Embassy of India

Beijing

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Dated: 08 Sept, 2022

Embassy of India in Beijing has been receiving several queries from prospective Indian students and their parents with respect to seeking admission for undergraduate clinical medicine programme in China. Since several queries have been received in this regard, an advisory in the form of Q&A is below for information of all concerned:

1. What is the duration of a Medical Doctor Degree or MBBS in China for foreign students?

1. China offers undergraduate program in clinical medicine which is of five year duration plus one year internship. However, the exact length varies from university to university, which can be checked from the respective university’s website.

2. Which are the universities in China where foreign students can enroll for clinical medicine undergraduate programme?

1. Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China has issued an official communication wherein they have shared the list of 45 Universities in China that are authorised to give admission to foreign students to undertake clinic medicine under-graduate degree course (in English language) in China for the year 2019. Prospective students are advised to note carefully that only these 45 Chinese Universities are authorized to admit international students for the clinical medicine under-graduate degree in English.  A list of 45 universities can be accessed from the website [http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A20/moe_850/201901/t20190124_368005.html]

3. Can foreign students join for clinical medicine programme in Chinese language?

1. Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China has clearly mentioned in their official communication that foreign students can only join medical programmes in 45 universities in English language. They cannot join for studying clinical medicine programme in China which is offered in Chinese language.  They have also clearly stated that any university offering clinical medicine programme in bilingual mode (English and Chinese language) is strictly forbidden.

4. How much does it cost to study MBBS in China? How can I get the details of fees?

1. The fee structure is different for different universities. Students are advised to check from the university directly before admission.

5. Is it essential for an Indian student to learn Chinese during medical course in China?

1. As per regulations of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, the courses are offered in English language. However, learning Chinese language is mandatory for clinical sessions.  Hence, every student will also need to learn Chinese language up to HSK-4 level.  Any student who does not clear this minimum Chinese language skill will not be awarded degree.  Prospective students are requested to check with the university concerned about this requirement beforehand as there are minor differences on the level of Chinese language skill requirement for different universities.

6. What is the provision & duration of Internship for Foreign students?

1. After completing the degree course a provisional degree is awarded by the university. Students are awarded final degree only after one year internship.

7. Can a Indian student obtain a license to practice medicine in China and is this at par with the Registration granted to local citizens in China? If so, what is the complete Process of Registration in China? Is there a licensing exam in China for the purpose?

1. In order to obtain license to practice medicine in China, foreigners mustpass the qualification examination of doctors of People's Republic of China. The process is as follows:

1. Complete the clinical medicine graduate programme.

2. Thereafter, complete the one year of continuous professional training (internship) from the affiliated hospital of the university concerned.

3. After completion of internship, students have to clear Chinese Medical qualification examination and obtain physician qualification certificate.

8. Is obtaining a license to practice medicine in China mandatory to appear for FMGE in India?

1. NMC regulations dated November 18, 2021 state that any prospective student who seeks medical education abroad after November 18, 2021 should necessarily have license to practice in the country of graduate after completion of his/her clinical medicine programme, before he/she can appear for FMG examination in India.

9. Is it mandatory to clear NEET-UG examination before seeking admission in any Chinese university for clinical medicine programme?

1. The Indian students who are interested in taking a medical qualification from China are required to clear the NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Under Graduate) exam, which is the entry examination for undergraduate medical education in India, as a prerequisite to pursue medical education abroad. [Only those students who clear the NEET-UG for admission to undergraduate medical education in India will be eligible to appear for the screening test, namely, the Foreign Medical Graduates Exam (FMGE). The FMGE is conducted by the National Board for Examination (NBE) twice (i.e. in June and December) every year].

10. What are the major issues to be kept in mind while planning to enroll in China for studies?

1. Students who are planning to enroll in any university in People’s Republic of China for clinical medicine undergraduate programme are advised to ascertain themselves whether the university is in the list of 45 universities, the duration of the course (as it varies university to university), curriculum being offered, language of instructions, mode of  education (online or offline), fee structure, visa requirements etc., before proceeding to China. Moreover, due to the ‘Dynamic Zero Covid Policy’ of China, there are various restrictions and quarantine norms in China, which varies from city to city and are very strict and demand full compliance without exception. Moreover, these regulations are updated regularly.  Therefore, Indian students enrolled in Chinese universities are advised to take note of the latest regulations of the place of travel and make appropriate arrangements.

11. How is the quality of clinical medicine undergraduate programme in China?

1. The Embassy has received several feedback from the past students who have completed such programme earlier. One of the most common challenge is the English language skills of Chinese teachers in these universities.  Few students have also complained about lack of practical/clinical experience in terms of engaging with patients in certain universities.  Prospective students and their parents may also wish to look at the study conducted by National Board of Examination (Weblink: https://www.mea.gov.in/Images/amb1/FMGE_performance_reportbv_NEW1.pdf) of the pass percentage of students who had studied in various Chinese universities.  (Please note that all the universities listed in the table are currently not in the list of 45 approved universities by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China for foreign students).  The study shows that only 6387 out of 40417 students, who appeared in FMG Examination from 2015 to 2021 have cleared it.  Here, the pass percentage of Indian students who have studied clinical medicine programme in China in that period in these 45 universities was only 16%.  The prospective students and parents may please note this fact while deciding on seeking admission in Chinese universities for clinical medicine programme. 

12. There are reports that Indian students can take admission in universities which are not in the list of 45 universities of Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. Can this be confirmed?

1. Foreign students (including Indian students) had taken admission in more than 45 Chinese universities for clinical medicine programme earlier. However, as per the latest Notification of  Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China of 2019, the Chinese side has authorized only 45 universities to provide clinical medicine programme to foreign students.  Indian students are advised not to seek admission in universities, other than the 45 listed by  Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, as you may face problem in getting the license to practice in China, thereby making you ineligible to appear for FMG Examination at a later stage.

13. Out of the 45 universities, which are the universities recommended by the Embassy for Indian students?

1. The Chinese Ministry of Education has not published any separate ranking of various Chinese universities which offer clinical medicine programme. However, as per the pass percentage of Indian students in FMG Examination,  we have prepared a table of these 45 universities which is here

Prospective students may wish to make their own judgement while making a decision to choose the university as the Embassy or the National Medical Council of India has not done any ranking or evaluation of the quality of education offered by these universities to foreign students.

14. For the convenience of the Indian students, the contents of the November 18, 2021 notification of NMC is re-produced below so that prospective students are aware of the requirements to be fulfilled while pursuing medical programme abroad, in case they want to return to India and obtain license to practice in India

THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4]

NATIONAL MEDICAL COMMISSION

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 18th November, 2021

No. UGMEB/NMC/Rules & Regulations/2021/.–––In exercise of the powers conferred by section 57 read with sub-section (4) of section 15 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 (30 of 2019), the National Medical Commission hereby makes the following regulations namely:-

1. Short title and commencement.––(1) These Regulations may be called the National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their final publication in the Official Gazette of India.

2. Definitions.–– In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires,––

(a) “Act” means the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 (30 of 2019);

(b) “Commission” means the National Medical Commission constituted under section 3 of the Act;

(c) “Foreign Medical Graduate” means a person who does not have basic graduation or primary qualification (undergraduate medical degree) from any University or medical college or institution in India, to seek license for medical practice in India;

(d) “Medicine” means modern scientific medicine in all its branches and includes surgery and obstetrics, but does not include veterinary medicine and surgery;

(e) “Permanent Registration” is the registration of eligible persons with a duly recognised primary medical qualification as regulated under the provisions of Chapter VI of the Act, which permits or provides license to an individual to independently practice modern scientific system of medicine or allopathy in India, as regulated under the Permanent Medical Regulations, 2021;

(f) “Schedule” means the Schedule annexed to these regulations;

(g) ”Supervised Internship” means training of an intern by mentors so that he becomes a clinician with reliable competencies in diagnostic and therapeutic skills in different disciplines of medicine, appropriate for a primary care physician, to independently provide safe preventive, promotive, curative, palliative and holistic care with compassion and is confident of handling common acute emergencies.

(2) Words and expressions used in these regulations and not defined herein but defined in the Act, shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Act.

3. Prohibition of foreign medical graduate to practice medicine in India.––No foreign medical graduate shall practice medicine in India, unless he is granted permanent registration in accordance with the provisions of these regulations.
4. Grant of permanent registration to Foreign Medical Graduate.––No foreign medical graduate shall be granted permanent registration, unless he has–

(a) (i) undergone a course leading to foreign medical degree with minimum duration of fifty-four months;

(ii) Undergone an internship for a minimum duration of twelve months in the same foreign medical institution;

(iii) Received a foreign medical degree with medium of instructions in English; and

(iv) studied the mandatory subjects specified in the Schedule-I;

(b) registered with the respective professional regulatory body or otherwise, competent to grant license to practice medicine in their respective jurisdiction of the country in which the medical degree is awarded and at par with the license to practice medicine given to citizen of that country;

(c) undergone supervised internship in India for a minimum term of twelve months, after applying for the same to the Commission; and

(d) has cleared the National Exit Test or such other mandated test or tests conducted by the Commission.

5. Applicability of these regulations.––(1)Notwithstanding anything contained in regulation 4, these regulations shall not be applicable––

(a) To foreign medical graduates who have acquired a foreign medical degree or primary qualification, as the case may be, prior to the coming into force of these regulations;

(b) to candidates who are pursuing their education in foreign institutions prior to the coming into force of these regulations; and [भाग III—खण् ड 4] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 5

(c) to such foreign medical graduates who are specifically exempted by the Commission or the Central Government, as the case may be, by notification.

(2) The foreign medical graduates who have acquired a foreign medical degree or primary qualification, as the case may be, and the candidates who are pursuing their education in foreign institutions, prior to the coming into force of these regulations, shall be governed by the erstwhile applicable regulations.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in these regulations, no grant of permanent registration to practice medicine shall be issued if the same infringes upon public policy or national security.

SCHEDULE-I

(See regulation 4)

CRITERIA TO RECOGNISE FOREIGN MEDICAL GRADUATES APPLYING FOR LICENCE OR PERMANENT REGISTRATION TO PRACTICE IN INDIA

1. The guiding principle for licensing a foreign medical graduate to practice in India is to ensure that the Foreign Medical Graduate fulfils the requirements of education and training equivalent or commensurate with that of an Indian medical graduate.
2. Eligibility for primary medical qualification in a country outside India:

(i) Duration of course and training in subjects leading to primary medical qualification:

(a) Any person who pursue the foreign medical degree should have undergone a course of theory, practical and clinical training equivalent to Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) of India; and

(b) Should have been completed internship of twelve months in addition to such course referred to in clause (a), in the same foreign institution where the primary medical qualification has been obtained, along with hands-on training in clinical subjects including but not limited to Community Medicine, General Medicine, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, General Surgery, Anaesthesia, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Otorhinolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Emergency or Casualty services, lab services and their sub-specialties.

(ii) Content of course or Training leading to primary medical qualification

(a) The course and internship or clinical clerkship shall commensurate with the MBBS course of India in accordance with the Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997and subsequent amendments thereto, and shall include the subjects mentioned therein as are duly recognised by the Commission under sub- section (2) of section 61 of the Act;

(b) The course curriculum shall be made available for review by appropriate authorities, and if necessary, in the website of the institution or university where the course is being pursued at the time of joining the course.

(iii) Location of medical college or institution and administration of the course or training:

The entire course, training and internship or clerkship shall be done outside India in the same foreign medical institution throughout the course of study and no part of medical training and internship shall be done in India or in any country other than country from where the primary medical qualification is obtained.

(iv) Duration of course:

The total duration of the foreign medical graduation course shall be completed within ten years from the date of joining the course.

Dr. SANDHYA BHULLAR, Secy.

[F. No. ADVT.-III/4/Exty./446/2021-22]