# International School of Medicine, International University of Kyrgyzstan (ISM-IUK): MBBS Fees and Review

URL: https://4mbbs.com/mbbs-in-kyrgyzstan/international-school-of-medicine-iuk/
Last checked: 2026-11-14
Publisher: 4MBBS (https://4mbbs.com) — independent, source-cited guide to MBBS abroad

**Quick answer:** The International School of Medicine (ISM) of the International University of Kyrgyzstan (IUK) in Bishkek was set up in 2017 and has taught General Medicine in English since 2018. IUK was accredited for 6 years in Kyrgyzstan's 2026 state accreditation. Published tuition schedules suggest roughly $5,000–$7,900 a year (≈ ₹4.7–7.4 lakh), higher in the first year. ISM's curriculum for foreign citizens is listed as 5 years, so Indian students must confirm a 12-month internship at ISM to meet NMC FMGL 2021.

Key facts:
- Location: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Type: public
- Tuition per year: $5,000–$7,900
- Duration: 5 years for foreign citizens (6-year course also accredited at IUK); confirm a 12-month internship
- Medium: English
- Intake: September
- Recognition: IUK accredited for 6 years in Kyrgyzstan's state accreditation (May 2026); National accreditation (AAPO) and international accreditation (IAAR) documents listed by ISM; Verify the current WDOMS entry at search.wdoms.org before applying
- Official website: https://ism.iuk.kg/

Key takeaways:
- ISM was established in 2017 as part of the state International University of Kyrgyzstan (founded 1993); its English General Medicine programme began in 2018.
- IUK received 6-year state accreditation in May 2026 for General Medicine (6- and 5-year courses).
- ISM's curriculum for foreign citizens is a 5-year programme; FMGL 2021 needs 54 months of study plus a 12-month internship.
- Indicative tuition: about $5,000–$7,900 a year based on a partly garbled Careers360 table; confirm on the state platform.
- ISM's hostel has 800 places, 2–3 students per room, CCTV and a canteen serving three hot meals a day.

## About ISM-IUK

The International School of Medicine (ISM) is the medical school of the International University of Kyrgyzstan (IUK), a state university in Bishkek founded by presidential decree in 1993. According to ISM, it was established in 2017 as a structural unit of IUK, following a decision of the Intergovernmental Kyrgyz–Pakistan Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. Its General Medicine programme has run since 2018.

ISM's infrastructure includes an Eastern Medical Campus, a morphological building, the university clinic "Amanat", a simulation training centre, a clinical practice centre in Tokmok and a student campus. Its address is 6 April 7th Street, Bishkek.

Do not confuse ISM-IUK with the **International Higher School of Medicine (IHSM)**, a different institution with its own website (ism.edu.kg). For the national context, read our [MBBS in Kyrgyzstan guide](https://4mbbs.com/mbbs-in-kyrgyzstan/).

## Accreditation status in 2026

IUK passed Kyrgyzstan's 2026 state accreditation with the **full 6-year term**, according to the Indian Embassy's 8 June 2026 advisory. The accreditation covers General Medicine as both a 6-year and a 5-year course. ISM's own accreditation page also lists a national accreditation certificate from AAPO and an international accreditation certificate from the Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating (IAAR).

In August 2026 the transfer commission assigned students of the failed Eurasian International University and International Medical University to IUK. That shows the regulator's confidence in IUK, but transferred Indian students face FMGL's rule against changing institutions mid-course.

## ISM-IUK fees

We could not find an official ISM fee list. Careers360 (updated May 2026) publishes a semester-wise schedule for the International University of Kyrgyzstan that is partly garbled: it shows $5,000 and $2,850 in the first year, $2,850 in the second year and $2,500 per semester from the third year. Read as semester payments, that implies about **$7,900 in year one and $5,000–$5,700 a year later (≈ ₹4.7–7.4 lakh)**.

| Cost item | Amount (approx.) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, first year | up to ≈ $7,900 (≈ ₹7.4 lakh) | Careers360 table, partly garbled |
| Tuition, later years | ≈ $5,000–$5,700 (≈ ₹4.7–5.4 lakh) | Careers360 table, partly garbled |
| Internship year | stipend of $100 a month for 10 months reported | Careers360 |
| Living costs | ≈ $100–$400 per month | Physics Wallah estimate for Kyrgyzstan |

Treat these as indicative. Since 2026 each programme's fee appears on Kyrgyzstan's state admission platform; check it there and pay only through official channels.

## Programme length and NMC FMGL

ISM's educational-programme page lists **"General Medicine, 5 years"** for foreign citizens under both the 2015 and 2021 state standards, with an internship programme among its appendices. Its admissions page says citizens of neighbouring countries enter a 6-year programme, and ISM runs a separate dean's office for the 6-year course.

India's **FMGL Regulations, 2021**, as explained in NMC's official FAQ, require at least 54 months of study plus a 12-month internship in the same institution, English medium throughout, licence eligibility in Kyrgyzstan on par with citizens and completion within 10 years. A 5-year course on its own does not meet the 54 + 12 rule. Ask ISM, in writing, whether Indian students are enrolled in the 6-year course or in 5 years plus a full 12-month internship at ISM. Our [NMC FMGL rules guide](https://4mbbs.com/guides/nmc-fmgl-rules-mbbs-abroad/) explains each condition.

## FMGE results

No ISM-specific FMGE figure appeared in the 2024 NBEMS data reported by Careers360. Kyrgyzstan-educated candidates overall passed at about 25.1% (3,792 of 15,135). Ask ISM for NBEMS institution-wise results; see our [FMGE guide](https://4mbbs.com/guides/fmge-exam/).

## Admission process

India's rules require age 17 by 31 December of the admission year, Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English (50% in PCB; 40% SC/ST/OBC; 45% PwBD) and a **qualifying NEET-UG score**.

ISM's admissions pages describe entrance examinations in chemistry, biology and English for foreign applicants, with dates set by the IUK admissions committee. From 2026, applications also go through Kyrgyzstan's state admission platform. Typical documents are a full secondary-school certificate, six 3×4 cm photographs, a personal statement on the university's form and a passport copy. See our [documents checklist](https://4mbbs.com/guides/documents-for-mbbs-abroad/).

## Hostel and student life

ISM's hostel is a five-storey building next to the campus with **800 places** for foreign students, 2–3 students per room, shower cabins, surveillance cameras and a security service. A canteen in the hostel serves hot meals three times a day. ISM says the hostel is supervised by the official representative company "Educational Advisors" and the vice-dean for educational work.

Bishkek saw mob attacks on foreign students in May 2024; register with the Indian Embassy and follow the hostel's security rules. Patients speak Kyrgyz or Russian, so learn Russian from year one.

## Checklist before you pay

1. Check that the offer letter names the International School of Medicine of IUK (ism.iuk.kg), not IHSM.
2. Get written confirmation of a 6-year course or 5 years plus a 12-month internship at ISM.
3. Compare the fee in your offer with the figure on Kyrgyzstan's state admission platform.
4. Ask whether foreign graduates can obtain a Kyrgyz licence on the same terms as citizens.
5. Search WDOMS for the school yourself; see our [WDOMS and WFME guide](https://4mbbs.com/guides/wdoms-ecfmg-wfme-recognition/).

## Should you choose ISM-IUK?

ISM-IUK offers a full 6-year accreditation, good facilities and a managed hostel, but costs more than state options and its standard foreign course is 5 years. Compare it with [Kyrgyz State Medical Academy](https://4mbbs.com/mbbs-in-kyrgyzstan/kyrgyz-state-medical-academy/) and [Asian Medical Institute](https://4mbbs.com/mbbs-in-kyrgyzstan/asian-medical-institute/), and use our checklist on [how to choose a medical university abroad](https://4mbbs.com/guides/how-to-choose-medical-university-abroad/).

## FAQ

**Is ISM-IUK the same as the International Higher School of Medicine?**
No. ISM-IUK is the International School of Medicine of the International University of Kyrgyzstan (website ism.iuk.kg). The International Higher School of Medicine (IHSM, ism.edu.kg) is a separate institution, also accredited for 6 years in 2026. Check the exact name and website on your offer letter and payment receipts.

**What is the ISM-IUK fee for 2026-27?**
ISM did not publish an official fee list that we could find. Careers360 (May 2026) shows a semester-wise schedule with $5,000 and $2,850 in year one, $2,850 in year two and $2,500 per semester from year three, but the table is partly garbled. That implies roughly $5,000–$7,900 a year. Confirm the fee on Kyrgyzstan's state admission platform.

**Is ISM-IUK MBBS valid in India?**
It can be, if your programme meets NMC FMGL 2021: at least 54 months of study plus a 12-month internship at ISM, English medium throughout and Kyrgyz licence eligibility on par with citizens. ISM's curriculum for foreign citizens is listed as 5 years, so get the internship arrangement in writing. NMC does not approve universities in advance.

**Was ISM-IUK affected by the 2026 accreditation crisis?**
IUK itself passed with a 6-year term. In August 2026 the transfer commission sent students from the failed Eurasian International University and International Medical University to IUK. Indian students who transferred face the FMGL rule that the whole course must be done at one institution, and NMC had not published a decision on this as of November 2026.

## Sources

- About the university (ISM-IUK) (International School of Medicine, IUK): https://ism.iuk.kg/en/about-us/about-the-university/
- Educational programme: Specialty General Medicine (International School of Medicine, IUK): https://ism.iuk.kg/en/about-us/educational-programs/specialty-general-medicine/
- Food and accommodation (International School of Medicine, IUK): https://ism.iuk.kg/en/applicants-en/food-accommodation/
- Advisory: state accreditation results (08.06.2026) (Embassy of India, Bishkek): https://indembbishkek.gov.in/docs/1790849961adv_08062026.pdf
- Advisory: centralised transfer of students (06.08.2026) (Embassy of India, Bishkek): https://indembbishkek.gov.in/docs/1786004695ADV-MEDEDN-06.08.2026.pdf
- Kyrgyzstan MBBS fees 2026 (Careers360): https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/kyrgyzstan-mbbs-fees-2026
- International University of Kyrgyzstan (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_University_of_Kyrgyzstan
- FAQs: FMGs covered by NMC (FMGL) Regulations, 2021 (National Medical Commission): https://nmc.org.in/storage/cms/rules-regulation-nmc/yFQCJ2Bf9yZU5zBfLCNUFIFG2E3optNdIAQfas9Z.pdf

Quote with attribution to 4MBBS: https://4mbbs.com/mbbs-in-kyrgyzstan/international-school-of-medicine-iuk/