MBBS in Albania
More Indian students should consider choosing MBBS in Albania, One of the less explored foreign education destinations, as an option.
About Albania
A member of the EU, Albania is situated in the southeastern Europe. The World Bank has classified Albania as an upper-middle income economy which means that it is fairly developed. After the Bologna process, the higher education infrastructure has transformed greatly.
Numerous private and public universities have come into existence since it applied for EU membership in 2009.
MBBS in Albania for international students
It is reasonable to assert that the academics at an Albanian Medical university are at par with the high EU standards. As mentioned, Albania is a member of the EU. This in itself gives an assurance of quality education and better opportunities.
With the elimination of Ukraine as an MBBS abroad destination due to its war with Russia, the European countries like Albania are coming up in the radar of seekers. MBBS in Albania for Indian students is also rising in popularity.
Medical Universities in Albania
The medical universities in Albania are all private. Out of a few prominent medical universities, two feature in the WDOMS.
| University | Medium of Instruction |
|---|---|
| Our Lady of Good Counsel University Faculty of Medicine | Albanian/English |
| University of Medicine of Tirana Faculty of Medicine | Albanian (as per WDOMS) |
Duration
The ECTS is adhered to by all EU member nations and this gives uniformity to the various aspects of academics. In the same vein, the MBBS in Albania duration is also of 6 years that includes a year of internship.
This is important for the Indian students because as per the new NMC guidelines, an MBBS abroad pass out can practice in India only if the university offers a 6 years MBBS.
Living Cost
The living cost in Albania is almost at par with rest of this region of Europe. Barring the money you will spend on rent or accommodation, all else falls under living cost. On average students have to bear €250 - €300 as living cost in Albania..
You will get a better picture from the table below that gives you cost of general utility requirements for day to day life:
| Commodity/Service | Cost (in Euro) |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 litre) | 1.1 |
| Bread Loaf (White) | 0.54 |
| Eggs (dozen) | 1.88 |
| Monthly Pass for local conveyance | 13.43 |
| Basic Utility (Gas, Electricity, etc) | 80 |
Hostel
Getting accommodation in the university hostel in Albania will be difficult initially. A popular alternative is renting an apartment. Typically, you would need to pay €300 for an apartment. You may share the apartment with as many students as you like. Triple sharing is the most common arrangement and per head cost will be €100.
Tuition Fee
The tuition fee that the Albanian medical universities charge ranges from €1000 - €5000 per year.
Eligibility
The eligibility that one must have to get MBBS in Albania admission are summarized in the table below:
| Class XII | 60% PCB with English |
| Age | 17-25 years |
| NEET | Compulsory Qualification |
Why study MBBS in Albania?
• You get every advantage of studying in the European Union, including better career prospects.
• English taught MBBS program in Albanian universities.
• he Albanian medical degree has all the necessary recognition and accreditation. You may come back to India and appear in NEXT and you may clear USMLE/PLAB and end up in US/UK.
• The cultural richness of Albania adds a little something to the whole European Experience
Medical PG Option after MBBS/MD in Albania
Medical PG in India after MBBS in Albania/NEXT
Whether in Albania or any country, you start realizing the importance of being a specialist after the 2nd year of MBBS. That’s actually too late. Let’s start understanding things here.
First, you need to visualize how tough it is to secure a Medical PG Seat in a Govt. College in India.
The success ratio to get PG in Govt. Medical College India is 11%. That is to say, only 1 out of 10 will succeed. The chance of getting a Clinical specialty is bleaker. It is 1 out of 20 applicants. Either, you must have Crores to pay to Pvt. Med. Colleges or give up the medical PG dream altogether.
| Total Applicants NEET PG 2021 | Specialty | Govt Med College | Pvt Med College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | Success Ratio | Seats | ||
| 1.75 Lacs | ||||
| MD (Non Clinical) | 15K | 8.6% | 10K | |
| MS ( Clinical) | 8K | 4.6% | 5K | |
| Total | 23K | 11.4% | 15K | |
Those who have a Albanian university MBBS also have to go through NEXT as per NMC Notification. NMC will conduct this Exam in two parts NEXT-1 and NEXT-2.
The objective of the NEXT-1 will be to assess the student’s knowledge of Pre, Para and Clinical subjects. Only after qualifying NEXT-1, will any Medical student be eligible for Internship. Post completion of internship, students need to go through NEXT-2 which will assess their Clinical skills, Patient Management and taking Medical history.
Those who will Clear NEXT-2 will get the license to practice and Rankers of NEXT-1 will get PG seats of their choice. You may refer Page for detailed information on NExT Exam
Medical PG IN USA (USMLE) after MBBS in Albania
The US Healthcare system is considered as one of the best health care systems in the world. There are many reasons for this: high rewards, excellent infrastructure, merit based assessment, & open opportunities for Super specialties. For getting into a US medical PG program, you have to clear USMLE mandatorily.
This USMLE exam is divided in 3 Parts. One can appear in USMLE Step 1 after 2nd Year, USMLE Step 2 CK during internship and Step-3 during residency (Medical PG).
MOKSH USMLE is indispensable for you so that you have a good chance to clear USMLE.
MOKSH Coaching focuses on patient centered learning approach which helps students score high on both USMLE & NEXT. MOKSH is a leading name in USMLE Coaching. Currently, 1000+ Students from Indian and Abroad medical colleges are preparing for USMLE steps via MOKSH Platform.
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Medical PG IN UK (PLAB) after MBBS in Albania
After MBBS from Albania, many of the students plan to do their Medical PG from UK.
Till 2024, the Professional & Linguistic Assessments Board Test (PLAB test) is the instrument to assess the skills and knowledge of an International Medical Graduate. It also judges whether they are fit to be trained to practice medicine in the UK.
In short, an IMG's performance in PLAB determines her eligibility to practice in the UK. The PLAB test has two stages. PLAB 1 is an exam that has 180 MCQs that tests your recall. On the other hand, PLAB 2 is a practical OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Exam) that tests your clinical skills.
The GMC ascertains your linguistic skills by assessing your score in specific tests. It may be the IELTS (Band Score 7.0 or higher) or OET (Grade B in reading, writing, listening & speaking).
After you pass PLAB 1 & 2, you apply for the GP registration. There is one constraint. You have a window of 2 years after clearing PLAB 2 during which you may apply no later.
By 2024, the UK Medical Licensing Assessment will replace the PLAB. Consequently, the GMC UK is going to change certain things in PLAB and create the UKMLA exam.
Medical PG in GERMANY After MBBS from Albania
PG in Germany after MBBS in Albania is another great option, though it requires you to learn the German language. Of the 6 levels starting from A1 to C2, you need to clear A1 and A2 that would qualify you to apply for visa.
Once the Language formalities are done, you get into the phase where you do Observer-ship from a German hospital approved by the German Medical Council. This is followed by Residency.
This may sound simple here but the process is quite complicated. To know more about PG in Germany,
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Your Chance to get an MBBS Seat in India
The most difficult time for any of the students is to wait after NEET till the counseling process to know whether he/she is getting a college of his/her choice or not? Sometimes this dilemma continues for a couple of months due to multiple rounds of counseling. It has become more difficult due to parallel counseling of All India Quota and various States due to COVID-19. The counseling process is very complex where 550+ Govt. and Private colleges offer 83000+ Seats and fee variation is also huge that ranges from less than 1 Lac to 2.5 Cr for the course.
Dreams shatter when any silly mistake in choice filling or wrong selection of college leads to getting a poorly ranked college. Imagine getting paid seats or no seats at all due to a lack of genuine guidance!