We understand you may have questions about beginning your medical school journey at the Medical University of the Americas. We’re here to provide answers to address your inquiries. Here, you’ll find comprehensive responses to the common questions you may have as you embark on your next important steps in medicine.

The basic science campus of the Medical University of the Americas (MUA) is located on the island of Nevis in the Caribbean. Nevis is part of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The first twenty months of our curriculum are completed on our campus on the island of Nevis. Following that, you will spend 72 weeks completing clinicals at our affiliated clinical sites in the United States and Canada.

For travel to Nevis, there are several options:

Through St. Kitts: St. Kitts, Nevis’ sister island, is a popular Caribbean destination that can be reached by direct flights from Puerto Rico, Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, New York, and other locations. Once on St. Kitts, you can get to Nevis by air (Liat) or by taking the ferry, which has regularly scheduled crossings throughout the day.

Through Antigua or St. Maarten: Antigua and St. Maarten are both gateways to the Caribbean that are served by major air carriers. Once there, you can take a connecting flight to Nevis on Liat (Antigua) or Winair (St. Maarten). Upon arrival in Nevis, the university is a short distance from either the airport or ferry.

Many things about Nevis make the Medical University of the Americas an extremely desirable place to attend medical school. Nevis is a beautiful country with white sand beaches, historic inns, and world-class restaurants. Housing and living costs on Nevis are very reasonable. Local grocery stores stock food items to meet the full range of dietary needs. The school enjoys good relations with the local population. When not studying, there is always plenty to do, from hiking to deep sea diving.

Yes, you can typically bring your family or a companion with you to Nevis while studying MUA.

While the majority of our students are from the United States, MUA takes pride in having a diverse student population. More than 30% of our students come from Canada, and nearly 5% are from Europe.

Academic FAQs

Students at Medical University of the Americas dissect cadavers in Gross Anatomy. There are typically eight or fewer students assigned per cadaver.

The Medical University of the Americas has three semesters per year.

We have a Fall semester, culminating prior to the middle of December, a Spring semester that ends in mid-April and a Summer semester that ends in mid-August. There are approximately two to three weeks for students to have a break between semesters.

The program consists of ten semesters. The first five semesters of Basic Science courses are taught on the island of Nevis. Students then complete their clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals in the U.S. and Canada.

A typical Basic Science class at the Medical University of the Americas is 30-50 students. This makes it possible for MUA to offer close student-teacher interaction. This is substantially different from other medical schools, particularly other schools located in the Caribbean, that subject their students to large, impersonal classroom experiences.

Medical University of America students do all of their core clinical rotations at U.S.-based, ACGME-approved teaching hospitals (and their equivalent in Canada). In fact, MUA is one of only two Caribbean medical schools that offer core rotations in Canada. Elective rotations are offered in both the U.S. and Canada.

MUA graduates are eligible to practice medicine in the United States once they pass the requisite licensing examinations. More than a thousand of our graduates are licensed and practicing or in residency in the United States.

Financial FAQs

You can find our tuition & fees schedule, here.

Yes, MUA has been approved to participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford and Grad PLUS Loan programs, which are both administered by the U.S. Department of Education. MUA is also approved by the Canadian Ministry of Education entitling most students to receive Canadian Federal and Provincial Loans.

MUA offers numerous scholarship programs to students, including U.S. and Canadian Academic Scholarships, and the Gateway Promote Scholarship.

Admissions FAQs

In addition to your application, which can be completed online, please ensure that you submit the following documents to complete the application process:

Transcripts: Official transcript(s) from each college/university or professional school you have attended. Student-issued copies may be acceptable temporarily, but official transcripts are ultimately required.

Personal Statement: Your personal statement should address the following points:

Your motivation for pursuing a career in medicine.
How do you believe you can contribute to MUA. Any notable achievements, activities, personal interests, or unique aspects of your preparation to become a doctor.
Any additional information that you believe would assist the Admissions Committee in evaluating your application. We recommend limiting your personal statement to a maximum of 500 words. You can attach your personal statement to your online application.

Letters of recommendation: You are required to submit two letters of recommendation.

Since English is the language of instruction at MUA, it is important that applicants be prepared to understand the curriculum and be able to communicate effectively. Applicants whose principal language is not English may be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required for all applicants who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. In addition, it is strongly encouraged for all other applicants. Applicants can submit their MCAT exam scores through the online THx system as soon as they are available at the AAMC.

Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis, meaning we accept applications throughout the year. To ensure a smooth enrollment process, we recommend that students submit their applications at least two months before the January, May, or September semester they intend to join. This time frame allows students to secure a spot in their desired semester. If an application is received after a class has reached its maximum capacity, it will be automatically considered for the next available semester.

After we receive your application and conduct a personal interview, it usually takes around two (2) weeks to process your complete application.

We accept students from other medical school programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Medical University of the Americas located?

Will I have to move to the Island of Nevis?

How do I get to Nevis?

What is it like to live on Nevis?

Can I bring my family or a companion to MUA?

What are the nationalities of your student body?

Academic FAQs

Are there cadavers in Gross Anatomy?

What is the schedule of the Doctor of Medicine program?

What are your class sizes?

Where do students do their clinical rotations?

Are MUA graduates easily able to obtain residency positions and practice medicine in the United States?

Financial FAQs

What is the tuition at Medical University of the Americas?

Are students eligible for U.S. or Canada Federal Financial Aid?

Are there scholarship opportunities available?

Admissions FAQs

What documents should I provide for my application?

English is not my first language. What is required for me to be considered for acceptance?

Does MUA require MCAT for acceptance?

When is the application deadline?

How long does it take to process an application?

Can I transfer from another medical program?