Cuba medical schools: Are you a medical student looking for the best study abroad locations to study medicine?
Cuba could just be the ideal study abroad location for you.
Owing to the fact that the cost of education is going up daily. International and local students are on the lookout for places where they can get funds to cover the cost of going to school.
Well, Cuba has proven to best the go-to location if you are thinking of studying medicine.
For this reason, many governmental agencies and private institutions are offering numerous Cuban medical scholarships annually.
Health care is very important in Cuba and this is why Cuba trains some of the best doctors in the world.
In addition, many countries offer full scholarships for their students to train as a doctor in Cuba. After the study period, the students return home to practice in the most neglected and medically poor areas.
As of 2012, over 30,000 international students were studying in Cuba-putting the country firmly on the study-aboard map as a prime location for earning a degree. It is a top study destination for international students.
So, if you are an international student studying medicine and you cannot afford the high tuition fees to study medicine in the US and Europe,
then Cuba is the place for you. As we have listed some of the top Cuba medical scholarships in this article.
Without further ado, let’s explain how to apply and win these Cuba medical scholarships 2021-2022 for international students.
Why you must Consider Cuba to Study Medicine
Cuba without a doubt is considered the largest country in the Northern Caribbean.
Thanks to its cheap to zero fees, Cuba has the highest number of doctors per capita (67 per 10,000). This helps contribute to Cuba’s healthcare system, which is faring well despite its low GDP and lack of drugs and equipment.
The country offers incredible opportunities for higher education, especially in medicine.
Cuba is known for its cutting-edge advances in medical research and healthcare.
People in Cuba are said to have a longer life expectancy than other countries in the world because they focus on preventing the spread of chronic diseases, meningitis, cholera, AIDS, cancer, and airborne diseases currently occurring.
In addition, Cuban universities are recognized worldwide as affordable and very competitive.
Because of this, many countries around the world are sending their medical students and healthcare professionals to the country to obtain the required education.
Furthermore, Cuban universities are very competitive even though they are affordable.
They are also recognized around the world, which is why more and more countries are sending their medical students to the country for a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
How much does it cost to study at the best medical schools in Cuba?
Tuition fees at Cuban universities vary from $ 20,000 to $ 40,000, depending on the university and degree program. The good news is that this is the tuition fee for the entire degree, not just one year. In addition, Cuban medical schools support low-income students.
How long does it take to study medicine in Cuba?
Cuban medical school requirements are no different from what is required to attend medical schools in Europe or the United States. Thus, when it comes to how long it takes to study medicine in Cuba, the number of years is pretty much the same.
According to the Cuban higher education system, it usually takes at least four years to acquire an undergraduate degree and up to five or six years for a medical degree.
Are medical schools in Cuba free?
Some medical schools in Cuba are free. Here they offer free study to both national and international students. They do this at their largest medical school, ELAM, which is located 35 km west of Havana.
Please note that ELAM students will spend up to a year learning Spanish, Cuban history, and culture and then immersing themselves in a health prevention program.
However, in order to gain free entry to ELAM, certain conditions are required. Applicants must be between 18 and 25 years old and already have a bachelor’s degree or secondary school qualification from their home country.
In addition, they also offer scholarships for medical students.
Cuban Medical School Requirements for International students
As I earlier stated medical school in Cuba requirements are almost the same as their European counterpart.
The Cuban government offers students a free year of study at one of the country’s medical schools. Student inquiries are handled by accredited Cuban political authorities working together in their home country.
List of Cuba Medical Schools You Can Apply to
These schools in Cuba have an incomparable teacher-student ratio. This in turn offers students many opportunities for mentoring, training, and specializations that are not easily obtained at other universities.
This is the list of the best medical schools in Cuba that offer associate degrees, certificate programs, and vocational training for you.
This selection was done based on acceptance rate, student-faculty ratio, number of programs, graduation rate, tuition fees, our data from reliable government sources, student surveys, college graduate interviews, and editorial review.
#1. Universidad de La Habana
The no.1 on our list of medical schools in cuba is Universidad de La Habana.
The Universidad de la Habana is the best-ranked Cuban university and it ranked 51st in the QS Latin American Universities Ranking 2018, compared to 59th the previous year.
The oldest university in Cuba was one of the first in America, originally founded as a religious institution in 1728.
If you are wondering if you will meet the Cuban medical school requirements in this school, you need not worry because the Universidad de la Habana has 16 faculties and offers courses in areas such as natural, social, and human sciences. The school can comfortably accommodate you.
There are currently over 24,200 students enrolled.
#2. Ciudad Universitaria Jose Antonio Echeverria
Another school that made it to our list of medical schools in Cuba is the Ciudad Universitaria, Jose Antonio Echeverria. The school is Cuba’s highest-ranked technical university.
Established in 1964, the school offers undergrad courses, Masters and doctoral research courses too.
The university is organized into seven faculties, all of which are located on a single campus in the capital, Havana. The campus building is known for its interesting brutalist architecture. Ciudad Universitaria Jose Antonio Echeverria is one of the 250 best universities in Latin America.
Nonetheless, the Cuban medical school requirements here are not any different from other ranking Cuban medical schools.
#3. Universidad de Oriente Santiago de Cuba
This is another school that made to the list of medical schools in Cuba.
The Universidad de Oriente Santiago de Cuba is located in the beautiful port city of Santiago de Cuba and was founded in 1947, making it the second established university center in the country.
It has 13 faculties and three campuses, all of which are located in the city of Santiago de Cuba. The Universidad de Oriente offers courses in the natural sciences, agriculture, social sciences, and others.
The university’s motto is “Science et Conscience” (“Ciencia y Conciencia” in Spanish). It ranks 191-200 in the QS Latin America University Rankings 2018.
#4. Universidad Central Marta Abreu de Las Villas
It’s not a mistake this great school made it to the top of the medical school in Cuba.
Founded in 1952, the university has two locations. One is in the heart of Cuba, in the city of Santa Clara.
The other, more secluded, the campus is known as Universidad de Montaña and is located in Topes de Collantes – a natural park in the Escambray Mountains. The university has 12 faculties and around 15,400 students.
Ranked 201-250 in Latin America, Universidad Central Marta Abreu de Las Villas offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as law, psychology, humanities, and natural sciences.
#5. Universidad de Cienfuegos Carlos Rafael Rodriguez
we cant talk about the list of medical schools in Cuba without mentioning Universidad de Cienfuegos Carlos Rafael Rodriguez.
Located in the beautiful town of Cienfuegos, known as La Perla del Sur (The Pearl of the South).
Those who choose to study in Cuba at this university have the opportunity to combine quality education with the beautiful tropical beaches of the island’s south coast.
The Universidad de Cienfuegos Carlos Rafael Rodríguez, founded in 1970, is currently one of the 300 best universities in Latin America.
#6. Universidad Estadual de Campinas(UNICAMP)
This is one of the top medical schools in Cuba.
The Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Campinas State University), founded in 1966, is a non-profit public university in the urban area of the city of Campinas (population 1,000,000 to 5,000,000), Sao Paulo.
This institution also has secondary campuses at the following locations: Limeira, Piracicaba. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Ministério da Educação, Brazil (Ministry of Education, Brazil),
The Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) is a very large mixed university (uniRank enrollment range: 30,000 to 34,999 students).
For more information, see the uniRank graduation level and field of study matrix below.
However, the admission rate is 0-10%, which makes this Brazilian university one of the most selective. International students are invited to apply for enrollment.
#7. Universidad de Chile
This is yet another top medical school in Cuba. Thus, if you are wondering if Cuban medical school requirements are a top-ranking factor in this list then you are not far from the truth.
As the University of Chile which was founded in 1842 happens to present some of the toughest requirements for international students to conquer before studying medicine in Cuba.
The school is the oldest higher education institution in Chile. Generating, developing, integrating, and more to see.
#8. Universidad de Los Andes
The Bogotá-based Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia, offers over 100 undergraduate and postgraduate courses in engineering, management, economics, law, natural sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, design, architecture, education. , Medicine and development.
#9. Universidad de Antioquia
The University of Antioquia is a public university in Medellín, the second-largest city in Colombia. Founded in 1803, it is the oldest public university in Colombia and the second largest overall. It currently hosts over 36,000 students on our main campus and 12 other regional locations.
The University of Antioquia offers 82 Bachelor, 44 Master, and 26 Ph.D. programs in all fields of knowledge through its 26 faculties.
It is also recognized as one of the top three Colombian research universities and has the highest percentage of Colombian excellence research groups according to the National Council of Science and Technology (Colciencias).
#10. Universidad de Costa Rica
The origins of the University of Costa Rica go back to the decrees signed in 1843 when the Casa de Enseñanza de Santo Tomás was converted into a university.
At the end of the 19th century, Costa Rica was an oligarchic and liberal country whose politics-focused only on primary education. This led to the closure of the University of Santo Tomas after 45 years of operation. The same decree creates the high schools for law and notaries, medicine, and engineers.
Later, in 1897, the pharmaceutical and fine arts educational institution as such was established.
Available Cuban scholarships For Medical school students
As earlier stated many nations provide full scholarships for their students to train in Cuba as physicians. After the duration of the study, the students return home to practice in the most medically neglected and poor regions.
Here are some listed Cuban scholarships for medical school students:
#1. NW Government: Medicine Bursary / Scholarship Program in Cuba 2022
The North West Province of South Africa offers this scholarship to qualified students from the province to study medicine in Cuba.
However, you must make a commitment to work in health-needing areas of the country after you graduate if you are selected. It is the Ministry of Health’s prerogative to place students where they will practice so that they have the final say when they are posted.
This scholarship to study medicine in Cuba is available to prospective undergraduates seeking admission to tertiary institutions.
This Cuba medical scholarship is hosted by the South African government and it covers the cost of acquiring medical training in Cuba.
#2. Gordon Signy Fellowships, 2022
The World Association for Pathology and Laboratory Medicine offers this scholarship to students in the field of medical pathology for study abroad. You can get this scholarship as an international student to study medicine in Cuba.
The organization is also providing partial funding to help medical students cover study costs in Cuba.
This scholarship to study medicine in Cuba is hosted by the United State of America and is available to Bachelors, Master, Ph.D., and Post Doc degree students.
Nonetheless, This medical fellowship offers $5,000 to successful applicants. The payment is in two installments.
You will receive $4,500 at the beginning of the period of study and $500 after the scholarship organization receives a report of your fellowship experience.
However, if the training period exceeds 89 days you may receive $7,500 which is subject to the discretion of the Regents of the Fellowship.
#3. Nestle Nutrition Institute – Research Training Fellowships, 2021
The Nestlé Nutrition Institute (NNI) offers this scholarship for students in the fields of young women’s health, maternal and child health, and nutrition. You can take this course at any university.
That means that you can get this scholarship as an international student to study medicine in Cuba. In addition, the NNI provides partial funding to help medical students cover study costs in Cuba.
This scholarship to study medicine in Cuba is available to Masters’s and Ph.D. degree students and hosted by Switzerland.
Nonetheless, This Cuba medical scholarship offers 40,000 CHF or $40,246 to successful applicants for the longer-length projects (12 months).
Frequently Asked Question about Cuba Medical School
What is the salary of a doctor in Cuba?
The decision, taken by the Cuban Council of Ministers this week, will raise physician salaries of first-degree specialists in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and some 50 other fields from 573 Cuban pesos (CUP) to CUP$1,460; and those with second-degree or dual specialties from CUP$627 to CUP$1,600.
Does Cuba have good medical schools?
Cuba, which is only an hour away from Miami, has become one of the top spots for medical education. With some schools offering free tuition, the country continues to draw students from all around the world. Thanks to its cheap to zero fees, Cuba has the highest number of doctors per capita (67 per 10,000).
How many Medical Schools are there in Cuba?
According to Wikipedia, Cuba has about 21 Medical Schools
How many years is medical schools in Cuba?
It takes approximately six years to earn a degree in medicine.
Are the medical schools just for Cuban?
No, international students are highly welcome.
Are medical schools in Cuba free?
Some medical schools in Cuba are tuition-free for students all over the world. This is at their largest medical school ELAM
Is it hard to become a doctor in Cuba?
As in other countries, studying to become a doctor in Cuba involves intensive coursework, passing medical exams, and a residency program. Unlike most countries, however, Cuba has historically offered affordable schooling for low-income, but brilliant, medical students
What is the best medical school in Cuba?
What are the requirements to study medicine at Cuba?
When it comes to Cuban medical school requirements Candidates must have a University entrance Grade 12 pass with the minimum Level 4 pass marks in Physical Science, Maths, Biology/Life Sciences, and English. Applicants must be South African citizens and permanent residents in Gauteng.
How can I study in Cuba?
To study in Cuba as an international student, you will need a student visa. To apply, contact the Cuban Consulate in your home country and request information, as requirements vary from one country to another. To enter Cuba you need a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
Conclusion
Home to the best medical school in the world and the largest in the region, Cuba offers some of the best opportunities for higher education, especially in medicine.
In 2012, more than 30,000 international students studied in Cuba, which made the country firmly on the study map on board as the preferred study location.