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History of medical success since 1726

96% first-time USMLE 1st step

Best education system in Latin American and the Caribbean according to The World Bank

The only country on the continent to have a high-level teaching faculty according to The World Bank

Start your Doctor of Medicine journey February 2024.

Why the University of Medical Sciences of Havana (UCMH)

CubaHeal

Medical program’s recognition and accreditation

 

University life

 
  • Gain an additional language (Spanish)
  • Start your journey by building solid relationships with thousands of international medical students
  • Situated in the hear of historical Havana and surrounded by an abundance of nightlife, theaters, restaurants, art galleries.
CubaHeal

First-year accommodation

Facility

  1. Fully furnished airconditioned apartments, including international TV channels package
  2. Wi-Fi services within the compound
  3. MLC store
  4. Electrical generators
  5. Garden snack bar/ BBQ area
  6. Swimming pools
  7. Gym
  8. Studying areas
  9. Common laundromat

Services

  1. Transportation to and from school
  2. Infirmary
  3. 24/7 security
  4. Spanish and pre-med tutorial classes (1-2 classes a week. CubaHeal Medical Tourism Inc offers this program

CUBAHEAL’S SERVICES:

Prior and upon the student’s arrival to the Republic of Cuba, CubaHeal Inc will be responsible for coordinating and concluding the following logistical issues:

Prior to the student’s arrival:

  • Ensuring adequate accommodation. Please visit our Accommodation facilities page
  • Keep constant line of communication with the university’s administration to confirm seat reservation.
  • Arranging for airport pickup

Upon the Student’s Arrival:

  • Airport pickup
  • An orientation session to familiarize the student with:
    • CubaHeal team.
    • local transportation.
    • Other aspects relating to and city’s facilities as well as relevant immigration and legal laws that must be adhered to in the Republic of Cuba.
    • Establishment of bank
    • Issuance of University and government IDs
    • Health insurance setup
  • Be on standby ready to offer full support for students during medical emergencies
  • Stand as a permanent point of reference for the student should a need arises.
  • Stand as a permanent point of reference to the student’s relatives overseas should the need arises.
Medical Curriculum​

The Medicine degree was one of the 4 foundational degrees of the Royal and Pontifical University of San Jeronimo de La Habana. Since its inception 234 years ago and further extension of Medicines Sciences in 1962, Cuba boasts of the finest medical medication, with the University Of Medical Sciences Of Havana as the leading center in the country.  Even so, Cuba is widely known for the highest levels of health care comparable to 1st world countries and punctuated by a superior and comprehensive medical service across all levels of care, from community health centers to the network of hospitals and specialized secondary and tertiary services, accessible free of charge by all Cubans.

Name: The Medicine degree​

Curriculum organization: Semester–based except for one-year internship
Program Length: Six years, with the first five made of ten semesters as academic period and one year of rotating internships.
Admission requirements: Approved pre-university level
Number of curricular units: 66
Academic degree:  Medical Doctor
Accreditation: Title of Medical Doctor

  • The model of the professional or Professional Profile of the decree declared in the curriculum is a general practitioner
  • The objective is to graduate general practitioners equipped to practice competently with robust scientific knowledge and provide medical care to pregnant women, adults, adolescents, children, as well as outpatients, families, and hospitalized patients through actions of health prevention, promotion, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation in the physical, psychological and social environments. They also perform educational, self-educational, administrative, and research actions alongside environmental health care.
  • There are 4 areas of general competencies of the physician: Education, Research Administration, Comprehensive Medical care and Specialty
  • The program defines 220 health problems identified and solved according to actions and 224 skills to be developed.
  • The program promotes active learning methods, enhances cognitive independence and student protagonist. It offers a superior balance of theory and practice with an emphasis on group activities and activities related to the participation of students in health care processes (education at work). The program does not prioritize theoretical activities in the form of lectures, providing opportunities to students to focus on information research
  • The amount of time for independent study and work in the first two years is 4 hours, increasing significantly from the 3rd year onwards. On average, self-study hours fluctuate between 15 and 30 hours per week.
  • The performance of the day and night shifts from the 3rd year onwards with 6 to 8 hours per week as a mandatory minimum in on-call corps, intermediate, and intensive care units including Saturdays and Sundays with a more extended schedule (12 to 24 hours).
  • The curriculum establishes extracurricular activities such as Knowledge Meetings, Award Exams, Student Assistantship Movement, Student Scientific Activity, and Special Attention to Student with outstanding academic performance, cultural sports, and recreational activities.
  • To graduate, students must pass a National External State Examination, consisting of practice and a theoretical examination that proves the acquisition of the established professional competencies. To take the State Exam, students must have passed through practical and theoretical exams and 5 rotations of the internship.

Organization of the Medicine Degree Curriculum​

The Medicine curriculum at UMCH consists of 66 curricular units including subjects, both elective and optional courses corresponding to a total of 10840 hours inclusive of 2784 hours of internship. The curriculum is based on active learning without prioritizing theoretical activities (laboratory classes, workshop classes, theoretical-practical activities, and seminars). It gives greater relevance to professional and clinical development in healthcare activities.

1-year Pre-Med Training

Non- Spanish speaking students begin with a mandatory 1-year pre-med training in addition to a standard 6-year program unless they show a mastery of the Spanish language demonstrated through a proficiency test. The purpose of this course is to equip the student with intense knowledge of the Spanish language relevant to focus on gaining a decent medical education quickly.

The Medicine degree curriculum program

First year 

1st Semester SubjectsTotal hoursNo. Sem.2nd Semester SubjectsTotal hoursNo. Sem.
Introduction to MGI22018Health Promotion22218
Morphophysiology I *12411Morphophysiology III ***12412
Morphophysiology II **929Morphophysiology IV ****8410
English I6416Medical Informatics6315
Physical Education I8016English II6416
Physical Education II8016
Teaching period21Teaching period23
*Contents of cell, prenatal development and basic tissues. ** Contents of integumentary system and osteomyoarticular system *** Contents of the nervous system **** Contents of endocrine regulation Note: The subject Medical Informatics can be taken in the first or second semester of the first year. Second year 
3rd Semester SubjectsTotal hoursNo. Sem.4th Semester SubjectsTotal hoursNo. Sem.
Teaching Period20Teaching Period22
Research Methodology and Statistics6315Medical Psychology I5216
Prevention in Health19216Community Medicine14418
Physical Education III8016English IV6416
Morphophysiology VI **908Medical Genetics6018
Morphophysiology V *1009Pathological Anatomy13016
English III6416Medical Microbiology and Parasitology12918
Elective Time802Physical Education IV8016
*Contents of blood, hemolymphopoietic system and cardiovascular system. ** Contents of the respiratory, renal and digestive systems. Note: The subject Research Methodology and Statistics can be taken in the first or second semester of this academic year. Third year 
5th Semester SubjectsTotal hoursNo. Sem.6th Semester SubjectsTotal hoursNo. Sem.
Clinical Propedeutics and semiology68020Internal Medicine76320
Elective period23Teaching period23
English V6416Elective Time802
Medical Psychology II4413English VI6416
Pharmacology I2615Pharmacology II5618
Fourth year 
7th Semester SubjectsTotal hoursNo. Sem.8th Semester SubjectsTotal hoursNo. Sem.
Elective Time802
Emergency Medicine I802Gynecology and Obstetrics51412
English VII6416English VIII6416
Pediatrics76418Surgery42418
Teaching period23Teaching period23
Fifth year 
9th Semester SubjectsTotal hoursNo. Sem.10th Semester SubjectsTotal hoursNo. Sem.
Psychiatry2126Orthopedics2046
Public Health2429ENT903
Comprehensive General Medicine1604Ophthalmology903
Legal Medicine and Medical Ethics3617Dermatology903
English IX6416Urology903
Elective Time802English X6416
Disaster Medicine II802
Teaching period22Teaching period21
Rotating Internship
RotationsTotal hoursNo. Sem.
Medical intern60810
Pediatrics60810
Gynecobstetrics4164
Surgery4167
Comprehensive General Medicine4167
Optional Course401
Academic period250442

Study medicine in Havana/ Cuba, one of the safest, most beautiful cities in the Western hemisphere

Immerse yourself in historical charm and beautiful architecture as you step back in time. Havana was once considered the Queen Jewel of the Colonial empire, and while history has changed, the beauty and charm of this city is still something to behold. The four plazas that make up Old Havana are filled with brilliant architecture built of original but restored stone and seemingly painted by a rainbow. Among these plazas you’ll not only find several unique and fascinating museums, shops, and attractions, but you’ll also be mesmerized by St Christopher’s Cathedral, whose impressive bell towers seem to dominate the area. Located in the Plaza de la Cathedral, this piece of history is rumored to hold remains and relics of Christopher Columbus himself, and is rich in 18th century beauty.