College of Medicine and Health Sciences

Khalifa University’s strategic plan is aligned with the nation’s agenda to deliver first-rate education to provide opportunities for a diversified and competitive knowledge-based economy. By establishing its College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University - the first medical college based in Abu Dhabi -- is responding to the challenge of developing world-class healthcare in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates and the region.

In the coming years, Khalifa University intends to roll out a range of degree programs in medicine and health sciences that will be offered through the college. By strengthening the university’s faculty base in these disciplines, Khalifa University will also expand its research portfolio, which currently includes medical genetics, genome sciences, biomaterials for nanomedicine, cellular biomechanics, bio-robotics, tissue regeneration, and bioinformatics.

Vision, Mission and Core Values

Vision:

To provide first-rate medical education to complement high-quality clinical services and hospital systems, to help create a healthcare ecosystem that will provide world-class healthcare to the population of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates and the region.

Mission:

  • To be an essential element of the development of the healthcare ecosystem of Abu Dhabi.
  • To provide an integrated clinical and research experience in a singular postgraduate level medical education program.
  • To prepare medical students and residents to serve as specialty physicians to practice evidence-based medicine in the healthcare and hospital systems of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.
  • To respond to stakeholder and government needs for medical education leading to clinicians who can serve the needs of the United Arab Emirates.
  • To provide first-rate education at a world-class medical college that is based on a commitment to excellence in teaching, innovation in research and compassion in service.

Core Values

We aim to accomplish this mission through a commitment to our core values: Excellence, Scholarship, Innovation, Integrity, Resilience, Leadership, Service, Lifelong Learning, and Mutual Respect.

John Rock M.D.

Founding Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences

Robert Hernandez M.D.

Associate Dean of Academic Affairs

David Graham M.D

Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs

William Upton

Director, Admin & Support

Dr. Habiba Al Safar

For College of Engineering students
  • habiba.alsafar@ku.ac.ae

Dr. Guan Tay

Director of the Pre-Medicine Bridge program
  • guan.tay@ku.ac.ae

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) Program

Pre-Medicine Bridge Program

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)

About the Program

The 4-year course of study leading to the doctor of medicine (M.D.) degree employs a variety of educational strategies, including problem based learning and clinical experiences to enable students to gain the competencies expected of all physicians. Additionally,  the program offers an emphasis on providing technology-enhanced healthcare in service to the community.  The program prepares students for postgraduate study in any specialty, for licensure, and for future medical practice.  It incorporates innovative curricular design that promotes scientific inquiry, critical thinking and comprehensive clinical expertise.  Overall, the program evolves medical education in such a way as to prepare physicians for the next 20 years and beyond

Program Goals

The program goals of the Khalifa University CMHS doctor of medicine (M.D.) program are to:

  • Provide an integrated clinical and research experience in a singular postgraduate level medical education program;
  • Educate and inspire a diverse workforce of physicians who understand the needs of patients, are able to communicate across cultures, and collaborate with diverse teams;
  • Prepare physicians who are able to seamlessly integrate technology into personalized preventative medical practice;
  • Prepare medical students and residents to serve as specialty physicians to practice evidence-based medicine in the healthcare and hospital systems of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates;
  • Attract and retain a diverse and talented faculty dedicated to providing outstanding medical education and supporting the professional development of medical students;
  • Respond to stakeholder and government needs for medical education leading to clinicians who can serve the healthcare needs of the United Arab Emirates; and
  • Be an essential contributor to the development, enhancement and completion of the existing healthcare ecosystem of Abu Dhabi.

CURRICULUM

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) is committed to providing an innovative and challenging curriculum taught by the best clinical and research faculty in the UAE. The MD curriculum is designed to provide content of sufficient breadth and depth to prepare the medical student for entry into any residency program and for the subsequent contemporary practice of medicine. The curriculum is integrated horizontally and vertically, with basic and clinical science instruction offered in each curricular year. Additionally, there are five themes, called strands, that interweave throughout the four years. The five strands are:

  • Biomedical Science
  • Clinical Science
  • Medicine and Society
  • Physicianship
  • Research and Technology

The first two years of the MD program focus on the core biomedical sciences, organ systems, clinical skills, the role of physicians in society, professional development, and clinical research. The third and fourth periods focus on clinical clerkships and specialty training while reviewing  the core sciences and completing projects in research and community service. Courses and core clerkships during the four-year program are delivered at the Main Campus of Khalifa University or at affiliated clinics and hospitals throughout Abu Dhabi.  Fourth-year medical students can choose to take up to 8 weeks of away rotations within the UAE or abroad.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Medical students must meet established minimum requirements in order to complete the doctor of medicine degree.  The following constitute the graduation requirements for a doctor of medicine degree:

  • Courses: Students must pass all required courses and the required number of elective rotations.
  • Licensing exams: Students must pass Step 1 of the USMLE (required for promotion to Period 4), and take the USMLE Step 2 CK and CS
  • Competency assessments: Students must meet standards in nine competency domains (domains adapted from the Association of American Medical College Physician Competency Reference Set).
  • Professional performance: Students must consistently display professional behaviors and values appropriate for the practice of medicine.
PERIOD 1. FOUNDATIONS OF MEDICINE / ORGAN-SYSTEMS
Molecular & Cellular Biology and Human Genetics Human Anatomy, Embryology and Histology Human Physiology and Immunology Pathology and Infectious Disease Pharmacology
Clinical Skills I
Medicine & Society I
Physicianship I
Research and Technology I
PERIOD 2. ORGAN-SYSTEMS
Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Systems Hematopoetic & Lymphoreticular Systems Integumentary System Musculoskeletal System Gastrointestinal System & Nutrition Endocrine System Reproductive System Renal System Nervous System &

Human Behavior
Clinical Skills II
Medicine & Society II
Physicianship II
Research and Technology II
PERIOD 3. CLINICAL CLERKSHIPS
Core Concepts in Medicine USMLE STEP 1 & 2 PREP
Family Medicine Internal Medicine Neurology Obstetrics & Gynecology Pediatrics Psychiatry Radiology Surgery
Medicine & Society III
Physicianship III
Research and Technology III
PERIOD 4.  ADVANCED CLINICAL ROTATAIONS
Advanced Medicine or Surgery Emergency Medicine Subinternship Selective Elective I Elective II Elective III Geriatrics Transition to Residency
Medicine & Society IV with Practicum
Physicianship IV
Research and Technology  IV

Pre-Medicine Bridge program

Khalifa University is planning to offer a range of degrees within its College of Medicine and Health Sciences. Its immediate priority is the establishment of a postgraduate Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. A Pre-Medicine Bridge program has been established to prepare students for the MD program.

About the Pre-Medicine Bridge Program

The Pre-Medicine Bridge program is designed to provide courses to current students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree. The educational goals of the program are to prepare students for entry into Khalifa University’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) program.

The Pre-Medicine Bridge program consists of courses that are delivered in person by a lecturer or via on online facility. As each student attending the program will come with their unique skill set and knowledge, the courses are designed to fill gaps in information as well as develop reading, comprehension and math proficiencies. By developing these skills, the program will establish whether a candidate can demonstrate advanced knowledge, and in doing so, fulfill the requirements of entry into a postgraduate medical program. Students will be assessed using the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT®).

Minimum Entry Requirements

Entry into the Pre-Medicine Bridge program at Khalifa University will be based on the student’s performance at an interview and:

Completion of an undergraduate degree with prerequisite science, math or engineering content, achieving a minimum GPA of 3.0 from a preeminent institution of higher education.
IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent)
A personal statement.
A recent copy of the applicant’s curriculum vitae.
Three letters of support from professional and personal referees. At least one reference must be from a faculty member from the candidate’s conferring university.

Scholarships

This program offers scholarships to all students to support graduate studies in medicine. Students who receive a Khalifa University (KU) MED Scholarship will be registered in the Pre-Medicine Bridge program. Please note that scholarship benefits are subject to change.

KU MED Scholarship for UAE Nationals

  • A monthly stipend of AED27,000.
  • Full university tuition paid by the university.
  • Support to attend educational events locally and internationally.
  • Housing in university accommodations at no cost, subject to availability.
  • Textbooks are provided by the university.

KU MED Scholarship for Expatriates

  • Full university tuition paid by the university.
  • Support to attend educational events locally and internationally.
  • Housing in university accommodations at no cost, subject to availability.
  • Textbooks are provided by the university.

HOW TO APPLY

Please click on the “Apply Now” button.

  • For existing users, login to the application portal with your Email ID and password.
  • For new users, register by creating a new account, by providing your Email as an ID and nominate your own password.
Apply Now

Related Research Centers

The newly-established Khalifa University of Science and Technology combines The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research and The Petroleum Institute into one world-class, research-intensive institution, seamlessly integrating research and education to produce world leaders and critical thinkers in applied science and engineering. Khalifa University endeavors to be a leader among research intensive universities of the 21st century, while catalyzing the growth of Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s rapidly developing knowledge economy.

Contact Us

Approach

  • Build strong foundations based on integrated research and academics
  • Engage leading industry, government and academic organizations for partnership
  • Perform research that produces excellence in science and engineering while being inspired by practical application
  • Translate discoveries and inventions into innovations that create commercial value

Mission

  • To establish and continually evolve interdisciplinary, collaborative research and development capabilities in the UAE’s priority science and technology domains.
  • To achieve global research impact through excellence in research of regional importance.

Targeted Outcomes

  • World-class performance in manpower development, knowledge creation and innovation

Alignment with Key Abu Dhabi and UAE Strategies

Khalifa University works to support many key strategic goals of the UAE through its targeted research and academic programs, focused on developing the human and intellectual capital required to achieve the leadership’s vision for country’s transformation into a sustainable knowledge economy. Some of these are included below.

Federal strategies:
Emirate strategies:

Please contact the Khalifa University Pre-Medicine Bridge program team:

  • For more information.
  • If you have any difficulties in submitting your application online.

Telephone: +971 (02) 501 8550 Email: premed@ku.ac.ae

 

ADMISSIONS

The goal of the M.D. Program is to graduate physicians with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to advance healthcare in the UAE. Admissions criteria are based on meeting this goal. The admissions process is holistic. The factors used to evaluate applicants include academic performance, non-academic experiences (e.g. leadership, service, research, clinical work), a demonstrable interest in healthcare, and personal attributes such as maturity, leadership, and resilience. Preference is given to Emirates and UAE Nationals, however international applicants are also eligible for admission. The M.D. program is co-educational, and participants must be prepared to work together in small  groups , workshops, and clinical training sessions with members of the opposite gender.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Graduate of an accredited college or university

2. Bachelor’s degree or higher (science discipline preferred)

3. GPA: Cumulative GPA ≥ 3.0; Science GPA ≥ 3.0

4. MCAT: Official score must be provided. Scores ≥ 500 are preferred

5. English Proficiency as evidenced by:

  • iBT TOEFL (internet-based test) score of 91 or greater or
  • Overall academic IELTS score of 6.5 or greater, or
  • 1550 or greater EmSAT English score
  • Exemption for native English speakers who have completed a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree at an English-speaking university

6. Required Pre-requisite Courses (Grade of C (or equivalent) or higher in each)

1. General Biology with laboratory – 2 semesters

2. General Chemistry with laboratory – 2 semesters

3. Organic Chemistry with laboratory – 2 semesters or Organic Chemistry with laboratory 1 semester plus Biochemistry – 1 semester

4. Physics with laboratory – 2 semesters

5. Mathematics (College Algebra or higher) – 2 semesters

7. Recommended Pre-requisite Courses (minimum 2 semesters in one or more of these areas)

1.Bioethics

2.Business

3.Economics

4.Epidemiology / Statistics

5.Cell Biology

6.Foreign/Additional Language

7.Genetics

8.Humanities

9.Immunology

10.Microbiology

11.Physiology

12.Psychology

13.Social Sciences

14.Sociology

8.Non-Academic Experiences (Preferred)

1. Healthcare

2. Research

3. Organizational leadership

4. Community service / volunteerism

5. Design experience, demonstrated innovation/entrepreneurship

9. Student can meet Technical Standards with or without reasonable accommodation

Application Process

The following required documents should be scanned in a clear and legible form and uploaded to the online application:

1.Certified copy of Bachelor’s/Master’s degree certificate(s) (as applicable).

2.Equivalency certificate issued by the UAE Ministry of Education for applicants that have graduated from institutions outside of the UAE.

3.Official transcript showing the grading scale.

4.English language proficiency score certificate (IELTS, TOEFL or EmSAT). Official TOEFL score reports can be sent directly by your institution to Khalifa University of Science and Technology using the institutional TOEFL code 0960.

5.Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) score.

6.Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).

7.Passport-style photograph on a white background.

8.Valid passport. International applicants who reside in the UAE should also upload a clear copy of their valid UAE visa.

9.Family Book (Khulasat Al Qaid – UAE National applicants only).

10.Valid UAE national ID card (for national and international applicants who currently reside in the UAE).

11.Personal Statement 1 (500 to 1,000 words) describing why you wish to pursue a career as a physician.

12.Personal Statement 2 (500 to 1,000 words) describing why you wish to attend Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

Accepted applicants must submit all of their official documents before they register for classes. All documents received by the University are the property of Khalifa University and will not be returned.