The Cuban Medical Advantage
Superior training - Global recognition - Life-changing experience
Proven Academic Excellence
- 96% first-time USMLE pass rate (outperforms U.S. averages)
- #1 ranked medical education in Latin America (World Bank)
- 60% hands-on training from Year 1
World-Class
Faculty
- Professors with multinational experience
- 1:4 faculty ratio (best in the region)
- 40% actively engaged in international research
3 Centuries of Medical Breakthroughs
- Birthplace of global vaccine innovations
- Medical diplomacy leader - training doctors for 120+ nations
- WHO-recognized healthcare model
A Medical Education Like No Other
At Havana's University of Medical Sciences, you're not just earning a degree - you're inheriting a legacy. For nearly three centuries, this institution has shaped generations of world-class physicians through its unique blend of academic rigor and hands-on training. Here, you'll train in Cuba's renowned healthcare system while preparing for global practice, with a curriculum recognized by medical boards worldwide. Our graduates consistently outperform international standards, with a 96% first-time pass rate on the USMLE - a testament to an education model that prioritizes real-world skills over textbook learning.
Master Spanish while training alongside future doctors from around the world. Study in Havana's historic heart, where colonial plazas and vibrant culture become your campus. Between classes, explore art galleries, jazz clubs, and Cuba's legendary hospitality - turning medical school into the adventure of a lifetime.
Your Home Away From Home
Live, Learn & Grow in Havana
First-year students enjoy fully-furnished, air-conditioned residences with 24/7 security, just minutes from campus. Modern amenities include high-speed Wi-Fi, gyms, and study lounges - plus unique perks like Spanish classes and on-site medical support. It's student living designed for success, with all essentials covered so you can focus on becoming a doctor.
Pre-Arrival
• Guaranteed housing & university placement
• Airport pickup coordination
• 24/7 communication line
On The Ground
• Orientation & city familiarization
• Legal/immigration guidance
• Banking, IDs & health insurance setup
• Emergency support & family liaison
Seamless Transition Support
From touchdown to graduation, our dedicated team handles every detail:
The Medical Doctor Program at the University of Medical Sciences of Havana
Building upon a 234-year legacy of medical excellence, our six-year MD program combines rigorous academic preparation with extensive clinical training to produce highly competent general practitioners. The curriculum spans 66 courses totaling 10,840 hours, with a distinctive emphasis on hands-on learning - nearly 3,000 hours are dedicated to clinical internships across Cuba's comprehensive healthcare network.
The program follows a progressive structure: foundational sciences dominate the initial years before transitioning to intensive clinical rotations. From the third year onward, students engage in hospital shifts while maintaining structured classroom learning. Non-Spanish speakers complete an additional preparatory year to ensure medical language proficiency before joining the standard curriculum.
Our competency-based approach requires mastery of 224 clinical skills and the ability to manage 220 defined health conditions. The program culminates in a comprehensive State Examination assessing both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies.
Cuban Medical Education Framework: Curriculum Specifications
1st Semester Subjects
English I
Introduction to MGI
Morphophysiology I *
Morphophysiology II **
Physical Education I
Teaching period
Total hours
64
220
124
92
80
No. Sem.
16
18
11
9
16
21