7 Best Medical Schools in United Arab Emirates
Studying medicine in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) opens a world of possibilities especially in the field of medical research and further education. The top universities in the UAE are well funded, with state-of-the-art technology and laboratories, and a true dedication to instructing top medical professionals.
Medical school in the UAE can vary as far as costs go, and you should always consider living costs can vary widely too. This is because of the different living standards and related expenses in the various emirates. The most expensive place to study would be Dubai, where you should account for an additional $330 per month living costs. However, Dubai also benefits from lots of investment in the schools and therefore from a better standard of universities. In this article, we will be looking at the top medical schools in UAE.
How much does medical school cost in the United Arab Emirates?
In Dubai, the cost of medical school is c. $ 44,000 per year. Costs vary largely however, and should be checked with your university of preference. There are ways that you can study medicine in UAE for free. Check out this article to find out more!
How long will it take to study medicine in the UAE?
In order to graduate from medical school, you will need to study for five years full-time if you have the required foundation in science topics before you enroll. Otherwise, you should count an additional foundation year. At graduation, the degree conferred is an MBBS.
Best Medical Schools in the UAE
1. Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU)
The College of Medicine within the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) is one of the top medical schools in UAE. The program to obtain an MBBS lasts six years and is fully taught on campus. Its innovative curriculum is focused on keeping up with the latest needs and developments in the field of medicine.
The program is split into 3 phases: one academic year, then a 2-year block, and a final 3-year block which includes practical skills development. There are specific admissions requirements based on which country of origin you’re coming from, with high averages for high school marks and specifically in science subjects. You should also be able to demonstrate fluency in English, through a variety of language tests.
2. United Arab Emirates University – College of Medicine and Health Sciences
First opened in 1984, the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the UAE University is the highest ranked medical school in the UAE currently, also being the first one. It is located in Abu Dhabi. They offer a four-year MD program once you have completed a pre-requisite two-year Pre-Medical program offered by the College – all in all, a six-year program to achieve the doctor qualification.
The College’s program focuses equally on medical knowledge and on interpersonal and communication skills, recognizing the importance of how doctors interact with their patients. Patient care is a priority, as is practice-based learning and development.
3. Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences
Khalifa University is based in Abu Dhabi and is aiming to develop world-class healthcare in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the region. They offer a 4-year MD program preparing students for working in the medical services or continuing on to postgraduate study.
Khalifa University also boasts a great research capability including in medical genetics, biomaterials for nanomedicine, cellular biomechanics, bio-robotics, tissue regeneration, and bioinformatics.
Please note: unlike other medical schools, the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Khalifa University requires applicants to have completed an undergraduate degree / Bachelor’s degree. You also need to be proficient in English.
4. Gulf Medical University – College of Medicine
Based in Ajman, the GMU is one of the largest private medical universities in the United Arab Emirates. It started operating in 1998 and offers a medical degree through its College of Medicine.
The university is based on a big compound called Thumbay Medicity with a state-of-the-art research center and multiple laboratories and buildings. The Tumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine is also on site: a cancer and diabetes research program.
The College of Medicine offers the MBBS degree taught over 5 years, designed to develop a culture of teamwork, scientific enquiry and lifelong learning. It includes ambulatory and in-patient care scenarios to develop practical skills, as well as in emergency settings. In order to obtain the degree at the end of your studies, you will need to pass a comprehensive Exit Examination.
5. Ajman University – College of Medicine
Ajman University opened in 1988 in the Ajman emirate. It is very close to Khalifa Hospital which enables students to get medical experience within a hospital environment.
The university offers multiple programs of study in its various colleges. The College of Medicine offers the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree, taught over 6 years (including one year of foundation study which may be waved depending on your level).
To gain admission, you will need to either have completed a high school degree with a minimum of 90% GPA, provide proof of English proficiency and pass certain exams depending on your country of origin, or you could benefit from direct entry depending on your high school curriculum.
6. RAK Medical & Health Sciences University
RAK Medical & Health Sciences University is based in Ras Al Khaimah and is a joint venture of the Ras Al Khaimah government, Al Ghurair Investments and ETA Ascon Group, Dubai.
Within the College of Medical Sciences, this medical school in UAE offers the MBBS degree program split into two years of applied basic science courses and three years of clinical clerkship courses. Once you graduate, you need to spend a year doing an internship before you can begin to fully practice medicine.
The admissions requirements depend on your high school education and the level of science knowledge before you apply.
7. University of Sharjah – College of Medicine
The final school in our list of top medical schools in UAE is the University of Sharjah, which is based in University City, Sharjah, and was established in 1997. They are very involved in the development of the emirate and have expanded to build campuses throughout Sharjah emirate in order to provide training programs directly to several communities.
The College of Medicine teaches the MBBS program across 6 years: one foundation year, 5 regular, and an additional year of clinical practice at the end of the study period. The course is taught in English and therefore requires proof that you are fluent in the language. For admission, you also need to present your high school results.
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