Universidad María Serrana (UMS)

- Asunción, Paraguay
Abroad

General Information

The Universidad María Serrana (UMS), specifically its Facultad de Medicina, is a private institution in Paraguay that has gained significant popularity among international students (primarily from Brazil and other South American countries). The university is known for its practical approach and its main campus located in the capital, Asunción.


General Information

Institutional and Program Facts

FeatureDetail
Official NameUniversidad María Serrana (UMS) - Facultad de Medicina
Main LocationAsunción (with another significant branch in Ciudad del Este).
StatusPrivate University.
Degree AwardedMedical Doctor (Médico).
Program Duration6 Years (12 Semesters), including the Rotatory Internship.
Instruction LanguageSpanish.
AccreditationAccredited by ANEAES (National Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation of Higher Education). This is crucial for degree recognition and validation abroad.
Legal StatusLegally authorized by the CONES (National Council of Higher Education).

Campus Facilities

Admission to UMS is more flexible than public universities, making it a viable option for many international applicants.

Admission Requirements (2025–2026)

  1. High School Documentation: Diploma and transcripts must be Apostilled (Hague Convention) or legalized by the Paraguayan Consulate.

  2. Preparatory Course: Most students enroll in a Curso de Nivelación (Leveling Course) before the first semester starts.

  3. Identity: Copy of passport or ID. Non-resident students must initiate their Paraguayan Temporary Residence permit upon arrival.

  4. Language: While specific proficiency tests like DELE are not always mandatory, a functional command of Spanish is required for clinical interaction starting in the 3rd year.

Curriculum Structure

  • Basic Cycle (Years 1–2): Focus on Anatomy, Histology, and Physiology. The university emphasizes laboratory practice from the early stages.

  • Clinical Cycle (Years 3–5): Students begin rotations in hospitals, covering internal medicine, surgery, and public health.

  • Internship (Year 6): Full-time clinical rotation in four major areas: Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and OB-GYN.


Hospital & Medical Facilities

Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution

UMS has established various agreements with the Paraguayan health system to ensure clinical training.

  1. Hospital Agreements: Students rotate at various Public Hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health (MSPyBS) and private clinics in Asunción.

  2. Laboratories: The university features modern Anatomy labs with synthetic and natural models, as well as Microbiology and Biochemistry labs.

  3. Simulation: Early training includes simulation-based learning for vital signs, first aid, and basic clinical procedures.

Fee Structure

State University Affordability

Private medical education in Paraguay is among the most affordable in the Western Hemisphere.

  • Monthly Tuition: Approximately $150 – $220 USD (approx. 1,100,000 – 1,600,000 Gs.), depending on the current semester.

  • Annual Matriculation: Approx. $180 – $250 USD per year.

  • Miscellaneous: Books, lab equipment, and scrubs are extra. Some clinical fees may apply in the final years.

  • Total Estimated Degree Cost: Approx. $14,000 – $18,000 USD for the entire 6-year program.

City Details

  • Vibe: The capital and largest city. It is a mix of colonial charm and modern commercial centers. It is very green and generally safe, though standard urban precautions are advised.

  • Climate: Humid Subtropical; extremely hot and sunny summers (often reaching 40°C) and very mild winters.

  • Transport: Extensive bus network. Taxis and Uber are also widely available and affordable.

Hostel & Mess

Asunción is the most developed city in Paraguay, offering a range of living standards.

Accommodation (Living)

  • Student Rentals: There are many "Pensiones" and shared apartments in the neighborhood near the university.

  • Rent Prices: A private studio or 1-bedroom apartment in Asunción costs roughly $250 – $400 USD per month.

  • Sharing: Most international students share apartments to reduce costs to approx. $150 – $200 USD per person.

Dining (Food)

  • University Canteen: Provides affordable daily meals for students.

  • Supermarkets: Paraguay has high-quality, very affordable produce and meat.

  • Monthly Food Budget: Estimated at $200 – $300 USD.

Miscellaneous

  • NRI Seats: There is no specific NRI category. All international students pay the same tuition fees as local students, which is a major advantage.

  • NEET (For Indians): Indian students must be NEET-qualified to ensure their degree is recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC) back home.

  • Residency: Foreign students must budget approx. $350 – $500 for their initial residence permit and document legalizations in Paraguay.

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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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