Nepal has steadily become one of the most popular destinations for Indian students pursuing MBBS abroad. Its proximity to India, affordable education costs, cultural similarities, and Medical Council of India (NMC) approved colleges make it a natural choice.
The MBBS program in Nepal follows a structured, year-wise curriculum that aligns with global medical education standards while being very similar to the Indian MBBS program. This makes it easier for graduates to clear licensing exams such as NEXT, FMGE, USMLE, or PLAB.
This article provides a comprehensive, year-wise breakdown of MBBS subjects in Nepal, explaining the progression from basic sciences to clinical practice and final internship.
Total Duration: 5.5 years (4.5 years of academics + 1-year internship).
Language of Instruction: English (with Nepali exposure for patient interaction).
Universities: Affiliated with Tribhuvan University (TU), Kathmandu University (KU), and B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS).
Recognition: WHO, NMC (India), and global medical councils.
The MBBS course in Nepal is divided into three phases:
Pre-Clinical Phase (Year 1 & 2) – Foundation subjects in basic sciences.
Para-Clinical Phase (Year 3) – Subjects bridging basic science and clinical medicine.
Clinical Phase (Year 4 & 5) – Core clinical subjects with hospital exposure.
Internship (Final Year) – One year of hands-on clinical training.
The first year focuses on fundamental sciences that form the base of medical knowledge. Students study the structure, function, and chemistry of the human body.
Core Subjects:
Anatomy
Physiology
Biochemistry
Community Medicine (Introduction)
Medical Ethics & Communication Skills
Behavioral Sciences
Key Highlights:
Anatomy includes dissection and cadaver-based practical training.
Physiology labs cover blood analysis, ECG, respiratory functions.
Biochemistry practicals involve enzymology and metabolic pathway analysis.
Students are introduced to the basics of doctor-patient interaction.
By the end of Year 1, students develop a solid understanding of human structure and function.
The second year continues with advanced basic sciences while slowly introducing para-clinical elements.
Core Subjects:
Anatomy (Neuroanatomy & Advanced Histology)
Physiology (Systemic & Applied)
Biochemistry (Advanced & Clinical Biochemistry)
Pathology (Introduction)
Microbiology (Introduction)
Pharmacology (Introduction)
Forensic Medicine (Basics)
Community Medicine (Expanded)
Key Highlights:
Students begin to study disease mechanisms in pathology.
Microbiology introduces bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Pharmacology starts with general principles and drug classifications.
Forensic Medicine introduces medico-legal aspects of healthcare.
By the end of Year 2, students have a bridge between basic science and clinical medicine.
The third year emphasizes para-clinical subjects with the first exposure to hospital postings. Students gradually shift from laboratory learning to bedside teaching.
Core Subjects:
Pathology (Systemic)
Microbiology (Systemic & Clinical)
Pharmacology (Systemic Pharmacology & Therapeutics)
Forensic Medicine (Toxicology, Legal Medicine)
Community Medicine (Epidemiology, Preventive Medicine)
Introduction to Clinical Subjects (History taking, Physical Examination)
Key Highlights:
Students learn how diseases present in real patients.
Community medicine field visits introduce public health concepts.
Forensic medicine expands into post-mortem and medico-legal case analysis.
Introduction to internal medicine and general surgery basics.
By the end of Year 3, students gain practical exposure and are ready to dive into clinical rotations.
The fourth year marks the beginning of intensive clinical training. Students rotate through various hospital departments and interact with patients under supervision.
Core Subjects:
Internal Medicine (Cardiology, Pulmonology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Endocrinology)
General Surgery (Techniques, Operative Procedures, Case Management)
Pediatrics (Child Growth, Neonatology, Pediatric Diseases)
Obstetrics & Gynecology (Antenatal Care, Normal & Abnormal Labor, Gynecological Disorders)
Ophthalmology (Eye Anatomy, Vision Disorders, Surgical Corrections)
ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat – Infections, Surgeries, Audiology)
Orthopedics (Bone Injuries, Musculoskeletal Disorders)
Dermatology & Venereology (Skin Diseases, STDs)
Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine
Key Highlights:
Students attend ward rounds, case discussions, and minor surgical procedures.
Exposure to diagnostic tools like X-rays, CT scans, and laboratory reports.
Training in clinical skills such as history-taking, diagnosis, and basic treatment planning.
By the end of Year 4, students become confident in handling patients under guidance.
The fifth year consolidates advanced clinical subjects and prepares students for independent practice.
Core Subjects:
Advanced Internal Medicine (Neurology, Cardiology, Oncology, Rheumatology)
Advanced Surgery (Urology, Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery)
Obstetrics & Gynecology (High-risk Pregnancy, Infertility, Gynecological Oncology)
Pediatrics (Advanced Neonatology, Pediatric Emergencies)
Emergency & Critical Care Medicine
Radiology & Imaging Techniques
Anesthesiology & Pain Management
Community Medicine (Health Programs, National Health Policies)
Key Highlights:
Students participate in emergency duties and critical care management.
Advanced surgical exposure in operation theaters.
Students conduct independent case presentations and diagnostic reasoning.
Strong focus on preventive and social medicine to prepare for rural postings.
By the end of Year 5, students are professionally ready for internship and licensing exams.
The internship year is compulsory and fully practical, where students function as junior doctors under supervision.
Rotations Include:
Internal Medicine
Surgery
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Pediatrics
Emergency Medicine
Community Medicine & Rural Health
Elective Rotations (Orthopedics, Psychiatry, Dermatology, Radiology, etc.)
Key Highlights:
Hands-on training in diagnosis, treatment, and minor surgeries.
Exposure to real-life emergency cases and patient counseling.
Students learn hospital management, teamwork, and ethical practices.
Lectures & Seminars for theoretical foundation.
Dissection & Lab Work in pre-clinical years.
Clinical Rotations from Year 3 onward.
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and case-based teaching.
OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) for skills testing.
Semester & Annual Exams including theory, viva, and practicals.
| Aspect | Nepal MBBS | Indian MBBS |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 5.5 years | 5.5 years |
| Medium | English | English |
| Clinical Exposure | From Year 3 | From Year 3 |
| Internship | 1 year | 1 year |
| Curriculum Alignment | Similar to Indian MBBS | Indian Standard |
Because of this similarity, Nepal MBBS graduates have an advantage in NEXT/FMGE exams.
NMC-approved curriculum, aligned with Indian standards.
No language barrier – English-medium instruction.
Affordable tuition fees compared to private Indian colleges.
Easy travel and cultural similarity for Indian students.
High success rate in FMGE/NEXT due to curriculum overlap.
Limited seats in top colleges.
Competitive admission process for reputed universities.
Infrastructure may vary between government and private colleges.
Clinical exposure depends on hospital affiliations.
The MBBS curriculum in Nepal is structured across five academic years and one internship year, covering pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical subjects in a progressive manner. The year-wise subjects ensure that students gradually transition from theoretical sciences to hands-on clinical practice.
Because the Nepali MBBS curriculum mirrors the Indian MBBS syllabus closely, it is one of the best choices for Indian students planning to pursue affordable and quality medical education abroad.
With strong clinical exposure, English-medium teaching, and WHO/NMC recognition, MBBS in Nepal provides an ideal pathway to becoming a competent doctor capable of practicing globally.