 3: Stricter Visa Rules
Countries are tightening rules for unrecognised institutions.
Important Point: Staying updated with trends ensures smart choices.
What's Coming Next in Study Abroad
Q: How do I know if a foreign university is recognised by NMC?
A: Visit the NMC website and check the list of approved foreign institutions.
Q: Are agents reliable?
A: Some are, but always cross-check what they say with official sources.
Q: What if the university claims recognition but is not on the NMC list?
A: Avoid it. NMC listing is mandatory for Indian students.
Q: Is English language instruction important?
A: Yes. Without it, you may struggle in academics and during screening tests.
Q: Can I transfer between foreign medical universities midway?
A: It depends on the universities’ internal transfer rules and if both are NMC-approved. Always confirm with both institutions and check revalidation requirements with NMC.
Q: What is the ideal course duration for MBBS abroad?
A: The NMC mandates a minimum of 54 months (4.5 years) + 12 months of internship. Anything less could make you ineligible for practice in India.
Q: Is studying in a low-cost university safe?
A: Not always. Low cost should not compromise quality. Verify credentials, teaching standards, and clinical exposure.
Q: Will I be allowed to write FMGE/NEXT after studying abroad?
A: Only if your foreign university is approved by NMC and meets its guidelines. The medium of instruction and curriculum must also match NMC norms.
Q: How do I verify clinical training facilities at a university?
A: Ask for hospital tie-up details, number of beds, patient inflow data, and student feedback. You can also verify via alumni groups and embassy queries.