Kazakhstan

Semey State Medical University

Semey State Medical University (SSMU) in Kazakhstan. In this complete guide, we will review everything there is to know about this highly regarded university and help you to determine whether it is the right choice for your future medical career.
Semey State Medical University (Semey Medical University)

Introduction

Semey State Medical University (previously Semey State Medical Academy) is one of Kazakhstan’s leading medical universities. Founded in 1953, this university has a rich history of more than 70 years of training qualified health care professionals. Located in Semey (also spelt Semei), a city in eastern Kazakhstan, this university has gained recognition throughout the world as a reputable source of medical education.

The university is recognized by major international medical institutions, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Medical Council of India (now the National Medical Commission of India), and is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). This legitimises your degree to be able to work in India and elsewhere around the globe after clearing the licensing examinations.
Details Information
Address Almaty, Kazakhstan
World Ranking 6,000+ globally (approximate)
Country Ranking Among top medical universities in Kazakhstan
Recognition WHO, NMC (India), ECFMG, FAIMER, WDOMS
Eligibility Age over 17 by December 31; PCB 10+2 (50% Gen / 40% Res)
NEET Mandatory
Tuition Fees ₹3,50,000 – ₹4,50,000 per year (approx.)
Hostel Fees ₹70,000 – ₹90,000 per year (approx.)
Total Fees (Per Year) ₹4,20,000 – ₹5,40,000 (approx.)
Course Duration 5 years academic + 1 year internship (6 years total)
Medium of MBBS Course English
University Type Public

The Reasons Behind International Students' Selection of Semey State Medical University

The best part about SSMU is its low fee structure; private colleges in India can cost around 50 lakhs to over 1 crore rupees to finish an MBBS degree, while Semey State Medical University provides the same quality education at a minimal cost. Total costs, including education, accommodation, and 6 years of living costs, are all significantly lower, making this level of education achievable for middle-class families hoping to send their children to school to become doctors.
Private colleges charge expensive fees and still require good scores to enter. As a student at SSMU, while you will need to qualify for EET (which is mandatory for students from India), the score needed to qualify is significantly lower. This is largely a “golden opportunity,” especially for those students who have the potential to become outstanding doctors but did not achieve a very high/nearly perfect NEET exam score for various reasons.
One of the foremost challenges for international students is adjusting to the language barrier. SSMU offers assurance in this respect; the entire MBBS degree is delivered in English. From your first lecture to your graduation exams, everything you study will be in English. The staff are all proficient in English, your textbooks are in English, and you can feel comfortable learning in English without the added stress or difficulty of having to learn to study in another language. While it certainly is not necessary, knowing a few basic phrases in Russian or Kazakh will help you engage in day-to-day life and interact with your patients when you are in your clinical practice.

The MBBS degree from Semey State Medical University is recognized in over 180 countries. Once you complete your degree, you can present for the medical licensing examinations like the FMGE/NExT (India), USMLE (USA), or PLAB (UK), or the licensing examination of another country. This allows you to practice medicine in a global setting. Many students who have graduated from SSMU are currently working as doctors in India, the USA, the UK, Canada, the Middle East, and all over the world.

SSMU has a faculty team that has decades of teaching experience and practical experience. Many of the professors have exposure to other international experiences and international exposure in Europe, Russia, and America.
The amenities offered are modern lecture halls, which have audio-visual facilities; well-equipped laboratories to enhance your practical learning experience; and a large library with thousands of medical and journal publications to study from. We also have simulation centers with high-tech equipment where you will get to practice the various medical procedures before dealing with patients.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the MBBS program at Semey State Medical University is designed to teach you each of the areas required in medicine:

The MBBS program covers 6 years. The first 5 years are academic learning (both theory and practice), and the last year is an internship where you are working in a hospital setting.

Year by Year

Your journey to becoming a medical doctor begins with basic medical sciences. You will study anatomy (structure of the human body), histology (study of tissues), biochemistry (chemical processes occurring in the body), and physiology (how the body works). This year also involves having medical terminology sessions as well as communication skills. This year is important, as it lays down the groundwork of your entire career in medicine.

The second year continues with advanced anatomy and physiology and new subjects such as medical biology, medical physics, and general chemistry.

This is when medicine gets really interesting. You’ll study Pathology (the study of diseases), Microbiology (bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms), and Pharmacology (drugs and their effects). You’ll learn how diseases develop, how to identify them, and how medications work to cure them.

Now you enter the world of clinical medicine. Subjects include General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pediatrics. You’ll start visiting hospitals, observing patient examinations, and learning clinical skills.

In your final academic year, you’ll study specialized subjects like cardiology, neurology, oncology, emergency medicine, and more. This year involves extensive hospital rotations where you’ll work closely with patients under the guidance of senior doctors.
The internship year is entirely practical. You’ll rotate through different departments of hospitals, working as a junior doctor under supervision. This hands-on experience is invaluable for developing clinical judgment and patient care skills.

Campus Life at Semey State Medical University

SSMU offers cozy housing to international students. Each dormitory offers:
  • 24-hour security or CCTV cameras
  • Heat (it is cold in Kazakhstan in winter)
  • Common kitchens where you can prepare your own food
  • Laundry facilities
  • Access to the internet
  • Study spaces
  • Social spaces
The dormitory space is culturally diverse, with students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, African countries, and many other places making for a global study community.
The city has good public transportation, including buses and taxis. Many students use local buses for daily commuting, which is very affordable. Taxis are also reasonably priced. The university campus is well-connected to the city, and the hostel is usually within walking distance or a short bus ride from the academic buildings.

Preparing for Your Journey to SSMU

Admission Process

The admission process is straightforward:

You must have completed 12th standard with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English with a minimum of 50% marks (40% for reserved categories). You must also qualify for NEET with the minimum required score.

Submit your application form along with the required documents.

Book your flight to Kazakhstan. The university usually arranges airport pickup for new students.

  • A valid passport with a minimum validity of two years
  • Standard marksheets and certificates for grades 10 and 12
  • NEET scorecard
  • Certificate of birth
  • Certificate of medical fitness
  • HIV test results
  • Certificate of Police Clearance
  • Passport-sized photos
  • The university’s letter of admission
It is very important for students and their parents to pay attention to this topic as well:
  • First-year tuition fees
  • Visa fees
  • Flight tickets
  • Initial living expenses
  • Medical insurance
  • Books and study materials
MBBS graduates can work in:
  • Institutions for medical research
  • Pharmaceutical firms
  • Management of healthcare
  • Journalism and writing about medicine
  • Public health associations
  • Teaching at medical schools
  • Healthcare advisory services

Challenges You Need to Know

Experiencing the physical and emotional separation from family, especially when you are abroad, can be taxing. Solution: Keep in touch with family via video chatting, make friends with other students, get involved on campus, and keep in the back of your mind why you are there—to pursue your goal of becoming a doctor.

Being away from home-cooked Indian food is unnatural. Solution: learn how to do basic cooking, shop at Indian grocery stores, find other Indian students to eat together with, and every now and then eat out at Indian restaurants in the city.

Medical school is taxing everywhere in the world. Solution: practice good studying methods, manage your time, find study partners, don’t be afraid to ask a teacher every time you don’t understand something, and maintain a work-life balance.

EOCL India Consultancy

Semey State Medical University (SSMU) is one of the best universities in Kazakhstan, where students like to study. The climate and language here create some problems in the beginning, but EOCL India guides the students about how to deal with all these problems, how to interact and talk with the locals, and how to adjust to the climate at Semey State Medical University. EOCL India has been in the field of trustworthy counseling for years to help students get their best MBBS university within budget and with full support. Visit now.

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