Universidad Nacional del Comahue Facultad de Ciencias Medicas
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Cipolletti,
Argentina
Abroad
General Information
The Facultad de Ciencias Médicas at the Universidad Nacional del Comahue (UNCo) is the most significant public medical training center in the northern Patagonia region. Located in Cipolletti, Río Negro, it plays a vital role in providing healthcare professionals for both Río Negro and Neuquén provinces. The faculty is known for its rigorous 7-year medical program and its integration into the regional public health system, focusing on primary care and rural medicine.
General Info
- Primary Location: Los Arrayanes y Av. Luis Toschi, (8324) Cipolletti, Río Negro, Argentina.
- Degree Awarded: Médico (7-year program).
- Language of Instruction: Spanish.
- Accreditation: Fully accredited by CONEAU. The degree is recognized nationally and is a benchmark for medicine in Patagonia.
- Admission: Public and free. Registration for the intake typically features two periods: the first from November to February, and a second in early March.
- Admission Course: Students must complete a non-eliminatory but mandatory introductory cycle that focuses on university life and foundational biological concepts.
Campus Facilities
The faculty operates across two main sites in Cipolletti, offering specialized labs and student services.
- Sede Toschi (Main Campus): Located at the intersection of Los Arrayanes and Av. Toschi, housing the main administrative offices and lecture halls.
- Sede Los Tordos: Located at Yrigoyen 2000, this site hosts various academic departments and additional classroom space.
- Clinical Skills Lab: A dedicated area for students to practice semiotics and basic clinical maneuvers using high-fidelity simulators before hospital entry.
- Anatomy & Histology Labs: Equipped for morphological study through dissection and microscopic analysis.
- Central Medical Library: Provides access to the university’s digital repository, including specialized biomedical journals and the SIU-Guaraní management system.
- PEDCO (Virtual Campus): The primary online platform for course materials, virtual classrooms, and academic communication.
- Research Institutes: Home to research groups focusing on regional epidemiology, public health, and basic biomedical sciences.
- Student Dining Hall: Provides subsidized meals to students within the Cipolletti academic corridor.
- Department of Student Welfare: Manages university scholarships, sports activities, and mental health support.
- University Residences: Limited spots are available in university-run housing for students coming from remote areas of the Patagonia region.
Hospital & Medical Facilities
Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution
The medical program is deeply integrated into the public health network of the "Alto Valle" region, spanning two provinces.
- Hospital Pedro Moguillansky (Cipolletti): The primary high-complexity teaching hospital for clinical rotations in surgery and internal medicine.
- Hospital Castro Rendón (Neuquén): The most complex hospital in Patagonia, used for specialized rotations and residencies.
- Hospital Bouquet Roldán: A key partner for general medicine and community health rotations.
- Hospital Heller: Integrated for pediatric and obstetric clinical training.
- Primary Care Centers (CAPS): Students participate in community medicine programs in both Cipolletti and Neuquén, focusing on preventative care.
- PFO (Final Rotating Internship): The final year involves total immersion in various medical specialties across the regional hospital network, including rural health posts.
Fee Structure
State University Affordability
Undergraduate education at UNCo is state-funded and free for both domestic and international students.
Scholarship
- Becas UNCo: Includes financial aid for dining, transportation, and specialized material grants for students in economic need.
- National Progresar: Eligible domestic students receive monthly government stipends for academic support.
- Provincial Scholarships: Both Río Negro and Neuquén offer specific grants for students pursuing high-demand careers like Medicine.
- Boleto Estudiantil: Subsidized public transport for students traveling between Cipolletti, Neuquén, and surrounding towns.
City Details
- The Vibe: Cipolletti is a peaceful yet growing city in the heart of the fruit-producing Alto Valle. It is closely linked to Neuquén Capital, the largest city in Patagonia.
- Connectivity:
- Bus (Koko/Pehuenche): Highly frequent intercity lines connect the medical campuses in Cipolletti with Neuquén in under 20 minutes.
- Train (Tren del Valle): A modern commuter train connects Cipolletti and Neuquén.
- Safety: Generally safe for students, with the academic areas being very active throughout the day and evening.
Hostel & Mess
- Accommodation: UNCo provides some university residences; however, most students rent private apartments in the Cipolletti city center or Neuquén Capital, which are connected by frequent bus lines.
- Vibe: Collaborative and regionally focused. Student life revolves around study groups and the vibrant urban life of the Neuquén-Cipolletti conurbation.
- Dining: The Comedor Universitario offers balanced, low-cost menus for all students.
- Centros de Estudiantes: Active student unions that organize academic support, print shops, and political representation.
Miscellaneous
- International Students: Must present a Spanish Level B2 certificate (CELU, SIELE, or CertEA) if their native language is not Spanish.
- Registration: Online pre-registration via SIU-Guaraní is the first mandatory step, followed by the physical delivery of documents.
- Regional Impact: FaCiMed-UNCo is the only public faculty in the region training physicians with a specific focus on the environmental and social pathologies of Patagonia.
- Health Campaigns: The faculty frequently leads public health campaigns in the region, including vaccination drives and maternal health workshops.
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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