10 Best Medical Colleges in the World in 2025

If you are someone looking to study Medicine abroad then you might be interested in knowing the Best Medical Colleges in the World. Some of the best medical schools in the world inlcude University of Oxford, Harvard University, University of Cambridge, Stanford, and John Hopkins School of Medicine. These universities are consistently ranked among the top medical schools globally by QS and THE World University Rankings  for Medicine 2025. They are renowned  for their rigorous academic programs, cutting-edge research opportunities, and highly qualified faculty, offering excellent opportunities for students seeking world-class medical education.

The field of medical study is vast and includes a lot of disciplines. One need a high level of dedication, passion, and skill to be a star medico. Many students wish to study medicine abroad like US, UK, Canada, etc. to build a broader perspective that help them in future medical practice. If you are among them, continue reading this article, we gave 10 best colleges in the world for studying Medicine, along with admission requirements and career prospects after studying medicine abroad. 

Table of Contents

• Top 10 Medical Colleges in the World
• 1. Imperial College London, United Kingdom
• 2. University of Oxford, United Kingdom
• 3. Harvard University, United States
• 4. University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
• 5. Stanford University, United States
• 6. Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
• 7. UCL (University College London), United Kingdom
• 8. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), United States
• 9. Yale University, United States
• 10. Johns Hopkins University, United States
• Pursuing Medical Courses and Degrees in Different Countries
• What are the admission requirements for the top Medical colleges in the world?
• What are the Career Prospects after studying MBBS abroad?
• FAQs

Top 10 Medical Colleges in the World

1. Imperial College London, United Kingdom

The Imperial College School of Medicine was founded in 1997. This school has been awarded the Athena SWAN award for recognizing the service of women in the medical field. The school was formed by integrating other medical schools like Chelsea and Westminister, Charing Cross, St. Mary's, and Hammersmith. You must clear the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) to get into a medical course here. The QS WUR has ranked this university in the 8th position. Nearly 2000 students are taken for the Medicine and Biomedical Science courses in a year.

• Average tuition fee: $50,100
• Course Duration: 6 years
• Acceptance Rate: 14%

2. University of Oxford, United Kingdom

Oxford University Medical School founded in 1936 is the school for medical studies at the University of Oxford. Students take a 3-year pre-clinical course and 3 years of clinical studies here. One-third of the students are international students. The QS has ranked it the second best and the Times Higher Education has ranked it the best medical institute in the world. They have the highest technology and research laboratories to assist their theoretical education.

• Average tuition fee: $50,000
• Course Duration: 6 years
• Acceptance Rate: 9%

3. Harvard University, United States

Harvard Medical School, the graduate school of medicine at Harvard University was established in 1782. It holds the No.1 position in the list of top medical institutes in the world according to QS WUR, U.S. News & World Report, and 3rd in the Times Higher Education rankings. Harvard intakes international students and prefers those who completed their Bachelors in the US and have a minimum of one year of academic education in the USA. Being the 3rd oldest medical school in the US, the faculty here have been part of important inventions like smallpox vaccination, insulin, anesthesia, etc. International students who have completed at least one year of education from an accredited university in the US can apply to Harvard.

• Average tuition fee: $45,050
• Course Duration: 4 years
• Acceptance Rate: 2.7%

4. University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

The University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, has a standard course, and a graduate course. The students learn through a mix of theoretical, practical, research, and project-based learning. The School of Clinical Medicine was established in 1976 under the prestigious Cambridge University. The students can get a bachelor of medicine and a bachelor of surgery after completing the 6-year MD course. The university is ranked 5th in the QS rankings and 2nd in the Times Higher Education rankings of the best medical universities in the world.

• Average tuition fee: $83,000
• Course Duration: 4 years
• Acceptance Rate: 12%

5. Stanford University, United States

Stanford University is ranked the 3rd best MBBS institute in the world. The study programs are advanced and integrated to research programs. The Stanford University School of Medicine is affiliated with Stanford Healthcare and Stanford children’s health. The university was established in 1908 and has been continuously ranked among the best medical institutions in the world. The Times Higher Education has ranked it the 6th best MBBS college in the world.

• Average tuition fee: $55,000
• Course Duration: 4 years
• Acceptance Rate: 2.3%

6. Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden

Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, located in Stockholm, Sweden is a prestigious university slowly specializing in medical and health sciences. Its outstanding research and development reputation is drawing students across Europe and all over the world. At this university, students can pursue their higher education (bachelor’s of medical science) in Biomedicine. The programs taught in English follow an interactive teaching model. Also professors at Karolinska Institutet, continuously upgrade their study knowledge with new research projects in addition to teaching which helps students to stay updated on the newest developments in the medical sector. To enroll for medical programs at Karolinska, students must prove their English language proficiency and for some other programs, Swedish language proficiency (equal to upper secondary school level 3) is needed. 

• Average Tuition fee: SEK 5,40,000
• Course duration: 6 years
• Acceptance Rate: 3.9%

7. UCL (University College London), United Kingdom

The UCL Medical School was established in 1987 in London with a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate medical education programs. It provides top-notch education by collaborating with 7 major hospitals. The institute has a good academic reputation, excellent infrastructure, and qualified faculty. It intakes only 334 students for its MBBS program in a year. They offer multiple postgraduate, research, initial teacher education programs, and integrated BSc courses.

• Average tuition fee: $51,000
• Course Duration: 4 years
• Acceptance Rate: 16%

8. University of California, United States

David Geffen School of Medicine founded in 1951 is the medical school at UCLA. The institute provides multiple MD, postdoctoral, graduate, and residency programs. The medical school was renamed in the name of David Geffen who donated $200 million to the university. It stands at 9th position in the list of the best medical institutes in the world, according to the QS rankings. Outstanding students can join a concurrent degree program or Medical Scientist Training Programs, where their fees will be paid by the National Institute of Health, and can also learn with a stipend.

• Average tuition fee: $50,130
• Course Duration: 4 years
• Acceptance Rate: 3.9%

9. Yale University, United States

Yale School of Medicine, the graduate school of medicine at Yale University, was founded in 1810. This university has been part of many innovation projects and scientific discoveries. Nearly 11,000 faculty members work here. Yale is part of the Ivy League Schools. The college offers many courses in MD/Ph.D., Doctor of Medicine (MD), and MD/MPH (Master of Public Health). The Department of Pharmacology here is considered one of the best in the world. 

• Average tuition fee: $64,000
• Course Duration: 3 years
• Acceptance Rate: 4.8%

10. Johns Hopkins University, United States

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine was founded in 1893 near the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins Children's Center. The school has a wide range of programs with a flexible curriculum for MD and doctorate. The university spends a lot on research activities compared to other universities in the US. Many of the faculty and alumni of this institution have become Nobel laureates for their contributions to the medical field.

• Average tuition fee: $58,000
• Course Duration: 4 years
• Acceptance Rate: 6.3%

Here is the World's best medical colleges at a glance for our readers-

How much does it cost to pursue Medicine abroad for International students?

Studying medicine abroad for international students varies by university, country, and type of degree. Costs approximately range from USD 3000 to 8000 per year for tuition, with additional expenses for living and hostel fees. It must be noted that the cost of a medical degree can affect whether you are studying abroad or domestically. This includes the cheapest country and most expensive country to live in and study medical school avoiding massive debts. Depending on where you live you will understand how tuition and living costs vary. The low-tuition countries to get medical bachelor’s degrees are India, Pakistan, and Nepal. Refer to the below table to see how much is approximate tuition fees of MBBS degrees in different countries:

Also Check out: Best countries to study Biotechnology

Pursuing Medical Courses and Degrees in Different Countries

United States of America (USA) and United Kingdom (UK) are regarded as the best countries in the world for pursuing medical courses due to their top ranked universities and academic advancements in medical technology. Here is a list of top countries to consider for your medical studies!

Studying Medicine in the United States of America (USA)

In the USA, before you start your undergraduate studies in medicine, you are required to complete pre-medical studies which last about 4 months. After this, you can start your MBBS which will take 6.5 years to complete. Including the medical training, it will usually take around 10 years to complete the course. 11 out of 20 top MBBS universities in the world are from the US. Some of the top medical courses  in US are Medicine (MD), Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physical Theraphy, Public Health, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Nutrition science, etc. And listed below are some of the top universities in the USA:

• Harvard University
• Stanford University
• Johns Hopkins University
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of California- San Francisco
  
  

Also Read: Average  Doctors salary in USA

Studying Medicine in Canada

The medical courses in Canada are similar to that in the US. Compared to the US, it is cheaper to study in Canada. There will be theoretical classes for the first 3-4 years and then students will start clinical training. The popular medical courses to pursue in Canada are  Medicine (MD), Nursing, Pharmacy, Radiation Therapy, Nutrition Science, Food Technology, Molecular Biology, etc. Some of the top canadian universities to pursue these courses are

• • • University of Toronto
    • University of British Columbia
    • University of Alberta
    • McGill University

Studying Medicine in the United Kingdom (UK)

Five of the UK's medical colleges ranks among the best medical schools in the world. It takes 5 to 6 years to complete the MBBS degree from a UK college. The courses are offered as MB (Bachelor of Medicine). In the first three years, students go through theoretical learning and afterward the practical learning starts.  Medicine (MBBS), Dentistry, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Pharmacology, Molecular Medicine, Master in Public Health (MPH) Biotechnology, etc are the popular medical courses in the UK for international students. Given below are some of the top UK universities to study Medicine:

• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• Imperial College London
• University College London (UCL)
• University of Edinburgh

Studying Medicine in New Zealand and Ireland 

Similar to the United Kingdom (UK), the study period for pursuing medicine in both New Zealand and Ireland takes 5 to 6 long years. But in New Zealand, the first year is the preparatory year for studying either a Bachelor of Health Sciences or a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science degree, which you'll pursue subsequently. Top universities in the New Zealand and Ireland to study medicine include:

• University of Auckland
• University of Otago
• Trinity College Dublin
• Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)

Studying Medicine in China

Studying medicine in China can be a rewarding experience for many international students as it has excellent medical schools that offer much lower tuition fee compared to other countries. The only drawback is that students should learn the country’s official Chinese language to manage their living in China. Moreover, they have an advanced medical system, with hospitals and clinics some of the best worldwide. The duration of the medical course in china will be 6 long years. Some of best universities in china to study Medicine are: 

• Nanjing Medical University
• Jilin University
• Zhejiang University
• Capital Medical University

To know more about countries having best Medical colleges, refer best countries to study MBBS abroad.

Here is a quick recap of duration of MBBS study in the countries of your interest!

What are the admission requirements for the top Medical colleges in the world?

• An aggregate of 75-85% in class XII (percentage may vary as per university requirement).
• Bachelor’s degree in Science or Biology. Universities offering long-term medical courses do not ask for a bachelor’s degree.
• English language proficiency scores IELTS/TOEFL/PTE.
• Scores of medical exams like MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board), etc.
• Statement of purpose (SOP), Letter of Recommendation (LORs), Essay.
• Consolidated marksheets, Resume, and internship certificates, if any.

What are the Career Prospects after studying MBBS abroad?

Job opportunities were pretty good once a student completed a medicine course abroad. He/she can work as a resident, fellow, or staff physician at hospitals or clinics. With your medical degree and expertise, You can also work in other roles as medical scientific liaisons, researchers, or high-demand positions in the public health or healthcare administration sector. Your employment options may vary based on your skills and experience, country, and place where you completed your medical training. The below table gives you a glimpse of some of the country-wise job prospects after studying medicine abroad:

FAQs

1. Which is the No 1 medical college in the world?

Harvard University is the No 1 medical college in the world as per the rankings released by the QS World University Rankings.

2. Which country has the best medical colleges?

Based on the QS rankings, many of the top medical colleges in the world are situated in the USA. 5 out of the top 10 medical colleges in the world are situated in the US.

3. What is the rank of AIIMS in the world?

AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) is ranked #151-200 in the QS Rankings. 

4. What is the average fee to study MBBS abroad?

In each country the fee structure for MBBS courses varies. In the US, the course fee can start from $200,000 and go up to $300,000.

5. Which college is No 1 in India for MBBS?

The best college for studying MBBS in India is the AIIMS situated in New Delhi. It has been ranked at the top of the list for several years in a row.

6. Which is the best med school in the world?

Harvard Medical School is considered the best med school in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. It is one of the oldest medical schools in the United States.