Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program

Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at Thumbay University Hospital in Ajman received its initial accreditation from the National Institute of Health Specialties (NIHS) in November 2025.

Designed to close the gap between academic learning and clinical practice, the program offers medical graduates a well-structured and comprehensive training experience. It promotes continuous education, innovation, and teamwork core environments that support the UAE’s vision for a robust and high-quality healthcare system.

The residency provides extensive training in both medical and surgical aspects of women’s health and the female reproductive system across all life stages in accordance to requirements of Emirati Board. Through a rigorous curriculum, residents develop advanced clinical knowledge, procedural skills, and sound clinical judgment that set them apart in the medical field. The program also equips trainees to deliver primary and preventive care for women, as well as diagnose and manage a wide range of reproductive health conditions.

The OBG Residency Program aims to:

  • Bridges the gap between medical education and professional practice through structured, comprehensive training.
  • Aligns with the national agenda to uphold the highest standards in medical practice.
  • Equips residents to address the diverse and evolving healthcare needs of the population.
  • Offers rigorous graduate medical education focused on women’s health across all life stages.
  • Trains residents in the full scope of medical and surgical management of the female reproductive system.
  • Develops specialized knowledge, clinical judgment, and procedural expertise in obstetrics and gynecology.

Program Core Competencies

  1. Professionalism
  2. Patient Care and Procedural Skills
  3. Medical Knowledge
  4. Practice-based Learning and Improvement
  5. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
  6. Systems-based Practice

Thumbay University Hospital Complex, Ajman, is the primary training site for the OBG residency program. It is the largest private academic hospital in the Middle East region, with 350 beds. It is a state-of-the-art family healthcare destination. The Hospital has a dedicated Mother and Child program floor, including 10 Labor & Delivery Rooms, NICU, SCBU and Well Baby Unit.

It is a part of the GMU Academic Healthcare system which integrates healthcare with academics and research. Academic Health Systems greatly improve patient care, medical education and research. The synergies between these central activities improve health and wellbeing while broadening the horizons of knowledge and ensuring a modern, flexible and sustainable workforce.

OBG Residency 2026-2027 – Admission Timelines

Application Opens
January 26, 2026
Application Submission Deadline
March 27, 2026
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) for shortlisted candidates
May 4 – 6, 2026
Specialty Interviews for shortlisted candidates
May 27 – 28, 2026
Final List Declaration and issuance of
Conditional Admission Offer Letter
Last week of June 2026
Start of Residency Program
September 21, 2026

Eligibility Criteria

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in medicine from a recognized college listed in the approved health institutions’ (WHO) directory.
  • Internship Completion Certificate (one-year) to be provided at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the residency program.
  • Typically, candidates should be within 5 years of medical school graduation.
  • Typically, candidates should not have been out of clinical practice for more than 24 months at any point (excluding the national service for UAE Nationals).
  • Passing a post-qualifying residency entrance examination:
    • Emirates Medical Residency Entrance Examination (EMREE)

Notes

  • For candidates with a degree awarded outside the UAE, Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) – General with Grade Average evaluation is required to evaluate the transcripts and have a standard GPA [link]
  • For EMREE, a passing score within a cycle will be considered a “first attempt,” irrespective of the candidate’s result in a prior cycle. However, a passing score achieved following an initial failure in the same cycle will be regarded as a second attempt, and a corresponding deduction will be applied to the EMREE score.
  • Candidates will join the program as full-time trainees. Combining more than one postgraduate program will not be permitted.
  • Enrollment in the program is subject to successfully completing the MOHAP / DHA licensing process.

English Criteria

One of the following English proficiency exams or their equivalent is required:

IELTS Academic
  • Overall score of 6
  • A single certificate to be submitted; combined scores are not accepted
  • Graduates of UAE universities are exempted from the certificate validity requirement
TOEFL iBT
  • Minimum of 80
  • PBT is not accepted
  • ‘My Best Scores’ will not be considered for admission purposes
  • Graduates of UAE universities are exempted from the certificate validity requirement

Selection Criteria

An application will be considered complete once all required documents are successfully submitted through the online portal and the application fee is paid. The selection process will include the following 4 phases:

  • Phase 1: Shortlisting (50%)
  • Phase 2: MMI (30%)
  • Phase 3: Specialty Interview (20%)
  • Phase 4: Ranking & Offering

The GME admission committee will review and score all completed applications according to the following criteria.

GPA 30%

Residency Entrance Examination 30%

Portfolio 40%

The Residency Entrance Exam will be calculated based on score, percentile, and number of attempts.

Portfolio Evaluation 30 points

  • Research activity – 4 Points
  • Publication – 6 Points
  • Presentation in a scientific event – 4 Points
  • Voluntary social/community activities (max two activities) – 2 Points each
  • Skill enhancement courses (max two courses) – 2 Points each
  • Extra-curricular activities (max two courses) – 2 Points each
  • Academic Awards – 4 Points

Multiple Mini-Interviews

Qualified shortlisted candidates will be invited via email for on-site Multiple Mini-Interviews (MMI)

The multiple mini-interview are comprised of several short independent assessment interviews, typically arranged in a timed circuit.

The process results in an aggregate score of each candidate non-cognitive (“soft”) skills such as interpersonal skills, professionalism, and moral judgment.

Application

  • Fill online Application Form 

Documents required as part of application

  • Copy of Attested Degree certificate from MOE, UAE or Equivalency Certificate
  • Copy of Detailed Transcript
  • Internship Complete Certificate / Letter
  • Emirates Medical Residency Entrance Examination (EMREE)
  • Updated Curriculum Vitae with Covering Letter
  • Valid BLS Certification
  • English Proficiency Test results as per the published criteria.
  • Recent Passport size photo (white background)
  • Two Letters of Recommendation (recent)
  • Copy of valid Passport
  • Copy of valid Visa
  • Copy of valid Emirates ID

Documents required upon confirmation

  • Medical Malpractice Insurance
  • Training License
  • Copy of Laboratory Results for Mandatory Testing for Infectious Diseases / Vaccination Records* (New Test for infectious diseases)

Protective Ab Panel

  • Anti Hbs
  • Varicella IgG & IgM
  • Rubella IgG & 1gM
  • Mumps IgG & IgM
  • Measles IgG & IgM

Infectious Screen Panel

  • HIV
  • HCV
  • HBsAg
  • Chest X-ray (outside applicants)