Università della Calabria Scuola di Medicina e Chirurgia
-
Rende,
Italy
Abroad
General Information
The University of Calabria (UniCal), located in Rende (near Cosenza), is famous for having the largest and most complete residential campus in Italy. Its School of Medicine is one of the newest and most innovative additions to the university, specifically designed around the "MedTech" model, which blends traditional medical training with cutting-edge digital and engineering technologies.
General Info
- Established: 1968 (University); Medical school launched recently (first intake in 2023).
- Primary Location: Arcavacata Campus, Via Pietro Bucci, Rende. The campus is organized as a "city-university" with residential blocks connected by a long central bridge (il Ponte).
- Academic Tracks:
- Medicine and Surgery TD (Digital Technologies - 6 years): Taught in Italian (LM-41). This "Technologically-oriented" degree allows students to optionally earn a second degree in Computer Engineering (Bioinformatics curriculum) by taking a few additional exams.
- Health Care: A 3-year bachelor's degree in healthcare prevention and safety.
- Health Biotechnology: A 2-year Master’s degree taught entirely in English.
- Admission: Entry is governed by national and local competitive exams:
- Medicine & Surgery (TD): Requires the national TOLC-MED.
- Note: For the current cycle, UniCal has used a "Filter Semester" (Semestre Filtro) model for early orientation and selection phases.
- Research Focus: Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Translational Oncology.
Campus Facilities
UniCal is a "Campus" in the true sense, where all services are within walking distance or connected by a dedicated shuttle system.
- Polifunzionale (Multifunctional Center): The primary hub for medical lectures, featuring large multimedia classrooms and integrated study areas.
- Bioinformatics & AI Labs: Students have access to the university’s world-renowned Department of Computer Science, enabling hands-on experience with medical AI.
- Molecular Pathology Labs: Modern laboratories dedicated to cellular biology and the study of molecular signals in physiology.
- University Library System: Three major libraries (Humanities, Technical-Scientific, and Socio-Economic) offering over 400,000 volumes and 24/7 digital access to medical journals.
- Residential Districts: The campus houses over 2,500 students in districts like Maisonnettes, Martensson, and Chiodo, fostering an immersive peer-learning environment.
- CUS Cosenza: A massive sports center with gyms, tennis courts, and soccer fields, as well as agreements for skiing in the nearby Sila mountains.
- University Language Center (CLA): Offers B2-level English training and Italian courses for international students to facilitate hospital clerkships.
- The Bridge (Il Ponte): A 1.3 km elevated structure that connects all departments, libraries, and canteens, serving as the social artery of the university.
- Health Center: An on-campus medical facility providing basic healthcare, prevention, and specialist consultations for the student population.
- Five University Canteens: Strategically placed across the campus, offering diverse menus (including international and vegetarian options) at subsidized rates.
Hospital & Medical Facilities
Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution
Clinical training is conducted through a network of regional excellence:
- Annunziata Hospital (Cosenza): The primary teaching hospital where students conduct clinical rotations and bedside training.
- Provincial Health Network (ASP Cosenza): Students gain exposure to community medicine and primary care across various facilities in the province.
- IRCCS Centers: Collaboration with research institutes for advanced training in oncology and specific chronic diseases.
Fee Structure
State University Affordability
UniCal uses a progressive fee system based on the ISEEU-University or a simplified flat fee for international students.
Scholarship
- Diritto allo Studio (DSU) Grants: Provided by the Residential Center, including cash stipends, free accommodation, and free meals for eligible students.
- Unical Admission Scholarships: Specifically for non-EU students, often including free housing and fee waivers for the duration of the course.
- Merit Rewards: Financial benefits for students who graduate on time with a grade of 110/110.
- Erasmus+: Extensive grants for study and traineeships in European partner universities.
City Details
- The Vibe: Rende is a modern university town, while Cosenza (connected via shuttle) is a historic city with an ancient center and a lively pedestrian shopping district.
- Connectivity:
- Bus: Local and regional buses connect the campus to Cosenza train station every 15 minutes.
- Train: Castiglione Cosentino is the nearest station (5 mins from campus).
- Safety: Very high. The campus is residential, pedestrian-friendly, and well-monitored.
Hostel & Mess
- Accommodation: UniCal is the only university in Italy that can guarantee housing to a large percentage of its students in on-campus "Neighborhoods" (Quartieri).
- Dining: Canteens are open year-round. Scholarship holders usually receive one or two free meals a day; others pay a subsidized rate of ~€3.00–€5.00.
- Vibe: Vibrant, green, and safe. The campus is a "small town" where students from over 80 countries live and study together.
- Social Life: Cosenza and Rende offer a busy nightlife, concerts, and cultural events, with theaters and cinemas located directly on campus.
Miscellaneous
- The "TD" Advantage: The focus on digital technologies prepares graduates for the "Medicine 4.0" era, where AI and robotics are central to diagnostics and surgery.
- Attendance: Mandatory (usually 75%) for all lectures and clinical activities.
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.
Why Consult With Us?
- 15+ years of experience in medical education counseling
- 5000+ students successfully guided
- 50+ partner universities worldwide
- Free initial consultation with no obligation
