Vladimir Bekhterev
Vladimir Bekhterev (1857–1927), one of the founders of Russian neurology and psychiatry (after whom 'Bekhterev's disease' is named), worked at Kazan's medical school and established pioneering neurophysiology research there.
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A historic, dedicated medical university in Kazan, established in 1814 and one of Russia's oldest medical schools. English-medium General Medicine, listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, in the multicultural, student-friendly capital of Tatarstan.




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Russia
Country
Kazan
City
6 Years
Course duration
English
Medium of instruction
Introduction



The Kremlin's Spasskaya Tower and St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow under winter snow
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Recognition & Prestige
KSMU's strength is heritage, recognition and its dedicated medical focus rather than a top overall global ranking. Established in 1814, it is one of Russia's oldest medical schools, listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, recognised by ECFMG and WFME, and it appears in the QS World University Rankings by subject for medicine. It is best seen as a reputable, historic specialist medical university.
QS by Subject
Appears in the QS World University Rankings by subject (Medicine)
WDOMS
Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools
ECFMG / WFME
Recognised by ECFMG and the World Federation for Medical Education
Kazan State Medical University is a historic dedicated medical university (established 1814) under the Russian Ministry of Health, listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, recognised by ECFMG and WFME, and subject-ranked in medicine by QS (reported around the #651–700 band) — it is not a top overall QS-ranked university. Indian students can qualify to practise in India through the National Medical Commission screening/exit examination, subject to meeting NMC conditions.
Complete Information About Kazan State Medical University
Get complete information about studying MBBS at Kazan State Medical University, including fees, the admission process and recognition for Indian students.
Success stories
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Academic Excellence
KSMU offers a historic, dedicated medical education in one of Russia's most welcoming, multicultural cities. These are its real strengths, with the honest trade-offs.
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How to Apply
Admission to KSMU for Indian students is NEET-based. The university admits international applicants on the basis of Class 12 marks and a university assessment, with a qualifying NEET-UG score required for Indian students, and without a UCAT-style entrance exam or IELTS. Apply through the university's admission office or a legitimate, verified route, and confirm the current, legitimate fee-payment method given the sanctions environment.
Applicants must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English, and must have a qualifying NEET-UG score, which is required for Indian applicants and for later Indian licensing.
Confirm the English-medium General Medicine programme, the full six-year cost, and the exact, legitimate fee-payment route the university currently accepts, and get the degree/internship structure in writing for NMC FMGL-2021.
Apply to KSMU's admission office (directly or through a legitimate, verified representative) with academic documents and passport; verify any agent's legitimacy and pay only through official channels.
Eligible students receive an admission/invitation letter, and Indian students obtain the NMC Eligibility Certificate now expected before starting an MBBS abroad.
Students apply for the Russian student visa, pay tuition via the university's current legitimate route, and confirm flight options and travel advisories before departure.
Students enrol at the start of the academic year and complete arrival formalities and a medical check in Kazan.
Applicants must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English. The general requirement is a minimum of 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology taken together (with the standard relaxation to 40% for SC/ST/OBC and other reserved categories), in line with the National Medical Commission's eligibility norms for studying MBBS abroad.
Subjects:
Applicants must have completed, or will complete, 17 years of age on or before 31 December of the year of admission, in line with the National Medical Commission's rules for MBBS.
Indian applicants need Class 12 with PCB, a qualifying NEET-UG score and NEET certificate, an NMC Eligibility Certificate, a valid passport and the supporting documents. No IELTS is required for admission to the English-medium track.
NEET Qualification
A qualifying NEET-UG score is required for Indian applicants, along with Class 12 marks meeting the minimum PCB percentage.
Confirm Fees, Payment & Track
Confirm the full six-year cost, the current legitimate payment route, and that the programme and internship meet NMC FMGL-2021 conditions, in writing.
There is no UCAT-style entrance exam and no IELTS requirement for the English track; KSMU admits international applicants on Class 12 marks and its own assessment, plus the NEET requirement for Indian students.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Application route | KSMU admission office (directly or via a legitimate, verified representative); confirm the current legitimate payment route |
| Admissions assessment | Based on Class 12 marks and university assessment; no UCAT/IELTS entrance exam |
| Academic requirement | Class 12 with PCB and English; minimum 50% in PCB (40% for reserved categories) |
| Intake | Autumn (around September) each year |
| India-side requirement | NEET-UG qualification and NMC Eligibility Certificate, for later FMGE/NExT licensing in India |
Indian applicants typically provide the following documents for admission and the student visa:
Admission Guidance & Document Checklist
Get the complete document checklist or admission guidance from our experts.
Program Structure
KSMU's General Medicine programme is a six-year integrated Specialist degree taught in English for international students, moving from basic sciences to clinical study in Kazan's hospitals. The exact structure and internship arrangement matter for Indian licensing and should be confirmed in writing.
Total Duration:
6 Years (integrated Specialist / MD degree in General Medicine)
Degree:
Specialist Diploma in General Medicine ('Physician') — the MBBS-equivalent Russian medical qualification
Years 1–2
The pre-clinical foundation years, taught in English, covering the core basic medical sciences with laboratory and early clinical-skills work, and Russian language alongside for the clinical years:
Years 3–4
The para-clinical and early clinical years, introducing disease mechanisms and clinical subjects with training in Kazan's hospitals:
Year 5
Senior clinical study across the major specialties, with increasing hands-on hospital training under supervision:
Year 6
The final clinical year and graduation as a 'Physician'; for FMGL-2021 students must confirm how the internship/clinical-practice requirement is met at the same institution and that the degree entitles practice in Russia.
Clinical training takes place in KSMU's affiliated hospitals and clinics in Kazan. For Indian students, a further internship in India is required for Indian registration (see the FMGE & NExT section). An indicative pattern is:
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| Years 3–5 | Clinical training in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Psychiatry and the specialties in Kazan's hospitals |
| Year 6 | Advanced clinical practice and the final state examinations (confirm how the FMGL-2021 internship requirement is met) |
| Back in India | Indian graduates clear the FMGE/NExT and complete the required internship in India before registering with the NMC or a State Medical Council |
Get the full curriculum
Download a free brochure to see detailed subjects, the course structure and everything you need to plan your studies.
Legacy
As one of Russia's oldest medical schools, KSMU has a distinguished heritage in medicine and science. The figures below are verified giants associated with Kazan's medical school.
Vladimir Bekhterev (1857–1927), one of the founders of Russian neurology and psychiatry (after whom 'Bekhterev's disease' is named), worked at Kazan's medical school and established pioneering neurophysiology research there.
Alexander Vishnevsky (1874–1948), the eminent surgeon behind the widely used Vishnevsky liniment and a major Soviet school of surgery, is a graduate of Kazan's medical faculty.
Teaching is delivered by the university's departments and affiliated Kazan hospitals and clinics, with modern research and simulation facilities, as a dedicated medical university. The university is led by its Rector, Professor Aleksey S. Sozinov.
One of Russia's oldest medical schools (since 1814)
A dedicated medical university
QS medicine subject-ranked
English-medium teaching for international students
An established Indian student community (~800–1,000)
Hostel and arrival assistance
Clinical supervision in Kazan hospitals
Guidance for Indian students on FMGE/NExT
About University

A white neoclassical building of Kazan State Medical University with conifers and winter snow
Get all information about Kazan State Medical University in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying MBBS at Kazan State Medical University.
Role in medicine
Get all information about Kazan State Medical University in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying MBBS at Kazan State Medical University.
Cost of living
Kazan is a large but relatively affordable Russian city, usually cheaper than Moscow or St Petersburg, and students must budget for cold winters. Here is an approximate monthly breakdown for a student (this is separate from tuition).
| Cost Component | Approximate Amount (per month) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (hostel) | ₹7,600 – ₹16,800 (US$90 – US$200) |
| Food & Groceries | ₹10,000 – ₹18,500 (US$120 – US$220) |
| Transport & Personal | ₹2,500 – ₹5,500 (US$30 – US$65) |
| Heavy Winter Clothing & Utilities | ₹3,800 – ₹7,600 (US$45 – US$90) |
Average monthly living cost (excluding tuition)
₹24,000 – ₹48,000 (US$285 – US$575)
Housing
Kazan State Medical University provides hostel accommodation for its international students in Kazan, and there are also private rental options, with heated buildings essential for the cold winters.
The university provides hostel accommodation for international students in Kazan, giving new arrivals a secure, supervised and heated place to live at a moderate cost.
Hostel rooms are furnished and centrally heated, essential in Kazan's cold winters, usually on a shared basis within a supported student environment.
Accommodation in Kazan is usually cheaper than in Moscow or St Petersburg; the university hostel is often the most economical option for new students.
KSMU has an established Indian student community (~800–1,000), so support and familiarity are strong for new arrivals.
Kazan's Tatar-Muslim culture means halal food is widely available, and Indian messes, restaurants and grocery items serve the Indian student community, so Indian and vegetarian food is very accessible.
Students who prefer more independence can rent private apartments or shared flats, though this is more expensive than the hostel.
Accommodation is in Kazan, considered one of Russia's safest, cleanest and most student-friendly cities, with good public transport including a metro.
The university helps new international students with arrival formalities and settling into accommodation.
Need accommodation details?
Get a full overview of housing options with our university guide, or reach out to an expert.
Food & Dining
Kazan's Tatar-Muslim culture makes it one of the easiest Russian cities for Indian students when it comes to food: halal food is widely available, alongside Indian, vegetarian, Russian and Tatar cuisine.
As the capital of Muslim-majority Tatarstan, Kazan has halal food widely available in shops and restaurants, a genuine comfort for many Indian students.
Location
Kazan State Medical University, Butlerov Street 49, Kazan 420012, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia (confirm the exact address on kazangmu.ru)
Nearest Airport
Kazan International Airport (KZN). Direct India–Kazan flights are limited, and connectivity has been affected by the current sanctions environment, so Indian students usually connect via Moscow or another hub; confirm current routes at the time of travel. Kazan keeps Moscow time, 2.5 hours behind Indian time
Local Transport
Kazan has a metro, buses, trams and taxis and good public transport, so students can travel around the city and to the hospitals easily, though the cold winter makes heated indoor transport important
Your Roadmap to Success
The Specialist (Physician / General Medicine) degree from Kazan State Medical University is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and recognised by ECFMG and WFME, opening licensing pathways in India, the United States and other countries.
Understand the Medical Licensing Pathway
A clear overview of the exams and requirements after graduation.
Practising in India
An Indian graduate of Kazan State Medical University who wants to practise in India follows the licensing pathway set by the National Medical Commission (NMC): qualifying NEET before starting, completing a course and internship that meet the NMC's conditions, clearing the NMC screening examination (currently the FMGE, transitioning to the NExT), completing the required internship in India and registering with the medical council. The NMC does not 'approve' individual foreign universities; it sets conditions, and the Russian Specialist-degree structure should be checked against them.
Step 1
An Indian student must have qualified NEET-UG before beginning the course abroad to be eligible later for Indian licensing. A qualifying NEET score is required for admission, and an NMC Eligibility Certificate is now expected before starting.
Step 2
The Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations 2021 require the course and internship to meet the NMC's minimum duration (about 54 months of study plus a 12-month internship), completed in the same institution, taught in English, with a degree that entitles the holder to practise in Russia. Because KSMU awards a six-year integrated Specialist degree, students must confirm in writing how the internship requirement is met and that the medium is English throughout.
Step 3
Graduates must clear the qualifying examination for foreign medical graduates, currently the FMGE, which India is replacing with the National Exit Test (NExT), then complete the required internship in India and register with the National Medical Commission or a State Medical Council.
Student Life Style
Being a medical student at KSMU is a mix of demanding study at a historic medical university and life in Kazan, one of Russia's most welcoming and multicultural cities, with the adjustment of cold winters.

The red-arched Zhivopisny Bridge over the Moskva River in Moscow, Russia, seen from above

St Basil's Cathedral on Red Square, Moscow, lit up on a snowy winter night
Fees & Financial
KSMU is a mid-priced Russian option, cheaper than the top Moscow schools but well above Kazakhstan, so realistic planning of the full cost across the whole six-year course, plus the current Russia-related payment logistics, matters.
International students pay English-track tuition of about 500,000–600,000 RUB per year (roughly US$5,500–7,000, about ₹4.6–6 lakh), and with hostel, insurance and Kazan living costs the realistic all-in is roughly ₹35–50 lakh across the six-year course — cheaper than Sechenov but far more than Kazakhstan, so budget and funding must be planned carefully.
Ratings
Hear from students and alumni about their experience at Kazan State Medical University.
4.3
140 reviews
Compare
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Quick Comparison:
Kazan State Medical University vs AIIMS New Delhi
| University | Kazan State Medical UniversityKazan, Russia | AIIMS New DelhiNew Delhi, India |
|---|---|---|
| University Type | Public dedicated medical university (Russian MoH) | Government institute of national importance |
| Medium | English (Russian needed for clinical years) | English |
| Course Duration | 6 years (integrated Specialist / MD) | 5.5 years including internship (MBBS) |
| Tuition (per year) | ~500,000–600,000 RUB (~US$5,500–7,000, ~₹4.6–6 lakh); ~₹35–50 lakh all-in | Nominal (a few thousand rupees per year) |
| Admission | NEET-qualified + Class 12 (PCB) + university assessment | NEET-UG (extremely high rank) |
| Recognition | WDOMS-listed; QS medicine subject-ranked; ECFMG/WFME; NMC via FMGE/NExT | NMC-recognised |
| World Ranking | QS medicine subject ranking (~#651–700); not a top overall QS rank | India's top-ranked medical institute (NIRF #1) |
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FAQ
Short answers to the questions students and parents ask most often about studying MBBS at Kazan State Medical University.
Campus photographs supplied by the client (two views of Kazan State Medical University: the historic columned main building with the Russian signage, and a white neoclassical building). City and scenery images courtesy of Unsplash — Red Square with the Kremlin and St Basil's Cathedral (day and night) and the Zhivopisny Bridge, Moscow, by Michael Parulava, Nikolay Vorobyev, Nikita Karimov and 'dotzero'; the Winter Palace / State Hermitage, St Petersburg, by Victor Malyushev; and a Russian winter riverscape by Vladimir Fedotov. Only the two campus photographs show Kazan State Medical University; the stock images are Moscow and St Petersburg landmarks used as national context and are due to be replaced with Kazan imagery.