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Thousands of Indian students aspire to be doctors annually, and a lack of government seats and high fees of private colleges usually shatter their expectations.
That is the reason why MBBS in abroad has turned out to be the best alternative. In such nations as Russia, Georgia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, the quality of education is equal to or superior to that of Indian private colleges at a fraction of the price.
However, this is the truth of the matter because while brochures tell you that you can have admission to MBBS in a foreign country at reduced cost, the students end up incurring some hidden expenses, which influence their general budgets. These costs can increase rapidly, including accommodation charges, document charges, and so on.
Let’s reveal the hidden costs and share smart ways to save money without loss of quality – all with the help of trusted MBBS abroad consultants like Yash Overseas.
1. Tuition Fees vs. Reality
Tuition fees are the initial ones that students look at when they research universities in foreign countries.
However, not everyone knows that tuition is not necessarily the only expense of studying.
⇒ Hidden charges include:
⇒ Examination fees
⇒ Practical or laboratory training costs.
⇒ Registration fees or student union fees.
⇒ Service charges are charged by the university annually.
For example, currently, when a university in Russia advertises a fee of ₹2.5 lakh/year, there is a possibility of adding additional fees, which would increase the actual price by ₹40,000-50,000/year.
Money-saving tip: Always request that your MBBS abroad consultancy provide an elaborate, all-inclusive fee structure. At Yash Overseas, students are made aware of their full payment before they leave.
2. Accommodations & Living Costs
While tuition fees can be manageable, food and boarding expenses abroad are a significant factor.
University residences (accommodations): Typically much cheaper; expect to pay between ₹40,000–₹70,000 per year.
Private accommodations (accommodations): It is significantly more expensive than university accommodations, especially in capital cities such as Moscow and Tbilisi.
Food: Students can typically expect to pay for food between ₹5,000–₹10,000 a month, based on if they are cooking or utilizing an Indian mess.
Transit: City transit passes; students can expect to pay between ₹1,000 and ₹2,000 a month for a monthly pass.
Food and travel expenses are often underestimated by students. In colder climates, winter clothes could add another ₹20,000–₹30,000 in the first year.
A cost-saving tip to consider is attending a university that offers on-campus accommodation. On-campus accommodations are often much safer than off-campus accommodations and will save money on transit.
3. Cost Related to Documentation & Visa
At Yash Overseas, we believe in complete transparency.
We:
⇒ Provide a clear breakdown of all costs, so no nasty surprises.
⇒ Recommend only NMC-reviewed universities that have a good track record.
⇒ Help with low-cost visa, documentation, and accommodation.
⇒ Offer lifetime support, including FMGE/NExT preparation support.
⇒ Connect to alumni who can offer real expenses.
Yash Overseas is committed to helping Indian students pursue MBBS abroad in a cost-effective, safe, and stress-free process.
4. Travel & Lifestyle Expenses
While your dream university may be cheap, travel expenses will not be free.
⇒Plane ticket: Price of a round-trip ticket each academic year is ₹35,000–₹50,000.
⇒SIM/internet: Monthly expectation for a local SIM/internet is ₹700–₹1,200.
⇒Student lifestyle: Monthly additional expectation/spending for eating out, cultural activities, and entertainment is ₹2,000–₹5,000.
Money-saving tip: Purchase tickets earlier and take round-trips before the end-of-semester instructions.
Yash Overseas, familiar with these services, helps students book discount student fares.
5. Surprise Academic Fees
Most Indian students don’t think of academic additional fees: Books & medical instruments that tuition won’t cover. Additional coaching for FMGE/NExT (a mandatory exam to practice in India).
⇒ Language classes in non-English speaking countries.
⇒ These fees can add up to 1-2 lakhs during your MBBS journey.
Keeping the cost rather low: Keep an eye out for universities that have courses taught in English and FMGE/NExT coaching included. Yash Overseas makes it a point to highlight these universities during the counselling.
6. Advertised vs. Real Costs (Reality Check Table)
Expense Category | Advertised (Approx.) | Realistic Cost (Approx.) | Hidden Additions |
Tuition Fees | ₹2.5–3 lakh/year | ₹3–3.5 lakh/year | Exam & lab fees |
Hostel Fees | ₹40,000/year | ₹50,000–₹70,000/year | Security deposit |
Food | ₹3,000/month | ₹5,000–₹8,000/month | Mess/Indian food charges |
Documentation & Visa | ₹20,000 | ₹50,000–₹80,000 | Insurance, translation |
Travel (Air Tickets) | ₹25,000/year | ₹40,000–₹50,000/year | Extra luggage, seasonal hikes |
Books & Coaching | – | ₹1–2 lakh (entire course) | FMGE/NExT prep, medical kit |
7. Intelligent Cost-Saving Options
⇒ Select a university for your MBBS abroad with clearly defined fees.
⇒ Choose shared accommodation or your university hostel.
⇒ Make your food instead of eating expensive Indian mess.
⇒ Plan an annual budget in advance to avoid overspending.
⇒ Always engage with trusted MBBS abroad consultant agencies so that you avoid getting cheated.
8. How Yash Overseas Helps Students Avoid Hidden Charges
At Yash Overseas, we believe in complete transparency.
We:
⇒ Provide a clear breakdown of all costs, so no nasty surprises.
⇒ Recommend only NMC-reviewed universities that have a good track record.
⇒ Help with low-cost visa, documentation, and accommodation.
⇒ Offer lifetime support, including FMGE/NExT preparation support.
⇒ Connect to alumni who can offer real expenses.
Yash Overseas is committed to helping Indian students pursue MBBS abroad in a cost-effective, safe, and stress-free process.
9. Consultancy vs. Self-Application Table
Factor | Self-Application | With MBBS Abroad Consultancy |
Application Fees | Varies; often multiple attempts | Streamlined; one-time fee |
Documentation | Risk of errors, delays | Professional, error-free handling |
Hidden Costs | Higher due to inexperience | Transparent cost breakdown |
Success Rate | 60–70% | 90%+ with expert guidance |
University Selection | Risk of fraud or low-ranked universities. | NMC-approved, top universities only |
Overall Cost | May appear cheaper at first | Saves lakhs by avoiding mistakes |
Conclusion: Invest Wisely, Not Blindly
Pursuing MBBS abroad is one of the smartest investments for aspiring doctors. However, just like any other investment, it requires planning first. Unexpected expenses can ruin your dream if you don’t plan for them first.
The good news? With careful planning and trusting an expert like Yash Overseas, you can fulfil your medical aspiration at a low cost without nasty surprises.
If you want to do MBBS abroad but are concerned about cost, call Yash Overseas today. Our team of expert MBBS abroad consultants will help you step by step to find the right university for the right budget.