Belarusian State Medical University

BSMU comprises 8 faculties, which encompass Pediatrics, Preventive Medicine, Dentistry, Military Medicine, and Pharmacy among others.

Overview:

Minsk serves as the location for the Belarusian State Medical University and stands as the largest city and capital of Belarus. It holds prominence as the nation’s primary industrial hub, particularly in the production of distilled beverages, chocolate, trucks, and electronic devices. Minsk stands out as the sole city in Belarus equipped with an underground metro system, alongside a comprehensive public transportation network including tramways, trolleybuses, and buses.

However, a notable concern lies in the city’s prolonged and severe winters. With recorded temperatures dropping as low as -40°C, adapting to such extreme cold poses a significant challenge, especially for individuals accustomed to the tropical climate of India.

Eligibility Criteria for Admission to Belarusian State Medical University

To gain admission to Belarusian State Medical University, candidates must meet specific requirements, including obtaining a minimum score of 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) in Class XII. Additionally, successful completion of the NEET 2023 examination is mandatory.

Indian Students at Belarusian State Medical University

Belarusian State Medical University hosts approximately 230 Indian students, ensuring that basic amenities are available to facilitate their stay. However, prospective students should prioritize several other crucial factors before finalizing their choice of university.

Postgraduate Options after MBBS at Belarusian State Medical University

Upon completion of their MBBS studies, students often contemplate pursuing postgraduate (PG) specialization either in India or abroad. While recognizing the importance of specialization, students also acknowledge the fierce competition for MD/MS seats in government colleges. With only an 11% success rate for securing PG seats in government medical colleges, obtaining a clinical specialty becomes even more challenging, with approximately 1 out of 20 applicants succeeding. As a result, students may face significant hurdles on their journey towards PG specialization unless they have the financial means to secure a paid seat in a private medical college, which may cost several crores.

The pursuit of a medical postgraduate (PG) degree in the United States, commonly known as the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination), has gained significant traction among Indian medical students due to the challenging nature of obtaining PG positions in India, particularly with the advent of the NEXT examination. Many students begin preparing for the USMLE as early as their first year of MBBS, as it aligns more closely with the new competency-based curriculum introduced by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

The US healthcare system is widely regarded as one of the best in the world, attributed to various factors such as lucrative rewards, outstanding infrastructure, merit-based evaluations, and abundant opportunities for specialized fields. Consequently, numerous countries seek to emulate the US healthcare assessment system for their medical graduates.

Due to Moldova’s proximity to the UK, many students aspire to pursue their medical postgraduate (PG) studies in the UK. Until 2024, the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board Test (PLAB test) serves as the primary assessment tool for evaluating the skills and knowledge of International Medical Graduates (IMGs), determining their suitability for medical practice in the UK.

In essence, an IMG’s eligibility to practice in the UK is determined by their performance in the PLAB test. The PLAB test comprises two stages. PLAB 1 involves a 180-question multiple-choice exam designed to assess recall, while PLAB 2 is a practical Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) evaluating clinical skills.

The General Medical Council (GMC) evaluates linguistic proficiency by considering scores from specific tests, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a Band Score of 7.0 or higher, or the Occupational English Test (OET) with a Grade B in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Upon successful completion of PLAB 1 and 2, candidates can apply for General Practitioner (GP) registration. However, there is a time constraint, as applicants must apply within a two-year window following the clearance of PLAB 2.

By 2024, the UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) will replace the PLAB, prompting the GMC UK to introduce changes to the PLAB and establish the UKMLA exam.

The USMLE exam is comprised of three parts. Students typically take Step 1 after their second year of medical school, Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) during their internship, and Step 3 during their residency (medical PG). These examinations are conducted online and can be administered at PROMETRIC centers located throughout India.