General FAQ

AUA is located in the eastern Caribbean country of Antigua and Barbuda.

Yes. Read more about our accreditation, approvals, and recognitions.

AUA’s medical education satisfies the medical school education requirement to practice medicine in all 50 states and U.S. territories, Canada, United Kingdom and other countries.

Yes. Please visit here to learn more about the scholarships offered by AUA.

Yes. AUA students are eligible to participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford and Grad PLUS Loan programs both of which are administered by the U.S. Department of Education. You can view more here.

Yes, eligible students can receive Provincial loans.

AUA’s educational program leading to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree is a 4.5-year program consisting of 2.5 academic years of study on AUA’s campus in Antigua and 84 weeks of study in the Clinical Sciences through clerkships in teaching hospitals, primarily in the United States. In addition, clinical rotation opportunities are provided in the United Kingdom, Canada, and India.

MCAT scores are required for acceptance into the College of Medicine. You can submit your application without your score and we will process your application once it is submitted. In accordance with our holistic approach to evaluating students, AUA does not consider MCAT scores when making a decision about whether to accept or deny a student.

Although AUA does require that US citizens and permanent residents submit their MCAT scores as prerequisites for admission, AUA believes there is no correlation between MCAT scores and becoming a licensed, successful, and caring physician.

Canadian and other international citizens who are not also US citizens, permanent residents or nationals do not need to take the MCAT or provide AUA with MCAT scores as the US Department of Education does not require AUA to collect MCAT scores from these students.

AUA offers rolling admissions. Applicants are welcome to apply up to one year in advance of the term they plan to start. Scholarships and housing placements often require early applications for full consideration.

After receipt of a completed application and interview, a decision is usually rendered within three or four weeks.

No. While grades are important, the Admissions Committee evaluates candidates holistically.

AUA College of Arts and Science (AUACAS) offers a premed program that allows students to fulfill premedical requirements and earn an Associate’s Degree in Health Sciences. Qualified graduates gain preferential admissions status at AUA.

AUA’s curriculum is taught in English, and all accepted students must be proficient in English. We may require a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Test System (IELTS) test score and/or require an admissions faculty interview from any applicant if it appears that English language proficiency could interfere with the student’s academic success at AUA. The TOEFL Code assigned to American University of Antigua College of Medicine is B573.

AUA’s Preclinical Sciences curriculum has an innovative structure that is based on the integration of preclinical science disciplines in an organ system-based structure, preceded by a discipline-based foundations approach. Students learn via a combination of small-group active learning—with some active large-group learning—based on team- based, case-based, and modified problem-based learning, in addition to subject matter lectures.

AUA is committed to fostering a learner-centric education. That means faculty members are consistently available during and outside of office hours to answer student questions and address concerns.

Students complete the Clinical Sciences curriculum at AUA-affiliated teaching hospitals, where they treat patients as part of a hospital team and interact directly with patients. During AUA’s Clinical Sciences curriculum in academic periods 5 through 8 (years 3 and 4), students continue to develop clinical and communication skills in all areas of patient care, under the direction of the medical faculty at teaching hospitals in a patient-centered environment. View our Clinical Sciences curriculum in detail.

The first-time USMLE Step 1 pass rate* for our students is 89 percent over the last five years, while the USMLE Step 2 CK first-time pass rate* over the last five years is 95 percent.
*based on 2018 – 2022 data reported by ECFMG

Core and elective rotations are conducted at teaching hospitals which participate in ACGME residency programs, most of which are affiliated with US medical schools, or under the auspices of a US Medical school. In addition, students have the option of attending elective rotations in Canada, the United Kingdom, India, and elsewhere. View a detailed list of clinical affiliates.

AUA is unique in that qualified students can complete all their core clinical rotations at Florida International University (FIU)’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine affiliated hospitals through the Graduate Clinical Core Rotation Certificate Program. In addition, students have opportunities to complete elective rotations at these hospitals.

Read more about the AUA-FIU collaboration.

After passing the USMLE Step 1, students will be assigned a clinical coordinator, who will develop a clinical rotation schedule and guide students through your clinical clerkships.

Graduates have obtained residencies throughout the United States. Some graduates choose to pursue residency in their home country, including in Canada and the United Kingdom.

Students wishing to practice in Canada will need to sit for the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE). The MCCEE is a four-hour, computer-based examination offered in both English and French at more than 500 centers in 80 countries worldwide.

International medical students in their final clinical year must take the MCCEE as a prerequisite for eligibility to the MCC Qualifying Examinations.

AUA graduates will need to sit for the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exam to achieve licensure in the UK.