Pursuing MBBS in Bangladesh has gained remarkable popularity among international students, especially from India, Nepal, Bhutan, and other Asian countries. Bangladesh offers quality education, affordable tuition fees, and an internationally recognized degree. However, admission into medical colleges in Bangladesh is regulated by specific eligibility requirements. One of the most important aspects of these requirements is compliance with the rules set by the Bangladesh Overseas Education System (BOES) or the international admission framework monitored by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Education, and the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC).
This article provides a complete clarification on BOES eligibility for MBBS in Bangladesh. It discusses academic criteria, age limits, mark distribution, required documents, NEET relevance (for Indian students), and the step-by-step process to ensure students meet all eligibility requirements before applying.
BOES eligibility refers to the set of rules and admission criteria framed by Bangladesh’s education authorities for international students. The purpose of these guidelines is to maintain uniformity, ensure transparency in admission, and make sure that foreign students selected for MBBS are academically competent.
Every year, the Government of Bangladesh issues an official notification regarding eligibility for MBBS and BDS admission under the SAARC quota and self-financing seats. Students applying through BOES must strictly fulfill these criteria, or their applications may be rejected.
Candidates must have passed 10th and 12th (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Minimum GPA requirement:
GPA 7.0 combined (10th + 12th).
Minimum GPA of 3.5 in Biology in 12th grade.
The calculation of GPA is based on the equivalency certificate issued by the Bangladesh education board.
Students must have completed 10th not earlier than 2019 and 12th not earlier than 2021 (for current academic sessions).
A gap of more than two years after 12th is generally not accepted.
Minimum 60% aggregate in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) in 12th standard.
English subject must also be passed.
NEET qualification is mandatory for Indian applicants to be eligible for practicing in India after completing MBBS.
The candidate should be 17 years old by 31st December of the admission year.
No upper age limit is strictly mentioned, but most colleges follow the general guideline of below 25 years.
As per the Medical Council of India (MCI)/National Medical Commission (NMC), NEET qualification is mandatory to apply abroad for MBBS.
Indian students applying to Bangladesh must qualify NEET in the year of admission or the previous two years.
International students must submit the following documents as part of the BOES eligibility verification:
Application form (downloaded from the Bangladesh High Commission or Embassy website).
10th and 12th mark sheets attested by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the home country.
Passport copy (valid for at least 6 months).
Recent passport-size photographs.
NEET scorecard (for Indian students).
Equivalence certificate issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Bangladesh.
Birth certificate or age proof.
Students must submit their documents to the Bangladesh High Commission of their country within the prescribed timeline.
The application must clearly state whether the student is applying under the SAARC quota or self-financing scheme.
The Bangladesh Embassy verifies the documents with the Ministry of Education in the student’s home country.
After verification, the documents are forwarded to the DGHS in Bangladesh.
DGHS calculates the student’s GPA (based on 10th and 12th marks) and issues an equivalence certificate.
This certificate confirms whether the student is eligible for MBBS admission in Bangladesh.
Based on merit, marks, and available seats, students are allotted government or private medical colleges.
Students can also apply directly to private colleges under the self-financing scheme.
Once admission is confirmed, students receive an official admission letter.
They must then apply for a student visa at the Bangladesh Embassy.
After visa approval, students can proceed to Bangladesh for enrollment.
“Any student with 50% in PCB can apply” – Incorrect. The requirement is a minimum of 60% in PCB for international students.
“NEET is not required” – For Indian students, NEET is compulsory as per NMC rules. Without NEET, admission may be valid in Bangladesh but will not be recognized in India.
“Private colleges have no eligibility rules” – Wrong. Even private colleges must follow DGHS and BOES guidelines for foreign admissions.
“Gap years are allowed without restriction” – Not true. A maximum of 2 years gap is acceptable.
Transparency: Prevents manipulation in the admission process.
Merit-based selection: Ensures only eligible students secure seats.
International recognition: BOES eligibility ensures that the MBBS degree is recognized worldwide.
Uniformity: Maintains a standardized admission process for all foreign students.
Equivalence calculation confusion – Students often miscalculate GPA as per Bangladeshi grading.
Documentation delays – Getting attestations and embassy approvals takes time.
Strict deadlines – Late applications are usually rejected.
NEET dependency – Indian students must focus on NEET, which can be a barrier for many.
Start preparing documents at least 3–4 months before admission season.
Ensure that all certificates are attested by both the Education Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry of your country.
Stay updated with official notices from the Bangladesh High Commission.
Maintain strong academic performance in 10th and 12th, especially Biology.
For Indian students – clear NEET with a good score to strengthen chances.
BOES eligibility for MBBS in Bangladesh is designed to ensure that only academically qualified and deserving students are admitted into medical programs. The requirements focus on maintaining high educational standards while offering international students a fair chance to pursue medical education in Bangladesh.
Students planning to study MBBS in Bangladesh must carefully follow the BOES rules, ensure timely submission of documents, and maintain compliance with NEET (for Indians). By fulfilling these conditions, aspirants can secure admission in reputed government and private medical colleges across Bangladesh and build a successful medical career.