Universidad Nacional de La Rioja Escuela de Medicina
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La Rioja,
Argentina
Abroad
General Information
The Escuela de Medicina at the Universidad Nacional de La Rioja (UNLaR) is the cornerstone of health education in the arid Northwest region of Argentina. Established as a national university in 1993, UNLaR has grown into a vital academic hub, particularly known for its Hospital de Clínicas, which serves as a regional benchmark for medical training and public health. The program is designed to train physicians with a strong ethical background, prepared to handle the specific health challenges of the Zonal and Regional communities.
General Info
- Primary Location: Av. Luis M. de la Fuente S/N, (5300) La Rioja Capital, Argentina.
- Degree Awarded: Médico (6-year program).
- Language of Instruction: Spanish.
- Accreditation: Fully accredited by CONEAU.
- Admission: Public and free. Entry requires passing a competitive Admission Course (Curso de Ingreso) consisting of four modules: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Introduction to Medicine.
- Mandatory Attendance: Students must maintain an 80% attendance rate in the leveling modules and pass a comprehensive integrated final exam with a score of 6/10 or higher.
Campus Facilities
UNLaR's main campus is an expansive "University City" that combines academic wings with high-complexity clinical sites.
- Hospital Escuela y de Clínicas "Virgen María de Fátima": The university's own high-complexity hospital, where students begin clinical practices early in their training.
- Anatomy & Dissection Lab: A specialized facility for morphological study, essential for first-year students.
- Simulation & Skills Center: Located within the Hospital de Clínicas, featuring simulators for emergency and surgical maneuvers.
- Institute of Arid Zone Development: A unique research unit focusing on health and environment in semi-arid climates.
- University Library: A central hub providing access to the SIU-Guaraní system and extensive biomedical digital catalogs.
- Bio-Genetics Technical Lab: Used for both teaching and regional diagnostic research.
- Virtual Campus UNLaR: The primary platform for administrative management and hybrid learning modules.
- University Dining Hall (Comedor): A recently expanded facility providing subsidized meals for the student community.
- Sports Complex: Facilities for student athletics, integrated into the campus "University City" model.
- Student Welfare Center: Manages university scholarships, documentation, and student insurance.
Hospital & Medical Facilities
Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution
The training model centers on the university’s own clinical infrastructure, supported by the provincial health network.
- Hospital de Clínicas "Virgen María de Fátima": The primary site for clinical rotations, research, and community outreach. It recently established cooperation with the Barceló Foundation to expand practice opportunities.
- Hospital Regional Enrique Vera Barros: The city’s main public trauma and adult medicine center.
- Hospital de la Madre y el Niño: A specialized regional benchmark for Pediatric and Maternity rotations.
- Primary Care Network (CAPS): Students participate in "Extensión Universitaria" programs, providing health services in rural and urban-marginal areas of La Rioja.
Fee Structure
State University Affordability
Undergraduate education at UNLaR is state-funded and free for both domestic and international students.
Scholarship
- Becas UNLaR: Institutional support covering transport, dining, and academic quality incentives.
- National Progresar: Eligible domestic students can apply for the national government’s student stipend.
- Student Dining Benefits: Highly subsidized daily menus at the university mess hall.
- Health Insurance: The university provides a basic student health insurance policy for all enrolled members.
City Details
- The Vibe: La Rioja is a historic city nestled at the foot of the Sierras de Velasco. It offers a peaceful lifestyle with many parks and a strong tradition of "Siesta."
- Connectivity:
- Bus: Local lines connect the city center to the University Campus in roughly 15-20 minutes.
- Air: Capitán Vicente Almandos Almonacid Airport (IRJ) connects the city to Buenos Aires.
- Safety: Considered a very safe provincial capital for students, with the university area being active throughout the day.
Hostel & Mess
- Accommodation: UNLaR does not have traditional on-campus dorms, but the areas surrounding the Av. Luis M. de la Fuente are filled with affordable student-targeted rentals.
- Vibe: Calm but academically focused. La Rioja has a warm climate and a close-knit university community.
- Student Organizations: Strong "Centros de Estudiantes" that manage study materials and student rights.
- Campus Life: The campus is known for its wide open spaces and the presence of the University Radio (LRJ311), which often features student-led health segments.
Miscellaneous
- Harvard Cooperation: UNLaR is one of the few institutions in Argentina with a cooperation agreement with Harvard University for specific postgraduate accreditations.
- Admission: Registration for the cycle usually begins in October/November. Applicants must provide a DNI, birth certificate, and high school diploma (convalidated if foreign).
- Regional Focus: The curriculum includes unique electives in Regional Pathology and Arid Zone Medicine.
- Aspirantes Mayores de 25: Applicants over 25 without a high school diploma can enter through a specialized evaluation process.
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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