Applications are now open for the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery–Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MBBS-MGHD) programme for the next intake. This opportunity is for academically qualified students who aspire to become medical doctors and help improve healthcare delivery, particularly for underserved and vulnerable populations. Eligible applicants can benefit from university-funded tuition, accommodation, meals, health insurance, and academic expenses in exchange for a commitment to professional service after graduation. Register for the ALU English proficiency test 

The University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) offers the programme from its Butaro campus in Rwanda. UGHE aims to prepare skilled physicians and future health leaders through medical education that combines biomedical sciences, clinical training, research, leadership, and global health equity. The university works with the Government of Rwanda and the respective Ministries of Health of participating countries to support the training of doctors who will contribute to stronger and more equitable health systems.

SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS

The MBBS-MGHD scholarship provides comprehensive academic and residential support throughout the programme. Benefits include:

·       Tuition fees: UGHE covers the tuition fees for the programme.

·       Accommodation: Furnished on-campus accommodation in shared rooms at the UGHE dormitories.

·       Meals: Three meals daily through the university dining hall.

·       Local health insurance: Health insurance coverage during the student's academic stay at UGHE.

·       Academic expenses: Coverage of academic-related costs, including projects and field trips.

·       Laptop: A laptop equipped with the software required for coursework, provided for the duration of the studies. Lost, damaged or worn-out laptops will not be replaced.

·       Learning materials: Access to books, manuals, online learning tools, and video and audio recordings at no additional cost.

·       Campus facilities: Access to facilities and services such as a gym, exercise studio, outdoor basketball court, IT support, campus store, laundry support and campus security.

In return for the university-funded tuition and boarding, scholarship recipients must commit to a specified period of professional service as doctors among vulnerable populations under an agreement with UGHE and the relevant Ministry of Health. During this service, graduates receive a salary determined by their employers and applicable employment policies.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The programme accepts applications from eligible Rwandan citizens, nationals of selected African countries, qualifying international candidates residing in Rwanda, and eligible refugees. Applicants must meet the academic and other requirements applicable to their category.

1.     Rwandan and international candidates

Eligible applicants may include citizens of the following countries:

·       Rwanda

·       Burundi

·       Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

·       Tanzania

·       Sierra Leone

·       Liberia

·       Malawi

·       Lesotho

·       Eritrea

·       South Sudan

·       Sudan

International candidates who completed their high school qualification in Rwanda and reside full-time in Rwanda may also be considered. Register for 2nd intake of our coaching class for the Duolingo English Test  

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

·       Hold an Advanced Level (A-Level), Senior Six or equivalent high school qualification.

·       Have national examination results with an overall aggregate score of at least 50 and Biology and Chemistry as core subjects under one of the accepted combinations:

o   Physics-Chemistry-Biology (PCB)

o   Mathematics-Chemistry-Biology (MCB)

o   Associate Nursing Programme, applicable only to applicants who completed their studies in Rwanda.

·       For the standard Rwandan and international applicant category, obtain grades of A or B in Biology, Chemistry, and the third subject (Mathematics or Physics) under the published criteria.

·       Demonstrate strong written and spoken English.

·       Submit a NESA equivalency certificate if presenting foreign secondary school qualifications.

·       Have completed A-Level or Senior Six in 2026, according to the published intake criteria.

Applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree in Nursing, Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, Radiography, Anesthesia or another closely related healthcare field may also be considered, provided they meet the applicable secondary-school qualification and equivalency requirements. Having an undergraduate degree does not guarantee that an application will be processed.

1.     Applicants with refugee status

The university also considers eligible non-Rwandan nationals with refugee status in Rwanda or another African country.

Applicants in this category must meet the applicable requirements, including:

·       Hold an A-Level, Senior Six or equivalent high school qualification.

·       Have an overall national examination aggregate score of at least 50, with Biology and Chemistry as core subjects under an accepted combination.

·       Obtain grades of A, B or C in Biology, Chemistry, and the third subject (Mathematics or Physics) under the published refugee-applicant criteria.

·       Demonstrate strong written and spoken English.

·       Provide a NESA equivalency certificate for foreign secondary school qualifications.

·       Have completed A-Level or Senior Six in 2025 or 2026, according to the published criteria for refugee applicants.

Eligible candidates with relevant undergraduate degrees in healthcare-related fields may also be considered. Their secondary-school qualifications and undergraduate credentials must undergo the required evaluation.

Important eligibility considerations

·       UGHE does not accept transfer students who have already begun a degree programme at another university or school.

·       Applicants with foreign secondary-school qualifications must obtain the required NESA equivalency certificate.

·       Applicants who hold undergraduate degrees must also meet the applicable A-Level subject and equivalency requirements.

·       Rwandan citizens and international candidates who completed high school in Rwanda are expected to sign a public service agreement with Rwanda's Ministry of Health. Eligible applicants from other participating African countries are expected to sign an agreement with their respective Ministries of Health.

·       UGHE prioritizes female applicants, subject to applicable Rwandan laws and policies.

AVAILABLE PROGRAMS

The scholarship opportunity covered in this announcement is the integrated Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery–Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MBBS-MGHD) programme.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Applicants should prepare the following information and documents for the admissions process, as applicable:

·       Academic records and A-Level or Senior Six national examination results.

·       NESA equivalency certificate for foreign secondary-school qualifications. Contact us at 0798611161 (MK SCHOLARS) for assistance with getting an equivalency certificate.

·       Refugee identification or other relevant evidence of refugee status, where applicable.

·       Relevant undergraduate degree certificates and supporting academic records, where applicable.

·       A brief personal statement outlining educational and professional goals. Contact us for assistance with Personal statement writing & proofreading

·       Any additional documents requested by UGHE during the application process.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Interested applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility.

Review the academic requirements and verify that your nationality, residence status, year of secondary-school completion and subject grades meet the criteria for your applicant category.

Step 2: Obtain your NESA equivalency certificate, if required.

Applicants with foreign secondary-school qualifications should apply for equating foreign primary and secondary qualifications. Contact us at 0798611161 if you need a help with this 

Step 4: Submit the online application.

Open the scholarship link at the bottom to visit the official UGHE admissions page and follow the instructions for the MBBS-MGHD programme. 

Step 5: Prepare for the admissions examination and interview.

Applications are screened by UGHE's Office of Admissions. Candidates who advance in the selection process will be invited to sit for an admissions examination and an interview. Register for the ALU English proficiency test 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Public Service Agreement

The scholarship is linked to a public service commitment. Before or in connection with initial enrolment, successful students must agree to serve for a specified number of years as doctors among vulnerable populations under the applicable Ministry of Health employment arrangement.

After successfully completing the programme and graduating, students are required to report to the relevant Ministry of Health within 15 working days. The Ministry of Health will remunerate graduates for their professional services in accordance with its policies and procedures.

Students who fail to complete the required service period may be obligated to repay UGHE the tuition and boarding fees covered during their studies. Other penalties or obligations may also apply under the relevant agreements. An exception allowing a two-year service period may be considered for students pursuing clinical residency or Advanced Basic Sciences training, subject to the Ministry's discretion.

Campus life and student responsibilities

Students have access to campus facilities, security, IT services, recreational facilities and other student-support services. UGHE also requires students to participate in an unpaid, part-time work-study placement as part of their development and campus responsibilities.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

According to the admissions schedule provided for the upcoming intake, applications are expected to follow the timeline below:

·       Application opens: 28 October 2026

·       Application closes: 17 January 2027, at 11:59 PM Central Africa Time (CAT)

·       Admissions examination: February 2027

·       Admissions interviews: March 2027

·       Final admission decisions: April 2027