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.
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GPA 30%
|
Residency Entrance Examination 30%
|
Portfolio 40%
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The Residency Entrance Exam will be calculated based on score, percentile, and number of attempts.
Portfolio Evaluation 30 points
All required documents must be complete and finalized before submission, as no edits are allowed afterward.
Research Activities – 4 Points
Submit a research proposal, supervisor letter confirming your role, and IRB approval if available. Activities must occur after entering medical or dental school, include clear dates and your name, and be supported by signed, stamped, or official letterhead documents. Submissions missing required approvals or handwritten documents are not accepted.
Publication – 6 Points
Provide an active publication link and/or PDF and the final published manuscript. Publications must be post-enrollment, peer-reviewed, verifiable on the journal website, list you as an author, and include a publication date. Abstract-only, unpublished, withdrawn, or handwritten submissions are not accepted.
Presentation at a scientific event – 4 Points
Submit a certificate or letter confirming an oral or poster presentation. Presentations must be health-related, post-enrollment, and include your name, title, date, and official authentication. Attendance-only, role-unclear, academic day, or handwritten certificates are not accepted.
Voluntary social/community activities – 2 Points each
Submit an official certificate or letter confirming your health-related volunteering role (maximum two activities). Activities must be post-enrollment, clearly dated, name you as a participant, and be issued by a recognized organization. Non-health-related, sports, scientific event volunteering, and handwritten documents are not accepted.
Skill enhancement courses – 2 Points each
Submit up to two official course certificates completed after enrollment, clearly showing the course title, your name, and date. Entrance exams, preparatory courses, conference or exam attendance, and handwritten certificates are not accepted.
Extra-curricular activities – 2 Points each
Submit up to two health-related activities supported by official certificates or letters describing your role. Activities must be post-enrollment, clearly dated, non-overlapping, name you as a participant, and be officially authenticated. Handwritten documents are not accepted.
Academic Awards – 4 Points
Provide an official certificate or letter for academic or research awards received after enrollment, clearly stating your name and award date. Photos, emails, recommendation letters, and handwritten documents are not accepted.
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.
