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

    Answer: Yes. AMW coordinates group departure assistance and helps with flight planning. Our local representative in Uzbekistan meets students at Tashkent airport and provides transport to the university hostel. Support continues throughout the first month of your stay.

    Answer: Yes. Direct flights between Delhi and Tashkent operate regularly and take under 3 hours. Most universities have structured semester breaks that allow students to visit home at least once or twice a year. AMW advises students on the academic calendar and the best travel windows.

    Answer: The process is straightforward and well-defined. AMW handles the complete visa application, document preparation, attestation, and apostille. Visa approval typically takes 10–20 working days from the date of submission.

    (1) Free counselling, share your score and goals. <br /> (2) We handle all documentation, applications, and visa processing. <br /> (3) You arrive at college; we provide ongoing support for all 6 years.

    Our pass rate is approximately 78% compared to the national average of ~45%, because we begin structured FMGE preparation from Year 4, not after graduation.

    No. Every university we recommend offers MBBS fully in English. Basic Russian is helpful for patient interaction during clinical rotations, but the degree is completed entirely in English. Basic Russian can be learned at the University campus for free.

    Answer: All AMW partner universities in Uzbekistan offer English-medium MBBS programmes. A basic Uzbek and/or Russian language module is included in the first year to help students communicate with patients during clinical rotations — no prior knowledge of either language is required for admission.

    Total cost for MBBS in Russia (tuition + living) is approximately ₹22–38 Lakhs over 6 years, which is much cheaper than private medical colleges in India (₹65–110 Lakhs). Exact fees vary by university

    Yes, an MBBS from an NMC-approved foreign university is fully valid in India. You must clear FMGE (transitioning to NExT) to practice.

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