Canadian Medical Students

Yes, Canadian students can be eligible for residency and licensing in their home country after graduation from a Caribbean med school. The most important consideration here is whether or not the medical school is accredited by the appropriate governing body and adheres to international standards.

At Trinity, we are accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP), the leading accrediting authority for Caribbean medical schools, which qualifies our graduates to enter residency and become licensed to practice medicine in any Canadian province.

Upon graduating, our students are eligible to take both the MCCQE (Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exams) and USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exam) and apply to residency programs in Canada or the United States.

Additionally, Trinity meets all standards put forth by the Education Committee for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) 2024 Rule that puts additional restrictions on foreign medical school graduates.

Canada is home to 17 medical schools and, as of 2020, over 10,000 medical school applicants. Much like the United States, Canada has also seen an increased demand for physicians due to shortages in key medical specialties, such as family medicine.

However, Canadian medical school applicants may find it difficult to gain admission due to the limited number of available spots in Canada’s medical schools. Canadian schools further complicate the process by reserving matriculant spaces for in-province students, making cross-country admissions even more unlikely. This is where Caribbean medical schools offer a potential solution by providing an opportunity for aspiring physicians to receive their Doctor of Medicine degree and become licensed to practice medicine in North America.

Caribbean medical schools can offer a variety of programs and concentrations tailored to the needs of Canadian applicants. These include basic medical sciences, clinical rotations in North America, public health courses, research opportunities, electives, and more.

When researching Caribbean medical schools, look for accredited institutions that offer a curriculum that is comparable to North American schools. You’ll also want to make sure that your medical school of choice provides early, frequent clinical training opportunities to prepare you for residency and beyond. Canadian students at Trinity are eligible to do “away electives” in Canada to gain direct experience working in Canadian hospitals. This type of clinical training will not only help students as they apply for residencies back home, but also prepare them for working as full-time Canadian physicians following their residencies.

Caribbean medical schools are not all identical. The advantages that Caribbean schools might offer for Canadian applicants will vary based on the quality of the school, its faculty and staff, and the opportunities the school provides.

At Trinity, we offer a variety of unique benefits to Canadian applicants. Our Caribbean medical school offers a more intimate learning environment than many North American schools. In addition, we offer several “away electives” in Canada, allowing you to further your education in your own backyard.

The curriculum of Caribbean medical schools is in many ways similar to those of North American universities. For example, the curriculum at Trinity School of Medicine is modeled on the U.S. medical school educational standards and focuses heavily on early clinical exposure as well as traditional lectures and seminars.

The transfer of credits from a Caribbean medical school to a Canadian medical school depends on the type of program and institution. In general, most universities will accept course credits from accredited Caribbean medical schools as long as they meet their academic standards. Additionally, many institutions offer special transfer programs that allow students to apply credits earned in one school toward a degree at another. It is important to check with your prospective school for details about their transfer policy before enrolling in a Caribbean medical school, particularly if you plan to transfer at some point.

All students planning to enter residency in Canada or the United States should first make sure that their Caribbean medical school of choice is appropriately accredited by the CAAM-HP.

However, the best Caribbean medical school for Canadian students depends on the applicant’s individual needs and goals. There are no official Caribbean medical school rankings, so applicants should conduct their own research, including asking Canadian alumni about their experience during and after med school.

At Trinity, we know that the Canadian medical student experience is unique. Our Canadian Advisory Board is here to help. Our Canadian Advisory board is headed by Dr. Paul Cooper who is a Neuro Professor in Western University School of Medicine. Together with other successful alumni, the board helps Canadians match into Canada by giving them an in-depth review and recommendations for their electives to help them match into a Canadian Residency.

The cost of tuition for Caribbean medical schools is generally lower than for other medical schools across Canada and the world. The exact amount depends on the school and program.

When considering your medical school financial plan, look for Caribbean medical schools that are considered Designated Educational Institutions by the Canadian government. This designation qualifies Canadian citizens to receive federal and provincial student loans to attend medical school, making the cost considerably more affordable for many students.

Scholarships are another crucial component of medical school affordability, both internationally and in North America. Before applying to medical school in the Caribbean, discuss all financial options with your admissions counselor and confirm which scholarships and grants may be available to Canadian applicants.

At Trinity, we offer a number of scholarships and grants to Canadian students to help offset the costs of med school. Providing transparent financial information and resources helps students feel confident in their medical school decision; for more information on Trinity’s tuition and fees, read more here or reach out to an admissions counselor.