Skip to Content

What Happens After MBBS Abroad? A Complete Guide to Your Next Steps

18 MAY 2025

Many students dream of becoming a doctor, and studying MBBS abroad is a great way to start that journey. But what happens after you complete your MBBS from a foreign university? What are your career options, and how do you take the next steps?

Here’s a complete breakdown of your post-MBBS abroad journey:

1. Clear the Licensing Exam in Your Home Country

If you're planning to return to India, you’ll need to clear the NEXT (National Exit Test)—a mandatory exam for all medical graduates, whether you studied in India or abroad.

What You Need:

  • NMC-approved university degree
  • Internship experience (can be done abroad or after passing NEXT)
  • Dedicated preparation time for the exam

Other countries have similar exams like:

  • USMLE (USA)
  • PLAB (UK)
  • AMC (Australia)

2. Do Your Internship or Residency

After clearing the licensing exam, you’ll need to complete an internship in an approved hospital in your country. This is usually one year long and includes rotations across departments like surgery, medicine, pediatrics, and more.

In countries like the USA or UK, you’ll apply for residency or foundation programs, which are postgraduate training programs that lead you to specialization.

3. Pursue Postgraduate Studies (MD/MS or Specialization)

Many MBBS abroad graduates choose to go further by doing a postgraduate degree. You can apply for:

  • PG in India (after clearing NEET-PG or INI-CET)
  • Specialization abroad (via USMLE, PLAB, etc.)
  • European countries that offer PG medical programs in English

Tip: Start preparing for PG entrance exams early—even while you're studying MBBS.

4. Explore Global Job Opportunities

An international MBBS degree opens doors to global healthcare jobs. After clearing the respective licensing exam of a country, you can work as a general physician, medical officer, or research assistant in:

  • Government hospitals
  • Private clinics
  • International NGOs
  • Pharma or healthcare companies

Countries like Germany, the UK, UAE, and Canada are in high demand for doctors.

5. Consider Non-Clinical Career Paths

Not every MBBS graduate ends up in a hospital. With your medical background, you can explore:

  • Medical research
  • Healthcare management or administration
  • Public health (MPH)
  • Medical content creation or journalism
  • Entrepreneurship in health tech

Final Thoughts

MBBS abroad is just the beginning of your medical journey—not the end. With proper planning and guidance, you can build a successful and rewarding career anywhere in the world.

And remember, you’re never alone. At Fly With Me Consultancy, we not only help you get into the right university—but also guide you for NEXTPG options, and your future career path.

Contact Us Now!

Top 5 Reasons Why Studying MBBS Abroad is a Smart Choice in 2025
17 MAY 2025