Government of Cuba Scholarship (MBBS - Pakistan)
HEC-managed scholarship offering 11 seats (10 Medicine + 1 other) at Cuban universities for Pakistani students. Tuition and accommodation covered by Cuba; HEC provides one return air ticket. USAT test score required. Students must self-arrange halal food and medical insurance.
Quick Facts
Status
Currently ClosedFunding
Partial FundingDeadline
March 31 (annual, 2:00 PM) - apply via HEC portal
Country
CubaAbout the Government of Cuba Scholarship
The Government of Cuba, in partnership with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, offers a limited number of undergraduate scholarships to Pakistani nationals each year under a bilateral cultural and educational cooperation agreement. For the 2026-27 academic year, 11 seats were offered: 10 for Medicine (MBBS equivalent) and 1 for other disciplines.
This scholarship is managed entirely through HEC Pakistan's scholarship portal. Nomination is based solely on USAT (Undergraduate Scholarship Aptitude Test) scores - for the 10 medicine seats, only the USAT-M (medical) score is considered. Applicants must also have passed MDCAT with at least 50% marks, as required by PMDC/PMC for foreign medical admissions.
Cuba provides tuition fees, hostel accommodation, toiletries, and food - however, as Cuba is a socialist state, the provided food is NOT halal. Students are required to arrange and self-fund their own halal food throughout the program duration. HEC Pakistan provides a one-time return air ticket, but all other expenses - including visa fees, medical insurance, living costs, and halal food - are the student's own responsibility.
An important academic note: graduates of Cuban medical programs are required to appear in the NEB/NRE examination upon return to Pakistan and fulfill all PMDC/PMC requirements for registration as a foreign medical graduate. The degree is PMDC/PMC-recognized, but the registration process requires passing the NEB/NRE exam.
Eligible Levels
Eligible Fields
Why Choose This Scholarship?
One of the very few pathways for MBBS seats via HEC government-to-government bilateral agreement
Tuition and accommodation fully covered
reducing the financial burden significantly
HEC-managed application through official scholarship portal
transparent, merit-based selection
Cuban medical degrees are PMDC/PMC-recognized (NEB/NRE exam required upon return to Pakistan)
Very low competition relative to other HEC bilateral scholarships due to Cuba's unique conditions
What the Scholarship Covers
Studying in Cuba
Cuba is a socialist/communist state in the Caribbean. While it has excellent medical education programs and good infrastructure for international students, the living environment differs significantly from Pakistan. Food provided is not halal. Students are strictly advised to carefully review Cuba's laws and living conditions before applying. Medical degrees from Cuba are PMDC/PMC-recognized, but graduates must pass the NEB/NRE examination for PMDC/PMC registration in Pakistan.
Eligibility Requirements
6 requirements
Documents Checklist
10 documents required
How to Apply - Step by Step
Visit https://scholarship.hec.gov.pk and complete your profile
Under 'Learning Opportunities Abroad', find and select the Cuba scholarship announcement
Upload your USAT test score card in the documents section (label: 'Do you have previous HAT score/result card')
Fill in all required fields - ensure your email and contact number are valid and operational
Submit the application and retain a signed printed copy for your records
If shortlisted by HEC, submit all attested original documents (no hard copies required until shortlisting)
Begin Spanish translation of documents via NUML university in parallel - this takes time and must be ready if nominated
Application Timeline
February (annual)
HEC Announcement
HEC publishes Cuba scholarship on scholarship.hec.gov.pk
March 31 (annual, 2:00 PM)
Application Deadline
Deadline is firm - no extensions
April - May
HEC Shortlisting
Based on USAT-M scores and basic eligibility
After shortlisting
Document Submission
Shortlisted candidates submit attested originals; Spanish translations from NUML
May - June
Nomination to Cuba
HEC nominates selected candidates to Cuban authorities
August - September
Visa & Departure
Visa processing, air ticket from HEC, departure to Cuba
Insider Tips & Pro Tips
Prepare your USAT-M score well before the deadline - nomination is 100% based on USAT score, no other criteria
Budget carefully for halal food - Cuba is a communist state and government-provided food is not halal; this is a significant ongoing cost
Begin IBCC and MOFA attestations early - these take weeks and are mandatory for all documents
Start Spanish translation at NUML as soon as you submit your application - it's required if shortlisted and takes time
Cuba is a unique cultural and geopolitical environment - research living conditions thoroughly before applying
Ensure your HEC profile has a working email and phone number - HEC communicates shortlisting only through these channels
Important Links & Contacts
🔗 Official Links
HEC Pakistan Scholarship Portal: The Cuba MBBS scholarship is managed exclusively through HEC Pakistan. Applications are only accepted via the HEC portal when the annual cycle opens. Monitor this portal for announcements each February.
HEC Cuba Scholarship Announcement Page: HEC's dedicated page for the Cuba scholarship - announcement details, seat breakdown, and application instructions.
For Pakistani Students
Cuban Embassy in Pakistan (Islamabad)
📍 House 56, Street 2, F-8/3, Islamabad
📞 +92-51-2852742
🌐 misiones.minrex.gob.cu/en/pakistan →For Cuban student visa requirements and bilateral scholarship coordination. Contact after HEC nomination is confirmed.
Embassy of Pakistan in Cuba (Havana)
📍 Calle 26, No. 515 e/ 5ta y 7ma, Miramar, Havana, Cuba
📞 +53-7-2042548
🌐 mofa.gov.pk/cuba/ →Consular services for Pakistani students in Cuba - passport renewal, attestation, emergency assistance.
Note
This is a bilateral scholarship exclusively for Pakistani nationals administered by HEC Pakistan. International students from other countries interested in studying medicine in Cuba should contact the Cuban Embassy in their home country for direct admissions.
Find Cuba Embassies Worldwide →Frequently Asked Questions
6 questions - click any to expand
No. Cuba is a communist state and the food provided by the government is NOT halal. Pakistani students must self-arrange and self-fund their own halal food throughout the program. This is a significant ongoing expense to budget for.
Yes, Cuban medical degrees are recognized by PMDC/PMC. However, graduates must appear in the NEB/NRE examination and fulfill all PMDC/PMC requirements for registration as a foreign medical graduate - the degree alone does not grant automatic registration.
Selection is based entirely on USAT test scores. For the 10 Medicine seats, only USAT-M (medical stream) scores are considered. Basic eligibility criteria (age, marks, MDCAT) must also be met.
Medical programs in Cuba are typically taught in Spanish. All documents must be translated into Spanish by NUML University before submission. Students may need to complete a Spanish language preparatory course upon arrival.
NUML (National University of Modern Languages) in Islamabad has the official mandate in Pakistan to provide certified Spanish translations of academic and legal documents for Cuban scholarship applications. The translations must be done by NUML specifically - translations from private agencies are typically not accepted by HEC or the Cuban government. Contact NUML's Spanish Department in advance to inquire about current turnaround times and fees.
Cuba's economy is unusual - the government provides basic accommodation, food (non-halal), and toiletries. However, students should budget for: halal food (the largest personal expense), medical insurance, personal hygiene products, phone/internet costs, and occasional travel. Monthly personal expenses for international students in Cuba are estimated at USD 150-300 on top of what the government provides, depending on lifestyle choices. Pakistan's HEC provides a single return air ticket which covers flights. All other costs are personal.
⏳
Applications Currently Closed
This scholarship is expected to reopen in February. Use this time to prepare your documents and polish your application.
Accuracy notice: Information on this page was verified as of May 2026. Scholarship details - including deadlines, eligibility criteria, and required documents - can change without notice. Always confirm the latest requirements on the official website before submitting your application.
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