AUIS is chartered on the island nation of Barbados in the West Indies. It was previously located and chartered on Country Sint Maarten. Students study medicine during years 1-2 in Barbados and receive clinical training in hospitals and clinics in the US and/or Canada. AUIS School of Medicine is listed with the World Directory of Medical Schools and has been registered with the Barbados Accreditation Council since 2018. AUIS is pursuing accreditation with our regional accrediting body, CAAM-HP. We completed a successful site visit in 2019 and are awaiting a final review in 2021.

Students and graduates from our medical school are eligible to apply to ECFMG for Certification, to write the USMLE examinations and participate in the US National Residency Match Program (NRMP) for further speciality training in the US Hospital system. AUIS graduates are additionally eligible to write tests for the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) and the PLAB examinations offered by GMC in the UK. These examinations are pathways to residency training and medical licensure in the respective countries and regions.

The maximum* tuition for the 4-year program is $116,100 (USD).

A majority of qualified students receive partial tuition scholarships**.

Merit scholars receive up to $19,000 in tuition reduction; Students with parents from Caribbean countries are eligible for up to a 50% tuition remission for the Years 1 and 2 of Basic Sciences.

All class sessions within Pre-Medical Sciences and Basic Sciences at AUIS are currently offered with the added distance learning option for students who are unable to travel to Barbados. All classes meet at scheduled times in the physical classrooms with connection to the virtual classroom platform for all courses including laboratories. Attendance for all classes, active learning sessions and meetings is allowed through videoconferencing. Video recordings, multimedia and all educational resources are made available to students utilizing the digital library, AccessMedicine; the Learning Management System, CANVAS; and the Clinical Activity and Rotation Log (CARL) platform. Tele-Clerkships and In-person clerkships are available to AUIS Clinical Sciences students. These additional options are made available to students in response to the pandemic and are anticipated to continue into the Summer 2021 semester.

Barbados is a tropical island with a culturally diversified population. In general, the beaches, sunlight, climate, and its exclusion from the Caribbean hurricane zone make Barbados an island paradise. The cultural immersion of entertainment and cuisine as well as fewer distractions and frankly, a more simplified, relaxed and in-touch with nature lifestyle. Cost of living and room and board are also comparatively less expensive in Barbados than most other Caribbean islands. The housing coordinator and operations officials are available on the island to provide students with all the local support necessary for transitioning to life in Barbados.

All AUIS students are required to pass the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 examinations in order to graduate. Canadian students are offered an additional pathway with Canadian licensing exams. There was an over 75% first time pass rate for the USMLE, MCCQE and NAC exams in 2020. The first time pass rates were over 90% in 2018 and 2019. We anticipate scores returning to pre-pandemic numbers this year.

Yes, The AUIS Student Government Association (SGA) is the major student organization. There are several other groups and organizational memberships in Barbados, the US and Canada that are enclosed within the umbrella of the SGA. The Dean of Student Affairs serves as a liaison between the AUIS administration and SGA, facilitating a direct link between the two.
The SOS or “The Significant Others of Students (SOS)” are also part of the student body and actively participate in school activities.

AUIS graduates match across all specialities in residency programs throughout the United States and Canada. Our graduates have matched in all 50 states including NY, FL and CA.
The 2019 Residency Class had 71% MATCH success on the first attempt.

Yes, we currently accept academically qualified students into both the “Basic Sciences” and “Clinical Sciences” programs from similar MD programs that are listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. We are encouraged by the academic success of our transfer students and welcome them as our own. There are a vast number of reasons why students transfer from other medical schools in the US, Canada and the Caribbean choose AUIS as their final and permanent choice.

Most accepted transfer students come to AUIS through other students’ recommendations and/or word of mouth. We consider a student referral, the highest form of compliment to our program. It speaks to our commitment for quality education and unmatched support provided to our students.