MBBS in Canada for Indian Students | Guide for 2025/26

A Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) is one of the most popular and respected medical qualifications in the world, allowing you to develop the foundational skills needed to build a career in clinical practice, research, or healthcare leadership. For Indian students like yourself, earning your MBBS degree abroad can open doors to advanced medical training and professional opportunities worldwide.

Canada stands out as a top destination for overseas medical training for Indian students, being home to some of the world’s top-ranking medical schools, renowned for their academic excellence, research-driven teaching, and high clinical standards. The country also has friendly immigration policies and a multicultural community, helping international students feel right at home as they develop the skills necessary to succeed in the medical field.

This guide covers everything you need to know about pursuing an MBBS in Canada for Indian students, including MBBS course content in Canada, top universities and available scholarships, the cost of studying MBBS in Canada, and post-study work prospects for MBBS graduates.

Why Study MBBS in Canada as an Indian Student

The MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree is the equivalent of an MBBS in Canada for Indian students. This degree offers a globally recognised qualification, access to world-class healthcare systems, and a clear pathway to competitive careers in medicine and research. Here’s a closer look at why you may want to consider Canada for your MBBS studies.

• High academic standards

Canadian universities maintain high academic and clinical standards in their MBBS programmes. These programmes place a particular focus on evidence-based medicine and hands-on learning, offering comprehensive medical education for international students like you. Medical faculties in Canadian universities are often affiliated with top hospitals and research institutions, giving you direct access to clinical environments.

• Globally recognised degree

Medical degrees from Canada are recognised by key global bodies such as the National Medical Commission (NMC), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). After completing your MBBS, you can sit for qualifying exams such as PLAB (UK), USMLE (US), and NeXT (India) if you wish to practice in countries other than Canada.

• Great career prospects

Canada offers structured medical residency opportunities, practical training, and long-term immigration options through programmes like Express Entry for international students. Canadian MBBS graduates also have a higher chance of securing placements in high-demand specialisations.

• Pathway to permanent residency

Indian students who complete their medical education in Canada and accrue work experience have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency through Canadian immigration pathways for international graduates. This makes it easier to build a long-term medical career in Canada.

Choosing to pursue an MBBS in Canada opens you up to global opportunities in medicine due to the high academic standards and global recognition that Canadian MBBS degrees offer. In the next section, we’ll take a closer look at the types of MBBS courses available in Canada, how they are structured, and how long they typically take to complete.

MBBS in Canada: Course Types, Structure, and Duration

Indian students planning to study medicine in Canada will notice that the MBBS degree is typically offered as an MD, a postgraduate-level qualification rather than a direct undergraduate programme. This means most Canadian universities require applicants to have completed at least two to four years of undergraduate study in a related field, such as biology or life sciences, before applying to an MD programme. However, depending on your current qualifications, several academic pathways are available for you to pursue a full medical degree in Canada.

MBBS Course Types

While Canada doesn’t offer a direct MBBS programme after 12th grade like India, Indian students can choose from the following options to begin their medicine journey in Canada:

With these options, Indian students like you have the opportunity to complete your medicine studies in Canada, whether you are fresh out of 12th grade or an undergraduate degree holder. Next, let’s take a look at how the MBBS programme in Canada is structured.

MBBS Course Structure

The standard MBBS programme in Canada spans four academic years and provides in-depth theoretical knowledge and valuable clinical experience. The programme usually includes nine semesters of pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical study.

Completing your MBBS in Canada gives you a good understanding of all the key subject areas a medical graduate must have. Next, let’s take a look at how long it may take for Indian students to complete their MBBS in Canada.

MBBS Course Duration

Depending on your academic qualifications, the time it takes to complete your MBBS in Canada can change.

• If you’re starting after the 12th grade, you may have to complete a pre-med course (1–2 years) and a bachelor’s degree (3–4 years) to start the MBBS (3–4 years). This means it can take 7–10 years to complete your MBBS in Canada.
• If you’re starting the MBBS after a bachelor’s degree in India, you can earn a Canadian MBBS in 3–4 years.

Now that you’re familiar with how medical courses in Canada are structured and how long it may take you to complete your MBBS in Canada, let’s look at the universities that offer the best MBBS programmes in the country.

Top-Ranking Universities in Canada for MBBS

Canada is home to several globally ranked universities offering high-quality medical education, research opportunities, and clinical training. These institutions are known for their advanced medical curricula, strong links to teaching hospitals, and international recognition, making them highly attractive to Indian students aiming for a successful career in medicine. Here are some of the top-ranking universities in Canada offering MD programmes, which are equivalent to MBBS degrees.

These universities provide globally recognised medical education and offer excellent support services for international students, including mentorship, career guidance, and cultural integration initiatives. If you need assistance researching programmes and applying to Canadian universities, you can book a free counselling session with a StudyIn higher education counsellor.

While Canadian MBBS degrees provide high value for Indian students aiming for a successful career in medicine, they can also be very expensive to pursue. If affordability is a key consideration in choosing a medical school, the next section will help you identify the most affordable colleges for MBBS in Canada so you can stay within budget while pursuing your dream of becoming a medical professional in Canada.

Most Affordable Colleges for Medicine MBBS in Canada

Pursuing a medical degree in Canada can be expensive, especially for international students. However, some universities offer comparatively lower tuition fees while still maintaining high academic standards and clinical training opportunities. The following institutions are worth considering if you’re looking for a quality MBBS education in Canada while staying within budget.

The tuition fees listed above may vary based on the specific programme, student residency status, and years of study. You can check the official university websites for the most accurate figures.

While tuition fees are one part of the equation for studying an MBBS in Canada, meeting the academic and testing requirements for MBBS in Canada is equally important. Next, we’ll walk through the admission requirements for Indian students applying to MBBS programmes in Canada.

MBBS in Canada: Admission Requirements for Indian students

Getting into a medical programme in Canada is highly competitive, as international students must demonstrate academic excellence, a strong understanding of science fundamentals, and a high level of proficiency in English. Since most Canadian medical schools follow a graduate-entry model, you will also need to complete a relevant undergraduate degree before applying for an MBBS in Canada. Here’s a breakdown of the key admission requirements you need to meet as an Indian MBBS applicant.

As an Indian student looking to study in Canada, you may also want to consider taking the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test). While most Canadian universities don’t require it for admission, it’s highly recommended if you wish to return home after your MBBS and practice medicine in India. Book a free counselling session with a StudyIn higher education counsellor and receive step-by-step guidance to apply for MBBS in Canada for Indian students.

Meeting these requirements is a good first step to starting your medical studies in Canada. Next, let’s break down what it costs to pursue an MBBS in Canada—from your visa application to living expenses and tuition.

Cost of Pursuing an MBBS in Canada as an Indian Student

Studying an MBBS in Canada is a significant investment. The main expenses you need to keep in mind when studying an MBBS in Canada are pre-arrival fees such as the visa application, tuition fees for your chosen MBBS programme, and the cost of living in Canada. Here’s a breakdown of each cost you can expect when pursuing an MBBS in Canada.

Pre-arrival expenses to Canada

Pre-arrival costs for Canada MBBS studies include the Canada Study permit application fees, language proficiency test fees, MCAT test fees, and the university deposit that may be required to confirm your placement. These expenses can vary for each student, but a general breakdown may look like this:

• Canada Study permit fee – CA$150 (Approx. INR 9,300)
• Language proficiency test fee – Approx. CA$320 (Approx. INR 20,000)
• MCAT test fee – Approx. CA$540 (Approx. INR 25,000)
• Initial deposit paid out to the university to confirm your place in the programme – Approx. CA$5,000 (Approx. INR 310,000). This depends on the programme, and some universities do not charge this fee

From January 2025, Indian students also need to get a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) for the study permit application. This is issued by your chosen university, often after you have paid the initial deposit for your MBBS programme.

Tuition fees for MBBSs

Typically, the annual tuition fees for an MBBS in Canada for Indian students will be between CA$35,000 and CA$90,000 (INR 22–57 lakhs). Tuition fees for MBBS programmes can vary depending on the university, type of programme, student residency status, and years of study.

Cost of living in Canada

When considering costs in Canada, you’ll have to account for expenses like accommodation, food and living, travel, and visa costs. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires Indian students to show proof of funds of CA$20,635 per year, which can help you understand the average cost of living in Canada as an MBBS student.

Here’s a general breakdown of the living expenses you can expect when studying in Canada:

Based on this information, your monthly living cost while studying your MBBS in Canada can range from CA$1,130–2,280 (INR 70,000–142,000). Budgeting properly, finding part-time work opportunities, and applying for the many scholarships Canada offers for MBBS students can help you manage your expenses better. Let’s take a look at a few scholarships you can use to offset the cost of studying in Canada next.

Scholarships for Indian Students Applying for MBBS in Canada

Many Canadian universities offer merit-based scholarships, entrance awards, and need-based funding specifically for international students to help them manage the cost of studying an MBBS in Canada. Here are some notable scholarships and funding options that Indian students like you can explore.

With the right scholarship support, the cost of pursuing an MBBS in Canada can become significantly more manageable. You can use StudyIn’s scholarship search tool to find scholarships aligned with your requirements.

Once you complete your MBBS studies in Canada, your next step is to gain clinical experience through a medical residency in Canada. Let’s explore how that works next.

Medical Residency in Canada after MBBS for Indian students

After getting your MBBS, completing your medical residency is the next step toward becoming a licensed doctor in Canada. This hands-on, postgraduate training period allows graduates to specialise in fields such as internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, or emergency medicine while working in a clinical setting under supervision. Here are the requirements you need to meet to secure a residency placement in Canada.

• You must hold an MD degree from a Canadian medical school or a recognised foreign institution listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
• You must pass the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part I and the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) exam.

Once you meet these requirements, you can apply for residency placements through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). The application typically includes your exam scores, transcripts, reference letters, and a personal statement.

Medical residency in Canada typically lasts three to seven years, and positions you for a successful medical career in the country or abroad. In the next section, we’ll explore the career opportunities and salary prospects Indian students can expect after completing their MBBS in Canada.

Career Prospects with an MBBS in Canada

Indian students who complete their MBBS in Canada benefit from a strong reputation, rigorous clinical experience, and eligibility for further specialisation or practice in countries such as the USA, UK, Australia, and India. Let’s take a closer look at career opportunities, earning potential, and the best regions in Canada for MBBS graduates.

Salary potential with an MBBS in Canada

Medical professionals in Canada are among the highest-paid in the healthcare industry. Salaries vary depending on the specialisation, years of experience, and province of employment.

*Salary data accessed from Job Bank (jobbank.gc.ca) in July 2025

In Canada, salaries are typically higher in private practice and remote areas where physician shortages exist. Next, let’s take a look at the best provinces in Canada for MBBS graduates to pursue job opportunities based on the annual salary they can earn.

Best provinces for jobs after MBBS in Canada

While demand for doctors exists nationwide in Canada, some provinces offer more favourable job markets and higher salaries due to population needs and healthcare funding.

*Salary data accessed from Job Bank (jobbank.gc.ca) in July 2025

Now that you understand the career outlook and earning potential with an MBBS in Canada, the next step is figuring out how to apply for an MBBS in Canada. Let’s walk through the application process for MBBS in Canada as an Indian student, including the documents you will need and step-by-step instructions for applying.

Applying for an MBBS in Canada as an Indian Student

The application process for MBBS programmes in Canada requires careful planning to ensure you have the highest chances of admission. This application process can be complicated, so let’s go over the documents you need and the process you need to follow for a successful application.

Documents needed to apply for an MBBS in Canada

Before you begin your application to study an MBBS in Canada, make sure you have the following documents ready:

• Academic transcripts from 10th, 12th, and undergraduate studies
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) outlining your motivation and goals for studying an MBBS in Canada
• Letters of Recommendation (LORs) – typically two to three from academic or professional referees
• Resume or CV, highlighting relevant academic and extracurricular achievements
• MCAT scores (and NEET, if you plan to return to India)
• Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE results)
• Copy of your passport
• Proof of funds (bank statements, sponsorships, scholarships, or GIC)
• Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer) test results, if required by the university

These requirements can change depending on the university you’re applying to, so always check the official admissions page for the most accurate and updated list.

Admission process when applying for an MBBS in Canada

Once you have prepared the documents mentioned above, you can start the application process. Here are the key steps you need to follow when applying for an MBBS in Canada.

Step 1: Complete a pre-med or bachelor’s degree

If you’re applying after 12th grade, begin with a 3–4 year undergraduate degree in science, life sciences, or health sciences. Some universities offer a direct pre-medical pathway that leads to the MD programme.

Step 2: Take the MCAT test

Register and prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Achieving a high score in this test can significantly improve your chances of admission. Some universities may waive the MCAT for certain applicants, but it’s typically required.

Step 3: Shortlist universities and check eligibility

Review eligibility criteria, document checklists, and deadlines for each university and ensure you meet any minimum GPA or subject prerequisites.

Step 4: Submit your application

Apply for your MBBS through:

• OMSAS for medical schools in Ontario
• Direct university applications for schools outside Ontario

Your application must include all documents, test scores, and the application fee (usually CA$100–CA$150 per university).

Step 5: Attend the interview

If you are shortlisted by the university, you may be invited for Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) or asked to submit CASPer test results.

Step 6: Wait for the admission decision

If accepted to your chosen university, you will receive an official offer letter from the university.

Step 7: Apply for the Study Permit

Once you receive the offer letter, apply for the Canadian study permit and obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).

Once you complete this process, you are well on your way to completing your MBBS in Canada and starting your career in medicine with a globally recognised qualification.

If you’re serious about studying MBBS in Canada, you don’t have to navigate the process alone. At StudyIn, we help Indian students like you find the right universities, prepare application materials, apply for scholarships, and manage visa requirements—step by step. Book your free counselling session with StudyIn today and take the first step towards your medical career in Canada.

FAQs

What is the difference between MBBS and MD in Canada?

In Canada, the MD (Doctor of Medicine) is equivalent to the MBBS degree in India. The MD is a graduate-level programme that includes both academic coursework and clinical training. Indian students must complete pre-medical studies before applying to an MD programme in Canada.

Is NEET required for MBBS in Canada?

NEET is not required for admission to Canadian universities. However, if you plan to return to India and practise medicine after graduation, you must pass NEET to be eligible for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) in India.

How much does it cost for an Indian student to study MBBS in Canada?

The total annual cost, including tuition and living expenses, for studying an MBBS in Canada can range from CA$55,000–CA$110,000 (INR 35–69 lakhs). Scholarships and financial aid can help reduce this amount significantly.

Are scholarships available for Indian students pursuing MBBS in Canada?

Yes, many Canadian universities offer scholarships for international students based on academic merit or financial need. These scholarships can cover tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance costs, and more.

Can I work in Canada after completing my MBBS?

Yes, after completing your MD and medical residency in Canada, you can apply for a licence to practise and potentially obtain permanent residency through pathways like Express Entry. Graduates may also work in other countries if they meet licensing requirements.