Established Universities

Oldest & Most Established Medical Universities Abroad 2026

Universities ranked by year of establishment — older universities often have stronger reputations, better infrastructure, and proven track records.

Universities

1595

Oldest Founded

100+ Years Old

216 yrs

Average Age

#	University	City	Country	Established	Age
1	Colegio de San Juan de Letran	Manila	Philippines	1595	431 yrsCentury
2	University of San Carlos	Cebu	Philippines	1595	431 yrsCentury
3	University of Santo Tomas	Manila	Philippines	1611	415 yrsCentury
4	Saint Petersburg Surgery Institute	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1724	302 yrsCentury
5	Saint Petersburg Family Medicine College	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1724	302 yrsCentury
6	Saint Petersburg Psychiatry Institute	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1724	302 yrsCentury
7	St. Petersburg State Medical University	St	Russia	1724	302 yrsCentury
8	Moscow Neurology Medical College	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
9	Pirogov Medical Academy Moscow	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
10	Moscow Cardiology Medical Institute	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
11	Moscow Psychiatry Medical College	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
12	Moscow Family Medicine Institute	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
13	Institute Of Oncology Moscow	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
14	Sechenov Moscow Medical Institute Campus	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
15	Moscow Dentistry Medical Institute	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
16	Moscow Health Administration Institute	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
17	Moscow Nursing Institute	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
18	Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
19	Moscow Clinical Hospital Medical Institute	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
20	First Moscow State Medical University	—	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
21	Lomonosov Moscow State University	—	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
22	Moscow Infectious Disease Institute	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
23	Moscow Teaching Hospital Faculty Of Medicine	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
24	Moscow Community Health Institute	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
25	Moscow Pediatric Medical College	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
26	Moscow Geriatrics Medical College	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
27	Moscow Emergency Medicine Institute	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
28	Moscow Nursing College #1	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
29	Moscow Nursing College #2	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
30	Moscow Regional Medical Academy	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
31	Moscow Rehabilitation Medical Institute	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
32	Moscow Surgery Medical Institute	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
33	Moscow Institute Of Medical Education	Moscow	Russia	1755	271 yrsCentury
34	North Ossetian Medical Academy	Vladikavkaz	Russia	1758	268 yrsCentury
35	Moscow State Medical University	Moscow	Russia	1758	268 yrsCentury
36	North Caucasian State Medical Academy	—	Russia	1758	268 yrsCentury
37	Moscow Medical College 2	Moscow	Russia	1758	268 yrsCentury
38	Moscow Medical College 1	Moscow	Russia	1758	268 yrsCentury
39	Kemerovo Medical Academy	Kemerovo	Russia	1758	268 yrsCentury
40	Lviv National Medical University	Lviv	Ukraine	1784	242 yrsCentury
41	University of Georgia	Athens		1785	241 yrsCentury
42	Kazan Federal University	Kazan	Russia	1804	222 yrsCentury
43	Kazan State Medical University	Kazan	Russia	1804	222 yrsCentury
44	Kazan Federal University Medical School	Kazan	Russia	1804	222 yrsCentury
45	Crimea Federal University	—	Russia	1804	222 yrsCentury
46	Far Eastern Federal University Medical School	Vladivostok	Russia	1804	222 yrsCentury
47	Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University	—	Russia	1804	222 yrsCentury
48	Far Eastern Federal University	—	Russia	1804	222 yrsCentury
49	Kazan Medical College	Kazan	Russia	1804	222 yrsCentury
50	Kharkiv National Medical University	Kharkiv	Ukraine	1805	221 yrsCentury
51	Chernivtsi National Medical University	Chernivtsi	Ukraine	1805	221 yrsCentury
52	V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University	Kharkiv	Ukraine	1805	221 yrsCentury
53	Warsaw Medical University	capital city of Poland	Poland	1809	217 yrsCentury
54	Medical University of Warsaw	Warsaw	Poland	1809	217 yrsCentury
55	Kazan Nursing Institute	Kazan	Russia	1814	212 yrsCentury
56	Kazan Pediatric Medical College	Kazan	Russia	1814	212 yrsCentury
57	Kyiv Medical University	capital city of Ukraine	Ukraine	1834	192 yrsCentury
58	Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv	Kyiv	Ukraine	1834	192 yrsCentury
59	Bogomolets National Medical University	Kyiv	Ukraine	1841	185 yrsCentury
60	Carol Davila University Of Medicine	Bucharest	Romania	1857	169 yrsCentury
61	Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy	Bucharest	Romania	1857	169 yrsCentury
62	Ateneo de Manila University	Quezon City	Philippines	1859	167 yrsCentury
63	Ateneo de Iloilo University	Iloilo City	Philippines	1859	167 yrsCentury
64	Sir Salimullah Medical College	Dhaka	Bangladesh	1875	151 yrsCentury
65	Belgorod State University	—	Russia	1876	150 yrsCentury
66	Belgorod Medical College	Belgorod	Russia	1876	150 yrsCentury
67	Tomsk Medical Institute	Tomsk	Russia	1878	148 yrsCentury
68	Siberian State Medical University	Tomsk	Russia	1878	148 yrsCentury
69	Tomsk Nursing Institute	Tomsk	Russia	1878	148 yrsCentury
70	Grigore T Popa University	Iasi	Romania	1879	147 yrsCentury
71	Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine	Iasi	Romania	1879	147 yrsCentury
72	Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy	—	Romania	1879	147 yrsCentury
73	Sibirskaya Medical Institute	Novosibirsk	Russia	1888	138 yrsCentury
74	Tomsk Medical College	Tomsk	Russia	1888	138 yrsCentury
75	Wuhan University School of Medicine	Wuhan	China	1893	133 yrsCentury
76	Xi'An Jiaotong University Health Science Center	—	China	1896	130 yrsCentury
77	Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center	—	China	1896	130 yrsCentury
78	Sichuan University School of Medicine	Chengdu	China	1896	130 yrsCentury
79	Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine	Shanghai	China	1896	130 yrsCentury
80	Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medicine	Xi'an	China	1896	130 yrsCentury
81	Sichuan University West China Medical Center	Chengdu	China	1896	130 yrsCentury
82	Saint Petersburg Nursing College #2	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1897	129 yrsCentury
83	Saint Petersburg Dentistry Medical Institute	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1897	129 yrsCentury
84	Saint Petersburg Emergency Medicine Institute	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1897	129 yrsCentury
85	Saint Petersburg Institute of Cardiology	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1897	129 yrsCentury
86	Saint Petersburg Medical College #2	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1897	129 yrsCentury
87	Saint Petersburg Neurology Institute	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1897	129 yrsCentury
88	Saint Petersburg Medical College #1	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1897	129 yrsCentury
89	Zhejiang University School of Medicine	Hangzhou	China	1897	129 yrsCentury
90	Saint Petersburg Infectious Disease College	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1897	129 yrsCentury
91	Saint Petersburg Rehabilitation Institute	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1897	129 yrsCentury
92	Saint Petersburg Nursing College	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1897	129 yrsCentury
93	Saint Petersburg Oncology Institute	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1897	129 yrsCentury
94	Saint Petersburg Pavlov Medical University	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1897	129 yrsCentury
95	Saint Petersburg Geriatrics Medical Institute	Saint Petersburg	Russia	1897	129 yrsCentury

Why University Age and Reputation Matter

Older universities typically have stronger alumni networks, better-equipped teaching hospitals, more experienced faculty, and deeper government recognition. A university established 80+ years ago has survived multiple eras of medical education reform — this longevity is itself a quality signal.

Many of the oldest medical universities in Russia, Georgia, and Kazakhstan were established during the Soviet era (1920s-1940s) with standardized, rigorous medical curricula. These institutions formed the backbone of healthcare systems across Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

However, age alone doesn't guarantee quality. Always cross-reference with FMGE pass rates, NMC approval status, and current infrastructure. Some newer universities (est. 2000+) have modern facilities and excellent results. Use established year as one factor among many in your decision.

How to Use University Age in Your Shortlist

A founding year is a useful signal, but it should sit alongside the factors that actually determine your result and your ability to practise in India. Use age to narrow a long list, then apply these checks to decide between the universities that remain.

Confirm NMC eligibility separately

Age is independent of NMC status. Verify each shortlisted university on nmc.org.in before it makes your final list, regardless of how long it has existed.

Look at FMGE / NExT pass rates

Licensing-exam performance reflects current teaching quality far better than founding year. A long-established university with weak recent results is not automatically a safe bet.

Check the teaching hospital and facilities

Reputation built decades ago matters only if today's clinical training, labs, and infrastructure are still strong. Ask for current details, not historical prestige.

Compare total course fees

Older, well-known universities are sometimes priced higher on reputation. Weigh the fee against outcomes rather than paying a premium for age alone.

Factor in living and city realities

Living cost, climate, and access to Indian food and safe hostels shape your daily experience across the whole course — independent of when the university was founded.

Oldest Universities for MBBS Abroad — FAQs

Does an older university mean a better MBBS abroad choice?

Not on its own. A long history often signals a stronger alumni network, established teaching hospitals, and experienced faculty, and surviving decades of education reform is a quality signal. But age alone does not guarantee outcomes — you should weigh it alongside FMGE/NExT pass rates, NMC eligibility, current infrastructure, and fees rather than choosing on founding year.

Why are so many of the oldest medical universities in the former Soviet region?

Many of the oldest medical universities in Russia, Georgia, and Kazakhstan were established during the Soviet era with a standardized, rigorous medical curriculum. These institutions formed the backbone of healthcare across Central Asia and Eastern Europe, which is why the list of long-established universities is concentrated in that region.

Can a newer university be a good choice for MBBS abroad?

Yes. Some universities founded more recently have modern facilities, updated curricula, and strong results. Treat the year of establishment as one factor among several. A newer university with good FMGE/NExT outcomes and NMC eligibility can be a sound choice, while age by itself does not make an older one the right fit for you.

What should I check besides a university's age?

Verify NMC eligibility on nmc.org.in, look at the FMGE/NExT pass rate, review the teaching hospital and current infrastructure, compare total course fees, and consider living costs and Indian food and hostel facilities in the city. These practical factors affect your day-to-day experience and your ability to practise in India more than founding year does.

How is the age figure on this page calculated?

Age is calculated as the current year minus the university's recorded year of establishment, using the founding year stored for each university in our database. Universities marked as 100 or more years old carry a "Century" badge. The list is ranked from the oldest founding year upward.

Are all the oldest universities on this list NMC-approved?

Not necessarily. This page ranks universities by age, which is independent of NMC eligibility. Always cross-reference a university's NMC status separately before applying — a long history does not automatically mean the degree qualifies you for the FMGE/NExT and practice in India.