The North-Eastern Federal University (NEFU) Institute of Medicine is a leading federal state institution located in Yakutsk, Russia. It is strategically positioned to address health issues specific to the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions and maintains full NMC recognition.
Official Designation: North-Eastern Federal University (NEFU) Institute of Medicine.
Founding Year: The parent university was established in 1956 (restructured as Federal University in 2010), providing a long history of state-supported education in the Far North.
Institutional Status: Operates as a Federal State University under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Russian Federation, ensuring top-tier resources and governance.
Degree Awarded: Graduates receive the Specialist Degree (MD/MBBS) in General Medicine.
NMC Compliance: Fully NMC Approved. The degree is accepted as equivalent to MBBS for Indian licensing, subject to clearing the NExT exam.
Program Duration: The course is a mandatory 6 Years, comprising both academic study and mandatory clinical training.
Instruction Language: International programs are typically offered in the English Medium.
Global Recognition: Recognized by WHO WDOMS, ECFMG, and WFME, facilitating global practice and examination eligibility.
Curriculum Basis: Follows the Russian Federal State Educational Standards (FSES), with a unique emphasis on northern health, human adaptation to cold, and telemedicine.
Annual Intake: Maintains a competitive international student intake, with specific approvals for the General Medicine program.
Entry Requirement: Mandatory NEET UG qualification for Indian citizens (minimum 50% in 10+2 PCB).
Location: Situated in Yakutsk, the largest city located in continuous permafrost.
NEFU operates from an integrated urban campus in Yakutsk, featuring specialized infrastructure designed to withstand extreme temperatures.
Campus Layout: The university complex is well-integrated into the city, featuring several interconnected academic and administrative blocks.
Specialized Design: Buildings are designed with permafrost foundations and superior insulation, tailored for the extreme cold.
Academic Blocks: Houses modern academic blocks with spacious Lecture Halls equipped with contemporary A/V teaching aids and digital projection systems.
Simulation Centers: Equipped with highly functional Clinical Skills Centers and Simulation Labs for mandatory procedural training.
Anatomy Facilities: Features dedicated Anatomy Labs and dissection halls, maintaining specialized resources for practical study.
Research Facilities: Houses extensive laboratories dedicated to Arctic medicine and low-temperature biology.
Central Library: Maintains a large, specialized Medical Library with a substantial collection of print and digital resources.
Digital Access: Provides institutional access to essential digital medical databases and e-journals for research.
Wi-Fi Connectivity: High-speed Wi-Fi access is provided across academic buildings and libraries.
Security: The academic areas are monitored by 24/7 security personnel and CCTV surveillance.
Heating & Utilities: Centralized utility management ensures highly effective heating and ventilation in all blocks.
Internal Canteens: Multiple student canteens and cafeterias are available.
Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution
Clinical exposure is mandatory and utilizes the major republican and city hospitals in Yakutsk.
Total Bed Strength: Students rotate across a collective clinical network utilizing 1000+ teaching beds across various integrated and affiliated clinical bases.
Primary Teaching Hospital: The university utilizes several major Republican and City Hospitals in Yakutsk as its primary teaching bases.
Patient Load: Exposure is guaranteed to a high volume of diverse pathology, with unique exposure to northern health issues and trauma cases specific to the environment.
Training Method: Core method involves intensive bedside teaching and supervised patient interaction from the clinical years onwards.
Surgical Exposure: Significant surgical exposure is provided in affiliated hospital Operating Theatres.
Diagnostic Tools: Direct exposure and practical training using advanced imaging technologies (MRI, CT, Angiography).
Core Rotations: Structured, compulsory rotations in Internal Medicine, General Surgery, OBGYN, Pediatrics, and Traumatology.
Emergency/Trauma: Dedicated postings in high-traffic Emergency and Trauma Departments are compulsory.
Faculty Oversight: Clinical training is directly supervised by senior specialists and clinical faculty.
Language Application: Practical application of Russian language skills is mandatory during patient interaction, with dedicated language courses provided.
State University Affordability
The financial structure is highly competitive for a state federal university in Russia, offering significant affordability.
Annual Tuition Fee: Approx. $4,000 – $6,000 USD per year.
Total 6-Year Tuition: Approx. $24,000 – $36,000 USD (total academic fee).
Payment Mode: Fees are payable annually in USD or the Russian Ruble (RUB) equivalent.
Tuition Stability: State fees are generally stable, subject to minor annual revisions by the government.
Hostel Fees (Annual): Approx. $300 – $600 USD per year (residential rent, highly subsidized).
Mandatory Medical Insurance: Approx. $200 – $350 USD per year.
Mandatory Visa/Residency Permit Fee: Approx. $100 – $200 USD per year.
Initial Registration Fee: A small, non-refundable one-time enrollment fee is collected in the first year.
Caution Deposit (Refundable): A refundable caution deposit is collected once (amount varies).
No Capitation Fee: Absolutely no non-refundable development or capitation fees are charged.
Total 1st Year Payment (Approx.): Estimated to be between $4,500 – $7,000 USD (includes tuition, mandatory fees, and deposits).
Yakutsk is the largest city built on continuous permafrost and one of the coldest cities on Earth, offering a unique and challenging Arctic experience.
General Atmosphere: Yakutsk is a unique, remote city, serving as a scientific and cultural center for the Sakha Republic (Yakutia).
Safety Profile: The city is generally regarded as safe for students, offering a stable environment.
Student Life: Student life is manageable and centralized around the university campus and local city amenities.
Climate: Experiences an extreme subarctic continental climate, with the coldest recorded temperatures outside of Antarctica. Winters are severely cold and dry (temperatures often drop below -40°C).
Transportation: Local public transport is reliable and highly affordable.
Unique Phenomenon: Students experience the Polar Day (Midnight Sun) in summer and extremely short daylight hours in winter.
Famous Food: Local cuisine features specialized meat and fish dishes, essential for the climate, alongside traditional Russian staples.
Indian Food Accessibility: Availability of specialized Indian restaurants or grocery stores is very limited, making the self-cooking model essential.
Language in Daily Life: Russian and Yakut (Sakha) are the dominant languages spoken in public.
Cost of Living: The average monthly cost of living is highly economical.
Residential living is secured, highly subsidized, and structured for self-sufficiency, with specialized focus due to the climate.
Hostel Policy: On-campus residency is usually available and mandatory for the first year.
Accommodation Type: Rooms are located in secure, university-managed dormitory blocks, often with enhanced insulation.
Room Configuration: Primarily 2-seater or 3-seater shared occupancy.
Furnishings: Rooms include beds, study desks, chairs, and dedicated heating radiators.
Security: Hostels maintain robust 24/7 security staff presence and CCTV surveillance.
Heating System: Equipped with highly effective centralized heating systems that run nearly year-round.
Kitchen Facilities: Common, well-equipped kitchen areas are provided on each floor or wing.
Mess System (Self-Catering): The standard model is self-cooking.
Dietary Control: This allows Indian students complete adherence to specific dietary requirements.
Study Halls: Dedicated, quiet Study Halls/Reading Rooms are provided within the hostel blocks.
Admission Selection: Based on NEET UG merit and successful completion of the university's admission procedures.
No Service Bond: No mandatory service bond or financial penalty is imposed by the university or the Russian government.
Internship Requirement: Mandatory 1-year internship must be completed in a clinical base in Russia as part of the 6-year Specialist degree structure.
NExT Eligibility: Graduates must successfully complete the 6-year duration and pass the NExT to secure a license to practice in India.
Visa Requirements: Requires annual student visa and residency permit renewal coordinated through the university.
Language Requirement: Mandatory language training (Russian) is required for clinical posting eligibility.
Academic Calendar: The session typically commences in September/October.
Part-Time Work: Generally restricted on international student visas.
Age Requirement: Students must be 17 years old by December 31st of the admission year.
Postgraduate Options: Residency options (Ordinatura) are available locally, often highly competitive.
Well-equipped Library
Experienced Faculty
Computer Lab
Sports Activities
Heritage Campus