Asia is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for international students looking to study abroad. According to UNESCO, the Asia-Pacific region now hosts nearly one-third of the world’s internationally mobile students, while the number of students studying abroad globally has risen to nearly 7.3 million.
For students interested in Medicine, studying in Asia can provide access to medical schools offering programmes in English, alongside opportunities to train in different healthcare systems.
Yes, you can study Medicine in English in several Asian countries.
However, the fact that a medical school teaches in English does not automatically mean its degree will be recognised everywhere. You need to consider the programme structure, admission requirements, clinical training, accreditation and the licensing requirements of the country where you eventually want to practise.
If you are considering studying Medicine in Asia, this article lists some of the best countries to explore and what you should know before applying.
Asian Countries to Study Medicine in English
Several Asian countries offer medical programmes that are taught in English or admit international students into English-medium medical programmes. Below are some of the options worth considering in 2026.
Malaysia
Malaysia is one of the strongest options for international students looking to study Medicine in English.
Several Malaysian universities offer Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programmes to international students. For example, Universiti Malaya offers an undergraduate medical programme open to international applicants, while Management and Science University offers a five-year MBBS programme with an English-language requirement for international students.
The MBBS route generally combines pre-clinical medical sciences with clinical training. At Management and Science University, for example, the five-year programme includes both pre-clinical and clinical phases.
Admission requirements depend on the university. Applicants may need strong grades in subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics, as well as proof of English proficiency.
At Universiti Malaya, international applicants can meet the English requirement through qualifications such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, depending on the applicable programme requirements.
2. China
China is another major option for international students seeking to study Medicine in English.
Several Chinese universities offer English-medium MBBS or Clinical Medicine programmes. Guangzhou Medical University, for example, offers a six-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme taught in English to international students. The programme includes one year of internship.
For its 2026 intake, Guangzhou Medical University lists tuition at RMB 40,000 per academic year, while accommodation is listed separately at RMB 4,000 or RMB 6,000 per academic year depending on the campus.
The university also requires you to have studied subjects including Physics or Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry at secondary-school level. International applicants may also need to provide an IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo score unless they qualify for an exemption based on their previous English-medium education.
China can therefore be attractive to students who want an English-taught medical degree while studying in one of Asia’s largest higher education systems.
3. Philippines
The Philippines is particularly interesting for students who want to study Medicine in an English-speaking academic environment.
Medical education in the Philippines includes the Doctor of Medicine (MD) route. The programme is generally entered after undergraduate or pre-medical study rather than through the direct-entry MBBS structure used in some other countries.
The University of Santo Tomas, for example, lists its Doctor of Medicine programme among its academic offerings, while other Philippine medical schools have dedicated admission pathways for international students.
At St. Paul University Philippines, foreign students applying to the Doctor of Medicine programme are required to submit documents including their passport, academic records and NMAT results. The university also has a specific admission process for foreign students entering Medicine.
The Philippines can therefore be a good option for students who are comfortable with the country’s medical education structure and want to study in an environment where English is widely used.
4. Bangladesh
Bangladesh is another Asian destination worth considering if you want to study Medicine in English.
One of the country’s notable medical schools is Dhaka Medical College, which offers a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme. According to the college, the medium of instruction for the MBBS programme is English.
The programme runs for five years, followed by a mandatory one-year rotational internship. Students study subjects including Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology, Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology as they progress through the different phases of the programme.
Dhaka Medical College also has international students. Its official website states that the college currently has around 100 foreign undergraduate students, showing that international students are part of its medical education community.
Bangladesh also has a formal admission route for foreign students. For the 2025–2026 academic session, the Directorate General of Medical Education published separate MBBS/BDS admission circulars for foreign students seeking admission to government and non-government medical colleges in the country.
5. Pakistan
Pakistan is another Asian country where international students can study Medicine in English.
One of the country’s notable medical schools is Aga Khan University (AKU) in Karachi. Its Medical College offers a five-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme and accepts academically qualified applicants from Pakistan and overseas. English is the medium of instruction at the university.
The programme combines classroom learning with early clinical exposure and patient-based learning. Students also have opportunities to work in clinical teams through Aga Khan University Hospital and participate in community-oriented healthcare services.
Pakistan also has a defined admission route for foreign students. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) states that medical and dental institutions can admit students to foreign seats of up to 15% of their annual allocated seats, subject to eligibility requirements. Foreign applicants generally need to hold permanent foreign nationality or qualify as overseas Pakistanis and meet the relevant educational requirements.
For international students, however, English-medium instruction does not mean that knowledge of local languages will never be useful. Since Medicine involves direct interaction with patients, students should check the language requirements and expectations for clinical training at their chosen institution.
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Scholarships for International Students to Study Medicine in Asia
The cost of studying Medicine abroad can be high, but you should not assume that you have to fund the entire programme yourself.
Scholarship opportunities and university-based financial aid may be available, although eligibility varies considerably. Some awards are open to students from specific countries or regions, while others are limited to particular universities, academic levels or fields of study.
Here are some scholarship opportunities worth exploring:
Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships – Pakistan
The Government of Pakistan, through the Higher Education Commission (HEC), offers the Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarship Programme to international students from selected Central Asian and friendly countries.
The programme provides fully funded scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate study at Pakistani universities. Nigeria is included among the listed eligible countries, making this particularly relevant to Nigerian students. The scholarship covers tuition fees, a monthly stipend, accommodation allowance and airfare, subject to the programme’s conditions.
However, students interested in Medicine should check the current scholarship call and eligible programmes carefully before applying, as the available fields and participating institutions can vary between scholarship cycles.
Chinese Government Scholarship
International students interested in studying in China should also explore the Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) and university-specific scholarships offered by Chinese universities.
China has several universities offering English-taught Medicine or Clinical Medicine programmes to international students, and scholarship opportunities can vary by university and scholarship category.
When searching for funding, check whether the scholarship covers undergraduate medical programmes, whether the specific university and medical programme are eligible, and whether the award covers tuition, accommodation, living expenses or only part of the cost.
Malaysia International Scholarships and University Scholarships
Students considering Malaysia can explore scholarship opportunities listed through Education Malaysia, which provides a scholarship directory covering opportunities offered by Malaysian universities and other organisations.
However, students should check the level of study covered by each award. For example, the Malaysia International Scholarship is primarily designed for international students pursuing postgraduate studies, so it would not normally be an option for someone seeking an undergraduate MBBS.
This means prospective medical students should also check individual university scholarships and financial-aid opportunities when applying for an MBBS programme.
University-specific scholarships
Another option is to check the scholarship pages of the medical universities you are applying to.
Some universities offer merit-based tuition discounts, need-based assistance or other financial support for international students. These opportunities may not cover the full cost of a medical degree, but they can still reduce the amount you need to pay.
When searching, use terms such as “international student scholarship,” “MBBS scholarship,” “medical scholarship”, and “undergraduate scholarship” alongside the university’s name.
Always confirm that the scholarship is open to international students, covers Medicine or MBBS, and applies to the specific intake you are applying for before relying on it to finance your studies.
Studying Medicine in Asia can give you access to English-medium medical programmes and alternative routes into medical education outside your home country.
Countries such as Malaysia, China, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Pakistan offer options worth exploring in 2026. However, choosing a medical school should involve more than comparing tuition fees or looking for a programme taught in English.
Before applying, confirm that the medical school is recognised by the appropriate authority in its home country and that its medical qualification will meet the registration requirements of the country where you intend to practise. For Nigerian students, this means checking the requirements of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) before committing to a programme.
You should also investigate the school’s clinical training arrangements. A programme being taught in English does not necessarily mean that English will be the only language you encounter during clinical training. Because Medicine involves direct interaction with patients, local-language requirements can apply in some countries or institutions.
Your budget should also include more than tuition. Consider accommodation, feeding, health insurance, visa expenses, transportation, learning materials, clinical expenses and travel costs when calculating the total cost of studying abroad.
Finally, check the admission structure carefully. Some countries offer direct-entry undergraduate medical degrees, while others require pre-medical or undergraduate study before entering Medicine. You may also need to meet specific requirements for science subjects, English proficiency, entrance examinations or interviews.
The good news is that you do not necessarily have to finance everything alone. Scholarships, university financial aid and other funding opportunities can help reduce the cost of studying Medicine abroad. However, always verify the eligibility requirements and confirm that the award covers international students and your specific medical programme before applying.
Studying Medicine abroad is a major investment, so take the time to research the university, programme, scholarship and professional registration requirements carefully before making your decision.
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