Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde (FCS) at the Universidade da Beira Interior (UBI)

- Covilha, Portugal
Abroad

General Information

The Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde (FCS) at the Universidade da Beira Interior (UBI) is one of Portugal's most innovative medical schools. Located in the mountain city of Covilhã, it is known for its modern infrastructure, integrated clinical teaching, and high rankings in national medical exams.

General Info

  • Established: 1998 (Medical degree started in 2001).

  • Location: Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal.

  • Program: Integrated Master’s in Medicine (6 years, 360 ECTS).

  • Language of Instruction: Portuguese.

    • Note for International Students: High proficiency in Portuguese is required. While some research and textbooks are in English, patient interaction and core exams are in Portuguese.

  • Accreditation: Fully accredited by A3ES and listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS).

Campus Facilities

  • Modern Architecture: The FCS campus is a purpose-built, award-winning facility located at the foot of the Serra da Estrela mountains.

  • Integrated Learning: The curriculum is designed to integrate basic sciences with clinical practice from the early years, utilizing a "system-based" approach.

  • Advanced Facilities: Home to the CICS-UBI (Health Sciences Research Centre), which focuses on neurosciences, endocrinology, and inflammatory diseases. The campus also features high-fidelity clinical simulation labs.

    • Hospital & Medical Facilities

    Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution

    The faculty is part of a strong regional healthcare hub:

    • Centro Hospitalar Universitário Cova da Beira (CHUCB): The primary teaching hospital, located directly adjacent to the FCS campus.

    • Primary Care Integration: Students rotate through local health centers (ACES) in the Cova da Beira region, gaining experience in family and community medicine.

    • Academic Clinical Center: UBI is part of the Academic Clinical Center of Beiras, which links the university with several hospitals in central Portugal to provide a vast pool of clinical cases.

    Fee Structure

    State University Affordability

    As a public university, UBI offers two main tuition tiers:

    • National/EU Students: Capped at the national limit of €697 per year.

    • International Student Statute: For the 2025/2026 intake, the tuition fee for the Integrated Master in Medicine is set at €18,000 per year.

    • Application Fee: Specifically for Medicine, the international application fee is €250.

    • Payment: Tuition can be paid in a lump sum or in 10 monthly installments of €1,800.

    City Details

  • The Mountain City: Built on the slopes of Serra da Estrela (Portugal's highest peak), the city is safe, quiet, and very vertical—be prepared for a lot of walking on hills!

  • Climate: One of the few places in Portugal that sees snow in winter. Summers are very hot.

  • Student Atmosphere: The city revolves around the university, creating a close-knit and supportive student community.

    • Hostel & Mess

  • University Residences: Managed by SASUBI.

    • Cost: Between €150 and €250 per month. They are generally located near the main university hubs, though the Medical Faculty is a bit further from the city center than other departments.

  • Private Accommodation: Covilhã is one of the most affordable university cities in Portugal.

    • Shared Apartment Room: €250 – €350 per month.

    • Private Student Residences (e.g., micampus): Modern studios range from €400 to €800 per month (often all-inclusive).

  • Mess/Dining:

    • University Canteens: A full meal costs between €2.80 and €4.50.

    • Monthly Food Budget: Roughly €200 – €300 if you combine the canteen with home cooking.

    • Miscellaneous

    • International Student Statute: UBI reserves a specific number of seats (usually around 15) for non-EU students who meet the academic requirements.

    • Admission Requirements:

      • Academic Qualification: High school final exams in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics.

      • ENEM (for Brazilians): UBI accepts the ENEM score (usually requiring a minimum weighted average).

      • NEET (For Indians): Mandatory qualification is required for Indian nationals planning to return to India to practice.

    • Application Period: For international students, Phase 1 usually occurs in April/May 2026.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Students must typically have a minimum of 50% marks in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) in the 12th standard (40% for reserved categories) and must have qualified NEET in the current or previous two years, as per NMC guidelines.

    The duration is generally 6 years in total, which includes 5 years of academic study (54 months) and 1 year of compulsory internship (12 months), fully complying with the latest National Medical Commission (NMC) rules.

    The process is simple: 1. Submit scanned documents (10th, 11th, and 12th mark sheets, NEET result, Passport scan, and a recent passport-size photograph with a white background). 2. Receive the Admission Letter from the University. 3. Process the Invitation Letter for Visa. 4. Complete the Visa application with our assistance.

    Yes, all our partner universities are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Medical Commission (NMC). Graduate doctors can also write major global licensing exams such as USMLE (USA), PLAB (UK), AMC (Australia), and the FMGE/NExT exam for India.

    While most universities admit based on your 12th marks and NEET qualification, some may require a simple online entrance test or interview. We will guide you through any such requirement.

    Fees typically cover the Tuition Fee, Hostel Fee, Medical Insurance, Visa Extension, and administrative charges. A detailed, transparent fee structure showing Tuition Fee, Hostel Fee, Mess Charges, Visa/Invitation Fee, and Medical Assurance Fee for each country and university will be provided upfront.

    Payment schedules are determined by the individual university. Some universities allow semester-wise payments, while others require annual payments. We will provide clear guidance on the university's official payment schedule.

    We are committed to transparency. All costs, including consultation charges and university expenses, are detailed in your offer letter. We strongly advise against any form of donation.

    Yes, we coordinate group departures for students and assist with flight ticket booking. Our representative will meet the students at the destination airport and provide transport to the university hostel.

    Hostels offer secure accommodation with separate facilities for boys and girls. Indian meals are generally cooked and served by Indian caterers within the hostel premises or mess hall to ensure a suitable diet for students.

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