Career Options After MBBS in Nepal

The Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) is Nepal's most prestigious and competitive undergraduate degree, spanning 5.5 years including a mandatory one-year internship. With over 20 medical colleges affiliated with universities including Tribhuvan University (IOM), Kathmandu University, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), and Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Nepal graduates approximately 1,500–2,000 MBBS doctors annually. Admission is through the highly competitive MECEE-BL entrance examination, making the degree a hard-earned credential that commands respect throughout society.

The career landscape for MBBS graduates is both wide and deep. Immediately after completing the internship and obtaining Nepal Medical Council (NMC) registration, graduates can practice as General Practitioners (GPs) either in private clinics or government health facilities. Government medical officers earn a base salary of NPR 45,000–55,000 per month plus rural allowances, technical allowances, and other benefits, making total government compensation quite competitive. Private hospitals and clinics offer greater earning potential—experienced GPs can earn NPR 90,000–2,00,000 or more—but with less job security.

Specialization through MD (Doctor of Medicine) or MS (Master of Surgery) is the most common career advancement path. The MECEE-PG entrance examination gates entry to postgraduate residency programs at teaching hospitals. Specialists typically earn NPR 1,00,000–3,00,000 per month at private hospitals, while superspecialists (DM/MCh) in high-demand fields like cardiology and neurosurgery command NPR 3,00,000–5,00,000 or more. The shortage of specialists in Nepal, particularly outside Kathmandu Valley, creates substantial career opportunities for those willing to serve in provincial hospitals.

International practice is a growing aspiration for Nepali MBBS graduates. The USMLE pathway to the USA, PLAB for the UK, and AMC for Australia require dedicated preparation (typically 1–2 years) but offer dramatic salary increases. Nepali doctors practicing in the USA earn USD 200,000–350,000 annually, while UK NHS salaries range from GBP 30,000–100,000 depending on grade and specialty. Many Nepali doctors have built distinguished careers internationally while supporting families back home.

For those committed to Nepal, the medical profession offers one of the most secure and respected career trajectories in the country. The combination of academic medicine at teaching hospitals, private practice income, and potential consultancy creates multiple income streams. Public health (MPH), hospital administration, and health policy are alternative paths for MBBS graduates who prefer non-clinical careers. Nepal's universal health coverage ambitions will require substantial healthcare system strengthening, creating long-term opportunities for doctors in health systems leadership.