American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

Key Highlights

• Established in 1978 as a specialized medical school
• Authorized by Sint Maarten to confer the Doctor of Medicine degree
• ACCM accreditation runs through December 31, 2027
• Medical-sciences study in Sint Maarten is followed by clinical training in the U.S. or U.K.

Student Life & Environment

Student life is concentrated on a small, professionally focused medical campus where academic demands shape the daily routine. AUC lists student lounges, study areas, library resources, laboratories, recreation spaces, and round-the-clock campus security. Student organizations include cultural, professional, service, wellness, and specialty-interest groups. The Student Government Association and campus clubs organize orientation and community events, giving students opportunities to meet classmates outside scheduled teaching. Housing is available both on and off campus. On-campus furnished units offer single or double rooms, private bathrooms, utilities, laundry access, a gym, and security services. Assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis, so admission does not itself guarantee a room. The housing office also helps students consider approved nearby options in areas such as Cupecoy, Maho, Beacon Hill, Point Pirouette, Pelican Key, and Simpson Bay. A complimentary daytime shuttle serves selected nearby housing areas. Student support includes Student Affairs, disability-related assistance, wellness counseling, academic resources, and housing guidance. Living on an island also requires practical preparation that may differ from a mainland university experience, including residence-permit arrangements, hurricane awareness, international travel, health coverage, and budgeting for imported goods. Students later leave the island for clinical education, so community life and housing needs change substantially between the medical-sciences and clinical phases.

Location & Surroundings

The main medical-sciences campus is in Cupecoy on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten. The setting places students close to residential areas, shops, restaurants, and beaches, while Princess Juliana International Airport is a short drive away. English is widely used, and U.S. dollars are commonly accepted, which can ease everyday transactions for many international students. Sint Maarten shares an island with the French collectivity of Saint-Martin, giving residents access to two jurisdictions with different administrative systems. AUC reports that many off-campus students live within walking distance. Its daytime shuttle connects the campus with supported housing in Cupecoy and Maho, while licensed taxis and private vehicles provide other transport options. Uber and Lyft do not operate locally. Students considering accommodation farther from campus should weigh transport reliability and costs alongside rent. The island location offers beaches, water activities, markets, and a multicultural environment, but it also creates logistical considerations. Students must obtain the residence permission required by Sint Maarten, plan for air travel, and prepare for tropical-weather disruptions. The Sint Maarten campus is primarily the base for the medical-sciences years; the clinical portion normally requires relocation to affiliated sites in the United States or United Kingdom.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For 2026–2027, the Sint Maarten medical-sciences rate is listed as US$23,909 tuition plus US$6,019 in administrative fees per semester for a standard 10-to-21-credit load. The listed clinical-sciences charge is US$31,275 tuition plus US$4,268 in administrative fees per full-time semester. A US$359 health-insurance fee is charged periodically for the Sint Maarten campus unless qualifying coverage permits a waiver. Other listed charges include a US$1,000 enrollment reservation fee and a US$280 residence-permit fee. For students using campus housing, the published semester charge is US$6,200 for a single room or US$5,083 for a double, with a US$1,650 security deposit. Books, supplies, travel, food, personal expenses, examinations, and relocation can add materially to the total. Funding availability depends strongly on citizenship and eligibility. The school publishes scholarship and loan information, but applicants should not assume that an award or loan will cover the complete program. Changes to U.S. federal graduate-loan rules beginning in 2026 and changes affecting Canadian assistance may alter financing plans, making an individualized review with the finance office important. Graduation from medical school does not itself confer the right to practise. Graduates must meet examination, certification, residency, and licensing requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. AUC reports a first-time residency attainment rate above 98% for its 2025–2026 graduates who met the methodology’s definition of active applicants; this is an institution-reported outcome and should be read together with cohort definitions, completion data, and licensing requirements. Prospective students should compare the full cost with the risks of attrition, delayed progression, relocation, and residency competition before deciding.