UAE | Est. 2017UAE | Full accreditation from the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), achieved in January 2021, recognised by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) and FAIMER. | English (100%). medium
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Ask people in Abu Dhabi where to study medicine. One name comes up again and again. It is Khalifa University. This school tops the UAE's own rankings. Its medical school is the newest part of that story. People call it CMHS for short. It was Abu Dhabi's first medical school. It was also the first in the UAE to offer a four-year MD degree, built in the US style. For such a young school, it has moved fast.
Khalifa University was formed in 2017. The UAE government joined three older schools to build it. These were the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, the Petroleum Institute, and the Masdar Institute. Its roots go back to 1989. That year, a small college opened in Sharjah. It was called Etisalat University College. Today, Khalifa University runs three colleges. It also runs many research centres. It is a public school with a strong research focus. It was built to serve the UAE industry and UAE students alike. Medicine came late to the mix. The school shared its plan for a medical school in 2018. It aimed to start classes the next year. Work to bring in MD students began in the 2018 to 2019 school year. The first class began in August 2019. The program earned full marks from the UAE's Commission for Academic Accreditation in January 2021. That was a fast pace for a brand-new medical degree.
The MD at CMHS runs for four years. It only takes students who already hold a degree. This sets it apart from most other medical schools in the region. Most of those take students right after high school. Khalifa built its program to match the model used across the US and Canada. Applicants must sit the MCAT test. This is the same test used by US medical schools. A strong score matters a lot. A score of 500 or more is seen as strong. Still, the school also looks at grades, past research, and clinical time. Some students have great grades but lack the right science courses. For them, the school runs a separate re-Medicine Bridge Program. TPhis one-year track fills gaps in biology, chemistry, and math. It helps students get ready for the MCAT test.
Once inside the MD, students move through four blocks of study. The first block covers the basics. This means cell science, human genes, body parts, and how the body works. It also covers germs and drugs. The second block looks at organ systems. It moves through the body, part by part. This covers the heart, lungs, blood, and hormones. It also covers bones, muscles, skin, the gut, and kidneys. The nervous system and behaviour come too. Later blocks shift the focus to real clinical work. Students move into real hospital settings. Teaching leans on small-group work. Groups work through real patient cases. This beats long, dry lectures. The school also runs the Balsam program. This is a service-based learning track. It links students to the health needs of local people. A system called the Falcon Learning Communities groups students for support. This runs across all four years. It copies a model used at top US medical schools.
Tech sits at the heart of how CMHS teaches medicine. This fits Khalifa University's name as a tech and science school. Students use 3D printing to plan surgery. They also use AI tools to help spot disease. The school opened a Body Museum on its main site. It is the first of its kind in the wider region. It lets students study the body up close, using real parts. The school also runs a Centre for Clinical Simulation. This became the first site in the UAE to earn a key US mark for this work. This shows how much the school values real-feel, mock training. Students train this way before they touch a real patient.
Clinical training does not take place in a single hospital. CMHS does not run a hospital of its own. Instead, students train across a wide set of partner sites in Abu Dhabi. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi handles tough surgery and heart care. SEHA hospitals, such as Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, bring large-scale public care. Mubadala Health and PureHealth add more outpatient and special-care sites. This spread gives students a wide mix of patients. They see big public hospitals and small clinics too, not just one fixed spot.
CMHS also asks students to take the USMLE test. This stands for the United States Medical Licensing Examination. Students take both Step 1 and Step 2 during their studies. Most medical schools outside North America skip this step. The goal here is clear. Grads should be able to compete for training posts in the US or Canada if they wish. They can then bring that training back to work in the UAE. It is a bold bet. The school holds that top-tier training builds stronger doctors at home.
As far as rankings are concerned, Khalifa University has made significant progress. It reached the 147th spot in the world according to the QS World Rankings in June of 2026. As a result, it became the first school in the United Arab Emirates to ever enter the top 150. This represents a thirty-place increase in just one year. The previous year, it had ranked 177th, and the year before that, it had ranked 202nd. It maintains its position as the highest-ranked school in the United Arab Emirates. For the past nine years in a row, it has maintained that position. In the Times Higher Education World Rankings, it is ranked among the top 500 institutions in the entire world. In the Arab region, it holds the fifth spot. Not only does this figure include the medical wing, but it also includes the entire school. CMHS is still in its infancy; hence, it does not yet have a long track record.
Cost works in a different way here than at most medical schools. Tuition runs at about AED 2,500 per credit hour. This puts the yearly cost for self-paid students between AED 120,000 and AED 150,000. Very few students pay this in full. Khalifa University gives full grants to UAE nationals who join the MD program. This covers a monthly stipend, free housing, and free books. Students from a set list of other Arab states can also seek full coverage. Some grads of North American schools may compete for a full-ride grant. This covers tuition in full. That is a rare offer among medical schools of any kind.
Campus life spans Khalifa University's Abu Dhabi sites, in a city known for safety and fast growth. The wider student body comes from more than fifty nations. Women make up well over half of all students. That is a strong mark for a tech and science school. For CMHS students, this means training inside a truly mixed, research-led place. It is backed by a school with deep ties to government and trade. Some students want a grad-entry, US-style MD. They want it at a young but fast-rising school. They also want strong routes into both UAE and US work. For these students, Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences stands out. It is one of the region's most closely watched medical schools.
No hidden charges, no donation. The full picture of costs at MBBS in Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE.
Tuition Fee
AED 120,000-150,000 approx. (roughly AED 2,500 per credit hour). USD 32,700-40,900 approx. / INR 27.9-34.9 lakh approx. Most admitted studen
AED 120,000-150,000, USD 32,700-40,900, INR 27.9-34.9 lakh
Hostel Fee
AED 10,000 approx. (applied toward tuition upon enrolment).
AED ~20,000, USD ~5,450 INR ~4.65 lakh
Food & Meals
AED 6,500
per month
Insurance
AED ~2,500, USD ~680, INR ~0.58 lakh
/year
Donation
No Donation
No Hidden Fee
Total Estimated Cost
USD ~40,190-48,390, INR ~34.3-41.3 lakh
Total 4 year
25–35%
Average FMGE first-attempt pass rates for students from many overseas medical universities. Students from structured programs consistently score higher.
Students returning to India need to clear the FMGE/NExT exam. MBBS in Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE integrates exam-oriented coaching into the regular curriculum so students are prepared from day one.
A structured program that takes you from foundational sciences to clinical mastery.
Molecular and cellular biology, human genetics, human anatomy, histology, embryology, physiology, immunology, pathology, microbiology and infectious disease, and pharmacology and therapeutics.
Anatomy, Histology, Biochemistry, Medical Biology
In-depth, system-by-system study of human biology, disease, illness, and injury, covering the cardiovascular, respiratory, hematopoietic and lymphoreticular, endocrine, reproductive, musculoskeletal, integumentary, gastrointestinal, renal, nervous, and behavioural systems.
Physiology, Microbiology, Pathology, Pharmacology
Full immersion in hospital-based clinical rotations across affiliated Abu Dhabi healthcare sites, building toward entry-level residency competencies. Teaching Approach: Problem-based learning (PBL), early clinical exposure, simulation-based training, and technology-integrated instruction, including 3D printing and AI-driven diagnostic tools. Service and Community Learning: The Balsam program connects students with the specific healthcare needs of local communities through service-oriented learning. Student Support: The Falcon Learning Communities (FLCs) provide mentorship and peer community structures across all four years of the program. Licensing Requirement: Students are required to sit for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK during the program, supporting eligibility for residency training in North America.
Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Furnished hostel rooms with Wi-Fi, laundry, 24/7 security, and Indian mess on or near campus.
Indian restaurants and mess facilities serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian home-style food daily.
Strong Indian community with cultural events, festival celebrations, and peer support groups.
Students get hands-on clinical training in government and private hospitals affiliated with the university.
Practical information for students planning to study at MBBS in Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE.
Prepare for all seasons. Thermal wear for winters, light clothing for summers. University provides heating in hostels.
Student visa processed with university invitation letter. Direct and connecting flights from major Indian cities.
Health insurance included in fees. Medical facility on campus plus city hospitals easily accessible.
Local SIM cards available. WhatsApp and video calls keep you connected with family back home.
Average monthly expenses of $150–$250 covering food, transport, and personal needs.
University library, online databases, and study groups. Seniors mentor juniors through academic challenges.
Our team guides you through every step — from application to arriving on campus.
Compare universities based on all-in cost, city, program type (direct- vs. graduate-entry), and hostel/safety needs, not just the headline tuition figure.
Submit the application along with academic transcripts and the NEET scorecard, directly through the university’s admissions portal.
The university’s international admissions office carries out document verification, including academic transcript checks.
Several universities, notably MBRU, require Multiple Mini-Interviews (MMIs) that assess communication and ethical reasoning rather than textbook recall.
Issued upon successful review, typically within a few working days to a couple of weeks of document and interview clearance.
Apply separately through the NMC portal before enrolling financially, to confirm the specific university and program are recognized.
Pay the first-year fee (or an agreed advance) to confirm the seat, and initiate visa sponsorship through the university.
The university processes the visa application, contingent on proof of mandatory health insurance; the realistic processing time is 4–8 weeks.
In the final 30 days, finalize documents, arrange summer-appropriate clothing and any needed insurance, book flights, arrange currency exchange, and confirm hostel allotment in writing.
Complete Emirates ID registration, open a local bank account, buy a local SIM card, attend orientation, and begin settling into hostel and academic routines.
Admission Helpline — Contact our counsellors for step-by-step assistance.
“The faculty here is incredibly supportive. The clinical training during hospital rotations has given me real confidence in patient care.”
“Affordable fees without compromising on quality. The campus facilities and hostel life made my transition abroad very smooth.”
“English medium instruction and WHO-recognized curriculum were the deciding factors for me. No regrets so far — excellent experience overall.”
“The university helped with everything from visa to accommodation. Hospital exposure from year three has been invaluable for my FMGE prep.”
“Just cleared my licensing exam on the first attempt. The structured coaching and mock exams during final year were a game-changer.”
“Safe campus, good food options, and a strong Indian student community. The teaching methodology is very practical and hands-on.”
No. The MD program is graduate-entry only, requiring a completed bachelor's degree with prerequisite science coursework before applicants can apply. Applicants without a suitable science background can first apply to the 1-year Pre-Medicine Bridge Program.
Yes. An official MCAT score is required, with 500 or above generally seen as competitive. GPA, research experience, and clinical exposure are also considered as part of a holistic review.
It is the UAE's first postbaccalaureate, US-style four-year MD program, modelled closely on North American medical education. Students are also required to sit for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK, supporting eligibility for residencies in the US and Canada.
CMHS does not run its own hospital. Students rotate through partner sites across Abu Dhabi, including Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, SEHA hospitals such as Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Mubadala Health, and PureHealth.
Yes. UAE nationals admitted to the MD program typically receive full tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, free housing, and free textbooks. Students from a defined list of other Arab nations can also apply for full tuition coverage. International applicants who graduated from a North American university may compete for a full-ride scholarship covering tuition in full.
This depends on India's current National Medical Commission rules for foreign medical graduates. Applicants planning to practise in India after graduating should confirm current requirements directly with the NMC.
Yes. As part of a research-intensive university, CMHS integrates research experience into the MD program, alongside strong ties to Khalifa University's wider science and engineering research base.
An iBT TOEFL score of 91 or higher, or an overall academic IELTS score of 6.5 or higher, unless the applicant is a native English speaker with a degree from an English-speaking university.
Preference is given to Emirati and UAE national applicants, though international applicants are also eligible for admission and can be considered for scholarships, including a full-ride award for graduates of North American universities.
Yes. It is fully accredited by the UAE's CAA, with that accreditation recognised by the WFME and FAIMER. The program's USMLE requirement is specifically designed to support graduates seeking licensure and residency training in the United States and Canada.
Our expert counsellors will guide you through the complete admission process — from documents to airport pickup.
