Italy and China are among the cheapest countries to study medicine in English. Tuition at some Italian public universities can fall below $1,000 per year, while some English-medium medical programs in China start from $5,000.
However, lower tuition comes with other challenges. Admission in Italy is difficult, while admission in China may require science examinations and an interview. Medical students may also need to learn the local language to communicate with patients during clinical training.
For this reason, we have also included countries such as Georgia, Serbia, and Northern Cyprus, followed by Turkey and Malaysia as higher-cost options that may suit some students better in terms of admission systems or the overall study environment.
In this guide, you will compare tuition fees, admission requirements, and the cheapest universities offering Medicine in English in each country so you can choose the destination that best fits your budget and career plans.
First, it is important to clarify that there is no official ranking of the cheapest country to study medicine because tuition fees can vary considerably even between universities in the same country.
However, the following destinations are among the most notable options known for relatively low medical tuition fees:
Italy is one of the cheapest countries to study medicine in English, particularly at public universities where tuition may be determined according to the student's nationality or financial circumstances.
Average tuition: Medical tuition starts from $4,000 per year and, in some cases, can fall to only a few hundred dollars.
Admission requirements: Admission to medical schools requires a high school diploma with the required academic results, in addition to successfully passing the entrance examination for English-medium Medicine.
Some universities also require proof of B2 English proficiency. Students will also need to learn Italian before clinical training in order to communicate with patients.
Two of the cheapest universities for studying Medicine in English are:
Although Italy stands out for its low tuition compared with many other study destinations, the main challenge is the difficulty of admission to public universities. It therefore cannot be considered one of the easiest options.
China is the second-cheapest country in this comparison for studying human medicine in English. Some programs are available for less than $5,000 per year.
An additional advantage is that tuition fees are generally fixed and do not change, while accommodation and living costs are relatively low in many Chinese cities.
Average tuition: Approximately $5,100 per year.
Admission requirements: Students need a high school diploma with good results in science subjects. Universities may also require examinations in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, as well as a personal interview.
For English proficiency, some universities require IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL, with possible exemptions for students whose previous education was completed in English.
Two of the cheapest universities for studying Medicine in English are:
China also offers entrance scholarships and academic merit scholarships at some universities, which may reduce the overall cost further during the study period.
Serbia is the third-cheapest European country in this comparison for studying human medicine in English and can be particularly suitable for students looking for clear and relatively stable tuition fees.
Two of the cheapest universities for studying Medicine in English are:
Some Serbian universities also provide preparation courses for entrance examinations, although these are not mandatory foundation years before beginning Medicine.
Georgia is one of the most popular destinations for students looking to study medicine in English at a relatively low cost, with some medical programs starting from $5,000 per year.
Admission at Georgian universities is also less complicated than at some European public universities, although requirements vary between institutions.
Two of the cheapest universities for studying Medicine in English are:
Before enrolling, students should verify the accreditation and recognition status of the specific medical school with the relevant authorities in the country where they intend to return and practice.
Northern Cyprus is among the cheaper destinations for studying medicine in English because some medical programs start at approximately $7,000 per year.
However, prices vary significantly between universities, so not every university in Northern Cyprus can be considered low-cost.
Two of the cheapest universities for studying Medicine in English in Northern Cyprus are:
For a broader comparison of universities, tuition fees, and recognition, you can read our guide to studying medicine in Northern Cyprus.
Most importantly, always verify whether the university is recognized in your intended country of practice before enrolling. A medical school's inclusion in WDOMS alone does not mean that it is automatically recognized in every country.
Studying medicine in Turkey and Malaysia is generally more expensive than in the previous 5 destinations, but these countries may be more suitable for some students because of their university options, admission systems, or study environments.
Turkey is not among the cheapest countries to study medicine in English, particularly at private universities.
However, it may be a better option for students who want to begin an English-medium medical degree without completing a separate academic foundation year.
If a student cannot provide proof of English proficiency and does not want to complete a preparatory year, they must pass the university's exemption examination to begin studying Medicine directly.
Two of the cheapest universities for studying Medicine in English in Turkey are:
To compare universities, admission grades, and languages of instruction, see our complete guide to studying human medicine in Turkey.
Public universities may offer lower tuition, but admission is significantly more competitive, and a single tuition figure cannot be applied to all of them.
You can also compare the cheapest private university options for studying Medicine in Turkey.
Malaysia is the most expensive destination for studying medicine in English among the options discussed above, but it stands out for the widespread use of English and the availability of 5-year medical programs at several Malaysian universities.
Average tuition: Tuition at some universities starts from $3,426 per year.
Admission requirements: Malaysian universities require an average of 80% in science subjects, while the requirement for some qualifications may reach the equivalent of 85%.
English proficiency requirements include IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, and students may also need to complete an interview or entrance examination.
Two of the cheapest universities for studying Medicine in English in Malaysia are:
You can find more information about universities and admission requirements in our guide to studying medicine in Malaysia.
Reducing the cost of a medical degree does not depend solely on choosing the cheapest country. Students can combine several strategies throughout their studies.
Start by reviewing government scholarships before enrolling, as they may cover tuition, accommodation, and other expenses.
Examples include Turkey Scholarships and the Ibn Sina Scholarship, which include Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy under the requirements explained in our scholarship application guide.
Some universities provide discounts to high-performing students after the first year.
For this reason, do not compare only first-year tuition. Also check whether scholarships or discounts are available during the second, third, and later years.
Some universities provide discounts when annual tuition is paid in advance, including private universities in Turkey.
For example, the cost of studying Medicine at Biruni University decreases from $21,000 to $18,900.
Public universities can significantly reduce tuition costs.
Italy is a clear example, although lower tuition is generally accompanied by stronger competition for seats and stricter admission requirements.
A 5-year medical degree may ultimately cost less than a program with lower annual tuition that lasts 6 years.
Calculate tuition, accommodation, living costs, insurance, and travel expenses over the full duration of the degree before making your decision.
An additional language year means another year of tuition and living expenses.
Achieving the required IELTS or TOEFL score before traveling can therefore reduce the total cost substantially.
A low-cost university is not a suitable choice if its degree does not support your intended professional pathway.
Verify accreditation, recognition, and licensing requirements in your intended country of practice before paying any fees.
Italy, China, and Georgia are among the lower-cost options for studying Medicine in English, while some medical programs in Northern Cyprus start from $7,000 per year.
However, choosing among the cheapest countries to study medicine in English should involve more than tuition fees alone. Students should compare price, admission requirements, recognition, clinical language, and program duration.
If you are considering studying Medicine in Turkey, Malaysia, or Northern Cyprus and want answers based on your individual academic profile and budget, you can request a free educational consultation.
New Horizons is an experienced university admissions company supporting students who want to study in Turkey, Northern Cyprus, and Malaysia.
With more than 10 years of experience in university admissions, the team provides comprehensive support throughout the application process, including:
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After many years of working on registering thousands of students in Turkish universities, and answering an unlimited number of questions about studying in Turkey, these are the most important questions that concern students
Italy is one of the most affordable European countries allowing students to enter English-language medical programs directly, without a mandatory preparatory year; however, admission to public universities is competitive and requires success in an entrance exam.
There is no blanket recognition by the World Health Organization that covers all universities in Georgia or Russia; instead, you must verify the university and the medical program with the Ministry of Education or the Medical Council of the country where you intend to practice.
Verify the program's accreditation in the university's home country and its listing in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS); then, review the ECFMG requirements for the USMLE pathway and the GMC requirements for the PLAB pathway before registering, as a university's inclusion in an international directory does not, by itself, guarantee a graduate's eligibility for either exam.
Italy is the best option where tuition fees can drop below $5,000 without a scholarship, while one of the English-language medical programs we verified in China starts at around $4,600 per year.
Yes, scholarships and tuition reductions for medical studies do exist, though they are more competitive and less comprehensive than those for some other disciplines. Therefore, you should verify—by contacting a consultant from the New Horizons team—that the scholarship specifically covers the medical school rather than the university as a whole.
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