FMGE: Why Armenia’s low-cost MBBS abroad is not as attractive as it sounds

In 2019, 510 Indian students from four foreign medical colleges in Armenia wrote the Foreign Medical Graduates Exam (FMGE). By 2022, the number of foreign medical graduates from this country had risen to 1,225, an increase of 140%.

From 2019 to 2022, a total of 3,137 Indian graduates of Armenian medical colleges have written the FMGE and their total pass percentage is 16.9%. The number of colleges represented increased seven. The FMGE is a licensure exam and students who acquire a medical qualification from countries outside India need to clear it in order to practice modern medicine in India.

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This Story also Contains

1. MBBS Abroad: Indian Embassy warnings
2. FMGE Results: St Tereza Medical University
3. Low-cost MBBS in Armenia

So dubious are the credentials of many Armenian medical colleges for foreign students that even consultants specialising in MBBS abroad are discouraging students from going there, despite the significantly low cost of a medical degree. Instead, they are pushing for countries like Bangladesh and Nepal. Two advisories issued by the Indian Embassy in Armenia in the last two years are the main reason for this wariness.

Also read: FMGE: Over 80% foreign medical colleges don't figure on any global university rankings list

MBBS Abroad: Indian Embassy warnings

In an advisory dated November 16, 2021, Embassy of India in Armenia advised Indian students to “take precautions and do due diligence before taking admission” in St Tereza Medical University, Yerevan.

The Embassy issued the advisory after it received “numerous complaints” from the existing Indian students regarding “lack of proper studies, infrastructure, qualified faculty members to allegations of corruption, denial of degrees on completion of studies on various grounds and extortion of money on various grounds”.

“It is also revealed that the university is not keeping proper academic records of Indian students,” the embassy said in its advisory.

Three months later, the Embassy of India once again on February 24, 2022 issued an advisory for Indian students. This time, it advised them “not to take admission in St. Tereza Medical University.”

The advisory came in response to an order by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia which said that “education programme licence of St. Tereza Medical University has been terminated”. The order was based on violations of the mandatory terms and conditions of the licence defined by the licensing procedures.

Armenian government agencies made arrangements for existing students to complete their study in other educational institutions. However, websites of study abroad consultants still show up as search results for St. Tereza Medical University and still promise admissions for the 2023-24 session and for a low cost. But when called, the consultants push other countries and institutions.

FMGE Results: St Tereza Medical University

St Tereza Medical University is a private medical college in Armenia’s capital Yerevan. It was established in 1992 and started an academic programme in 1995.

The data released by the National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) shows that the number of Indian students from St Tereza Medical University appearing in FMG examination increased along with passing percentage between 2019 and 2022.

While just eight students appeared in FMG examination in 2019, the number of students appearing increased to 536 in 2022 – a 6,600% increase.

FMGE data: St Tereza Medical University

Moksh, an education consultant with headquarters in Mumbai and 14 branches across the country and which primarily deals with MBBS abroad, in its review of MBBS at St Tereza Medical University said: “The thought of a budget-friendly fee structure of the MBBS degree might look appealing to some. However, the university might not be providing enough services affecting quality of education, clinical exposure, and lack of supportive cooperation from foreign universities. It would not be a good idea when compared to quality of education provided at the medical colleges abroad”.

“The universities in Armenia have poor quality of education, low quality infrastructure, along with less population,” Moksh has written on its website.

The website of RMC Education Service, Delhi, appears as a top search result for St. Tereza Medical University and promises admissions for 2023-24. But when contacted, its consultant was transparent about the cancellation of the institution’s licence. “It is better to avoid controversial colleges and universities for studying in a foreign nation. You should consider pursuing MBBS in Nepal and Bangladesh,” she said.

Ved Prakash of Jagvimal Consultants and Management Services (P) Ltd said: “Some Indian agents were involved in malpractice and worked with the few tainted officials of the university and issued fake admission letters to Indian students. Later, when students contacted the university officials they came to know about reality which forced the Indian Embassy to issue advisories and the Armenia govt to halt the functioning of the university.”

Low-cost MBBS in Armenia

According to education consultants, MBBS tuition fees in Armenia are significantly lower than in other countries globally, such as the United States, India, the United Kingdom or Australia. This is among the major reasons behind Indian students choosing to study MBBS in Armenia.

There were only four medical colleges in Armenia in 2019 which saw Indian students sitting for FMG examination. In 2020 and 2021, there were five medical colleges sending Indian students for FMGE which later increased to seven in 2022.

Even though the number of students appearing for FMGE increased 140% between 2019 and 2022, the pass percentage remained below the overall FMGE pass percentage, except in 2019.

FMGE results: Armenia

An education consultant from Shiksha Education Consultancy, Barpeta, Assam, said: “It is better not to take admission in Armenian medical colleges and look for MBBS admission in other countries like Russia, Georgia or Asian countries like China, Nepal and Bangladesh. There is only one government medical college in Armenia – Yerevan State Medical University – and the rest are private ones.”

An education consultant from Disha Education Consultancy, Vadodara said, “The FMGE pass percentage of Armenian medical colleges is quite low. Moreover, Armenian medical colleges are not the first choice of students even though their study abroad budget is low. I would like to advise students to explore other countries in their budget before deciding to pursue MBBS in Armenia.”