Caribbean Medical School Pathways - American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) and Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM)

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has signed pathway agreements with American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) and Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM), effective January 2026.

These partnerships provide KPU graduates with access to Doctor of Medicine (MD) programs, including application fee waivers, guaranteed interviews for eligible candidates, partner scholarships, and housing benefits. Both pathways are designed to support entry into residency training in the United States and Canada, subject to program eligibility and licensing requirements.

About American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

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Since its founding in 1978, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) has been providing students with the foundation they need to pursue successful careers in medicine.

AUC has two MD program sites across the world to facilitate both U.S. and non-U.S. citizen's medical education. U.S. citizens study in Sint Maarten for years 1 and 2. Non-U.S. citizens can choose either the U.K. Track location in Preston, England or the Sint Maarten campus.  

*AUC graduates achieved a 97% first-time residency attainment rate over the last three years. We prepare our students to attain a medical school residency placement by combining exceptional education in a supportive community is one of AUC’s highest priorities. Each year, AUC graduates apply for and obtain residencies in a variety of postgraduate training programs throughout the U.S. and Canada. 

(Source: https://www.aucmed.edu/)

*The 3-year first-time residency attainment rate is the weighted average of the 2022-23, through 2024-25 academic years. For each year, the rate is the percent of students attaining a residency out of all graduates or expected graduates in the year who were active applicants in the NRMP match in that year or who attained a residency outside the NRMP match in that year. The 1-year first-time residency attainment rate is 95% for 2024-2025 graduates.

KPU & AUC Partnership Benefits

Doctor of Medicine Program Overview 

Year 1 & 2 – Medical Sciences

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Build your foundation through an organ systems–based curriculum that integrates core sciences with early clinical skills, critical thinking, and USMLE^® Step 1 preparation.

Year 3 & 4 – Clinical Sciences

Apply your knowledge through 80 weeks of hands-on clinical training at AUC’s U.S. and U.K. affiliated sites, developing diagnostic skills and professional experience in real patient settings. Placements in Canada are also available in year four.

Admission Requirement 

Please note the program offers three flexible start dates: January, May, and September.

About Ross University School of Medicine

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Since its founding in 1978, Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) has been providing students with the foundation they need to pursue successful careers in medicine. Ross Med is #1 among the top 4 Caribbean medical schools for a second consecutive year based on published residency rates in 2025. 

Our holistic admissions philosophy and student support systems widen the pathway for aspiring physicians, and our hands-on from the start approach produces doctors who have the practical knowledge and skills to make a positive impact early in their careers.

With a 96% residency attainment rate for first-time eligible 2024–2025 graduates, Ross Med delivers on what matters, launching you into clinical practice with strength. Our curriculum is engineered to help you master the sciences, transition smoothly into clinical training, and match into residency. Our curriculum is also designed to prepare our graduates to practice in the U.S. and Canada. You bring the passion, effort, and commitment. We’ll provide the opportunities, structure, and support.

(Source: https://medical.rossu.edu/)

*First-time residency attainment rate is the percent of students attaining a 2025-26 residency position out of all graduates or expected graduates in 2024-25 who were active applicants in the 2025 NRMP match or who attained a residency position outside the NRMP match.

KPU & RUSM Partnership Benefits 

Doctor of Medicine Program Overview 

Year 1 & 2 – Medical Sciences

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Our basic sciences curriculum, called Medical Sciences, is an organ systems-based curriculum that organizes the teaching of medicine by systems within the body, like the digestive or respiratory systems. This approach, which mirrors how medicine is actually practiced, gives you a big picture look at the physiological, anatomical, and biochemical processes of an organ system all at once.

Year 3 & 4 – Clinical Sciences

After successful completion of the Medical Sciences curriculum in years one and two on the Caribbean island of Barbados, RUSM students finish the Clinical Sciences curriculum in years three and four at teaching hospitals in the United States. Placements in Canada are also available in year four. 

Admission Requirement 

Please note the program offers three flexible start dates: January, May, and September.

Privacy Notice

Please read the privacy notice below carefully before reaching out to the Caribbean Medical School Pathways' representative.

Personal Information collected by KPU for the medical school pathway program (“the Program”) is collected under the authority of sections 26(c) and 26(e) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act of BC for the purposes of supporting your application for admission to AUC or RUSM (“the Institution(s)”) and evaluating the Program.  KPU students wishing to apply to the Institution(s) will submit the information required by the Institution directly to the Institution.  KPU does not control the privacy or information security practices of the institutions or clinical locations where students may do practica.  Students are advised that jurisdictions outside BC or Canada may not provide the same privacy protections available under applicable provincial or federal privacy laws; students are encouraged to read the privacy policy/ies of the Institution(s) to which they are applying and to direct any related questions or concerns to the Institution(s).  By applying to the Institution(s), the student consents to the potential disclosure of Personal Information by KPU to the Institution(s) and authorizes KPU to collect Personal Information from the Institution(s) as necessary for facilitating, managing, or evaluating the Program.  If you have any questions about KPU’s collection of Personal Information for the Program, please contact global.partnerships@kpu.ca. 

 CONTACT ADMISSION