Student Experience

St. Matthew’s University invites students from all over the globe to apply to our MD program. Currently, our student body and alumni represent more than 40 different countries, making SMUSOM a diverse place to study.

Prospective students who are lacking any or all of SMUSOM’s pre-requisite coursework should contact our team of admissions advisers at admissions@stmatthews.edu. We can recommend pre-medical or pre-veterinary programs where you can complete the pre-requisite coursework. It is possible to complete all pre-requisite courses and your MD or DVM degree in less than five years.

Students who have earned A Level Certificates in Biology and Chemistry may begin SMUSOM’s application process by emailing their A Level results confirmation to admissions@stmatthews.edu.

Roughly 20% of our student population is made up of Canadian students. For many students, Grand Cayman has become a home away from home with many Canadian banks and brands having a presence on the island

Canadian Community 

You’ll find lots of your home comforts on Grand Cayman as well as recognisable names including RBC and Scotia Bank. Both banks have significant influence in the financial services sector on the Cayman Islands meaning keeping your finances in order will be simple.

The Cayman Islands also attract lots of Canadian citizens and therefore, you’ll find a large community of ex-pat workers on the islands. As such, lots of Canadian culture has found its place on the islands with a prominent ball hockey league taking place and many NHL games being broadcasted in local bars.

Financial support

If you are a Canadian student, you will be able to apply for loans using the Provincial Canadian Student Loan programs. You can find out more information about the National Student Loans Services Centre on the Canadian government’s CanLearn website: www.canlearn.ca. In order to apply for a loan you will need to use SMUSOM’s school code: NUBQ.

Additionally, many major banks in Canada such as RBC and National Bank of Canada offer lines of credit to students studying outside of the country.

Clinical Rotations in Canada

SMUSOM medical students may participate in elective clinical rotations at eligible teaching sites in Canada. Some of the Canadian educational sites where SMUSOM students have recently completed clinical rotations are:

• University of Alberta
• University of British Columbia
• Dalhousie University
• University of Manitoba
• McMaster University
• University of Saskatchewan
• University of Toronto
• University of Western Ontario

Practice in Canada

SMUSOM medical school graduates are eligible to apply for the Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS). An increasing number of our graduates are pursuing residency in Canada, with recent residency placements in such programs as:

• University of Alberta
• University of Calgary
• Dalhousie University
• University of Manitoba
• McGill University
• Northern Ontario School of Medicine
• University of Ottawa
• University of Toronto

Canadian Elective Sites

• Bayshore Neurology Center  
  Elective Offered: Neurology  
  Location: Ottawa, Ontario  
• Booth Neurology Center
  Elective Offered: Neurology
  Location: Ottawa, Ontario
• Medical Centre for Integrated Health Family and Women’s Medicine
  Elective Offered: Family Medicine and Gynecology
  Location: Toronto, Ontario
• OliveMD Medical Centre
  Elective Offered: Internal Medicine
  Location: Etobicoke, Ontario
• Carrot Health Centre
  Elective Offered: Eye Surgery & Ophthalmology Services
  Location: Brampton, Ontario
• Bramalea Medical Centre
  Elective Offered: Obstetrics and Gynecology
  Location: Brampton, Ontario
• Strandherd Crossing Medical Centre Nepean
  Elective Offered: Pediatrics/Addictions Medicine
  Location: Nepean, Ontario
• Vaughan Sleep Disorder Centre
  Elective Offered: Sleep and Respiratory Disorders
  Location: Vaughan, Ontario
• CBI Health Nepean
  Elective Offered: Sports Medicine
  Location: Kanata, Ontario
• Pembroke Regional Hospital
  Elective Offered: Multiple Electives
  Location: Oakville, Ontario

Students often opt to live in housing close to the university. The Residence Hall is conveniently located just two miles south of the campus classroom buildings, with easy access to beautiful Seven Mile Beach. Incoming students often opt for the convenience of the Residence Hall, and some students choose to live there for multiple semesters. The rooms in the Residence Hall offer the choice of single or double occupancy. Each room comes with its own bathroom, internet, Cable TV, desk and chair, wardrobe, chest of drawers, microwave, and a ten cubic foot refrigerator/freezer.

The Residence Hall is a two-story hotel-type building with a living-learning atmosphere geared toward student’s academic success and includes a large study room. Residents can enjoy various amenities such as a pool, a common area equipped with a full kitchen, and a bike rack. Additionally, there are grocery stores and a gym located nearby for added convenience. For the safety and security of the residents, there is overnight security staff available, and parking spaces are provided for student vehicles.

The housing market on Grand Cayman is strong and presents many opportunities for student tenants to find homes. Most rental units come furnished (i.e., stocked with standard hard and soft furnishings, such as beds, tables, appliances, couches, window dressings, etc.) or fully furnished (i.e., everything but your own clothes and personal belongings are included).

For students who prefer to live in one of the many apartments or homes in the area, our dedicated St. Matthew’s University Housing Coordinator can assist you in finding just the right place for you.

Residence Hall Fees

Room Type: Per Semester (in USD):

Standard Single $4,950.00 USD

Standard Suite Single Occupancy $5,690.00 USD

Standard Suite Double Occupancy $3,430.00 USD (Per Student)

Deluxe Suite Single Occupancy $6,095.00 USD

Deluxe Suite Double Occupancy $3,750.00 USD (Per Student)

American Medical Student Association (AMSA)

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. For more than 58 years, AMSA has provided students with experience in areas of medicine not covered under the traditional curriculum. This includes technical, hands-on training in pertinent skills that will be necessary for students when they enter clinical rotations. We also work with the community to promote public awareness and improve public health.

We are a student-governed, national organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. With a membership of more than 68,000 medical and premedical students, interns and residents, and practicing physicians from across the country, AMSA continues its commitment to improving medical training and the nation’s health.

Canada Key

CANADA KEY at St. Matthew’s University is a non-denominational, voluntary organization founded on the core values of Integrity, Excellence, Life-long Learning and Support & Community Service. Canada Key aims to provide a forum to facilitate dialogue, networking, exploring and sharing topical information about common medical career and related goals.

Canada Key members are individuals interested in learning about options to further their medical training in Canada or in the USA (as Canadian nationals) or whose interests are aligned to matters pertaining to medical education and practice in Canada. Canada Key differentiates itself by taking a 4-quadrant holistic approach to self and professional development. Canada Key’s value-add is to help each member identify and develop a customized ‘Key’ — a set of milestones to be achieved in each sphere of life: Personal, Professional, Academic and Community Service.

Indian Student Association

The vibrant culture, the rich heritage, and the effusive warmth of the people, all are a reflection of what we as Indians stand for. The Indian Student Association is an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the diversity and uniqueness of the Indian culture through various activities, community services, and educational programs to Indian and Non-Indian students in the SMUSOM community and neighboring areas. Not only will ISA strive to preserve and promote the Indian culture but will also help new students enrolling at SMUSOM adjust and adapt to SMUSOM and their new home.

Muslim Student Association

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) works to promote a unified group of Muslim and non-Muslim students by educating the surrounding community about Islam, faith and medical practice. The MSA strives to offer support and aid to all new studdents at SMUSOM through sharing learning strategies and specific course tactics. In conjunction with Cayman service groups, the MSA volunteers in the community to provide service to those in needs through hosting events and educational programs.

Research Organization

The Research Organization of St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine encourages students to participate in research by working independently and with colleagues and faculty. Our annual Research Day showcases student research posters, displaying and discussing their studies to the entire campus community. We are also interested in helping physicians on the island and around the world conduct their research by volunteering in community events. The Research Organization emphasizes and fosters leadership, the importance of research and evidence based medicine, and the foundation of life long learning for future physicians.

St. Matthew’s University Circle K Club

Circle K International (CKI) is an international collegiate service organization that is a sponsored leadership program of Kiwanis International. It promotes service, leadership, and fellowship. With over 13,250 members worldwide, it is the largest collegiate service organization of its kind in the world. Here at St. Matthew’s University, in Grand Cayman, our service projects range from assisting the elderly and disabled to working with children in the local hospitals and pediatrics wards.

Student Government Association (SGA)

The Student Government of St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine is the democratic government representing the entire Student Body of St. Matthew’s University school of medicine.

The Student Government Association plays a continuous role for students at SMUSOM in policy and decision making, when the interests of students are involved. The Student Government Association works to improve the quality of both academic and non-academic life for students of the college, and to protect the rights of students, as students, and as citizens.

Overall, the Student Government Association serves as the representative voice of the student body of the college on issues which pertain to academics and the general welfare of the students, both on and around the campus.