UPES Announces Strategic Partnership with Medical University of the Americas

Launch 5-year BSc/MD accelerated medical education program
Education and hands-on training across India, the Caribbean, and the US/Canada
USD 50,000 scholarship for students on completion of the Pre-Medical Certificate Program at UPES

India, February 6, 2025 – The School of Health Sciences and Technology (SOHST) at UPES, a multi-disciplinary university in India, announced a strategic first-of-its-kind partnership with the Medical University of the Americas (MUA). This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing medical education opportunities for aspiring doctors in India.

Under this partnership with MUA, UPES will offer an accelerated pathway into medical education with admissions to the prestigious 5-Year BSc/MD undergraduate program (1+2+2 years), with applications commencing in February 2025 for August 2025 intake. The program consists of one year at UPES, followed by two years of pre-clinical education at MUA’s campus on St. Kitts, Nevis Island, and two years of clinical rotations in affiliated hospitals in the U.S.

In the first year, students will be enrolled at the School of Health Sciences and Technology (SOHST) at UPES, in the Pre-Medical Certificate Program. Upon successful completion of the first year, they will earn around 47 credits which can be transferred for progression to the MUA. Contingent on clearing all assessments and meeting MUA’s eligibility criteria, students will receive a USD 50,000 scholarship, distributed over 13 semesters at MUA. This special inaugural scholarship is available exclusively to students who complete the Pre-Medical Certificate at UPES. This fully residential, highly rigorous program will uphold the highest global standards of academic excellence, which require students to maintain a minimum 3 on a scale of 4 GPA to progress to MUA in the second year. The next 2 years of the program will cover the foundations of medical school education. Delivered at the MUA academic campus on the island of Nevis, students will study Basic Sciences over 5 semesters. Students then travel to the U.S. to complete five semesters of clinical rotations at teaching hospitals, clinics and medical centres that are affiliated with MUA.

Founded over two-and-a-half decades ago, MUA is dedicated to providing high-quality medical education with a focus on small, interactive classes, individualised support, and a curriculum aligned with U.S. and Canadian medical schools. MUA is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM) which is recognized by the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME). MUA also prepares its graduates to appear for USMLE®. The university has graduated over 1,800 doctors, many of whom are practicing medicine across the U.S., Canada, and other parts of the world. MUA graduates secure positions across various medical specialties in the U.S. and Canada, with a 98% residency placement rate (2020-2024), which means that after completing medical school, graduates successfully obtain hands-on training in hospitals to specialise in their chosen field of medicine, an essential step towards becoming a licensed doctor.

This partnership and others like it are essential currently, as the global demand for qualified doctors continues to rise, with a projected shortage of over 10 million physicians by 2030. India currently has one doctor for every 1,511 people, falling short of the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 1:1000. Similarly, the United States faces an anticipated deficit of nearly 124,000 physicians by 2034 and Canada, a shortfall of nearly 78,000 physicians and general practitioners by 2031. The MUA-UPES partnership addresses this critical gap by offering students a structured, internationally recognized pathway to becoming global medical professional.

Speaking on the dire global need for doctors and medical professionals, Dr. Padma Venkat, Dean, School of Health Sciences and Technology (SOHST), UPES, stated: “The demand for medical education in India far exceeds the available seats, leaving many academically bright students without opportunities to pursue their dream of becoming doctors. More than 2.3 million students appear for NEET annually to compete for just 91,900 MBBS seats, with an overall acceptance rate of less than 4%. As a result, more than 50,000 Indian students seek medical education abroad each year. Through this partnership with the MUA, the School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES will create opportunities by offering a world-class alternative for talented students. This partnership will give them access to high-quality medical education, global exposure, and a structured pathway to practice internationally while addressing the critical need for doctors in India.”

Diana Mockute, Chief Partnerships Officer, MUA, added: “We are delighted to partner with UPES to extend MUA’s internationally acclaimed Pre-Medical program to Indian students. This initiative reflects our shared vision of empowering the next generation of doctors and enhancing medical education accessibility while preparing students for successful careers in the global healthcare industry.”

The signing of this landmark agreement between UPES and MUA provides an excellent opportunity for students who face challenges in securing a medical school seat in India due to the significant gap between available seats and the number of aspiring doctors, despite the country’s urgent need for more medical professionals.