Have you been planning to study in any of the medical schools in Aruba? You have just landed on that page that has answers to all the questions you have concerning studying medicine in Aruba.
Colleges in Aruba are known for their less restricting admissions, more affordable courses, and stunning surroundings. There are a lot of reasons why studying in the medical schools in Aruba is the best option for you.
Aruba is a Caribbean Island that is located just off the coast of Venezuela.
This article is meant to give you full details about the medical schools in Aruba, but before that, let us look at some of the excellent opportunities in Aruba.
About Aruba
Aruba is an island nation that is located just seventeen miles north of the South American Country of Venezuela. It is actually part of a larger island group called the Netherlands Antilles colonized by the Dutch.
This Island group includes Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. It is also known as the ABC islands.
The central city and capital of Aruba is Oranjestad, with a population of around thirty thousand.
Aruba is known for having a perfect climate that features sunny skies, cooling trade winds, and an average temperature of 82 degrees year-round.
Aruba being in the southern Caribbean, lies outside the hurricane belt, meaning you will avoid the tumultuous storms that plague Aruba’s more northern neighbors.
A scuba-diving haven, the island is surrounded by calm and clear water with visibility reaching depths of over a hundred feet.
The beaches in Aruba are famous for their power-white sand and are accessible by car, bike, or foot.
During your holidays are times that you are not studying, there are a lot of things to do. You can go shopping, dining, and sightseeing.
Whether you want high excitement as you scuba dive through the coral reefs, or you’d like to relax while catching some sun on any of Aruba’s nineteen beaches, there will always be something on the Island for you.
Aruba’s white-sand beaches, cooling trade winds, and warm people are just a few reasons why so many people return to Aruba year after year.
Located 15 miles north of Venezuela in the warm waters of the southern Caribbean, Aruba is home to beautiful white-sand beaches, 82-degree days, and some of the friendliest people in the world.
On the interior of the island, you’ll find Arikok National Park, a desert-like preserve with a variety of wildlife, cacti, and dramatic rock formations.
You’ll also find some of Aruba’s most striking views, as the ocean crashes against the rugged shoreline below.
On the northeast coast, along with the windward shore, you’ll see Aruba’s unofficial mascots and the fofoti trees.
The constant trade winds have permanently sculpted them into graceful, southwesterly bending forms.
Aruba is 19.6 miles long and 6 miles across, with a total area of 70 square miles.
Aruba is located just below the hurricane belt, and unlike many islands in the Caribbean, its climate is dry, so it rarely has a rainy day.
On the south and west coasts of Aruba, you’ll find Oranjestad, the capital city, and miles of beaches that have been named some of the best in the world.
Here, you’ll find most of the hotels and all-inclusive resorts in Aruba, and Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA).
The Road to Becoming a Doctor
Becoming a doctor is difficult. A lot of times men are turned away by high MCAT and GPA requirements or the crushing burden of student debt that US schools demand.
If you are a student that has not always produced flawless grades in school or don’t want to mortgage your future to get a medical education, there is another option for you, medical schools in the Caribbean.
The Caribbean medical school arena is broad and diverse. There is a significant variation in price as well as in quality from island to island and from school to school.
The Advantages of Studying Medicine in Aruba
- Incredible Weather Boosts
- Small Class Sizes
- Accredited Programs
- Affordability
- Easier Admission Requirements
- Great Job After Graduation
- Not Too Far From Home
Incredible Weather Boosts
The weather of Aruba has its benefits. It has more sunny days than any other island with consistent temperatures that are between 74-90ºF (24-33ºC) – this is a tropical wonderland.
Exposure to sunlight is known to improve mood, sleep patterns, and focus. This will help you expect a better quality of life.
Small Class Sizes
The medical schools in Aruba provide small class sizes that can help you go through your work faster. Especially if you are a student who always has questions at the end of the class.
You will be able to have 1-on-1 conversations with professors who can get your questions answered.
No more lecture halls packed with hundreds of students and overworked TAs.
Affordability
Many international medical schools are inflating their prices to reflect those in the United States, medical schools in Aruba and in the Caribbean as a whole still have far lower tuition fees.
This allows you to graduate with much less debt than the average American medical school student (a whopping $200,000!).
Easier Admission Requirements
Just like in the United States, there are different admission processes for each school. Most of the medical schools in Aruba are beginning to follow the American Curriculum requirement of pre-med courses and/or a four-year degree.
It’s also not unheard of for MCAT scores to be included in this list. Be sure to check the school website – or ask a school representative – for a list of requirements.
Great Job After Graduation
When we talk about finding a job after graduation, there is certainly a stigma. It was reported that over 50% of US citizens who passed their foreign med school programs found work via the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
Those who graduated from US schools had better luck with a more than 90% success rate.
Students who have been rejected from med school and put themselves through another one are hard workers. With the right persistence, it is believed that 90% of US-born graduates who pass their residency placement tests are going to find the right residency position.
Top-tier graduates from medical schools in Aruba are able to compete for residencies in the United States healthcare system. This is especially true for those with a specialized focus like cardiology or dermatology.
Most Aruba med school graduates possess general degrees in fields like internal medicine.
Not Too Far From Home
The beautiful thing about Aruba is that there are regular, affordable and direct flights from almost all major parts of the United States. Cities like Miami, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, New York, Boston, Baltimore, and Washington DC have direct flights to Aruba.
Spending your holiday with your family back home becomes a reality.
The List of Medical Schools in Aruba
Below are medical schools in Aruba:
- American University School of Medicine Aruba(AUSOMA)
- Aureus University School of Medicine
- Nucleus University School of Medicine
- Xavier University School of Medicine
- Bay University School of Medicine
American University School of Medicine Aruba(AUSOMA)
(AUSOMA) is a charted institution for aspiring physicians. They help people become doctors at this top Caribbean medical school.
Get through the process with ease. That way, you can practice medicine in the US, UK, Middle East or your home country.
Learn what you need to know to become a physician in their basic sciences, clinical sciences, and pre-med programs in Aruba.
They offer 4 year MD program, a 5-year pre-med MD program, and a clinical medicine program(CMP).
Applying to AUSOMA is simple and quick! Once all documents are received an admissions decision will be made in less than one week.
They work on rolling admissions with starts in Jan, May and Sept.
Students must be 17 years of age or older one month prior to the term start date to enroll.
How to Enroll:
- Complete the Online Application & Pay the $100 Application Fee (The application Fee is non-refundable).
- Submit ALL Documents (Transcripts, LOR’s, Resume/CV)
- Admission Decision Given
- If admitted – Pay the $1,000 Registration Fee / If declined – Contact Admissions to see how you can improve your application file
- Collect Immigration Documents *see list below
- Secure Payment Plan or Apply for Loans (Meritize)
- Attend Orientation and Register for Classes
AUSOMA is located in Oranjestad, just like the other two, and has a state-of-the-art campus complete with modern labs and equipment.
AUSOMA promises the same level of training and educational rigor as that of medical schools in the US and Canada but at a fraction of the price.
They have a strong mentorship program, exceptional ethical standards, and a culture of lifelong learning, AUSOMA sets up students for success beyond university.
Chartered by Aruba’s government and accredited by international boards, AUSOMA has partnerships with hospitals across the United States to place students in residency programs.
Although younger than other universities on the islands, AUSOMA Is already training some of the brightest minds in medicine.
Tuition & Fees
- Application Fee: $100 (nonrefundable)
- Registration fee: $1000 (one time on admission, nonrefundable)
- Tuition Premed: $4000/semester (4 semesters)
- Tuition Basic Medical Sciences MD1 (including USMLE Step 1 Kaplan review 2 years access): $7499
- Tuition Basic Medical Sciences (MD2–MD4): $6500/Semester
- Tuition Basic Medical Sciences (MD5): $7900
- Tuition Clinical Medical Sciences: $9000/semester (6 semesters)
- Kaplan USMLE Step 1 review (access for 2 years): $999
- Payment plan fee: $250/ Semester
- Malpractice fee (36 weeks of clinical): $1200
- Graduation: $1000
- Official Transcript fee: $50
- Immigration Student visa processing fee: $350
- Immigration Deposit (Aruba Government): $500-$2600 (based on citizenship)
- Health Insurance: Based on age. Please contact the admission office
- Basic Medical Sciences per credit fee (less than 12 credits): $350 per credit
- Premedical Sciences per credit fee (Less than 12 credits): $250 per credit
- Retake or makeup examination fee: premed $300 per exam; MD program $500 per exam
- Credit card or debit card processing fee: 3% service charge per transaction
- Credit card decline fee: $100
- Check bounce fee: $100
- Late tuition payment fee: $250 after 1st week of classes
- Leave of absence extension fee: $500 per month (after initial 6 months of leave of absence)
- NBME comprehensive examination fees: $250 for each exam (CBSE and CCSE)
- School ID replacement fee: $50
- Readmittance fee: $500
*Disclaimer: Tuition and fees are subject to change as per the administration. Please review the current updated fee schedule on the school’s website www.ausoma.org.
Payment Plans:
AUSOMA offers a monthly payment plan. Total tuition and fees are divided into four payments, which will be processed automatically to the credit card on file. Each semester will have a $250 processing fee.
Scholarships:
- Dean’s Academic Scholarship: 20% (External GPA of 3.6 and above or Dean’s discretion)
- Academic Scholarship: 20% (Internal GPA of 3.6 and above)
- Aruban Student Scholarship: Tuition fees (same amount as specified above) in Aruban florins for semesters held in Aruba.
Find out more about tuition, fees, and scholarships.
Aureus University School of Medicine
Aureus University School of Medicine’s MD programs prepares students to become efficient, exemplary and ethical doctors.
At Aureus, we seek students who demonstrate a strong desire to succeed, coupled with an understanding of the compassionate and humanitarian aspects of the practice of medicine.
They pride themselves in offering their motivated healers of the future, an extraordinary education today.
They are confident you’ll appreciate their steadfast pledge to provide affordable tuition, a safe and clean environment, smaller classes, and a dedicated and highly experienced faculty.
Chartered by the Government of the Island Republic of Aruba, Aureus provides highly qualified, compassionate and efficient medical doctors with a strong ethical background.
The Aureus campus is fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, laboratories and research facilities to provide a highly effective learning environment for their students. Student accommodations include state-of-the-art, on-campus dorms.
Aureus University conducts fully accredited degree programs with highly experienced faculty in well-equipped, innovative facilities. Aureus University provides students with a solid medical foundation, enabling them to be licensed to practice medicine in the US, Canada, UK or any other member country of the United Nations.
Aureus University School of Medicine offers two MD programs to prospective students. A 4-Year program for students who have completed a Bachelor’s Degree, and a unique 5-Year program exclusively for high school graduates or those who have not yet met the pre-medical requirements.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Students from ECFMG-recognized medical schools may be admitted as transfers after submitting their complete credentials. The Admissions Committee of Aureus University School of Medicine will review all applications and credentials before admission.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The successfully completed MD program at Aureus University includes Basic Sciences, the Clinical portion of the MD program, USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK and USMLE Step 2 CS.
The requirements for the license to practice medicine vary from country to country. Please check with the supervising medical authority of the respective country.
Aureus University School of Medicine is chartered and recognized by the government of Aruba and is a fully accredited Caribbean Medical School.
The university is authorized to confer the M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) degree upon its successful graduates. Check their accreditation.
Tuition and Fees
- 4 Year MD Degree Program: Total for Basic Sciences: $35,975
- Clinical Sciences: Total for Clinical Sciences: $50,970
Check out the tuition and fees for 5 Year MD Degree Program.
Nucleus University School of Medicine
- As of 28th May 2021 Nucleus University is officially accredited by ARUBAN govt.
Nucleus University School of Medicine Aruba offers a comprehensive 10-semester program for earning an MD.
The 10-semester program is taught in English and takes you through Step 1 and Step 2 of USMLE, to your graduation with your Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
You will spend five semesters (20 months) studying the Basic Sciences at the Caribbean medical school campus, Aruba.
Their safe, friendly campuses offer you a positive learning environment and a close supportive community with one-on-one tutoring, mentoring, opportunities for peer-led learning, student clubs and activities.
At the completion of your basic sciences study, you will take your first—and in some ways your most important—licensing exam, the USMLE Step 1.
The clinical staff at Nucleus University School of Medicine Aruba will work with you to create an individual academic plan for passing this important exam.
Students then return to the U.S. or Canada to complete five semesters of clinical rotations at teaching hospitals that are affiliated with Nucleus University School of Medicine Aruba.
Pre-Health Science/Pre-Med Program:
At Nucleus University School of Medicine (NUSOM) the curriculum of the Pre-Health Science/ Pre-Med Program is highly integrative and clinical based.
An accelerated Pre-Health Science Program, which guides through the Caribbean Medical School requirements, helping to fulfill dreams of becoming a Doctor and receiving an MD without MCAT for medical school.
The program is designed for students to become a highly knowledgeable, skillful, and compassionate physicians of the future.
The instructors hold MDs/PhDs and or Masters in their respective fields and expect students to have little doubt in their abilities to become a Doctor.
The NUSOM accepts students from High School who have high scholastic achievements and prepares them to become Medical students, by preparing them for pre-clinical studies.
Their 4 Year MD Program Includes two years of basic science courses at the Aruba campus are followed by two years of clinical rotation in the United States.
On the other hand, their 5 Year MD Program Includes three years of Pre-Med and Basic Sciences at the Aruba Campus followed by Clinical Rotations in the United States. The remainder of the Five-year Program is the same as the Four Year MD Degree Program.
Finally, Nucleus University School of Medicine maintains a very high standard in students receiving their clinical training.
For their preclinical clerkship, they have affiliations with multiple Hospitals in the USA. All of their clinical clerkships are conducted in ACGME accredited Hospitals for their respective specialty.
Upon completion of their clinical clerkships, students secure residencies in various specialties at renowned medical facilities as they advance toward a successful medical career.
In summary:
- Their program is designed to prepare you to become a knowledgeable, skillful, compassionate physician of the future.
It’s a rewarding program for people who have little doubt about their chosen career paths as future doctors.
Their teaching instructors hold MDs and/or PhDs or masters in their respective fields.
- Their Program fully prepare medical students for pre-clinical studies. High school graduates with certain scholastic achievements are accepted into this program.
As a matter of fact, pre-med students in this program benefit by securing their positions as medical students without first obtaining bachelor’s or master’s degrees.
This saves you time and money, making medical school in the Caribbean more affordable.
Tuition & Fees for their 4-Year MD Degree Program:
- Total for Basic Sciences: $49,750
- Total for Clinical Sciences: $89,700
Xavier University School of Medicine
At Xavier University School of Medicine, they follow a 360° holistic approach in their selection of students for admission.
They go beyond simply reviewing academics to consider candidates in full. This includes their life skills and experiences, their personal attributes and capabilities, and who they are inside and outside of the classroom.
Why? Because such key factors impact the learning experience for all, and they strive to select those who bring positive energy and contribute greater value to the school.
Application requirements for prospective students include previous coursework, various other documentation, as well as writing samples.
There is no application fee to apply to Xavier. They are committed to providing an accessible and affordable medical school program.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for all three of their semesters, which commence in January, May, and September, respectively. Apply here.
They offer many exceptional financial aid options to help students achieve their goals and dreams. These include excellent scholarship programs that reward strong academics in both pre-med and MD candidates.
In 2015 Xavier received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission of Colleges of Medicine (ACCM).
This is an independent, not-for-profit, accrediting organization based in the Republic of Ireland.
The United States Department of Education has stated that the standards used by ACCM are comparable to those used to accredit medical schools in the United States.
Like the CAAM-HP, ACCM uses the guidelines set forth by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). Check out their accreditations.
- Total Basic Science Cost: $79,900
- Total Clinical Science Cost (84 weeks): $109,200
- Total Pre-Med Cost: $26,000
- Get full details about tuition and other additional fees.
Bay University School of Medicine
Bay University School of Medicine offers Comprehensive Medical Training through the ‘Organ Based Integrated Curriculum’ to aspiring Physicians, Surgeons and Researchers to practice medicine in the United States of America and beyond.
These training programs aim at preparing students for learning medicine through a holistic approach.
The Bay University School of Medicine adopts a Curriculum that integrates all the subjects of Basic Sciences into an Organ Based ‘Module’ known as ‘Organ Based Integrated Curriculum’.
The University creates an environment conducive for ‘Teaching Learning Activities’ on the campus that culminate in Higher Learning of the Subject Materials, Sympathy, Empathy and Professionalism.
Bay University runs a Pre-Medical Program for prospective students who run short of eligibility for the MD Program. This program is meant for students who have twelve years of schooling and will bridge the knowledge gap to understand the subjects of Medical Sciences.
Besides Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Calculus, Research Methodology and Laboratory Procedures are introduced in these modules. Basic Life Support Training is mandatory for all Pre-Med students.
- Semesters: 3
- Duration: 12 months
- Tuition (Per semester): 5200 USD
- Location: Bay University School of Medicine, Aruba
MD Program:
Two year Basic Sciences Program is organized into six Four-Month Semesters of which Sixth Semester is booked for updating the subject materials through the Multi-System Seminar(MSS) and strengthening the conceptual materials of medicine through Comprehensive Review.
Many topics are delivered through the ‘Theme Based Approach’ with the objective of acquiring a thorough comprehensive knowledge of the subjects.
All the students attending Bay University prepare themselves to enter Residency through USMLE, to practice medicine in the US.
Basic Sciences is taught in the Aruba campus by renowned and experienced professors using Hi-Tech Teaching Technology and simulations that enhance the medical school experience.
- Semesters: 6
- Duration: 2 years
- Tuition (Per semester): 7200 USD
- Location: Bay University School of Medicine, Aruba
Furthermore, The Bay University offers various Allied Health Sciences programs. The programs are designed to train the additional manpower, who assist the physicians in the delivery of the health services.
The programs are training-based and adequate exposures are given during the training program. Find out more about the requirements.
I Am an International Student
Most of the medical schools in Aruba award the Student Visa for students studying in Aruba ONLY.
For instance, to study at the American University School of Medicine Aruba(AUSOMA), you need the following:
- Official Acceptance Letter from school. Should include the number of semesters the student will study in Aruba.
- Judicial Documentation (background check- Apostille should not be more than 6 months old).
- Birth Certificate apostilled (Apostille should not be more than 6 months old).
- Copy of Passport.
- Declaration of Medical University curriculum (duration, standard, certification, etc).
- Proof of Solvency (student loan, a guarantor, or a third person as the guarantor) Guarantor must provide ID.
- Proof of private medical and travel insurance for the duration of the study here in Aruba.
- Rental agreement or confirmation of housing.
- Copy of your return ticket.
For Bay University all required supporting documents must be received by the Admission Committee of the University to initiate a review process.
A completed file consists of:
- Application for Admission (Adjoining Form)
- Resume
- Transcript of Bachelor Degree (4 Year MD Program)
- Transcript/ Final mark sheet of 12-year Schooling (5 Year MD Program)
- Personal Statement (500 Words)
- Letter of Recommendations (2)
- Cover letter, if applying for a scholarship
- Any other Supporting Credentials