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Medical studies have always been a preferred choice for students who are interested in a career in Healthcare. However, with increasing competition, concerns over high tuition fees, and limited availability of seats in medical universities either in UAE or in their home country, more and more students are turning to MBBS courses offered by medical universities abroad, especially in the Eastern European Countries like Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, etc.
Quick View: Medical Universities in Moldova and Georgia
In the Republic of Moldova, there is only one Medical University, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy (USMF), which is a public university. The university is located in the capital city of Moldova, Chisinau. This medical university offers a 6-year MD (Doctor of Medicine) course for both domestic and international students across the world, along with an extra year internship done inside the country. So the total duration of MBBS in Moldova is 7 years, including a 1-year internship program.
In Georgia, there are around 22 medical universities approved by the World Health Organization(WHO), out of which 18 medical universities are located in the capital city, Tbilisi. The MBBS course duration provided by the medical universities in Georgia is 6 years, including 1 year of internship in the country.
Almost all the medical universities in Georgia and Moldova are offering the MBBS course in English language only. Also, most of the medical universities in both Moldova and Georgia follow the NMC (National Medical Commission) Guidelines for India, so the students who wish to go back to India for higher studies or to practice can proceed without any issue after clearing the screening exam, NEXT (National Exit Test). At the same time, the students who wish to pursue their careers in UAE can clear the medical screening test of the respective emirate and start their practice in UAE.
Low Tuition Fees
Among the Eastern European Countries, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia are emerging as the popular “Study MBBS Abroad” destinations mainly because of affordable tuition fees coupled with excellent quality of education compared to other European countries. The tuition fee for Study MBBS in Moldova (Year 2023) is 5100 EURO for the first year and 5600 EURO for the subsequent years, while Tuition Fees for MBBS in Georgia range between 4500 USD and 9000 USD per year.
Easy Admission Criteria
There is no specific entrance exam to get admission to medical universities in Moldova and Georgia. Also, there is no need to pass English Language Proficiency Tests like IELTS/TOEFL to secure admission, unlike in other European / US countries. The students should be above 17 years of age and must score a minimum of 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in Class 12th.
Accommodation & Living Expenses
In Moldova, the students studying MBBS in the first and second years prefer to stay in the hostel accommodation provided by the university as it is cheaper compared to renting apartments outside. In Georgia, most of the time, students prefer shared accommodation by renting apartments as a group. In Georgia only, the tuition fees for the MBBS course vary based on the university, while the accommodation expense will depend mainly on the city, and as we mentioned, all the medical universities are present either in Tbilisi or Batumi. In both countries, the living expenses are reasonable compared to other European countries; however, due to the recent Ukraine war, in Georgia, living expenses are increasing more than before.
Medical Education Curriculum
Most of the medical universities in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova follow a European Education system called ECTS(European Credit Transfer System), with a few exceptions in some universities in Georgia where they follow the USMD Education system. Some universities in Georgia, like TSMU (Tbilisi State Medical University), DMTU (David Tvildiani Medical University), etc., are offering a USMD curriculum for medical students as following this curriculum will be easy for the students to clear the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) and start practicing in the United States. However, it is important to note, the tuition fees for the above curriculum will be higher than the European (ECTS) Curriculum.
Gateway to Higher Studies & Medical Practice
The MBBS students graduating from the medical universities of both Moldova and Georgia are eligible to appear for both US and UK-based medical screening exams like USMLE and PLAB, as most of the medical universities in these countries have accreditations from WFME(World Federation of Medical Examination) and ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduate) and the medical graduates can pursue higher studies or start practicing in US, UK, etc. once they clear the screening tests. It is important to verify the accreditations of medical universities in Georgia before you seek admission, as there are many medical universities in Georgia. In Moldova, as there is only 1 medical university, it is easy to check the accreditations and recognitions.
How to select the universities to study MBBS abroad in Moldova or Georgia?
One of the most important criteria that should be considered while selecting the university is its FMGE Pass %. FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) was previously conducted in India to gain a medical license to practice in India. So most of the Indian students who have completed MBBS Study Abroad, who wish to go back and practice in India, will appear for this medical screening exam. Considering the pass% for this exam gives a fair idea about the quality of medical courses provided by a particular university. But this FMGE Pass% will be available currently up to 2021, so the universities which have started recently cannot provide this Pass %, so we cannot say that the quality of education in such universities is bad.
Another important criterion to consider while selecting a medical university abroad is the accreditations it has based on which country you are planning to pursue your higher studies or practice.
The Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy (USMF) in Moldova has the accreditations of WHO (World Health Organization), NMC (National Medical Commission), WFME (World Federation of Medical Education), ECFMG (Educational Commission for Graduates in Foreign Medicine), AMSE (Association of Medical Schools in Europe), AMEE (The Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE), IAU (International Association of University), etc. It is important to verify the accreditations of medical universities in Georgia before you seek admission, as there are many medical universities in Georgia.
Check details about various medical universities in Georgia and their accreditations here.
For students in the United Arab Emirates who are seeking to pursue a medical degree, the decision between studying MBBS in Georgia or Moldova can be a difficult one. Both countries offer a quality education that is recognized globally. However, we have listed a few key comparisons between the study MBBS programs in both countries below for your easy reference.
Key Comparison between Study MBBS in Moldova and Georgia
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Study MBBS in Moldova |
Study MBBS in Georgia |
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1 |
One and only one Medical University in Moldova is Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy and it is a public(Government) medical university. |
Most of the medical universities are private along with a few public medical universities. |
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2 |
Living expense is cheaper compared to Georgia |
Living expenses are getting higher than before, especially after the Ukraine war. |
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3 |
Better chance of clinical exposure as all the hospitals in Moldova works under this public medical university in Moldova |
Less clinical exposure compared to Moldova. |
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4 |
Cadavers (Human Dead Body) and Simulation Centres available in Moldova. |
Cadavers are not available in Georgia. |
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5 |
Hostel accommodation is provided by the medical university itself, so it is cheaper. |
No hostel accommodation associated with the medical universities. |
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6 |
Local Language, Romanian will be included in the early years for the patient interaction. |
Local Language, Georgian will be included in the early years for the patient interaction |
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7 |
An integrated Student Management System (SIMU) is implemented for the students, so their parents can track various student information like fees payment, exam results, attendance etc |
No information : whether this system is available for the medical universities in Georgia. |
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8 |
Students from UAE who wish to study MBBS in Moldova, has to obtain a prior Student visa before traveling to the country |
Students from UAE who are UAE Residents do not require a visa for entering Georgia, as they can get a visa on arrival and later obtain a Student Visa. |
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9 |
Original bones and organs are available in the medical university. |
Ceramic Bones are only available in the medical universities of Georgia. |
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10 |
The course duration in the medical university of Moldova is 6 years and 1 year internship in the country. |
The course duration in the medical universities of Georgia is 5 years and 1 year internship in the country. |
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11 |
The one and only one 78 year old medical university following the European Education System in the Republic of Moldova |
A few medical universities like TSMU (Tbilisi State Medical University) started in 1918, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University has started in 1923.
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12 |
Moldova has received the European Union Candidate status in June 2022 |
Not granted European Union candidate status as if now. |
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13 |
US(American) MD Curriculum is not available in Moldova as the only medical university is following the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) |
Certain Medical universities are offering American MD Curriculum so it will be easy for students who are preparing for USMLE.
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Ultimately, the best country for you to study MBBS will depend on your individual preferences. If you are looking for a country with a mild climate, a diverse culture, and affordable living costs, then Moldova or Georgia could be a good option for you.
