RCSI - Medical University of Bahrain

RCSI received a licence to establish a medical university in Bahrain in October 2003.  As a result, RCSI Bahrain was opened in October 2004 with its first intake of medical students.  This was followed in 2006 by a first intake of nursing students and by the establishment of a School of Postgraduate Studies.  In addition to the medical programme, the School of Medicine has a medical commencement programme (MCP).  The School of Nursing has an undergraduate and bridging BSc programmes and the School of Postgraduate Studies has an MSc in Nursing and Healthcare Ethics & Law.

RCSI Bahrain is dedicated to the development of healthcare leaders who make a difference worldwide, and the advancement of human health on a global scale. Our mission is to inspire, educate and train competent and caring graduates who are well prepared to enter specialty training and assume leadership roles when they graduate.

The quality of our teaching and learning is assessed and enhanced daily, and allows us to attract the best calibre of students from all over the world. You will be able to apply the skills you will learn at RCSI Bahrain directly into the workplace, through our blended learning approach of classroom and hospital-based study. Many of our alumni have gone on to careers in some of the best institutions in the world, with employers being consistently impressed by our graduates.

At the heart of enhancing patient care is constant research,and we are proud to devote significant resources to developing biomedical and health services research in Bahrain and the wider region, including funding student research projects. Our staff and students are actively involved in research, and our teaching is research-led. RCSI Bahrain’s students and staff have a genuine passion for research, and we train postgraduate scientists and clinicians for internationally competitive careers in basic and clinical research.

Ultimately your goal in studying healthcare is to enhance wellbeing, and both our students and faculty actively pursue this philosophy with their time to help develop the community they live in. Our dedicated Community Engagement team runs many projects and initiatives both in Bahrain and abroad, such as our Mobile Diabetes Unit which generates awareness of this prevalent condition amongst children, as well as links with the Bahrain Diabetic Society and our connection with Action Ireland Trust to support their on-site charitable work in Lesotho, Africa, Vietnam and India.

We have received official accreditation from many reputable health boards and councils for the quality of our programmes, including the Irish Medical Council who accredited us in 2014. This accreditation is based on the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME) standards, which are the highest available in medical education. Our School of Medicine is included in the World Health Organisation’s World Directory of Medical Schools, and the International Medical Education Directory, Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER). All programmes offered by RCSI Bahrain have also achieved full confidence in an external review by the National Authority for Qualifications and Quality Assurance of Education & Training (NAQQAET, 2012).

Our multipurpose laboratories give you the chance to apply what you have learned through theory, and bring to life your practical knowledge for both medical and nursing students. You will test experimental procedures related to biology, medicinal chemistry, anatomy and much more, also fostering your passion for research and developing your analytical skills which are essential in the medical field.

Our beautifully designed library is open plan, circular, and a great place to spend your time studying. You can choose private study rooms, comfortable seating areas and flexible learning spaces. The LRC has over 12,000 print titles, a suite of e-resources, journals, databases, clinical digests, reference tools and software and health websites to ensure all possible scholarly work is available to you.

Moodle, the VLE employed by the university, is a valuable resource for all registered students and alumni, which facilitates access to a wide variety of information: learning outcomes, lecture notes, class time-tables, multimedia tutorials, discussion forums, examination results, self-assessment tests and calendar of events for clubs and societies. This tool unifies the student body experience.

Designed by students, for students, our Centre for Student Success (CSS) offers comfortable and friendly spaces to sit with friends, study, access resources, chat to a tutor or get other support from the dedicated CSS team. The CSS looks after student welfare and wellbeing, helps with personal and professional development, and also acts as a drop-in learning centre. You can drop into our friendly CSS team for financial, accommodation, disability or family advice, or help with CV writing, extra curricular learning, workshops and any other guidance issues.

As well as providing top-level academic programmes, RCSI Bahrain is intent on offering a well-balanced and worthwhile student experience. As such, students are invited to join in a series of extra-curricular activities, from the annual Model United Nations Conference to our International Night and Clubs and Societies Day. There are more than 30 clubs and societies for you to choose from, as well as a vibrant Student Council, plus a range of sporting, social and other extra-curricular activities to suit our culturally diverse student body.

RCSI Bahrain has a building of 20 two-bedroom apartments within a three minute walk from the campus. A member of RCSI Bahrain staff is appointed as house master of the residence and has a degree of pastoral responsibility for students. While many students have successfully arranged accommodation from abroad, some wait until they arrive, but you can be safe in the knowledge that accommodation is in plentiful supply. A list of details and contacts for external apartment blocks in the local area is available through the Student Services Office.