The Universidad Central del Paraguay (UCP) in Pedro Juan Caballero (PJC) is currently one of the largest and most popular medical schools in South America, especially for international students. It is highly regarded for having the most extensive medical teaching infrastructure in Paraguay.
Established: The university was created in 2006, and the Pedro Juan Caballero branch has grown rapidly since its opening.
Accreditation: Fully accredited and qualified by CONES (National Council of Higher Education) and ANEAES.
Admission: No entrance exam (Sem Vestibular). Admission is open for two intakes per year (February and August).
International Success: UCP is famous for its high success rate in the Brazilian Revalida exam, which is a testament to its academic quality for international students.
The PJC campus is spread across two main units: Sede 1 and the Centro Tecnológico.
Infrastructure: It is considered to have the largest medical education structure in the country.
Advanced Labs:
Anatomy (Morgue): Features practice with real human cadavers starting from the first year.
Histology & Microbiology: Modern labs where each student often has access to their own microscope.
Facial Recognition: The campus uses high-tech facial recognition for student attendance.
Technology: Smart classrooms and a massive physical and virtual library with global medical database access.
Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution
Practical exposure is a core part of the UCP experience, with students engaging in community health early on.
University Clinics: UCP manages five specialized medical clinics throughout Pedro Juan Caballero. These clinics provide free primary care to the community and serve as the first training ground for students.
Hospital Rotations: The university has agreements with the Ministry of Public Health for rotations at the Regional Hospital of Pedro Juan Caballero.
Internship: The final year consists of a rotating internship in core areas like Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Gynecology.
State University Affordability
UCP is known for being up to 75% more affordable than private medical schools in neighboring Brazil.
Enrollment Fee (Matrícula): Approx. $260 – $280 USD (Gs. 1,950,000).
Monthly Tuition: Approx. $200 – $300 USD (Gs. 1,500,000 to 2,200,000 depending on the year).
Total Annual Cost: Roughly $2,800 – $3,800 USD.
The Student Hub: PJC is a "University City." The population is largely made up of medical students from across the region.
Border Location: It sits directly on the border with Ponta Porã, Brazil. You can cross the street and be in a different country, making it very convenient for travel and shopping.
Safety: The university is located in a secure neighborhood, and the city is generally accustomed to hosting thousands of international students.
Accommodation: There are no official on-campus dormitories. However, because thousands of students live in PJC, the city has a massive network of "Republicas" (student houses) and apartments.
Cost: Renting a room in a shared student house costs about $100 – $150 USD/month.
Mess/Food: The university has an Area de Alimentación (Food Court) on the 4th floor of the main building.
Self-Cooking: Most students cook at home, with grocery costs averaging $120 – $180 USD/month.
NRI/International Admissions: No specific "NRI quota" exists. All international students (Indian, Brazilian, etc.) follow the same application process.
Required Documents:
Apostilled High School Marksheets (10th & 12th).
Valid Passport.
Birth Certificate (Apostilled).
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
Indian Students: Ensure you are NEET qualified to satisfy the National Medical Commission (NMC) requirements if you plan to practice in India.
Well-equipped Library
Experienced Faculty
Computer Lab
Sports Activities
Heritage Campus