AUA’s MD program, like medical schools in the United States, is divided into two parts: Preclinical Sciences, which takes place on our medical school campus, and the more hands-on Clinical Sciences, which takes place at affiliated hospitals throughout the US.

Like most US medical schools, AUA follows an organ-system-based structure for teaching the Preclinical Sciences: Year 1 focuses on learning about the structures and functions of organ systems, while Year 2 focuses on disease-based pathologies for those systems. Students learn via modified case-based and problem-based studies, as well as large group active learning techniques like team-based learning and flipped classroom lectures.

During AUA’s Clinical Sciences curriculum in academic periods 5 through 8 (Years 3 and 4), students continue to develop clinical and communication skills in all areas of patient care, under the direction of the medical faculty at teaching hospitals in a patient-centered environment. The clinical education consists of 84 weeks of core and elective rotations.

Preclinical Sciences generally take place on AUA’s high-tech campus on the island of Antigua, though students have temporarily been learning via a hybrid curriculum in the wake of COVID-19. Read how AUA is responding to the COVID pandemic.

The Clinical Sciences curriculum (ie, clinical rotations) takes place at teaching hospitals throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, or India. View our full list of clinical affiliates.

Via AUA’s Curriculum Next program, Preclinical Sciences students work primarily in small groups—approximately 10 students or less per group—each of which is equipped with its own small-group learning center to serve as students’ academic base of operations.

Students can expect to find virtually everything they’ll need on the island of Antigua, from grocery shopping to transportation. The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has a storied history and unique culture that provides a rich backdrop for students learning the study of medicine here.

Read more about life in Antigua.

AUA offers a program track specifically dedicated to global health. Conducted in collaboration with Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and fully integrated into AUA’s MD curriculum, the Global Health Track offers special academic programming to help guide students in developing expertise in global health issues. Read more about the Global Health Track and AUA’s other collaborations with FIU.

A wide variety of undergraduate universities throughout the United States have signed memoranda of understanding (MOU) with AUA, which grants advanced admissions priority, scholarship opportunities, and other benefits to students of those schools who select AUA for their medical education. Email Samara Chamble, Manager of University Partnerships, if you’re interested in establishing an MOU.

AUA has enjoyed a 90% first-time residency attainment rate two years in a row for both 2019 and 2020. Like most high-quality Caribbean or international medical schools, AUA graduates earn a wide variety of residency placements across the spectrum of medical specialties, with the majority of its graduates entering primary care programs after graduating. Many move on to more specialized postgraduate training via fellowship programs. View sortable year-by-year residency listings for AUA.

The Admissions Committee uses a holistic philosophy when evaluating students, typically looking at things like work experience, prerequisite and cumulative GPA, volunteerism in healthcare fields, personal statements, conduct during the interview process, and intrinsic qualities like determination and dedication.

Completing the MCAT is required for US students, but the Admissions Committee will not consider the numerical MCAT score when making an admissions decision.

AUA encourages a highly diverse campus and considers students from all backgrounds and walks of life. View full admissions requirements.

If you think you know a student who would be a good fit for our university, email our Department of Admissions.

AUA offers more than 20 cultural, service, and academic scholarships/grants. US students are eligible to apply for U.S. federal financial aid (Title IV), while Canadian students have several loan options they can explore. Learn more on AUA’s Financial Aid page.

The Education Enhancement Department (EED), available to both preclinical and clinical students, provides services and activities that providing assistance in students’ organizational skills, study habits, complement and enrich classroom instruction, improve student performance and advance instructional goals for learning, retention, and curriculum progression. Read more about our academic support services.

AUA hosts an on-campus clinic where members of the AUA community can receive convenient access to medical care. The clinic, which is staffed by four physicians and two nurses, accepts US-based health insurance coverage from United Health Care and Cigna, as well as local provider Sagicor Life. Services provided by the AUA Clinic include, but are not limited to, routine medical care, vaccinations, blood and urine tests, medication, screenings, and electrocardiograms. Students have 24-hour access to the clinic via an emergency number. Off-campus urgent care centers and Mount St. John’s Medical Centre, the area hospital, are also options for medical care. Minor surgeries can be performed at private clinics in the area. In the event of extreme circumstances, students can be medically evacuated off the island.

In addition, AUA provides a variety of counseling services to meet the specific needs of medical students dealing with issues far from home. Many students experience life events or academic pressures that leave them feeling anxious, confused, lonely, angry, depressed, or overwhelmed, and it is often helpful to speak with an unbiased, objective professional. Counseling services are provided in the AUA Health Clinic. Read more in AUA’s Student Handbook.

Though Antigua is considered a safe island, students should practice personal safety just like anywhere else. AUA maintains a 24-hour security presence on campus that consists of AUA-employed security officers and contractors. Security officers are also in place at all approved off-campus housing. The campus is monitored via surveillance cameras, which record all campus incidents, and all students or visitors to campus must first be cleared at a security checkpoint before entry. AUA offers an emergency hotline that students and parents can call.

Hurricanes have been known to impact Caribbean islands. However, AUA is well-equipped to handle hurricanes and tropical storms. Previous storms have only necessitated campus closures of between 1 and 2 days, with no severe damage. In the event of a severe storm or hurricane, campus would remain closed until the government of Antigua gives approval to reopen. Campus buildings are used as shelter for students, faculty, and staff. Read our Hurricane Preparedness Guide for more information.