Kazakhstan

M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan State University

Are you interested in pursuing your dream of becoming a doctor? M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan State University (NKU) could be an ideal first step for you. Located in Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan, this university has become a popular destination for international students.
M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan State University

Introduction

M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan State University, also known as NKU, was founded in 1937, making it one of the oldest and most well-known universities in Kazakhstan. The university is named after the famous Kazakh historian Manash Kozybayev, and it has a long history of providing educational quality for its students. NKU is recognized by several key medical councils across the world, including the Medical Council of India (now National Medical Commission) and WHO, and is on the World Directory of Medical Schools.
The university has high-quality modern facilities to provide high educational quality and personal development for students. NKU has a rich university life, with thousands of students coming from different parts of the globe every year, contributing to a rich international education system for its students.

Why Choose NKU for MBBS?

One of the most positive features of studying at NKU is the cost-effectiveness of the fees charged. Compared to private medical colleges in India or international universities in the Western world, the cost of achieving a degree in MBBS here is relatively low. The total cost for the entire course, including tuition and living expenses, is just right for the average middle-class family. This provides a proper opportunity for students to pursue quality medical education while not being able to afford other medical colleges that are expensive.

In India, to enter medical colleges, you must clear NEET with a substantial number of marks. In contrast, the entry requirements for NKU are less demanding, because here, you just need to have passed your 12th-grade syllabus with physics, chemistry, and biology, plus have a NEET score. However, the NEET score is way easier to achieve when comparing the cutoff mark for medical colleges in India. This provides many deserving students with a second chance to sustain their desire in medicine.

All studies in the NKU MBBS program are held in the English language. This is a great benefit to all international students. You will not need to learn the Russian or the Kazakh language to adapt to your medical lectures held in class. All textbooks, exams, and classroom lecturing will be held in English. This is another positive for medical students following strict traditional medical courses of study, where students must have the correct understanding of complicated medical topics.
The MBBS degree from NKU has global acceptance. Completing your degree enables you to practice medicine in India after completion of the FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination), which is now called NExT. Following additional licensing requirements, you can also practice in other countries. This means that your degree has an international value.

Course Duration and Structure

The MBBS course at M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan State University is a 5-year program that continues with a 1-year internship. There are three phases of education:

Pre-clinical Phase (Years 1-2): In the first two years, you will be learning the basic medical sciences: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, and Histology. You will understand body structure, function, and the chemical processes by which we are alive.

Para-clinical Phase (Years 3-4): Here, you will learn about pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and forensic medicine. You will learn about diseases, drugs, and how to diagnose various health complaints.

Clinical Phase (Year 5 + Internship): Year five is clinical rotations, where you work in hospitals, have real patients, and utilize the information you have learned heretofore. This phase is key to your development as a doctor.

Campus Life and Facilities

NRC provides comfortable hostel facilities for international students. The hostels include most basic amenities, such as heating (particularly important in the cold weather of Kazakhstan!), internet connectivity, and kitchens for communal cooking. Typically, rooms are shared by 2-4 students, which allows you to make friends and share experiences.
The university has a library with a large collection to find thousands of medical books and journals and provides access to medical databases online! Students are able to study in dedicated reading areas that are quiet or find research material for projects and assignments.

Practical knowledge is essential for medicine. NKU also has modern and well-equipped laboratories for areas such as anatomy dissection and microbiology, and other areas for practical aspects. The university also has arrangements with local hospitals where students do clinical training.

Petropavlovsk has a continental climate, which means cold winters and mild summers. The winter temperatures can get as low as -20 degrees Celsius, so don’t forget your warm clothes! The summers have nice temperatures of 20-25 degrees Celsius. Overall, Petropavlovsk is a safe and calm city with good public transportation.

Challenges to Consider

People from tropical countries may find the extreme cold weather of Petropavlovsk challenging to get used to. However, the majority of students get used to the weather within the first few months. Moreover, most of the buildings are warm and well-heated.

Although the classes would be in English, daily life outside of the university may require some basic Russian or Kazakh. Having a basic understanding of both languages would be beneficial for shopping, travel, and conversation with locals.

In addition to the weather and language, you will need to adapt to a different lifestyle, customs, and cuisine. Nevertheless, there is a large international student body to share this experience with, and everyone helps each other to adapt to the new environment.

Career Prospects

Once you graduate from NKU and pass the necessary licensing exams, you will be able to:
  • Work as a doctor in India or your home country
  • Enroll in postgraduate studies (MD/MS) in India or elsewhere
  • Work in hospitals or clinics, or establish your own practice
  • Work for research organisations or pharmaceutical companies
  • Work with healthcare organisations internationally
Research all options before deciding
  • Speak with current students to gain a firsthand understanding
  • Budget for the entire length of the course
  • Start studying for FMGE/NExT from the first year
  • Stay focused on your studies to maintain a good grade
  • Make the most of your final years by being fully involved in clinical practice
  • Learn some simple Russian phrases to make life easier

Conclusion

M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan State University offers students a genuine opportunity to become doctors, but they may have difficulty gaining admission in their home country due to competition or costs. The university offers excellent medical education at an affordable tuition in a safe environment.
If you commit yourself, work hard, and give good ears to guidance, your journey will hopefully reach your goal. M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan State University offers a platform—how well you access it is up to you, the reason you are there.
Be smart to make a decision, talk to family, think about what else is out there, and if your decision is NKU, then enjoy it with an open mind and heart throughout this experience. Your medical education awaits.

EOCL India

M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan State University is becoming increasingly attractive to Indian students, as its management and MBBS programs have placed it on students’ lists of choices. Its affordable annual costs and quality make it one of the best universities. To obtain admission to M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan State University and for more details, visit the EOCL India office or call now for current updates.

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