Established in 1998, Gulf Medical University is a private institution formed from the Gulf Medical College. The university is owned by the Thumbay Group and has a 25 acre campus in the heart of Ajman. It is a leading institution for medicine in the Gulf region and has been ranked 2nd in UAE and 401-600th worldwide in Impact Rankings 2021 in Times Higher Education. The university is home to 2,000 aspirants and invites applications in fall every year. Students from 86 nationalities enroll in various programs offered by the university.
The university is known for its profession oriented programs that focus on health and medicine. It offers 26 undergraduate and graduate programs through its 6 schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Sciences and Healthcare Management and Economics. The programs offered by GMU are recognized by WHO and the institute also has its place on the WHO World Directory of Medical Schools. Gulf Medical University has received a 5-star rating in four areas that include teaching, facilities, inclusiveness and employability by the QS World University Rankings in 2019. It was named the Best Medical University in the Region by Forbes Middle East at the Higher Education Awards 2019. Overall, it is one of the most sought after private medical universities in the Middle East region.
Highlights
| Institution Type | Private |
| Establishment Year | 1998 |
| Location | Ajman, UAE |
| Campus Setting | Urban |
| Campus Size | 100,000 square meter |
| Accommodation | Available |
| Total Enrollment | 2,000+ |
| Mode of Program | Full-time |
| Intake Seasons | Fall |
| Financial Aid | Scholarships |
Gulf Medical University Campus
- The campus of Gulf Medical University spreads across an area of 100,000 square meter in the Al Jurf area located in the heart of Ajman.
- It is located close to 2 international airports, i.e., Dubai and Sharjah.
- The university campus features laboratories, modern classrooms, multimedia centers, cafeteria, administrative buildings, etc.
- There is a sports complex on campus with courts for basketball, volleyball, cricket, football and lawn tennis.
- Other on-campus facilities include Body and Soul Health Club and Spa, Blends and Brews Coffee Shoppe, Terrace Restaurant and Thumbay Moideen Masjid.
- The Body and Soul Health Club and Spa is one of its kind recreation and sports club in Ajman that includes a large fitness suite, gym, studios for dance and yoga, luxury family pool and deck, private access to the ladies pool, 3 court tennis court with badminton, squash, volleyball, soccer, basketball court, cricket pitch, etc.
Gulf Medical University Residence
- Gulf Medical University offers student hostels in Al Jurf area to all undergraduate and graduate students.
- The hostels are located at a distance of 5 minutes from the campus.
- The common facilities available in residences are mattress, wardrobe, fridge, microwave, washing machine, study tables and chairs.
- The amenities provided to students living in hostels include computer room, laundry facility, gym area, Wi-Fi and internet, centralized air conditioning, water coolers, etc.
- The university also organizes weekend visits to Dubai and Sharjah Malls for 15 or more students on request.
- Within a short distance from the GMU hostels are hypermarkets, food courts, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, money exchanges, banking services, etc.
- The hostel fees for bedroom and studios are given below:
| Type of Room | Hostel Fees (in AED) |
|---|---|
| Single Bedroom | 25,000 + 1,155 (utility charge) |
| Single Bed Studio | 28,000 +1,155 (utility charge) |
Gulf Medical University Courses
- Gulf Medical University offers 26 programs from the associate to doctoral levels.
- At the undergraduate level, the university offers one Associate degree in Preclinical Sciences and 10 bachelor’s degrees in Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Biomedical Sciences, Physiotherapy, Nursing and other fields.
- Master’s degree programs are provided in professional fields of study such as Public Health, Clinical Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Dental Surgery, Healthcare Management and Economics, etc.
- The university houses 6 colleges namely Colleges of Dentistry, Health Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Healthcare Management and Economics.
- The Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBMS) programs offered by the College of Medicine is internationally accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS), UK.
- The BS in Healthcare Management and Economics and Executive Masters in Healthcare Management and Economics are one-of-its kind degrees offered by the College of Healthcare Management and Economics.
- The university has built regional and international partnerships with prestigious universities such as Medical College of Wisconsin, Osaka City University, University of Arizona, Technical University Dresden, University of Nebraska Medical Center, etc.
Gulf Medical University Application Process
Gulf Medical University invites applications for the fall semester. To be considered for admission, students have to complete an online application available on the university website and pay the necessary application fee within the specified deadlines. In addition to the general admission requirements, international students will have to submit proof of English language proficiency, copy of passport, photographs, etc.
How to Apply?
Prospective applicants seeking admission to Gulf Medical University must take note of the following:
Application Portal: Online Application
Application Fee: Undergraduate - 200 AED; Graduate - 1,000 AED
Application Deadline: The application deadlines for undergraduate and graduate admissions are:
| Admission Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | November 15, 2020 |
| Application Deadlines | August 15, 2021 |
| Admissions Close | 3 weeks prior to program start date |
Undergraduate Admission Requirements: The requirements for admission to undergraduate programs are given below:
- Transcripts from high school of grade 10, 11, 12 Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English
- Certificate of equivalency from the Ministry of Education, UAE
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Copy of passport
- 10 copies of passport size photograph
- Certificate of Good Conduct
- Certificate of Medical Fitness
- Admission test and Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
Graduate Admission Requirements: Graduate program applicants must submit the following documents along with the application:
- Completed bachelor’s degree and transcripts from Ministry of Education, UAE
- Overall GPA of 3.0 on 4.0
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Copy of passport
- 5 copies of passport size photographs
- Updated CV
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Certificate of academic and professional experience, if any
Gulf Medical University Cost of Attendance
- The tuition fee for various undergraduate and graduate programs are given in the table below:
| Program | Tuition Fee (in AED) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) | 143,325 |
| Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBMS) | 40,400 |
| Bachelor of Dental Surgery | 126,000 |
| Bachelor of Science (Medical Laboratory Sciences/ Medical Imaging Sciences/ Nursing/ Anesthesia Technology) | 38,600 |
| Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Economics | 52,500 |
| Master in Public Health | 57,750 |
| Master of Dental Surgery in Periodontics/ Endodontics | 154,350 |
| Master in Clinical Pharmacy/ Master of Physical Therapy | 66,150 |
| Master of Science in Drug Discovery and Development | 52,500 |
| Executive Master in Healthcare Management and Economics | 115,800 |
Gulf Medical University Scholarships
- Gulf Medical University offers merit discounts on tuition fees to first-year undergraduate students.
- The fee discount may vary depending on the area of study and are mentioned in the table below:
| Area of Study | Eligibility | Rebate on the Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Dentistry | High school marks of 85% or above as per the UAE education system. | 15%-25% |
| Pharmacy | High school marks of 85% or above as per the UAE education system. | 15-25% |
| Physiotherapy | High school marks of 85% or above as per the UAE education system. | 10%-15% |
| Medical Imaging, Medical Laboratory, Anesthesia Technology | High school marks of 75% or above as per the UAE education system. | 5%-15% |
| Nursing | High school marks of 75% or above as per the UAE education system. | 5%-15% |
| Healthcare Management and Economics | High school marks of 65% or above as per the UAE education system. | 25%-50% |
- Alumni of the university who enroll for postgraduate studies are eligible for scholarships up to 25%.
- Graduate students who are employees of Ministry of Health, Dubai Health Authority and Health Authority Abu Dhabi are eligible to receive special discounts.
- Alumni of the university and Thumbay staff are also eligible for special discounts.
Gulf Medical University Placements
Gulf Medical University received 5-stars in the QS World University Rankings 2019 based on various indicators, one of which includes employability. The university actively provides its graduates employment opportunities. The Thumbay group prioritizes MBBS graduates from the university while hiring doctors for GMU hospitals and clinics. Students who wish to be considered for available positions can simply mail their CVs to the respective department.
The College of Medicine also provides a medical internship program approved by the Ministry of Health at the Thumbay Hospitals, Thumbay Clinics and Thumbay Pharmacies.
FAQs
Ques. Is Gulf Medical University good?
Ans. Gulf Medical University is a trusted institution in UAE for studying in the field of medicine and health. It ranked 2nd in UAE in THE Impact Rankings 2021.
Ques. Is Gulf Medical University accredited?
Ans. Gulf Medical University is accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Education.
Ques. How much does it cost to study medicine at Gulf Medical University?
Ans. The tuition fee for the Bachelor of Medicine program offered at Gulf Medical University is 143,325 AED.
Ques. Is there an entrance exam for admission to Gulf Medical University?
Ans. Yes. Students applying for undergraduate programs will have to appear for an admission test. The admission test will include MCQs from Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics of grade 10, 11 and 12.
Ques. Are SAT scores required for admission to Gulf Medical University?
Ans. Not all students applying to Gulf Medical University are required to submit SAT scores. Candidates who studied under the American curriculum must take the SAT math score for equivalency certificate and SAT II Biology with a minimum score of 550 for admission to medicine programs.
Ques. Does Gulf Medical University offer on-campus accommodation to students?
Ans. Yes. Gulf Medical University provides on-campus accommodation with separate rooms for male and female students in GMU hostels which are located within a few minutes walk from the university campus.
Ques. Does Gulf Medical University provide financial aid to international students?
Ans. Gulf Medical University provides financial aid to first-year international students in the form of merit discounts.
Ques. What is the criteria for admission to Gulf Medical University?
Ans. The general requirements for admission to Gulf Medical University include completion of science subjects i.e. Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The minimum grades for admission are 90% for Medicine, 85% for Pharmacy and Dentistry and 70% for all other programs.
Ques. Is there a spring intake for admission to Gulf Medical University?
Ans. Admissions in the spring semester are limited and available only for some programs like Healthcare Management and Pharmacy.
Ques. How can I obtain an equivalency certificate?
Ans. An equivalency certificate is issued by the Ministry of Education in UAE for all domestic and international students who will enroll in a college or university in UAE. This document certifies equivalency of the student’s academic records to the UAE education system.
