MBBS in Belgorod, Russia: University, Safety, Airport Status and Cost of Living
Belgorod is a city of 339,978 people just north of the border with Ukraine, 580 km from Moscow. It has one university on this site that teaches medicine to foreign students, the Medical Institute of Belgorod State National Research University (BelGU), with a 2026/27 English-programme fee of 407,000 roubles, about ₹4.6 lakh. Belgorod airport has been closed to civilian flights since February 2022, the Indian Embassy advised Indians in the region to take precautions in August 2024, and reports in July and August 2026 describe deadly drone attacks on the city. FMGE results are among the weakest on our list.
In short: Belgorod lies north of the border with Ukraine. Its airport has been closed to civil flights since February 2022, so students travel from Moscow by train, about 7.3 hours. In August 2024 the Indian Embassy in Moscow advised Indians in the Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk regions to take precautions and temporarily relocate, and reports from July and August 2026 describe drone and missile strikes on the city, with power and water cuts and deaths. The Medical Institute charges about ₹4.6 lakh in year one, but only 50 of 414 FMGE candidates passed in 2022 to 2025 (12.1%), 23rd of the 24 universities in our ranking. On these facts we advise families to look at other regions.
Is Belgorod safe for Indian students? Read this first
Border region, active attacks. In August 2024 the Embassy of India in Moscow advised Indian nationals in the Bryansk, Belgorod and Kursk regions to take precautions and temporarily move out of them. Media reports from 2026 describe continuing Ukrainian drone and missile attacks on Belgorod: a strike on 3 July 2026 on a combined heat and power plant that caused fires and local power and water outages; an overnight drone attack on 9 August 2026 in which Reuters reported six deaths; and about 31 August 2026 an official count of three killed and 22 injured in the region in 24 hours. The casualty figures come from Russian officials and we could not verify them independently.
We cannot predict what will happen next, and we do not claim every day in Belgorod is dangerous. But the facts above are not a minor risk, and the Embassy advisory names this region. Read the current text at mea.gov.in and on the Embassy website yourself. If your family goes ahead, put these questions to the university in writing:
- Are classes held in person now, how many Indian students are in Belgorod today, and what happened to students in the 2024 to 2026 period?
- What are the shelter and warning arrangements in the hostel and the clinical bases, and what happens during long power and water outages?
- What does the university do if the situation worsens? The NMC rules require the course in one institution with in-person clinical training; a long move or online period can put the degree at risk.
- Does the insurance cover evacuation and return to India, and does it exclude events connected with military action?
- How will the university tell parents about an incident, and who is the contact person?
Register with the Indian Embassy in Moscow after arrival and keep your documents with your parents. Never accept a job or contract offer connected with the Russian military. A fee of ₹4.6 lakh a year is not a reason to accept a risk the family does not want. Other cities at a similar fee are Orenburg, Tver and Perm; the cities page compares all 43. Read is MBBS in Russia safe.
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Medical university in Belgorod, Russia
The Medical Institute of Belgorod State National Research University (BelGU; the university traces its roots to a teachers' institute of 1876) is at Pobedy St. 85 and is the only medical programme in the city on this site. Its page "Degree programmes in English" lists 31.05.01 General Medicine, six years, with a 2026/27 fee of 407,000 roubles (about ₹4.6 lakh at the Central Bank of Russia rate of 15 October 2026). A separate page lists the same course at 326,000 roubles (about ₹3.7 lakh), probably the Russian-language programme. The university does not state whether the whole English course, including clinical years, is in English, so ask for that in writing. We found no hostel price; agents quote USD 400 to 1,000 a year, which we could not verify.
The FMGE record is the second reason for caution. 18.5% passed in 2022 (25 of 135), 7.9% in 2023 (8 of 101), 14.9% in 2024 (14 of 94), 2.4% in June 2025 (1 of 41) and 4.7% in December 2025 (2 of 43). Over 2022 to 2025, 50 of 414 passed (12.1%), against about 25% for Russia as a whole. The number of Indian candidates has also been falling, from 193 in 2020 to 94 in 2024. See the FMGE pass rate page for the other 23 ranked universities.
Belgorod weather for Kerala students
The January mean in Belgorod is −6.1 °C and the July mean is 21.8 °C. The source table gives no period, and Russian Wikipedia gives the same values as 1983 to 2005 averages, so treat them as approximate. That is a mild Russian winter, similar to Moscow, but far colder than Kerala; snow and sub-zero days come from about November to March. A winter jacket, boots and thermal layers are needed; see the winter packing list.
How to reach Belgorod from Kerala: the airport is closed
Belgorod International Airport (EGO) has had civil air traffic suspended since February 2022, and we found no reopening date in sources up to September 2026. The nearest working airports are the Moscow airports (SVO, DME, VKO), 580 km away in a straight line. The train from Moscow takes about 7.3 hours, with about three departures a day on a Lastochka service.
From Kerala there is no direct flight to Russia: fly from Kochi (COK), Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) or Kozhikode (CCJ) to Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Doha or Delhi, then to Moscow, then take the train. Moscow airports have had repeated short suspensions in 2026, so allow a buffer before the train, and ask the university which route its students use today. Belgorod keeps Moscow time, 2.5 hours behind India. The Russian consulate for the student visa is in Chennai; see admission.
Cost of living in Belgorod
We found no usable price data for Belgorod and no official student budget, so we give no monthly figure. Belgorod is a small city, with 339,978 people, and prices are likely lower than in Moscow. Tuition is mid-range. The expenses to add are the train fare from Moscow and the cost of keeping a flexible return ticket, which matters more here than in other cities. Ask any senior Indian students for their real monthly spending. See cost of living in Russia.
Indian students and food in Belgorod
We found no count of Indian students at BelGU and no verified Indian restaurants. FMGE reports show 414 graduates sat the exam in 2022 to 2025, a much smaller group than in Kursk or Volgograd. Ask the university how many Indian students are in Belgorod now and ask them where they buy rice and spices. See Indian food in Russia.
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MBBS in Belgorod: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belgorod safe for Indian students?
Belgorod is a border region. The Embassy of India advised Indians there to take precautions in August 2024, and reports from July and August 2026 describe drone and missile strikes on the city, with deaths and outages. We advise families to check mea.gov.in and to consider other regions.
Is there an airport in Belgorod?
Belgorod International Airport has had civil air traffic suspended since February 2022, with no reopening date found. Students go through Moscow and take the train, about 7.3 hours.
What is the MBBS fee in Belgorod in INR?
The Medical Institute lists General Medicine in its English degree programmes at 407,000 roubles for 2026/27, about ₹4.6 lakh. A separate page lists 326,000 roubles, probably for the Russian-language programme. Confirm which applies to you.
What is the FMGE pass rate of Belgorod State University?
50 of 414 candidates passed in 2022 to 2025 (12.1%), 23rd of the 24 universities in our ranking. In June 2025 1 of 41 passed and in December 2025 2 of 43.
Is the Belgorod course taught in English?
The university lists General Medicine among its English degree programmes but does not state that all six years, including clinical teaching, are in English. Ask for written confirmation, because the NMC requires English.
Sources: climate and population (2021 census) from Wikipedia; Embassy of India in Moscow advisory of August 2024 (reported by All India Radio, 14 August 2024); media reports on strikes in Belgorod, July to August 2026 (Reuters and others; casualty figures from Russian officials); Belgorod State University English degree programmes page (2026/27); NBEMS FMGE reports 2020–2025; Central Bank of Russia rate of 15 October 2026.