Study and find schools in Netherlands Antilles

Studying in Netherlands Antilles

The Netherlands Antilles no longer exists as a country. On 10 October 2010 it was dissolved: Curaçao and Sint Maarten became autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba became special municipalities of the Netherlands, according to the Dutch government. Today the Caribbean part of the Kingdom consists of three countries and three special municipalities, and the old name is used only informally for these islands.

For students this matters because each island now has its own rules. Curaçao and Sint Maarten each have their own government, while Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba are public bodies of the Netherlands. If you want to study on one of these islands, look at the rules of that island, not of the former Antilles. Our directory lists one school here: a medical school on Sint Maarten.

Studying on the islands

Higher education on the islands is small, and the best-known option for international students is the offshore medical school. The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) is located in Cupecoy, on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten, about 150 miles from Puerto Rico. Its Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme follows a US-modelled curriculum taught in English:

• years 1-2: medical sciences on campus in Sint Maarten (five semesters)
• years 3-4: clinical training in affiliated hospitals in the United States or the United Kingdom
• three start dates a year, in January, May and September

AUC also runs a UK track in partnership with the University of Lancashire in Preston. AUC's MD is a graduate-level degree, as at medical schools in Canada, and it is not part of the UK's UCAS admissions system.

Accreditation and recognition

AUC is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM), the accreditor used by Sint Maarten. According to the school, the US National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA) has found ACCM's standards comparable to those of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, which accredits US medical schools, and AUC is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. The school states that its graduates are eligible for licensure in all 50 US states and can apply directly for the UK PLAB test and General Medical Council registration.

A US-style MD is designed for practice in North America and the UK. If you plan to practise in Spain or Latin America, check before you enrol whether and how your home country recognises a medical degree from Sint Maarten.

Admission

AUC describes its admission process as holistic: besides MCAT scores and grades, it considers maturity, judgment, adaptability, volunteer work and life experience. Requirements for international applicants vary by country and academic background, so contact the admissions office early. For the coming intakes, the deadlines are:

• start 4 January 2027: apply by 11 December 2026
• start 3 May 2027: apply by 16 April 2027
• start 30 August 2027: apply by 13 August 2027

Residence permit

The laws of Sint Maarten require a residence permit for all students; AUC gives the annual cost as US$280 (500 guilders). Students from countries that need a visa must pay this fee together with the enrolment reservation fee at least 60 days before arriving in Sint Maarten. Check the entry requirements for your nationality with the Sint Maarten authorities or a Dutch embassy or consulate before you travel.

Costs

For 2026-27, AUC lists the following fees in US dollars:

• medical sciences tuition: US$23,909 per semester (10-21 credits)
• clinical sciences tuition: US$31,275 per semester
• health insurance fee on the Sint Maarten campus: US$1,657 per semester
• on-campus housing: US$6,200 (single) or US$5,083 (double)

The school puts average total tuition and fees at US$32,205.50 per semester over an average of 10 semesters. Books and supplies are extra. No official figures for general living costs on the island are available.

Where to study

Within the former Netherlands Antilles, the only school in our directory is in Cupecoy, Sint Maarten, on the Dutch side of the island. Students can live on campus, where rooms are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, or rent off campus.

Practical life

• Health insurance: AUC charges a health insurance fee on the Sint Maarten campus, which may be waived if you hold your own insurance that meets its requirements
• Safety: the school's Office of Safety and Security provides 24-hour coverage of the campus and the surrounding area
• Work: there is no published rule on work for international students; ask the immigration authorities of the island before taking a job

Frequently asked questions

Does the Netherlands Antilles still exist?

No. It was dissolved on 10 October 2010. Curaçao and Sint Maarten became autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba became special municipalities of the Netherlands.

Can I study medicine in English on Sint Maarten?

Yes. The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in Cupecoy teaches a US-modelled MD programme, with two years of medical sciences on the island and clinical training in the United States or the United Kingdom.

How much does medical school on Sint Maarten cost?

For 2026-27, AUC charges US$23,909 per semester for medical sciences tuition and US$31,275 per semester for clinical sciences, plus fees, insurance and housing.

Do I need a residence permit to study on Sint Maarten?

Yes. Sint Maarten law requires a residence permit for all students, and AUC gives the annual cost as US$280.