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
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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