Universities in Grenada

Grenada is a small English-speaking state in the eastern Caribbean, made up of Grenada itself and the dependencies of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, with a total area of 344 km² according to the Government of Grenada. English is the official language, alongside a French-based patois, so university teaching is in English. For international students, university study in Grenada almost always means St. George's University (SGU), the university listed in this directory.

SGU was founded in 1976 and, according to the university, has welcomed students from more than 140 countries. Its medical and veterinary students spend the first years in Grenada and complete their clinical training abroad. Grenada also has a public community college, T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC), whose schools include applied arts and technology and a department of technical and vocational education and training.

How university study works

SGU is organised in schools. The School of Medicine awards the Doctor of Medicine (MD); the university states that its 4-year MD programme includes clinical training in the United States and preparation for the USMLE, the U.S. medical licensing exam. The School of Veterinary Medicine awards the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM): students study in Grenada and then train at clinical sites in the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries. The School of Arts and Sciences teaches undergraduate degrees on the True Blue Campus, such as tourism and hospitality management and nursing (the nursing degree includes 1,500 hours of clinical experience), and the School of Graduate Studies offers the MPH, MSc, PhD and MEd as well as an MBA in International Business.

Students who finish secondary school can enter the medical and veterinary programmes through longer tracks: the 5-year DVM track, for example, is designed for applicants with secondary school, A-level or International Baccalaureate qualifications. Graduates who still need science prerequisites can complete them in a one-year postbaccalaureate programme.

Accreditation and recognition

For medicine and veterinary medicine, what matters is whether graduates can be licensed where they want to work. SGU states that it is accredited and recognised by international and U.S.-approved accrediting bodies, and that its veterinary programme is accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (AVMA COE), which qualifies graduates for licensure in the United States and Canada. Students from other countries should check with the medical or veterinary licensing authority in their own country before applying, because recognition rules differ.

Admission

Each SGU school sets its own requirements and lists them on its admissions page. The MD programme has three start dates a year, in August, January and April. Undergraduate applicants apply to the School of Arts and Sciences; graduate applicants apply to the School of Graduate Studies with the documents listed for each programme. Students who need a visa or a residence permit for Grenada should confirm the current rules with the university and with Grenada's immigration authorities before travelling.

Costs and funding

SGU publishes separate tuition pages for each school; the School of Medicine page lists tuition, administrative fees and estimated living costs. Daily expenses on the island are paid in Eastern Caribbean dollars (XCD), Grenada's currency. Scholarships exist at every level: the School of Medicine reviews most applicants automatically for its awards on acceptance, the School of Veterinary Medicine offers partial scholarships, including aid for international applicants, and undergraduate awards include scholarships for CARICOM citizens and Grenadians.

How to choose

• Licensing goal: the country where you want to practise, and whether it recognises the degree
• Entry point: direct entry to the MD or DVM, or a longer track from secondary school
• Clinical training: where the clinical years take place and what that means for visas and living costs
• Total cost: tuition for every year, living costs in Grenada and abroad, and available scholarships
• Island life: a tropical climate with an average temperature of about 24 °C, and international flights through Maurice Bishop International Airport

Frequently asked questions

What language are university courses taught in Grenada?

English, Grenada's official language, is the language of university teaching on the island.

Can I study medicine in Grenada and practise in the United States?

St. George's University's MD programme includes clinical training in the United States and preparation for the USMLE. Licensing is decided by each country's authorities, so check their rules before you apply.

When does the medical programme start?

The School of Medicine at St. George's University has three start dates a year: August, January and April.

Are there scholarships for international students?

Yes. St. George's University offers scholarships in each school, including partial scholarships for veterinary students and aid for international applicants.