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University & Faculty Requirements

Medical Sciences

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Passes in five (5) subjects at CSEC (CXC) General Proficiency (Grades I-II pre-1998 and Grades I-III from 1998) or GCE O-level or BGCSE [Grades A-C] or approved equivalents which must include English Language, Physics and Mathematics.

Age Requirement
For Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) – Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of admission or by December 31 of the year of entry.
 

SPECIAL PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS

 M.B.B.S. D.D.S. and D.V.M.

  • Passes in two units of Chemistry, Biology and any other subject at CAPE [I & II]
    OR A-level or approved equivalent.
  • Passes in Chemistry, Biology and any other subject at N1 (Faculty of Pure & Applied Sciences/Science & Agriculture).

NOTES

1.   A triple major Associate Degree in Science (Chemistry, Biology and a third subject] from an approved Community College with a  Grade Point Average greater than 3.5 is considered acceptable for entry into the M.B.B.S. and D.D.S. programmes.

2.   A triple major Associate Degree in Science [Chemistry, Biology and a third subject] with a Grade Point Average greater than 2.5 from an approved Community College is the minimum academic standard acceptable for entry into the D.V.M. programme. Mathematics and Physics must have been passed at least at the CSEC (CXC) General Proficiency O-level or equivalent foreign examinations.

3.   Transfer applicants to Medical Sciences from the Faculties of Science & Agriculture and Pure & Applied Sciences of The UWI, may be considered on completion of the Preliminary and/or Introductory years of the programme. All such applicants must complete and submit a transfer form ONLY by the second Friday in January of the year of application. The academic standard for entry will be based on performance in Chemistry, Biology and one other subject. If the third subject is not Physics, Physics must have been passed at the CSEC (CXC)/GCE O-level/BGCSE level.

4.   Persons holding first degrees from The UWI’s Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences/Science & Agriculture with a minimum of lower second class honours may be considered for entry. The academic standard for entry will be based on performance in Chemistry, Biology and one other subject. If the third subject is not Physics, Physics must have been passed at the CSEC (CXC)/GCE O-level/BGCSE level.

5.   Persons who have completed the first two years of a 4-year degree programme at a university acceptable to the University of the West Indies will be considered for entry into the D.V.M. programme. The academic standard for entry will be based on performance in Chemistry and Biology with a minimum Grade Point Average greater than 2.5. Mathematics and Physics must have been passed at least at the CSEC (CXC) General Proficiency or GCE O-level/BGCSE or equivalent foreign examinations.

6.   Applicants with first degrees other than degrees in the natural sciences will also be considered provided that:

  1. The University which granted the degree is recognized as competitive
  2.   A minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.3 or its equivalent has been obtained.
  3. Credits have been obtained in Chemistry and Biology and one other subject during their university programme OR at least Grade III passes in Chemistry & Biology at Units I & II CAPE or GCE A-level or approved equivalent.

8.   Applicants from the Pre Health Professions Programme may also be considered for entry provided that they have attained a minimum average grade of B or grade point average of 3.0 in the appropriate science subjects.

DVM – Accelerated Programme

Applicants holding a Bachelor’s Degree from a university acceptable to the University of the West Indies with at least a Lower Second Class Honours standing or its equivalent will be considered for entry into Year 1 of the degree programme.
The applicant must have successfully completed Animal Production (9 credits), Biochemistry 96 credits) and Statististics (2 credits) level 1 courses

Non-Academic Considerations: 
(a)  All candidates are required to submit a short (250-300 words) autobiographic sketch outlining the reasons for their career choice.

 (b) Using the form provided, candidates must produce evidence of their involvement in relevant extra-curricular/co-curricular activities, socially-oriented projects and voluntary community service for a minimum of six (6) months in the year prior to the application. 

  • The information provided must be certified by appropriate authorities from the organization and also by the authorities from the School/College/University.
  • Both the duration of involvement and level of responsibility of the applicant in each activity shall be taken into consideration and certifying documents must state these clearly.
  • Applicants may also be required to attend an interview.

Note 1: 

Candidates are not permitted to transfer to other programmes within the Faculty

Note 2:

In addition to satisfying the above criteria, applicants must also meet the prevailing score established by the Faculty of Medical Sciences

 

BSc. Pharmacy

  • Passes in at least five subjects at CSEC (CXC) General Proficiency (Grades I–II pre-1998; Grades I–III from 1998) or GCE O-level or BGCSE [Grades A-C] or approved equivalents, which must include English Language and Physics.
  • At minimum, a grade ‘C’ in Chemistry (CAPE grade III) plus one other from Biology, Zoology, Physics or Mathematics in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) / GCE A’ level or approved equivalent.
  • All BSc. Pharmacy applicants must submit a letter of acceptance from their local Pharmacy Board in their country of residence.
  • Special admission is available to practicing pharmacists who wish to upgrade from diploma to degree – as part-time mature students to the Accelerated BSc Programme

For BSc Nursing

The minimum requirements:

  • Passes in at least five (5) subjects at CXC (CSEC) General Proficiency (Grades I or II and from 1998 Grade III) or GCE O-level or approved equivalents
  • Passes in at least two (2) subjects at CXC (CAPE) or GCE A-level or approved equivalents or
  • Passes in four (4) GCE subjects or approved equivalents, of which at least three (3) must be at the A-level or equivalent
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Candidates should:
    1. have a basic or general qualification in Nursing such as a certificate, diploma or Associate degree with a minimum passing grade of B or its approved equivalent
    2. be a registered nurse
    3. have a minimum of three (3) years post registration experience as a practicing nurse
  • Candidates with certificates, diplomas or Associate degrees with a grade lower than the approved grade, upon recommendation from the registration body or equivalent authority, if approved for entry, will be required to write a challenge examination
  • Candidates with additional post-basic qualification in Nursing from programmes offered by UWI, or other recognised tertiary level institutions may be considered for admission on a preferential basis, but must have obtained a minimum grade of B in major course components of their post-basic training
  • Provisional acceptance may be offered in the case of other entry requirements subject to the approval of an Advisory Committee

For BSc OPTOMETRY

The minimum requirements:

  • The University Matriculation requirements and have passed subjects at CSEC (CXC) in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics at General Proficiency level [Grades I, II pre- 1998 and Grades I, II or III from June 1998] or GCE O’level or equivalent qualifications.
  • Obtained passes in THREE two- unit subjects at CAPE Unit 1 & Unit II at Grade II or better, or GCE A Level or equivalent, two of which must include Physics and Chemistry.

OR

  • Have an appropriate Associate Degree or equivalent certification with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent from a recognized Tertiary Level Institution

OR

  • Have any other appropriate qualification and experience acceptable to the Faculties of Science and Agriculture and Medical Sciences

 

Pre-Health Professions Programme

This programme is designed to prepare applicants, who are currently unable to meet the requirements for matriculation, with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes for the degree programme at the UWI, Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS). The programme is open to international and regional students and citizens of Tobago ONLY.

It is a 36 credit programme consisting of five courses delivered in modules – Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English. Upon successful completion of the 36 credits of the Pre-Health Professions Programme with a GPA of 3.0 students are guaranteed entry into one of the regular degree programmes.

Minimum Requirements for Admission to the Pre-Health Professions Programme

  • Candidates should have a high school (Grade 12 matriculation) diploma with a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 including Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology and English.
  • Alternatively, candidates should have five GCE O-level with A, B and C Grades or CSEC/CXC General Proficiency or BGCSE with Grades I–III or European equivalents in the same subjects.
  • Consideration will be given to students transferring from other fields to the health professions.