13 Best Medical Schools In Cuba

While many students like going to the U.S, Europe, Canada, etc to study medicine, Cuba is another great country to pursue a medical degree. Cuba has better job prospects for medical doctors in their health sector. Hence, this article will give you details of the best medical schools in Cuba.

The education system of Cuba is renowned all over the world for offering high-quality education. One of the major reasons international students go to Cuba for studies is that the country offers very affordable education.

On the other hand, medical doctors in Cuba are in high demand. This means that there are better job prospects for medical doctors in the country. If you are pursuing a medical program in Cuba, you are very sure of your return on investment (ROI).

Do you wish to study to become a medical doctor in Cuba on the cheap? If yes, then, this article contains the top medical schools in Cuba that offer top-notch affordable education.

Can I study medicine in Cuba?

Yes. Cuba has some of the best academic institutions in North America and in the world. These institutions over various degrees in different fields of study and medicine is one of them.

The medical program in Cuban universities is offered to both local and international students from different parts of the world.

Are medical schools in Cuba free?

Not all medical schools in Cuba are free as students are required to pay tuition and fees.

Fortunately, the only medical school in Cuba that is considered free is the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM). The school is Cuba’s largest medical school and it charges no tuition fees.

Applicants who wish to study at ELAM on free tuition must be between 18 and 25 years of age and possess a bachelor’s degree or high school diploma from their home country.

Can foreigners study medicine in Cuba?

Yes. Universities in Cuba welcome or host international students from every part of the world for their medical programs. These students are offered programs in medicine irrespective of gender, race, religion, etc.

How many years does it take to become a doctor in Cuba?

The duration of a medical program takes more time unlike other fields of study. According to the Cuban Tertiary education System, it will take students between four (4) to six (6) years to acquire an undergraduate degree in medicine.

How do I apply to study medicine in Cuba?

Applications to study medicine in Cuba begin with meeting the requirements for the medical program in the country.

The application requirements for medicine in Cuba include:

  • High school diploma/High school transcripts
  • Birth certificate
  • Certificate of health (HIV test and pregnancy test)
  • Scholarship application form if any
  • No criminal records
  • Certificate of physical and mental fitness
  • Passport photographs. Five photos 3cm by 3cm (International relations) and six photos 2cm by 2cm (Registrar’s Office).
  • Documents for filling at the Registrar’s Office.

If you have the abovementioned documents, you can now submit your application on the school’s website.

On the other hand, international students are required to hold a student visa. If you are a foreign student, you can contact the Cuban Consulate in your home country to know the requirements. The reason is that the requirements for a Cuban student visa differ from one country to another.

How much do doctors earn in Cuba?

The Cuban government through the Cuban Council of Ministers reports that the salaries of physicians of first-degree specialists in family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics will range from 573 Cuban pesos (CUP) to CUP$1,46. In addition, physicians with second-degree or dual specialties will earn between CUP$627 to CUP$1,600.

List of All Medical Schools in Cuba

Below is the list of all the medical schools in Cuba. These institutions offer degrees in medicine and they include:

  1. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río
  2. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Artemisa
  3. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana
  4. Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina
  5. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Mayabeque, San José de las Lajas
  6. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas
  7. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara
  8. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Cienfuegos
  9. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Sancti Spiritus
  10. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Ciego de Ávila
  11. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Camagüey
  12. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Las Tunas
  13. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Holguín
  14. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Granma
  15. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba
  16. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Guantánamo
  17. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Isla de la Juventud

Top Medical Schools in Cuba for International Students

The top medical schools in Cuba for international students include:

  • Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina (ELAM) or Latin American School of Medicine (LASM)
  • Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara
  • Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de Cienfuegos
  • University of Medical Sciences of Sancti Spiritus

Medical Schools in Cuba That Teach in English

While the main language of instruction in Cuban medical schools is Spanish, some schools administer learning in the English language to international students. These medical schools are as follows:

  • University of Medical Sciences of Sancti Spiritus
  • Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM)
  • Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de Cienfuegos

Free Medical Schools in Cuba

Of all the medical schools in Cuba, the only university that offers free medical education is ELAM (Latin America School of Medicine).

The Best Medical Schools in Cuba

Many schools in Cuba offer degrees in medicine but there are some of the schools that are more renowned in the country for offering world-class medical education. For this reason, these schools are considered to be the best in the field of medicine.

The best medical schools in Cuba are selected based on the number of programs that they offer, student reviews, and ranking.

Thus, the best medical schools in Cuba are as follows:

  • Universidad de La Habana
  • Ciudad Universitaria Jose Antonio Echeverria
  • Universidad de Oriente Santiago de Cuba
  • Universidad Central Marta Abreu de Las Villas
  • Universidad de Cienfuegos Carlos Rafael Rodriguez
  • Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina (ELAM)
  • Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara
  • Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Guantánamo
  • Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Holguín – Mariana Grajales Coello
  • Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Ciego de Ávila
  • Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de Cienfuegos
  • University of Medical Sciences of Sancti Spiritus

Universidad de La Habana

Universidad de La Habana (in English, the University of Havana or UH) is a university in Havana that was established in 1728. It is the oldest university in Cuba and one of the earliest higher institutions in North America.

The University of Havana comprises sixteen (16) academic faculties and fourteen (14) research centers in different fields of study such as economics, sciences, social science, and humanities.

According to the 2020 Times Higher Education rankings, UH was ranked 44th in Latina America and 1001th in the world.

Notable alumni include Fidel Castro, Raúl Castro, and Ramón Grau.

School website

Ciudad Universitaria Jose Antonio Echeverria

Ciudad Universitaria Jose Antonio Echeverria (in English, Technological University José Antonio Echeverría or CUJAE) is a public university in Havana, Cuba that was founded in 1964. The institution was founded by Cuba’s revolutionary and former prime minister, Fidel Castro.

Technological University José Antonio Echeverría has nine (9) faculties and twelve (12) research centers. Academic programs are offered in state-of-art facilities by renowned faculty members.

School website

Universidad de Oriente Santiago de Cuba

Universidad de Oriente Santiago de Cuba (in English, the University of Oriente or UO) is a public university in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba that was established in 1947.

The University of Oriente is one of the oldest institutions in Cuba that offer degrees in medicine. UO offers academic programs through twelve faculties including medicine, social sciences. humanities, law, electrical engineering, economics & management, mechanical engineering, natural sciences, mathematics & computer science, chemical engineering, distance education, and construction.

According to Top Universities, the University of Oriente is ranked 87th in Latin America.

School website

Universidad Central Marta Abreu de Las Villas

Universidad Central Marta Abreu de Las Villas (in English, the University Marta Abreu of Las Villas or UCLV) is a public university in Santa Clara, Cuba that was founded in 1952.

The university has a remote campus (Universidad de Montaña) which lies in the heart of the Escambray Mountains in Topes de Collantes.

UCLV offers undergraduate and graduate programs through thirteen (13) academic faculties.

The QS World University Rankings ranked UCLV 149th in Latin America and 521 – 530th in the world.

School website

Universidad de Cienfuegos Carlos Rafael Rodriguez

Universidad de Cienfuegos Carlos Rafael Rodriguez (in English, the University of Cienfuegos Carlos Rafael Rodríguez or UCF) is a public university in Cienfuegos, Cuba that was founded in 1979.

The institution is a nice place to pursue your medical education. By offering world-class academic programs and research in the field of medicine, UCF stands out as one of the best medical schools in Cuba.

School website

Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina (ELAM)

Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina (ELAM) or Latin American School of Medicine (LASM) is an international public medical school in Havana, Cuba. It was established in 1998 by the Cuban government.

The institution aims to train Primary Health Care physicians in different parts of the world. ELAM is widely known for having the largest student enrollment among other medical schools worldwide. In 2013, ELAM enrolled over 19,550 students and international students had the highest number of enrollment. For this reason, ELAM is known as one of the best medical schools in Cuba.

ELAM’s medical curriculum involves six (6) years of academic studies and it is divided into twelve (12) semesters. During the medical program, students spend the first two years at ELAM’s campus. Students spend the remaining years of the medical program at one of Cuba’s 21 other medical schools.

School website

Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara

Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara (in English, the University of Medical Sciences of Villa Clara) is a higher education center in Cuba that was established in 1689.

The institute is another home of international students as it has produced over 500 foreign medical graduates from over 45 countries.

Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in medicine through its 41 teaching units (8 University Hospitals and 33 Teaching Polyclinics). The undergraduate medical program takes six (6) years to complete.

School website

Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Guantánamo

Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Guantánamo (in English, Guantánamo University of Medical Sciences or UCMG) is a public university  in Guantánamo, Cuba that was established in 2009.

UCMG is organized into four (4) academic faculties including medicine, stomatology, nursing, and health technologies. The institution confers undergraduate and graduates degrees in these fields of study.

Guantánamo University of Medical Sciences is accredited by the Cuban Ministry of Higher Education.

School website

Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Holguín – Mariana Grajales Coello

Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Holguín – Mariana Grajales Coello (in English, the Holguín University of Medical Sciences) is a medical university in Holguín, Cuba that was founded in 1965.

The university is one of the best medical schools in Cuba for its revolutionary health research centers. Students at the institution can specialize in pathology, intensive care, epidemiology, gastroenterology, genetics, geriatrics, natural medicine, etc.

School website

Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Ciego de Ávila

Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Ciego de Ávila (in English, The Ciego de Ávila University of Medical Sciences) is a medical university in Ciego de Ávila, Cuba that was founded in 1978.

The university has been functioning since its inception and it was finally accredited as a medical university to grant degrees in medicine in 2009.

School website

Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de Cienfuegos

Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de Cienfuegos (in English, the University of Medical Sciences, Cienfuegos) is a public medical university in Cienfuegos, Cuba that was founded in 1979.

The institution is a home for international students. These foreign students come from over 52 countries of the world.

Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de Cienfuegos offers academic programs in medicine, surgery, obstetrics & gynecology, and pediatrics. The medical program finishes with a rotary internship.

Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de Cienfuegos is affiliated with the Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima Provincial General Hospital.

University of Medical Sciences of Sancti Spiritus

University of Medical Sciences of Sancti Spiritus is a medical university in Cuba that was established in 1994. It has an enrollment of over 700 students that come from different countries.

The university trains potential medical practitioners by offering them undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the field of medicine. It offers these academic programs through its partnership with ELAM (Latin American School of Medicine).

University of Medical Sciences of Sancti Spiritus is accredited by the Cuban Ministry of Higher Education.

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