
Pre-Med Pathway
Attend the University of Niagara Falls Canada HBSc program and then start our MD program while simultaneously completing your undergraduate degree.
Through the Pre-Med Pathway, University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF) attendees in the Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences (HBSc) degree program can proceed into the Medical University of the Americas (MUA) MD Program after their third year of undergraduate studies (after successfully completing 90 credits).
Then, after the pathway students successfully completes the initial two semesters of Basic Science in our internationally accredited MD program, UNF will count the completed MD coursework towards the remaining 30 undergrad credits and award the student their HBSc degree.
Beneficially, students entering medical school via this new pathway have the opportunity to save a full year’s worth of undergraduate, housing and living costs, and start their career as a practicing physician one year earlier, which has notable long-term earnings and advancement benefits!

Join a community of successful Canadian physicians who studied at MUA!
700+ Canadian MD Program Graduates
UNF Pathway to MUA MD Degree
After eligible students complete the UNF portion, they proceed via this partnership pathway to Medical University of the Americas. The 4-year MUA MD program features two years of classroom and lab-based learning on our Nevis campus, followed by two years of clinical rotations at affiliated teaching hospitals, clinics and medical centers in the U.S., and select elective rotation sites in Canada.
The following chart highlights our MD program timeline:

Pathway Opportunities
Important Benefits
Bypass a year’s worth of tuition, housing and living expenses as you enter medical school after only 3 years of undergrad studies.
Accessible Education
In order to make our MD program more accessible, Canadian students have the opportunity to pay our already-cost-effective tuition and administrative fees in CAD.
Financial Support
Pathway students are eligible for up to $32.5K CAD in grants and scholarships1, as well as a $20K USD partner scholarship.
Flexible Admissions
Participants are able to begin the MUA MD program in January, May or September, giving you the opportunity to fully prepare for medical school.
Personalized Support Services
Aspiring doctors entering our 4-Year Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program will experience a medical learning environment that is designed to effectively prepare them to succeed on required examinations, such as the USMLE steps, in rotations and throughout their future careers.
We create this educational atmosphere by providing individually tailored support from our knowledgeable faculty and administrative teams, ensuring that each student receives the guidance they need to achieve their learning goals. From your first day all the way until graduation, MUA team members consistently provide the instruction and advice you need to successfully obtain your MD degree.
Student support opportunities:
- Academic support from a dedicated Faculty Advisor, teaching assistants, the Learning Center and more.
- Personal counseling where students can book in-person or virtual meetings with the school counselor for help with anything that is proving difficult to manage.
- Career guidance through the Road to Residency Program, Specialty Spotlight Series, residency application preparation and mock interviews.
- Mental health support through the Stay Healthy at School Program, which offers access to flexible, holistic support for those managing a variety of mental health challenges.

85% Step 1 and 97% Step 2 CK First-Time Pass Rates2
USMLE Success

98% from 2020-20243
Residency Placements

7:1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio

ACCM
Accreditation
Admissions Requirements
Students pursuing this pathway opportunity must:
- Meet all UNF program requirements
- Complete all pre-requisite courses
- Submit a completed MUA application
- Submit 2 letters of recommendation
- Submit a personal statement (up to 500 words)
- Submit official UNF transcript(s)
- Successfully complete an admissions interview
In order to proceed along the Pre-Med Pathway, student can share their interest when applying to the UNF HBSc program via their application portal. School representatives will then reach out to share more information about the opportunity, including pathway timelines and requirements.
Career Opportunities
At MUA, we educate and train future physicians and healthcare leaders. Our students achieved a 98% residency placement rate from 2020-20243 and go on to practice across many different medical specialties in the U.S., Canada and internationally.
To learn more about the residency placement success of our graduates, click here.
And if you’d like to hear directly from an MUA alum in a Canadian residency program, check out this video testimonial:
About Medical University of the Americas (MUA)
Founded in 1998 on the island of Nevis, MUA has fostered an educational environment where 1,800+ students have achieved their Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees. MUA medical doctors practice in the U.S., Canada and internationally.
The tranquil island of Nevis provides a learning environment where students can focus and take full advantage of their medical education. It’s safe and quiet for when it’s time to learn and offers various tropical activities and places to explore when it’s time to unwind.
MUA’s MD program accreditor, the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM), is recognized by the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME). WFME standards have been deemed comparable to the standards used to accredit medical schools in the United States by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA). Our MD program also holds key state approvals in New York, California and Florida.

About University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF)

The University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF) is an innovative and digitally oriented institution that prepares graduates for leadership in a digital world. This technology-centered approach puts students first, offering a cutting-edge learning framework that is adapted as technology changes and new processes emerge. Students learn from industry leaders and highly experienced faculty, gain experience through work-integrated learning components, and build a solid foundation that sets them on the right path for success in their careers.
Its downtown campus was designed with students in mind, equipped with state-of-the-art tools and resources needed to help them thrive. As a popular tourist destination, Niagara Falls is able to offer big-city amenities while still maintaining its hometown charm. Its natural beauty, thriving arts and culture scene, and proximity to major economic hubs makes it a great place to live, study and work.
FAQs About the Pre-Med Pathway
This partnership allows aspiring medical doctors in the University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF) Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences (HBSc) degree program to start the MUA MD program after successfully completing just the first three years (90 credits) of their undergraduate degree. Then, after a pathway student successfully completes the first two semesters of our MD program, UNF will count this coursework towards the remaining 30 credits needed for them to earn their undergraduate degree. This saves students a significant amount of tuition and living costs!
In the MUA MD program, rotations occur during semesters 6-10 (Clinical Medicine). This is when MD students gain hands-on experience with real patients at affiliated teaching hospitals, clinics and learning centers in the U.S., and select elective rotation sites in Canada. Learn more.
Yes, the MUA MD program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM), which is recognized by the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME). WFME standards have been deemed comparable to the standards used to accredit medical schools in the United States by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA).
From 2020-2024, MUA MD program students secured a 98% Residency Placement Rate. Learn more.
1Terms and conditions apply.
2First-time pass rate defined as total number of students passing the USMLE Step 1 on their first attempt divided by the total number of students taking USMLE Step 1 for the first time in calendar year 2023. | First-time pass rate defined as total number of students passing the USMLE Step 2 CK on their first attempt divided by the total number of students taking USMLE Step 2 CK for the first time in calendar year 2023.
3Four Year Residency Placement Rate is the percentage of students attaining a residency position out of all graduates or expected graduates in 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 who were active applicants in the NRMP match or attained a residency outside the NRMP match.