MBBS in China for Pakistani Students – Understanding the 6-Year Program Structure
MBBS in China for Pakistani students follows a structured 6-year format—5 years of academic study plus 1 year of clinical internship.
With the latest PMDC policy, it is now compulsory to complete your clinical internship within China after finishing the academic part of the degree. This is a key requirement to become eligible for the NLE (National Licensing Exam) in Pakistan.
There are, however, certain conditions under which your MBBS internship may be allowed outside China—but only if your university authorizes it officially, and the hospital is recognized and affiliated properly. These exceptions are rare and strictly regulated.
This guide covers internship requirements, PMDC recognition, HSK language levels, and overall cost comparison.
The typical duration of MBBS in China is 6 years, including 1 year of internship. The duration of the MBBS program meets global standards and gives eligibility to appear in the NLE or other international or national exams for Pakistani students.
Because the degree and internship are recognized by PMDC, USMLE, PLAB, AMC, and HAAD, students gain qualifications that are accepted both in Pakistan and globally. Each academic year is carefully designed to provide step-by-step medical learning and ensure that Pakistani students are fully prepared to pass the Licensing exam.
| Year 1 | Foundation of Basic Medical Science: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Histology, and Embryology |
| Year 2 | Advanced Pre-Clinical Science: Pathology, Microbiology, Community Medicine, Immunology, and Pharmacology |
| Year 3 | Introduction to Clinical Medicine: Surgery, Pathophysiology, Medical Psychology, Clinical Diagnostics, and Radiology |
| Year 4 | Complex Clinical subjects: Pediatrics, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, and Psychiatry |
| Year 5 | Full-time clinical Internship: offers real-world clinical practice, working alongside senior medical professionals in teaching hospitals |
| Year 6 | Review & Exam Prep: Thesis submission, licensing exam preparation, final year exam |
Learning the Chinese language is essential to pursue MBBS in China for Pakistani students. Even though the programs are taught entirely in English-medium at MOE-listed universities, students still need to have a command of Chinese/Mandarin to be able to complete clinical internships.
PMDC requires Pakistani students to complete a 1-year internship in China to appear in the NLE exam.
During internships, students have to be involved in direct interaction with patients, who mainly speak the local language.
Without learning the Chinese language, students cannot take patient history, explain procedures, understand reports, or follow doctors’ instructions.
Universities require students to pass HSK Level 4 or 5 before starting internships, which is mandatory.
If students don’t clear the HSK, they will not be able to enter the hospital, which can cause problems like a delay in MBBS degree completion.
Students may also have to extend their visa, pay more tuition and hostel fees, leading to a waste of time and money.
No HSK = No Internship = No Practical Clinical Experience = Degree Not Accepted by PMDC
| HSK Level | Language Ability | Purpose / Required For |
| HSK-3 | Basic | Understand basic daily conversation, understand around 600 words of Chinese, not enough to pass the Clinical internship |
| HSK-4 | Intermediate | Requirements for clinical internship, essential to communicate in everyday and hospital-related situations, include a vocabulary of around 1200 words |
| HSK-5 | Upper Intermediate / Advanced | Understanding long conversations, not mandatory for internship but highly recommended to start a career in China, covers 25,000 Chinese words |
Can You Do an Internship Outside China?
Some medical universities in China may allow students to return to their home country after five years of MBBS. But doing a final year internship in Pakistan or any other country is not common and can be risky.
Many Pakistani students wrongly believe they can do their last year internship in Pakistan, but in reality, most universities only accept internships done in their affiliated hospitals under strict supervision.
Doing your internship outside China is not safe or a student's choice. Before thinking about the option, students must understand the risks and conditions very clearly.
Conditions
- University Approval: Just because you want to do an internship outside China doesn't mean your university will allow it. Many universities have strict rules and only accept internships completed in their hospital.
- PMDC/NLE Recognition: Even if your university allows you to do an internship in Pakistan, the PMDC might not accept it. As per the 2025 policy, the internship must be conducted in China-affiliated hospitals.
- HSK Requirements: Some universities don't allow you to start an internship without passing HSK 4 or HSK 5. Without it, your university will not allow you to begin your internship, even outside China.
Recommendations
Pick a university where you can complete a full 6-year study + internship in China. This will help you:
- Ensure compliance with PMDC and NLE requirements
- Receive your degree smoothly without delay
- Gulf and international recognition without issues
- Faster transition to house job or postgraduate training
Soft Consultants help students pick only MOE-listed universities that meet all these conditions.
Cost Breakdown & Time Comparison of MBBS in China for Pakistani Students
| Feature | 6-Year MBBS in China (Recommended) | 5-Year Academic-Only (Internship in Pakistan – Risky) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Duration | 6 years (5 years study + 1-year internship in China) | 5 years (if internship is done outside China) |
| Academic Years in China | Full 6 years | 5 years only |
| Internship Location | In China (university-affiliated hospital) | Outside China (e.g., Pakistan, if approved) |
| Tuition Fee (Total) | USD 14,000 – $20,000 | USD 14,000 – $17,000 |
| Living Costs in China | USD $1,500 – $2,500/year × 6 = ~$9,000–$15,000 | Approx. $7,500–$12,500 (1 year less) |
| HSK Requirement | HSK-4 or HSK-5 (mandatory) | HSK-3 or above (varies) |
| PMDC/NLE Eligibility | ✅ Yes (recognized & supervised internship) | Conditional (if internship accepted) |
| Degree Issuance | Smooth, post-internship | Risk of delay or rejection |
| University Supervision | Full supervision during internship | No direct supervision |
| SCFHS/Gulf Recognition | ✅ Yes (meets full criteria) | Often rejected without internship |
| Career Path (Pakistan & Gulf) | Smooth transition to house job, NLE, Gulf | May need to repeat internship |
| Recommended For | Students seeking PMDC & Gulf recognition | Students with personal issues (must confirm risk) |
Selecting a Ministry of Education (MOE) listed university is really important for Pakistani students who want to study MBBS in China. The following table outlines important details for each university to help you make the right decision.
| University | Internship Abroad | HSK Level | PMDC/NLE Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jilin University | Rare | HSK-4+ | Yes / MOE listed |
| Dalian Medical University | Not allowed | HSK-4+ | Yes / MOE listed |
| Fudan University | Rare | HSK-4+ | Yes / MOE listed |
| Jinzhou Medical University | Not allowed | HSK-4+ | Yes / MOE listed |
| Qingdao University | Rare | HSK-4+ | Yes / MOE listed |
| Tongji University | Rare | HSK-4+ | Yes / MOE listed |
| Shihezi University | Not allowed | HSK-4+ | Yes / MOE listed |
| Yangzhou University | Rare | HSK-4+ | Yes / MOE listed |
| Nantong University | Rare | HSK-4+ | Yes / MOE listed |
| Zhengzhou University | Rare | HSK-4+ | Yes / MOE listed |
| Kunming Medical University | Rare | HSK-4+ | Yes / MOE listed |
| Xuzhou Medical University | Not allowed | HSK-4+ | Yes / MOE listed |
| Fujian Medical University | Rare | HSK-4+ | Yes / MOE listed |
| Shanghai Jiao Tong University | Rare | HSK-4+ | Yes / MOE listed |
Recommended: If you're a Pakistani student thinking of studying MBBS in China, always choose the 6-year program that includes a one-year internship in China.
MOE-listed universities with full English-medium teaching and proper clinical training inside China are your best options. They prepare you for NLE and global exams like USMLE and PLAB.
- Avoid shortcut options like 5-year programs with internship in Pakistan
- These are risky and often not accepted under PMDC 2025 policy
Soft Consultants help you based on:
- Your budget and available scholarships
- Your exam goals (PMDC/NLE, USMLE, PLAB)
- Your future plans to practice medicine in Pakistan, GCC region, or Western countries
Trust Soft Consultants
Trust Soft Consultants to guide your child toward a safe and recognized medical degree. We only partner with Chinese universities that meet PMDC and MOE standards, ensuring a proper 6-year MBBS with internship and HSK preparation.
Apply Now
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