In recent years, Bangladesh has become one of the most preferred destinations for medical students from South Asia who aspire to pursue an MBBS degree abroad. The country offers high-quality medical education, globally recognized universities, and a curriculum aligned with international standards. One of the major attractions for students from neighboring countries is the SAARC quota, a special admission category that allows students from member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation to study in Bangladesh at a subsidized cost.
The most frequently asked question among aspiring students is: “Is the fee lower for MBBS in Bangladesh under the SAARC quota?” The answer is yes — the fee structure is indeed lower, but there are several details, conditions, and regulations that determine how and why this reduction applies.
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the SAARC quota, explaining how it works, its eligibility criteria, fee structure, benefits, and its overall impact on international students pursuing MBBS in Bangladesh.
To understand why the fee is lower under the SAARC quota, one must first know what the SAARC quota actually is. SAARC stands for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, a regional organization comprising eight member countries — Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
The main goal of SAARC is to promote cooperation among South Asian nations in various fields, including education. As part of this cooperative initiative, Bangladesh offers a number of reserved seats in its medical colleges to students from SAARC countries. This initiative helps strengthen educational and cultural ties within the region and allows talented students to study medicine at reduced or subsidized costs.
The SAARC quota serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it promotes regional educational integration, allowing students from member countries to access quality education without facing the financial burdens typically associated with studying abroad. Secondly, it fosters diplomatic goodwill, as education is an effective means of enhancing people-to-people contact and mutual understanding among nations.
The Government of Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), reserves a specific number of MBBS and BDS seats for students from SAARC countries every year. These seats are distributed across several government medical colleges.
Before analyzing the SAARC quota benefits, it is important to understand the overall MBBS program in Bangladesh. The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program in Bangladesh typically lasts five years, followed by a one-year internship that can be completed either in Bangladesh or in the student’s home country, depending on the university’s policy and the student’s preference.
Bangladeshi medical colleges are known for:
A well-structured syllabus similar to that of the Indian Medical curriculum.
English as the medium of instruction.
Recognition by international bodies like the World Health Organization and the National Medical Commission of India.
Affordable tuition fees compared to Western or even many Asian countries.
However, for international students who may still find the normal fee structure challenging, the SAARC quota provides a remarkable financial advantage.
The SAARC quota is not open to all students automatically. There are certain eligibility criteria that applicants must meet to be considered under this category:
Nationality: The applicant must be a citizen of a SAARC member country other than Bangladesh.
Academic Qualifications: The candidate should have passed 10+2 or equivalent examinations with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as main subjects.
Minimum Marks: Generally, a minimum of 60 percent aggregate in PCB subjects is required. Some variation may occur based on specific college requirements.
Age Limit: The candidate should be at least 17 years old by the end of the admission year.
Nomination: The student must be officially nominated by the Ministry of Education or Foreign Affairs of their home country. Direct applications are not accepted for SAARC quota seats.
Once these conditions are fulfilled, the application is forwarded through the respective embassies to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh for consideration.
One of the main features of the SAARC quota is the reduction or exemption of tuition fees. Under this quota, students from SAARC countries are allowed to study MBBS in government medical colleges of Bangladesh either at a reduced cost or sometimes entirely free of charge, depending on the specific policy of that academic year.
Here’s how it generally works:
The Government of Bangladesh bears most or all of the tuition and academic fees for SAARC students.
Students are usually responsible for personal expenses, such as accommodation, food, travel, and stationery.
In many cases, students only need to pay nominal administrative charges and minimal registration fees.
The number of fully funded seats may be limited, and others may be partially funded, meaning the student pays a fraction of the regular tuition cost.
This means that, yes, the fees are significantly lower under the SAARC quota compared to the general international student fee structure.
To illustrate the difference, let’s compare the typical costs. While exact figures may vary by college and year, the following outlines the general contrast:
Regular international students: Usually pay between thirty thousand to fifty thousand US dollars for the full MBBS course in Bangladesh, depending on the college.
SAARC quota students: Often pay minimal administrative fees, sometimes as low as a few hundred dollars annually. In some cases, tuition is completely waived.
This stark contrast is why the SAARC quota is considered one of the most beneficial programs for medical aspirants from South Asia.
The process for admission under the SAARC quota differs from the regular application procedure. It involves the following steps:
Application through the student’s home government: The candidate must apply to the Ministry of Education or relevant authority in their own country.
Nomination and forwarding: The home ministry reviews applications and forwards selected candidates’ names to the Bangladesh High Commission.
Verification: The Bangladeshi authorities verify documents and eligibility.
Seat allocation: Seats are allotted based on merit, availability, and bilateral agreements.
Admission confirmation: Once approved, the student receives an official offer letter from the Directorate General of Health Services in Bangladesh.
This process ensures transparency and equal opportunity among all SAARC nations.
The following countries’ students are eligible for MBBS admission in Bangladesh under the SAARC quota:
India
Nepal
Bhutan
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Maldives
Afghanistan
Each country is allocated a limited number of seats each year, depending on bilateral understanding and the availability of space in government colleges.
There are several advantages of studying MBBS in Bangladesh under the SAARC quota:
Reduced or no tuition fee: This is the most important benefit, as it makes medical education affordable for talented but financially constrained students.
Quality education: Students receive the same education and clinical exposure as regular Bangladeshi students.
Cultural proximity: SAARC countries share similar cultures, food habits, and languages, making adaptation easier.
Global recognition: MBBS degrees from Bangladesh are recognized by major medical councils, allowing graduates to practice or pursue higher studies in multiple countries.
Government-backed program: Since the quota is officially managed by governments, it ensures authenticity and safety.
These advantages make the SAARC quota one of the most sought-after educational opportunities in South Asia.
While the SAARC quota offers tremendous benefits, there are also certain challenges and limitations that students should be aware of:
Limited seats: The number of available SAARC quota seats is very small, and competition is extremely high.
Strict eligibility requirements: Only students with excellent academic records stand a chance of selection.
Government procedures: The application process can be time-consuming due to bureaucratic formalities.
No private colleges: The SAARC quota applies mainly to government medical colleges, not private ones.
Living costs: Even though tuition fees are waived, students still need to cover living and accommodation expenses.
Understanding these aspects helps students prepare better and set realistic expectations.
Students who study MBBS in Bangladesh under the SAARC quota often describe their experience as enriching and rewarding. The academic curriculum focuses on practical training, clinical exposure, and ethical medical practice. Students attend regular hospital rounds and community health programs, which help them develop hands-on skills early in their careers.
Culturally, Bangladesh offers a warm and welcoming environment for SAARC students. The linguistic and cultural similarities make it easy to adapt, and the country’s emphasis on hospitality ensures that foreign students feel at home. Over time, many SAARC students have formed communities that celebrate their national traditions while integrating with Bangladeshi culture.
After completing MBBS under the SAARC quota, students can pursue further studies or medical licensing examinations in their home countries. For instance, Indian students can appear for the National Exit Test (NEXT) in India; Nepali students can take the Nepal Medical Council exam; and Pakistani students can attempt the PMC exam in Pakistan.
The MBBS degree obtained under the SAARC quota is equivalent in value to the degree earned by any other international student, provided the college is recognized by relevant medical councils.
Each year, the Government of Bangladesh publishes an official circular for SAARC quota admission. Interested students should:
Contact the Ministry of Education in their home country.
Prepare all required documents — academic transcripts, passport copies, recent photographs, and a medical fitness certificate.
Await nomination confirmation and embassy verification.
Submit the complete application before the deadline specified by the Bangladesh High Commission.
Missing any step or deadline can result in disqualification, so attention to detail is essential.
Typically, students need to submit the following:
Copy of passport
Birth certificate or age proof
Academic transcripts (10th and 12th or equivalent)
Mark sheets in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
Recommendation or nomination letter from the home government
Medical fitness certificate
Recent passport-sized photographs
All documents should be attested and sent through official channels only.
While the tuition fee may be low or free under the SAARC quota, students should budget for living expenses. On average, monthly living costs in Bangladesh range from one hundred fifty to two hundred dollars, covering accommodation, food, transport, and personal expenses.
Bangladesh offers safe and comfortable student housing options, particularly around medical universities. Most institutions also have international student hostels with basic facilities. Students can enjoy affordable food, cultural events, and access to healthcare services throughout their stay.
Bangladesh’s MBBS program is considered one of the most successful in South Asia due to its combination of quality, affordability, and accessibility. Key reasons include:
High academic standards and experienced faculty.
Modern laboratories and hospitals for clinical exposure.
English-medium instruction.
Similar disease patterns and healthcare challenges to other South Asian countries, which prepares students for real-world practice.
An emphasis on community medicine and ethical healthcare.
For SAARC students, the addition of a low-fee or free education under the quota makes Bangladesh an exceptional choice.
The success of the SAARC quota is largely due to the cooperation between Bangladesh and other SAARC member governments. The quota not only supports education but also strengthens diplomatic relations. By offering medical education opportunities to neighboring countries, Bangladesh demonstrates leadership in regional development and collaboration.
Similarly, other countries encourage deserving students to take advantage of this opportunity, knowing that they will gain valuable knowledge and skills that benefit their home healthcare systems upon return.
Many students who have completed their MBBS under the SAARC quota share positive experiences. They highlight not only the affordability but also the quality of training and the friendliness of the local people. Many graduates have gone on to become successful doctors, specialists, and public health professionals in their home countries.
These success stories reinforce the idea that the SAARC quota is more than just a financial aid program — it is a symbol of cooperation and opportunity within the South Asian region.
As educational demand continues to grow, the SAARC quota is expected to remain an integral part of Bangladesh’s international education policy. There may even be discussions about expanding the number of seats or including new areas of study such as nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy under the same cooperative framework.
Technology-driven admission systems and improved cross-border communication between ministries could make the process faster and more transparent in the coming years.
To summarize, the fee for MBBS in Bangladesh under the SAARC quota is indeed lower — in many cases, significantly or completely subsidized. This is a government initiative that allows deserving students from SAARC nations to pursue medical education in Bangladesh with minimal financial burden.
While the quota system provides immense benefits such as reduced tuition fees, high-quality education, and cross-cultural exposure, it also comes with strict eligibility criteria and limited seats. Students must go through official government channels to apply and should plan early to improve their chances of selection.
Ultimately, the SAARC quota represents more than just a fee concession; it embodies regional cooperation, shared progress, and the vision of a united South Asia where education becomes a bridge between nations. For thousands of aspiring doctors, this initiative continues to open doors to a brighter future — one defined by knowledge, service, and opportunity.
WHO
Course Duration:
Average Fees:
Universities:
Medium:
6 years
$3,000 - $7,000 per year
2+
English