Overview
Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino (BSMI) is a state medical institute founded in 1990 in the historic city of Bukhara. It is named after Ibn Sina (Avicenna), the physician born near Bukhara. It teaches General Medicine in Uzbek, Russian and English.
BSMI has one of the largest groups of Indian students in Uzbekistan. Its own page lists 1,645 students from India, well ahead of any other country. Foreign applicants are admitted after an oral interview in Biology, Chemistry and the teaching language. Both its English-medium and its Uzbek/Russian-medium General Medicine programmes hold ECAQA accreditation until February 2030.
The institute is one of three named in the NMC advisory of 1 April 2026, which raised admissions beyond intake capacity and teaching not in English. The advisory also mentions testimonies from Indian students enrolled through a private contractor called RARE Company. The Embassy of India has said the advisory is precautionary, not a ban. Check the latest NMC notices and apply directly to the institute.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1990 |
| Type | Public (state) medical institute; Bukhara, Uzbekistan |
| Degree awarded | Bachelor's degree in General Medicine (called MD or 'MBBS equivalent' by agents) |
| Duration | 6 years; a '5+1' structure applies from 2027/28 under Decree UP-191 |
| Medium | English for the international group; General Medicine is also taught in Uzbek and Russian |
| Intake | One main intake, September–October |
| NEET-UG | Not asked by the institute, but compulsory for Indian students under NMC rules |
| WDOMS listing | Not confirmed by us: the WDOMS search could not be run from our network, so check search.wdoms.org |
| Tuition per year | About USD 3,200 (USD 5,250 in year 1), from secondary sources; not published by the institute for 2026/27 |
| Hostel per year | About USD 500 (secondary source) |
| Ranking | THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026: 1001–1500 overall; not in THE or QS world rankings |
| NMC position | Named in the NMC advisory of 1 April 2026 (not a ban) |
Address: 23 G'ijduvon Street, Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Highlights
- State medical institute founded in 1990, named after Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
- English-medium General Medicine, with ECAQA accreditation valid to 19 February 2030
- 1,645 Indian students listed on the institute's own page, the largest foreign group
- Three hostels with 400 places each and two students to a room
- Own institute clinic in Bukhara
- Named in the NMC advisory of 1 April 2026, so check the current NMC position
Courses offered
- General Medicine (English, Uzbek and Russian medium)
- Pediatrics
- Dentistry
- Pharmacy
- Higher Nursing
- Biology, Chemistry and Psychology (bachelor's)
- Joint degree programmes with partner universities in Russia, Turkey, Italy and the USA
- Master's, clinical residency and doctoral programmes
For Indian students the main programme is the General Medicine (MD), English medium, taught in English over 6 years.
Facilities
Institute clinic
BSMI runs its own clinic in Bukhara, which it uses for clinical teaching alongside city and regional hospitals.
Dental training centre
A dental teaching, research and practice centre supports the Dentistry faculty.
Research facilities
The institute lists a vivarium and research centre for laboratory work.
Hostels
Three student hostels with 400 places each. Rooms are shared by two students, with kitchens, laundry rooms and washrooms.
Sports
Sports facilities have been built in front of the hostels.
Why choose Bukhara State Medical Institute?
- It is a state institute with its own clinic, not a private college or a branch campus.
- General Medicine is taught in English for international students, and the English-medium programme is separately accredited by ECAQA.
- A very large Indian student body makes it easier to settle in, find Indian food and get help from seniors.
- Hostel rooms are shared by only two students, according to the institute.
- Bukhara is a calm, walkable heritage city with low living costs.
- The institute publishes its admission rules and a student-safety page for foreign students online.
Eligibility criteria
- Qualify NEET-UG before admission. The institute does not ask for it, but the NMC does.
- Pass Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English, with at least 50% in PCB (40% for SC/ST/OBC, 45% for PwD).
- Be at least 17 years old by 31 December of the year of admission; there is no upper age limit for bachelor's applicants.
- Pass the oral interview in Biology, Chemistry and the teaching language (English or Russian).
- Complete the HIV test, medical certificate, chest X-ray and full medical examination, which the institute carries out after arrival.
Admission process
- Read the NMC advisory of 1 April 2026 and any later NMC or Embassy notices about Bukhara.
- Apply directly to the institute, by email to its admissions office or through its online form. Avoid private contractors who 'enrol' students on the institute's behalf.
- Send your application to the Rector, passport copies, Class 10+2 mark sheets, birth certificate, medical certificate and photographs.
- Attend the oral interview in Biology, Chemistry and English.
- Ask for the full six-year fee schedule in writing. Fees are set by the Rector's order and differ by country.
- Sign the contract and pay only into the institute's official treasury account.
- Receive the visa invitation through the institute and apply for the A-1 study visa.
- Travel, complete the medical tests and registration on arrival, and register with the Embassy of India.
Fee structure
| Tuition (USD) | Hostel (USD) | Approx. in rupees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1Physics Wallah, June 2026 (secondary) | US$5,250 | US$500 | ≈ ₹5.3 lakh |
| Years 2–6 (each year)Physics Wallah, June 2026 (secondary) | US$3,200 | US$500 | ≈ ₹3.4 lakh |
| Estimated total (6 years) | US$24,250 | ≈ ₹22.3 lakh | |
BSMI says international fees are set by the Rector's order and differ by country, but its fee page did not show a current figure for Indian students. The two fee files on that page cover joint-degree programmes for 2024/25 (USD 3,000–3,200 a year), not the standard international programme. The figures above are from Physics Wallah (June 2026): USD 5,250 in the first year, USD 3,200 a year after that and USD 500 for the hostel. Treat these as a guide only, get the institute's own fee letter, and pay only into its official account. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want the official fee letter?Our counsellor will share the current fee schedule for Bukhara State Medical Institute and a budget in rupees.
Recognition and accreditation
- World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS)Not confirmed by us. We could not run a WDOMS search from our network, so check the Bukhara State Medical Institute entry at search.wdoms.org before you apply.
- Government of UzbekistanA state medical institute in Bukhara, founded in 1990.
- ECAQA (Eurasian Centre for Accreditation and Quality Assurance)General Medicine (English medium) and General Medicine (Uzbek and Russian media) accredited on 20 February 2025, valid to 19 February 2030, as listed on DEQAR. Dentistry has the same accreditation. No institutional accreditation is listed.
- NMC advisory of 1 April 2026Names Bukhara State Medical Institute, with Samarkand and Tashkent. It raises admissions beyond intake capacity and teaching not in English, and mentions testimonies from Indian students enrolled through a private contractor, RARE Company (the notice refers to 'Bukhara State University'). The Embassy of India says the advisory is precautionary, not a ban.
- National Medical Commission (NMC), IndiaThe NMC does not approve foreign universities. Each graduate must meet every FMGL 2021 condition, including English-medium teaching throughout and a 12-month internship at the same institute.
NMC eligibility depends on you, not only the university
Teaching hospitals
- BSMI clinic (institute clinic, Bukhara)
- BSMI dental teaching, research and practice centre
- Bukhara regional and city hospitals used as clinical bases (ask for the list for your year)
Hostel and campus life
International students live in the institute's three hostels, each with 400 places and two students to a room. Hostels have kitchens, laundry rooms and washrooms, and sports facilities are next to them. With more than 1,600 Indian students, Indian food and festivals are part of hostel life. The institute publishes a student-safety page for foreign students, and Bukhara's old town is close by for weekends.
Cost of living in Bukhara
| Per month | In USD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel room (shared)About USD 500 a year, secondary source | US$40–50per month | ≈ ₹3,680 – ₹4,600 |
| Food (mess or self-cooking)Indicative; a cheap restaurant meal is about USD 7 (Numbeo) | US$100–160per month | ≈ ₹9,200 – ₹14,720 |
| Local transportIndicative | US$5–10per month | ≈ ₹460 – ₹920 |
| Mobile and internetNumbeo: mobile plan about USD 4.6 | US$5–15per month | ≈ ₹460 – ₹1,380 |
| Books, printing and personal items | US$20–50per month | ≈ ₹1,840 – ₹4,600 |
| One-bedroom flat outside the centre (if not in hostel)Numbeo, October 2026: about 1.2 million som; few contributors | US$90–120per month | ≈ ₹8,280 – ₹11,040 |
| Rough monthly total | US$260–405 | ≈ ₹23,920 – ₹37,260 |
About Bukhara
Bukhara is one of the great Silk Road cities, and its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Kalyan minaret, the Ark fortress and the old trading domes are all in the walkable old town. Ibn Sina (Avicenna) was born near Bukhara, which is why the institute carries his name. The city is smaller and quieter than Tashkent or Samarkand, and cheaper to live in. Summers are very hot and dry, and winters are cool.
Ranking
Bukhara State Medical Institute is not ranked in the QS World University Rankings or the THE World University Rankings. THE's Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 place it 1001–1500 overall. These ratings measure social impact, not teaching quality.
Scholarships
Foreign students study on a paid contract, and the institute does not publish scholarships for self-funded foreign medical students. Treat agent 'scholarships' with care, and ask the institute's international relations office directly.
Documents required
- Valid passport (at least 18 months' validity is sensible)
- Class 10 and Class 12 (10+2) mark sheets and certificates
- NEET-UG scorecard
- Birth certificate
- Application to the Rector stating the programme, language and study format
- Notarised translation of the school certificate into Russian or Uzbek
- Copies of national and international passports
- Six photographs, 3.5 × 4.5 cm
- Medical certificate
- HIV test and chest X-ray (done after arrival)
- Signed contract and fee receipt from the institute's official account
- Visa invitation and A-1 student visa
Ready to apply?Our counsellor will check your documents and NEET score and guide you through the admission letter and visa.
Other medical universities in Uzbekistan
| University | City | Tuition / year |
|---|---|---|
| Tashkent State Medical University | Tashkent | US$3,500 |
| Samarkand State Medical University | Samarkand | US$3,850 |
| Andijan State Medical Institute | Andijan | US$4,000 |
FAQs
Has the NMC banned Bukhara State Medical Institute?
No. The NMC's advisory of 1 April 2026 named the institute and raised concerns, but the Embassy of India has called it precautionary, not a ban. Check nmc.org.in for any newer notice before you apply.
Is the course taught in English?
Yes, for the international group. The institute also teaches General Medicine in Uzbek and Russian. Patients speak Uzbek or Russian, so ask in writing which language is used in clinical postings.
What about the 'RARE Company' mentioned by the NMC?
The NMC's April 2026 notice mentions students who enrolled through a private contractor of that name. Apply directly to the institute, and pay fees only into its official account.
How much are the fees?
Physics Wallah reports USD 5,250 for the first year, USD 3,200 a year after that and USD 500 for the hostel. The institute did not publish a current figure we could check, so ask for its official fee letter.
What are the FMGE results like?
Summaries of NBEMS data give 32.9% (166 of 504) for BSMI graduates across the 2025 sessions and 47.8% (143 of 299) in 2024. These are secondary figures, so check NBEMS's own report.
What are the hostels like?
There are three hostels with 400 places each and two students to a room, with kitchens and laundry rooms. Ask what the hostel fee includes.
Sources
- Bukhara State Medical Institute: official website (opens in a new tab)
- BSMI: admission regulations for international students (opens in a new tab)
- BSMI: fee page for international students (opens in a new tab)
- BSMI: foreign students at the institute (opens in a new tab)
- BSMI: where international students live (opens in a new tab)
- DEQAR (EQAR): BSMI accreditation records (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education: Bukhara State Medical Institute profile (opens in a new tab)
- NMC alert note of 1 April 2026 on Uzbekistan (copy hosted by Medical Dialogues) (opens in a new tab)
- Medical Dialogues, 10 August 2026: Embassy of India and HMC say the advisory is not a ban (opens in a new tab)
- Physics Wallah, June 2026: university-wise MBBS fees in Uzbekistan (secondary) (opens in a new tab)
- RussianMBBS compilation of NBEMS FMGE reports (secondary) (opens in a new tab)
- Numbeo: cost of living in Bukhara (October 2026) (opens in a new tab)
Official website: bsmi.uz (opens in a new tab)
Fees and rules change