International Medical School, Kazakhstan (IMS)
Established in 1992, the International Medical School is part of the University of International Business. The University is certified by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, due to the educational programs meeting state standards.
Brief on the Program Offered: “Smart Medicine”
The International Medical School or IMS provides a “Smart Medicine” program, which is essentially a General Medicine-5 years MD course (English medium). This course is equivalent to the M.B.B.S. Program of India.
The “Smart Medicine” is an advanced Medical Degree Program, with a prime focus on enhancing Practical Skills, and imparting knowledge about the Latest Medical Technologies.
The goal of this program is to generate world class medical doctors, highly competent and highly trained.
Location of IMS
IMS is located in Kazakhstan’s most vibrant city: Almaty.
Almaty is the former capital of Kazakhstan and the largest city of the country. It remains the most developed, most ethnically and culturally diverse city of Kazakhstan. Set in the foothills of the Trans Ili Alatau Mountains, Almaty is believed to be the birthplace of the first apple.
The exact location of IMS is at Abay Ave 8, Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan.
Climatic Conditions
The climate condition in Kazakhstan is very good and favorable to Indian students. The average winter temperature remains approx. -20 degrees Celsius while during summer can go up to 32 degrees Celsius.
Rankings and Certifications
According to UNI Ranking, UIB holds the 35th position within the country. Complying with international standards of education, this University is counted among the top 20 educational institutions of Kazakhstan.
The university is also certified by the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan and is recognized by MCI & WHO.
Why choose IMS?
There is a long list of reasons for pursuing a medical degree at IMS. Below, you can find some of the many perks and benefits of pursuing the medical program at IMS:
- Opportunity to get intense medical education with highly qualified teachers
- Availability of state-of-the- art medical training tools, simulation suites and interactive small-group rooms that encourage active learning
- Affordable cost of MBBS admission
- Guidance of medical experts
- English mode of education
- Get the chance to practice in govt. hospitals (only after 2 years) and private hospitals for practice
- Scholarships granted to brilliant students
- Availability of Indian cuisine for Indian students
- Separate hostels for boys and girls with mess facility
- Availability of a functional Library and Sports Infrastructure
- International Collaboration
- Focus on Practical Knowledge
International Collaboration
Due to the introduction of innovations in its educational activities, UIB maintains extensive links with the largest higher education institutions of Russia, the USA, Europe and Asia implementing joint projects and exchange programs for students and lecturers. IMS, particularly, has continuously invited foreign lecturers to teach on its English-lingual and Russian-lingual programs in the past.
All about the “SMART MEDICINE” Program
Eligibility Criteria
For admission to IMS, the following eligibility criteria must be fulfilled:
- Student Should be NEET Qualified
- Marks in 12th, PCB (PHY + CHE + BIO) should be 50% or Above (For OBC/ST/SC-40%)
- Candidate should complete the age of 17 year on or before 31st December of the year of admission in MBBS Course.
Fee Structure of the medical program at IMS
Kazakhstan is known for offering medical courses at highly affordable packages. True to this, an MBBS in Kazakhstan for Indian Students will cost approximately 10-15 lakhs as of 2021.
The fee structure of medical programs in Kazakhstan is cheaper as compared to countries like UK, US, Philippines, Bangladesh, and Ukraine.
Admission Process
Admission of foreign citizens to IMS is carried out on the following basis:
- On a competitive basis & also according to the results of entrance tests conducted by the University selection committee
- With payment of tuition fees by individuals and (or) legal entities.
- Admission is carried out within the number established by the license for the right to conduct educational activities, on the conditions established by the annual admission rules.
Documents Required
For admission to IMS, you may require the following documents
- 10th mark-sheet
- 12th mark-sheet
- NEET Result
- Original Passport
- Passport size 10 photographs
- Medical Report of HIV & Covid-19
- All document legalization and translated from HRD & embassy
Please remember that after arriving at IMS, the passport shall be registered by the Minister of Interior of Kazakhstan within 5 days from the date of arrival excluding holidays and weekends.
The institution will also provide assistance in registration and visa extension. Also, the foreign students will have to register themselves in the Department of International Affairs between 6 months to 1 year. Passports must also be presented to the Department 1 month before the expiration of Visa. A fine will be set by the Ministry of Interior of Kazakhstan should the student fail to meet the registration and visa terms.
Important Program Details: Accreditation, Faculty, Career prospects, Duration and Syllabus
Accreditation of the program: FIBAA Institutional accreditation.
As part of the implementation of the educational program, IMS has collaboration with Indian Universities like Amity University and the Noida International University.
Who forms the Faculty staff?
Leading professors who teach in this educational program include scientists who have publications in the world, publications included in the databases Scopus, Web of science.
Career Prospects: After the completion of this course, you can expect to work in Medical Institutions and Universities, and Hospitals around the globe.
The University also offers an additional program in Healthcare Management
Duration of Study: 5 years
Number of credits: 300 ECTS
Below, we have compiled a table of the subjects of all five years of the course:
1st Year
S. No. | Name of Discipline | Component | Number of credits |
1. | Human Anatomy | Core | 7 |
2. | Molecular Biology and Genetics | Core | 10 |
3. | Histology and Embryology | Core | 5 |
4. | ICT | Core | 5 |
5. | Foreign Language (Latin) | Core | 10 |
6. | Kazakh (Russian) language | Core | 10 |
7. | Modern History of Kazakhstan | Core | 5 |
8. | Fundamental Law and Anti-corruption culture | Core | 3 |
9. | Physical Education | Core | 4 |
10. | Internship (Nursing Assistant) | Core | 4 |
2nd Year
S. No. | Name of Discipline | Component | Number of credits |
1. | Morphology and Physiology | Core | 14 |
2. | Human Anatomy | Core | 12 |
3. | Microbiology | Elective | 10 |
4. | Biochemistry | Elective | 4 |
5. | Philosophy | Core | 5 |
6. | Sociology and Political Science | Elective | 5 |
7. | Professionally Oriented Foreign Language | Core | 3 |
8. | Physical Education | Core | 4 |
9. | Internship (Procedural Nurse Assistant) | Core | 3 |
3rd Year
S. No. | Name of Discipline | Component | Number of credits |
1. | General Pathology | Core | 12 |
2. | Preventive Social Medicine | Elective | 5 |
3. | Introduction to Clinical Medicine | Elective | 5 |
4. | Biochemistry | Elective | 5 |
5. | Psychology and Culturology | Elective | 3 |
6. | Pathology of organs and systems | Core | 14 |
7. | Immunology | Elective | 5 |
8. | Introduction to Pediatrics | Elective | 4 |
9. | General Medicine | Elective | 4 |
10. | Internship (Nursing Practise) | Core | 3 |
4th Year
S. No. | Name of Discipline | Component | Number of credits |
1. | Pharmacology | Elective | 4 |
2. | Community Medicine | Elective | 4 |
3. | Introduction to Clinical Medicine | Elective | 5 |
4. | Introduction to Surgery | Elective | 4 |
5. | Implementation of Big Data on Medicine | Elective | 3 |
6. | Dermatology | Elective | 4 |
7. | Gynecology | Elective | 4 |
8. | Obstetrics | Elective | 4 |
9. | Neurology | Elective | 5 |
10. | Urology | Elective | 4 |
11. | Pediatrics | Elective | 12 |
12. | Psychiatry | Elective | 4 |
13. | Infectious Disease | Elective | 5 |
5th Year
S. No. | Name of Discipline | Component | Number of credits |
1. | Professional Kazakh (Russian) Language | Core | 3 |
2. | Necrology | Elective | 3 |
3. | Cardiovascular System | Elective | 12 |
4. | Anesthesiology | Elective | 6 |
5. | Health Information system and E-Health | Elective | 6 |
6. | Fundamental of General Medicine Practice | Core | 14 |
7. | Surgery | Elective | 14 |
8. | State Examination (Specialty Term) | Core | 2 |
*For a more detailed syllabus, visit the website of IMS
Other Programs of UIB
- UIB-English
IMS offers intensive English study Application-UIB English for those not fluent in English.
A study has shown that the UIB English application forms an additional motivation for self-study and there is a growing interest among students.
- Erasmus Program of UIB
The Erasmus program is an EU (European Union) funded program that organizes student exchanges between the universities. Each exchange is designed to enable the student to gain valuable international experience, either by studying part of their degree abroad, or undertaking a work placement.
Potential Challenges
The only dark spot on the shining reputation of IMS is the fact that Indian students may face some challenges in Kazakhstan. For instance, the cold climate of the country; unavailability of dead bodies to students for medical practice; lengthy or cumbersome Visa Process.
But these challenges are nothing compared to the prestige of an international degree should the student possess the will and determination to get one in the first place through hard work, persistence and a good higher education institution!
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