St. Helen University School of Medicine

Vieux Fort - Saint Lucia
Abroad

General Information

St. Helen University (SHU) School of Medicine, based in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, was an offshore medical school established in 2012.

Critical Status Update (2025/2026): According to the World Directory of Medical Schools and multiple academic registries, St. Helen University is currently CLOSED. It is no longer admitting students. The information below is for archival and historical reference.

General Info

  • Established: 2012.

  • Degree Awarded: Doctor of Medicine (MD).

  • Location: Southern town of Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, near Hewanorra International Airport.

  • Academic Philosophy: Aimed to provide a North American-style medical curriculum to prepare students for the USMLE and clinical practice in the USA, Canada, and Europe.

Campus Facilities

  • Environment: The campus was located in a renovated facility in Vieux Fort, designed to foster a small, close-knit academic community.

  • Facilities: Included technologically equipped classrooms, basic science laboratories (Anatomy, Microbiology, etc.), and a student lounge.

  • Strategic Location: Its proximity to the international airport made it accessible for visiting faculty and international students.

Hospital & Medical Facilities

Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution

  • Affiliations: During its operation, SHU partnered with local and international hospitals for clinical clerkships.

  • Local Exposure: St. Jude Hospital in Vieux Fort served as a primary local site for early clinical exposure and community medicine rotations.

  • International Rotations: Like many Caribbean schools, it sought to establish rotations in the United States for its 3rd and 4th-year students to facilitate residency matching.

    • Fee Structure

    State University Affordability

    Note: These figures reflect the last active tuition cycles before the institution ceased operations.

    • Tuition: Approximately $12,000 – $15,000 USD per year for the Basic Sciences.

    • Clinical Sciences: Costs were typically higher, ranging from $20,000 – $25,000 USD per year depending on the location of the rotation (USA vs. Caribbean).

    • Application Fee: $100 USD.

    City Details

    • Vibe: Vieux Fort is the second-largest town in Saint Lucia. It is less "touristy" than the northern part of the island (Castries/Gros Islet) and offers a more authentic, peaceful living experience.

    • Geography: Known for its flat terrain, expansive beaches like Sandy Beach, and the Maria Islands Nature Reserve.

    • Connectivity: It is the hub for international travel on the island due to the Hewanorra International Airport.

    Hostel & Mess

  • Accommodation: The university did not have traditional "on-campus" dormitories. Instead, it managed and recommended off-campus housing in the Vieux Fort area.

  • Living Conditions: Students typically lived in private apartments or villas converted for student use. Rent was estimated at $400 – $700 USD per month.

  • Mess/Dining: There was no centralized mess hall. Students were expected to self-cater. Vieux Fort has several supermarkets and local markets where students could purchase fresh Caribbean produce.

    • Miscellaneous

  • NRI Seats: There was no specific NRI quota. Admission was merit-based for all international applicants.

  • NEET Requirement: For Indian students who attended this institution, NEET-UG qualification was a mandatory requirement by the National Medical Commission (NMC) to practice in India upon return.

  • Current Alternatives: Since SHU is closed, students looking for medical schools in Saint Lucia currently consider:

    • Spartan Health Sciences University (Vieux Fort)

    • Atlantic University School of Medicine (Gros Islet)

    • International American University (IAU) (Vieux Fort)

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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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