MBBS in Nepal: Courses, Colleges, Eligibility and More

MBBS remains one of the most sought-after Bachelor's level programs in Nepal. The program consists of a minimum of four-and-a-half-year academic course followed by one year of compulsory rotatory internship (CRI) as per the Nepal Medical Council (NMC) guidelines. 

The core curriculum for the MBBS program encompasses a comprehensive range of preclinical and clinical departments.

These include Human Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Community Medicine, Forensic Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Psychiatry, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Anesthesiology, Radiology, General Practice and Emergency Medicine, and Dental Surgery.

Additionally, the curriculum integrates non-credit and soft skill courses such as healthcare management, medical ethics and professionalism, and communication skills, ensuring a well-rounded medical education.

Medical Education Commission (MEC) is committed for Quality Assurance of the MBBS Graduates in Nepal. For this, they have published a mandatory framework to accredit sufficient level of quality in medical education. For detailed information, please refer to Accreditation Standards for MBBS 2024-MEC Nepal.

MBBS in Nepal

Traditionally, Nepalese parents aspired for their children to become doctors or engineers, although this trend has shifted somewhat in recent years. In the past, pursuing a +2 in Biology and taking entrance exams conducted by TU IOM, KU, BPKIHS, or PAHS was the obvious path for many talented students. 

As of 2024, two universities, Kathmandu University (KU) and Tribhuvan University (TU), along with three health science academies, Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS), BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), and Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (KAHS), are offering MBBS programs in Nepal.

From 2024, Rapti Academy of Health Sciences, Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences and Madhesh Institute of Health Sciences also got permission to enroll students in MBBS program. 

Selection of Candidates

For Nepalese students

Eligible candidates desirous of pursuing MBBS program must take and qualify the specific Bachelor level Medical Entrance Examination (MECEE-BL), conducted by  the Medical Education Commission (MEC).

For international students:

1. Eligible candidates wishing to pursue the MBBS program must take and qualify for the specific bachelor-level common entrance examination (MECEE-BL) conducted by the MEC and meet other enrollment criteria set by the MEC. 
2. Candidates should present valid documentation of having passed their country's recent National Medical Entrance Test with a minimum score of 50% or provide equivalent exam results such as SAT/GRE or a letter from the licensing authority of their country of origin. 
3. Additionally, international candidates must have completed 10+2 or equivalent qualifications recognized by universities or boards, with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) securing a minimum aggregate score of 50%. The validity of these national board exams is limited to two academic years. 
4. Priority is given to candidates who have passed the MEC Entrance Examination.

The number of students taking this exam has slightly declined recently, and some private medical colleges have occasionally struggled to fill their allocated quotas.

Despite this, many talented +2 Biology students still choose MBBS, whether to serve the nation as Medical Officers or to seek opportunities abroad, primarily in the US, after passing the USMLE examination.

Colleges Offering MBBS Programs in Nepal

As of 2024, 25 Medical Colleges in Nepal offer MBBS programs, they have a total enrollment capacity of 2140 seats out of which 562 seats are reserved for foreign nationals. 

Seven of the 25 medical colleges are public ones: Maharajgunj Medical Campus (Institute of Medicine), BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS), Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (KAHS), Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences, Rapti Academy of Health Sciences and Madhesh Institute of Health Sciences. 

NAIHS College of Medical Sciences, which the welfare department of the Nepal army runs, can also be considered a public institution. A couple of other health sciences academies, the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS-Bir Hospital), Rapti Academy of Health Sciences, and Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences, which offer MD/MS programs, are yet to commence their MBBS programs.

University	No. of Medical Colleges	Link
Tribhuvan University	8	Get Detail
Kathmandu University	11	Get Detail
PAHS, BPKIHS and KAHS, MIHS, PoAHS, RAHS	6

Top MBBS Colleges in Nepal

Nepal lacks a proper ranking system for medical colleges. The Nepal Medical Council, which conducts the NMCLE exam, does not disclose the pass percentages of individual medical colleges, a potential quality indicator for evaluating the teaching standards of these institutions. Maharajgunj Medical Campus remains the top choice for MBBS students, boasting a rich legacy and having produced thousands of doctors.

Previously, BPKIHS was the second choice, but recent politicization has diminished its standing. Now, the Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) has become the second choice for top-ranked students in the integrated medical entrance examination. PAHS operates a specialty tertiary hospital (Patan Hospital) in Lalitpur, has a long history of patient care, and employs an innovative Problem-Based Learning (PBL) system as its primary teaching method. However, PAHS faces criticism for lacking the proper infrastructure essential for the holistic development of its students.

KUSMS and the Nepal Army Institute of Health Sciences rank as the third and fourth choices for students, respectively. KUSMS is renowned for its quality education, but its location outside the valley makes it less attractive to students who prefer to stay in the capital city. The Army Medical College, a relatively newer institution, has gained popularity among aspiring medical students due to its rich infrastructure, discipline, and quality of education.

Among private medical colleges, Chitwan Medical College, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, and College of Medical Sciences, Bharatpur, are the preferred choices for students. In contrast, Janaki Medical College, which faced closure due to internal conflicts and is now striving to preserve its long legacy, remains a fallback option for aspiring doctors.