Northern Border University College of Medicine
-
arar,
Saudi Arabia
Abroad
General Information
Established in 2007, the Faculty of Medicine at Northern Border University (NBU) is a key public medical institution located in Arar, the administrative capital of the Northern Borders Province. The college was founded to provide high-quality medical education and to bolster the healthcare infrastructure in the northern reaches of Saudi Arabia. It follows a modern, integrated medical curriculum that emphasizes clinical competency and community-oriented healthcare.
General Info
- Primary Location: University City, Arar, Northern Borders Province, Saudi Arabia.
- Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) – 6-year program + 1-year internship.
- Language of Instruction: English.
- Accreditation: Nationally accredited by the NCAAA; recognized by the WHO and listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
- Admission Requirements:
- Selection: Based on a weighted score: 30% High School GPA + 30% Qudrat + 40% Tahseeli.
- Health Track: Admission is competitive and requires completion of the preparatory "Common First Year" with a high GPA.
- Indian Students: Non-Saudi residents must be NEET qualified and apply via the "Study in Saudi" portal.
- Intake: Primarily August/September.
Campus Facilities
The NBU campus in Arar features purpose-built facilities designed to support a technology-driven medical education.
- Clinical Skills Center: A dedicated unit equipped with advanced simulators and manikins for training students in life-saving procedures and physical examination.
- Advanced Anatomy Laboratory: Features a mix of traditional resources and 3D digital visualization tools for in-depth morphological study.
- Smart Lecture Halls: Integrated with high-definition audio-visual systems to facilitate interactive learning and remote seminars.
- PBL Discussion Suites: Specialized rooms designed for the "Problem-Based Learning" sessions that are central to the integrated curriculum.
- Medical Research Unit: Encourages undergraduate students to participate in scientific research, focusing on public health challenges in the Northern region.
- Digital Medical Library: Provides 24/7 access to the Saudi Digital Library (SDL) and premium international medical journals.
- Multi-Disciplinary Laboratories: High-tech labs for Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Pathology to support the pre-clinical block system.
- E-Learning Platform: Extensive use of the Blackboard LMS for assessments, virtual cases, and digital portfolios.
- Separate Male & Female Sections: Identical academic and laboratory facilities are provided for both sections to ensure equal educational standards.
- Student Health Center: An on-campus facility providing primary care to students while also serving as a localized clinical training site.
Hospital & Medical Facilities
Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution
Students at NBU gain clinical experience through a network of major governmental hospitals in the region.
- Prince Abdulaziz Bin Musaid Hospital (Arar): A major referral hospital providing exposure to diverse clinical cases in surgery and internal medicine.
- Arar Central Hospital: A key training site for emergency medicine and various medical sub-specialties.
- Maternity and Children Hospital (Arar): The primary center for specialized rotations in pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology.
- Primary Healthcare Centers: Collaborative sites for family medicine and community health clerkships.
Fee Structure
State University Affordability
The following estimates reflect the current academic framework for international and self-funded students.
Scholarships
- External Government Scholarships: Fully funded packages for international students covering tuition, housing, airfare, and a monthly stipend.
- Excellence Awards: Financial rewards for students who maintain a cumulative GPA above 4.5 out of 5.0.
- Preparation Allowance: A one-time stipend provided to international scholarship students upon arrival.
- Graduation Allowance: A three-month stipend for the shipment of books and personal belongings upon completion.
City Details
- The Vibe: Arar is a strategic border city known for its traditional hospitality and its role as a key gateway in the northern region.
- Connectivity:
- Air: Arar Domestic Airport (RAE) is approximately 15 minutes from the university campus.
- Transport: Well-connected by the northern highway system; the university provides bus services for students.
Hostel & Mess
- Accommodation: The university provides furnished on-campus housing for scholarship students with amenities like high-speed internet and 24/7 security.
- Dining: Several on-campus cafeterias provide healthy, subsidized meals. Local markets in Arar offer affordable food options.
- Student Life: Active through the Medical Student Club, which organizes health awareness campaigns and volunteering in the Arar community.
- Vibe: A quiet, focused academic environment with a close-knit community feel, ideal for students who prefer a less bustling city life.
Miscellaneous
- Community Focus: The college is highly involved in improving local health outcomes through regional outreach programs.
- Career Pathways: Graduates are well-prepared for the Saudi Medical Licensing Exam (SMLE) and often secure residencies in major Saudi hospitals.
Collage Images Gallery
Facilities & Campus Life
Well-equipped Library
Experienced Faculty
Computer Lab
Sports Activities
Heritage Campus
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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