There are 37 medical colleges run by the Bangladesh government. However, almost no one hoping to pursue MBBS in Bangladesh from India wants a complete list of all 37. Instead, what will be more helpful is a ranking of the top 20 most important and most popular colleges that will be constantly referred to by the consultants, seniors, and forums. This will include the necessary information to make comparisons.
This article will cover the top 20 medical colleges in Bangladesh as per their reputation and history, the realistic ways in which Indian students get admission to these colleges (most likely via the SAARC quota), and the fees, eligibility and career opportunities. The complete list in PDF format will be linked at the end for convenience.
What Are the Top Government Medical Colleges in Bangladesh?
Some of the top government medical colleges in Bangladesh are Dhaka Medical College, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Chittagong Medical College, Rajshahi Medical College, Mymensingh Medical College, and Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College. These names are derived from their institutional history and their reputation for the quality of the services and education they provide rather than the rankings of any government medical college ranking system, as there are no official medical college rankings in Bangladesh.
The Complete Top 20 List
|
# |
College |
Location |
Affiliated University |
Established |
|
1 |
Dhaka Medical College (DMC) |
Dhaka |
Dhaka University |
1946 |
|
2 |
Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC) |
Dhaka |
Dhaka University |
1972 |
|
3 |
Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College |
Dhaka |
Dhaka University |
2006 |
|
4 |
Chittagong Medical College (CMC) |
Chattogram |
Chittagong Medical University |
1957 |
|
5 |
Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) |
Rajshahi |
Rajshahi Medical University |
1958 |
|
6 |
Mymensingh Medical College (MMC) |
Mymensingh |
Dhaka University |
1962 |
|
7 |
Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College |
Sylhet |
Sylhet Medical University |
1986 |
|
8 |
Sher-e-Bangla Medical College |
Barishal |
— |
1968 |
|
9 |
Khulna Medical College |
Khulna |
Khulna Medical University |
1992 |
|
10 |
Comilla Medical College |
Cumilla |
Chittagong Medical University |
1992 |
|
11 |
Faridpur Medical College |
Faridpur |
Dhaka University |
1992 |
|
12 |
Rangpur Medical College |
Rangpur |
— |
1992 |
|
13 |
Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College |
Bogura |
— |
1992 |
|
14 |
Pabna Medical College |
Pabna |
— |
2008 |
|
15 |
Naogaon Medical College |
Naogaon |
Rajshahi Medical University |
— |
|
16 |
Shaheed M. Monsur Ali Medical College |
Sirajganj |
— |
— |
|
17 |
Cox's Bazar Medical College |
Cox's Bazar |
Chittagong Medical University |
— |
|
18 |
Noakhali |
Chittagong Medical University |
— |
|
|
19 |
Jashore Medical College |
Jashore |
— |
— |
|
20 |
M. Abdur Rahim Medical College |
Dinajpur |
— |
— |
The names of Colleges, their places and years of establishment are taken from the public listings of BMDC and DGME. Please check for updated confirmations of colleges’ status of recognition before applying, as affiliations of regional medical universities tend to change frequently.
Importance of This List for Indian Students
The majority of these seats are unavailable for Indian applicants. Admission to government medical colleges in Bangladesh is primarily for Bangladeshi nationals, with a limited quota for SAARC countries. This list is even more important because:
- You can assess if private colleges’ “government standard” facilities are real.
- Admission consulting frameworks place these colleges against top private colleges.
- If you get a SAARC seat, this will be the list you are choosing from.
Admission Eligibility Criteria
The criteria to get MBBS in Bangladesh eligibility are the same whether you want a government SAARC seat or a seat in a private college:
- A qualifying score in NEET (mandatory for Indian citizens)
- 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology
- Minimum GPA of about 7.0 (5-point scale); SAARC quota seats have a much higher GPA due to competition.
- Minimum age of 17 by December 31 of the admission year.
- Citizenship of SAARC nations, particularly for quota-based government seats.
Admission Process
Because general government seats are not available for foreign nationals, the MBBS Admission in Bangladesh for government college process is very different from the private college process:
- The Bangladesh government announces the SAARC/Non-SAARC foreign seat bid for that year.
- Application made through the Indian Ministry of External Affairs or the Bangladesh High Commission.
- Competitive shortlisting based on merit against SAARC applicants from India and other bordering nations.
- Government college seat allocation from the provided list.
- Visa and enrollment are conducted.
For most applicants, private college general admission is a more viable option. For a comparison, you may refer to the mbbs admission in bangladesh for private college process.
Fees: Government vs Private Colleges
|
Aspect |
Government College (SAARC Quota) |
Private College (General Admission) |
|
Tuition |
Free to nominal |
USD 33,000–55,000 total |
|
Seat Availability for Indians |
~20–25 seats/year |
Frequently available |
|
Competition |
Extremely High |
Moderately High |
|
Total Approx. 6-Year Cost |
₹8–15 lakh (mostly living costs) |
₹28–50 lakh |
To better understand private college pricing, refer to MBBS in Bangladesh for Indian Students fee structure and MBBS Fees in Bangladesh for Indian Students for a few of the shortlisted colleges.
Course Duration
Every medical college in Bangladesh has a similar structure for the duration of their MBBS course, as all colleges follow the same national structure. The course lasts for four and a half years, and there is a compulsory one-year internship after graduation. This adds up to a total duration of five and a half to six years for the entire course, which is in line with the rule for the minimum period of instruction for foreign medical graduates set by the NMC. The twelve-month internship is included in this calculation.
Benefits of Government Medical Colleges
- Teaching hospitals with large, high-volume patient populations.
- Depth of strong, long-term faculty.
- Minimal or no tuition under SAARC quota.
- Degrees are well-known outside Bangladesh where they are listed with WDOMS.
- Less expensive than nearly all private college options.
Disadvantages to Consider
- There are very few SAARC quota seats for students from India.
- Year to year admission dates and seat assignments can vary with little to no notice.
- Colleges outside of Dhaka and Chattogram may have smaller hospitals.
- No guaranteed admission even for high scorers due to small quota.
- Tuition savings may be offset by cost of living in large cities.
Career Scope
Degrees from these government colleges are not as limiting as private college degrees:
- Licensing in India: Clear FMGE or NExT and apply to the State Medical Council.
- Postgraduate studies: MD/MS in India or elsewhere.
- International practice: Graduates can pursue licensing in listed countries.
- Government and public health roles: Strong fit given the reputation of these institutions in Bangladesh's public healthcare system.
Featured Snippet Section: Top Government Medical Colleges at a Glance
|
Detail |
Information |
|
#1 Government Medical College |
Dhaka Medical College (DMC), est. 1946 |
|
Total Government Medical Colleges |
37 |
|
Indian Student Access Route |
SAARC Quota (limited seats) |
|
Approx. SAARC Seats for India |
20–25 per year |
|
Course Duration |
4.5 years + 1 year internship |
|
Official Ranking Body |
None — DGME/BMDC does not rank colleges |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which is the first medical college established by Government of Bangladesh?
Dhaka Medical College which was established in 1946.
Q2. How can Indian students enter any of these 20 Government Colleges?
Only under the SAARC quota, which provides a limited number of seats each year. Most Indian students enter mbbs bangladesh via private college general admission.
Q3. Is a degree from a Government Medical College approved in India?
Yes, if the college is BMDC-approved and adheres to NMC Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate regulations.
Q4. In what way is this top 20 list different from a real ranking?
There is no ranking medical colleges in Bangladesh published and/or endorsed by the Government. This list is based on factors that are most referenced in regard to reputation which includes how long the medical college has been in existence, the size of the teaching hospital, etc.
Q5. What is the aggregate number of medical colleges in Bangladesh?
There are 37 Government medical colleges in Bangladesh, about 67 private medical colleges and a few run by the armed forces.
Q6. Where can I check NEET eligibility for studying MBBS abroad?
The eligible criteria and results can be found on the NEET portal.
Conclusion
For many Indian applicants who will most likely end up studying at a private medical college in Bangladesh rather than any of the government medical colleges, this list of the top 20 government medical colleges in Bangladesh gives you a reference point where you at least know where you stand, and how private medical colleges compare, and the actual scenario of the SAARC quota. While looking for alternatives to pursue your MBBS Degree in Bangladesh, or any other plans, ensure that you confirm the actual status of BMDC and NMC from your sources, instead of depending on this or any other list.