This article aims to inform you about the general information you should be aware of before deciding whether studying in the Caribbean is the right choice for you. We talk about entry requirements, exams, tuition fees, application procedures, and more.

OVERVIEW

• It takes about four years to complete a medical degree in the Caribbean.
• This is usually divided into two parts. Similar to the system in Europe, the first two years consist of pre-clinical studies done in classrooms, followed by two years of clinical studies.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• The entry requirements may differ depending on the specific university you are applying for and the level at which you will be studying.
• Generally speaking, it is compulsory for you to have scored between A* and C in mathematics and physics during your GCSEs (or equivalent) and to have taken and scored well in biology and chemistry at A-Level. Additionally, to this, you need to have taken one more subject at A-Level. In most cases, you will also need to score between A* and C in GCSE biology, chemistry, and English language.
• If you come from a non-English speaking country, you will need to prove your English proficiency by providing the university with a certificate proving that you have undergone and passed an English language proficiency test.
• There is a number of tests you can take. Some of these are the IELTS, the TOEFL, PTE Academic, or the C1 Advance.
• The very minimum required scores for each of these tests differ depending on the university, but in general, you will need to score around 7.0 points in each section of the IELTS.
• Around 185 points in the C1 Advanced.
• Around 85 points in the PTE Academic.
• Lastly, if you choose to sit the TOEFL, the minimum score depends on how you take the test. For the internet-based TOEFL, you will need to score at least 100 points. If you take the computer-based one, you will need to score at least 250 points, and if you take the paper-based test, you will need to score a minimum of 600 points.

ENTRANCE EXAM

• Not all universities in the Caribbean will have you sit an entrance exam, especially if you are applying for an undergraduate medical program. In some cases, if you have good enough grades that will be enough evidence to allow you on the course.
• However, there still is the possibility that the university you apply to will make you take an entrance exam to examine your skills further. Like with most other things this too will differ depending on the specific institution you are applying for and at what level you will be studying.
• In most cases, you will either need to pass the MCAT or the BMAT.
• It costs about £240 to sit the MCAT.
• And the BMAT costs £92 for international students and £61 for students within the EU/UK. Both of these test your thinking skills, scientific knowledge, problem-solving and more.
• There are plenty of resources available online to help candidates prepare to sit these tests.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The application can be done online, or directly through the university’s website.

The required documentation might differ depending on the university but in general, you will need to submit

• A copy of your passport.
• Proof of your grades, and other school-related achievements.
• Proof of your partaking in extracurricular activities.
• A copy of your birth certificate.

In some cases, you will also be required to write a 300-word long letter explaining why you are choosing to apply for the medical course and why you think you are a good fit for the career you are pursuing.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

• The application deadline for Caribbean Universities is around late March. Please keep in mind that this might change or differ depending on the university, so we recommend double-checking the website of the university you are applying to for a more precise date.

FEES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The yearly tuition fees for international students studying a medical course in the Caribbean are around £11,397.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Some medical schools across the Caribbean offer scholarships to high-performing students with exceptional grades.

This brings us to the end of this article. We sincerely hope you have found this information useful and leave feeling more confident in making your final decision. If you would like to have a look at medical degrees in other countries please don’t hesitate to check out our other articles on this topic.