Russia has emerged as one of the top destinations for international students, especially from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Africa, and the Middle East, who wish to pursue a medical degree at an affordable cost. With more than 50 medical universities recognized by the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and approved by bodies such as the WHO and various national medical councils, Russian MBBS programs have earned global recognition.
When planning MBBS studies in Russia, students often encounter two different formats:
Direct MBBS (6-year program)
MBBS with Internship (7-year program)
At first glance, both appear to offer the same outcome — a recognized medical degree. However, there are critical differences in duration, structure, clinical exposure, internship integration, and career implications. Choosing the right program depends on your future goals, whether you plan to return to your home country, practice in Russia, or seek opportunities in other parts of the world.
This article provides a detailed comparison of Direct MBBS vs MBBS with Internship in Russia, breaking down each aspect so you can make an informed decision for your career.
Before diving into the comparison, let us first understand the general structure of MBBS in Russia.
MBBS in Russia typically takes 6 years for international students.
The curriculum is divided into pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical phases.
Teaching is done in English for international students, though local students study in Russian.
Internship may or may not be included in the program, depending on the university and the choice of course.
After graduation, students can return to their home country, appear for licensing exams (such as India’s NEXT, USMLE, or PLAB), or apply for postgraduate programs abroad.
Now let us see how Direct MBBS and MBBS with Internship differ.
Direct MBBS refers to the standard 6-year medical degree program offered by most Russian universities to international students.
Duration: 6 years (no compulsory internship within Russia).
Curriculum:
1st–3rd year: Pre-clinical and para-clinical subjects such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, and Microbiology.
4th–6th year: Clinical rotations in hospitals, covering Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry, and other specialties.
Clinical Exposure: Hands-on training begins in the 4th year under supervision.
Internship Requirement: Students must complete a 1-year internship in their home country or as per their medical council’s regulations after returning.
Eligibility for Licensing: Direct MBBS graduates are eligible to sit for licensing exams like NEXT (India), USMLE (USA), PLAB (UK), AMC (Australia), and others.
MBBS with Internship refers to an integrated 7-year program where the university includes 1 additional year of compulsory internship within Russia.
Duration: 7 years (6 years of academic study + 1 year of internship).
Curriculum:
The first 6 years are identical to the direct MBBS program.
The 7th year is devoted entirely to clinical internship, where students work in hospitals under supervision.
Clinical Exposure: More in-depth because of compulsory internship.
Internship Requirement in Home Country: In some cases, the internship completed in Russia is accepted by foreign medical councils. However, in countries like India, graduates may still need to undergo an additional internship after clearing NEXT.
Recognition: Russian MBBS with internship is well-structured for students who plan to practice in Russia or other countries where Russian medical internships are accepted.
| Aspect | Direct MBBS (6 years) | MBBS with Internship (7 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 6 years | 7 years (includes 1 year internship) |
| Internship | Not included (done in home country after degree) | Included within Russia |
| Clinical Training | Clinical exposure from 4th year | More intensive with full internship year |
| Recognition in India | Accepted, but requires NEXT + 1-year internship in India | Internship in Russia may not replace Indian internship |
| Recognition Abroad | Eligible for licensing exams globally | May be better accepted in countries where Russian internships are recognized |
| Career in Russia | Possible, but requires separate licensing exam | Stronger because internship is already completed |
| Cost | Lower (6 years tuition + living expenses) | Higher (extra year tuition + living expenses) |
The choice between Direct MBBS and MBBS with Internship depends on your future career goals.
Direct MBBS is sufficient.
Indian medical graduates who study abroad must appear for the NEXT exam after graduation.
Even if you complete an internship in Russia, you will still be required to undergo 1 year of internship in India to get permanent registration with the National Medical Commission.
Best Choice: Direct MBBS (6 years)
MBBS with Internship is better.
Completing a 1-year internship in Russia strengthens your profile for practicing locally.
You become more comfortable with Russian hospital systems, patient interaction, and licensing pathways.
Best Choice: MBBS with Internship (7 years)
Either option works, but MBBS with Internship may give you additional hospital exposure, which is valued during applications for licensing exams or postgraduate opportunities.
However, note that internships in Russia may not always be recognized abroad, so you might still need to do a fresh internship depending on local regulations.
Best Choice: Depends on your target country
Studying MBBS in Russia is already affordable compared to India and Western countries. However, adding an internship year increases the overall cost.
Direct MBBS (6 years):
Tuition Fees: USD 4,000 – 6,000 per year
Total Cost: USD 24,000 – 36,000 (6 years)
MBBS with Internship (7 years):
Tuition Fees: USD 4,000 – 6,000 per year
Total Cost: USD 28,000 – 42,000 (7 years)
Living expenses (USD 150–200/month) are additional.
Shorter duration (6 years instead of 7).
Lower tuition and living costs.
Easier for students who plan to return to India or countries with mandatory local internships.
Fastest route to completing NEXT and starting PG preparation.
Extra year of practical clinical exposure in Russian hospitals.
Helpful for students who want to practice in Russia or gain strong hospital training experience.
May improve chances of acceptance in countries that recognize Russian internships.
Builds greater confidence and patient-handling skills.
Limited hands-on experience compared to the 7-year program.
Requires adapting to home-country medical systems during internship.
Higher cost due to extra year.
May not save time for students returning to India, as they must still repeat internship there.
Extra year of study delays entry into postgraduate exams or employment.
“If I do MBBS with internship in Russia, I won’t need an internship in India.”
False. Indian law requires all foreign graduates to do a 1-year internship in India, regardless of internships abroad.
“Internship in Russia guarantees recognition abroad.”
Not true universally. Each country has its own medical licensing rules.
“Direct MBBS has less recognition than MBBS with internship.”
Both are equally recognized as medical degrees; the difference is in clinical exposure.
Completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology (minimum 50%).
Qualified NEET (for Indian students).
Age: Minimum 17 years by 31st December of admission year.
Valid passport and supporting documents.
Choosing between Direct MBBS in Russia and MBBS with Internship depends entirely on your career plan:
If your goal is to return to India and practice, a 6-year direct MBBS program is sufficient and cost-effective.
If you want to stay in Russia or seek extra clinical training, then opting for the 7-year MBBS with Internship program may be more beneficial.
Both programs are globally recognized and provide a strong foundation for appearing in licensing exams like NEXT, USMLE, and PLAB.
Ultimately, the main difference lies in the additional year of internship, which adds more training but also more cost and time. Students should carefully assess their future career destination before deciding