Study abroad students looking for a university in the Caribbean would make a fine choice in Cuba. Since the 1990s, when the country became more open, thousands of international students have flocked to that country to get a taste of Cuban education, life, and history.
So because of this receptive nature of the country, we have brought you this article on Studying in Cuba, its top universities, the cost of living, and visa applications.
Cuba is a former Spanish colony in the Caribbean at the nexus of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean. The Caribbean is known for its collection of Islands. Cuba has the distinction of being the largest island in that part of the world.
The history of Cuba, its culture and music, and the many medieval castles make it a top tourist attraction. For international students, the fact the government has excellent educational and health systems are reasons to study in Cuba.
This island state has a population of about 12 million people. The largest city and capital are Havana with a population of about 2 million.
As a communist country, Cuba offers unique challenges for students from other political systems. Therefore, students should come to Cuba not to rush to judgment about Cuban culture, lifestyle, and religion.
These are some reasons why you should study in Cuba. Read more about the cost of living and top universities while studying in Cuba.
Cost of living in Cuba
Though the Cuban currency is the Peso, US dollars are widely accepted for transactions. This makes foreign exchange transactional problems almost non-existent.
The cost of living is very modest. For instance, one can eat a decent meal in an inexpensive restaurant for about $5; purchase a monthly pass for transport around Havana for just $1. For fans of coffee, $1 is all that is needed to buy a cup of cappuccino.
Again, international students can also benefit from excellent health care accessible to everybody in Cuba.
Other items that might affect a student’s living cost include
- Rent outside the city center-$115/per month for a one-bedroom apartment
- Utilities–$4.49/month
- Internet–$155/month
- Milk (1liter)–$2.21
- Eggs (dozen)–$1.51
- Beef (1kg)–$7.32
- Tomato (1kg)–$1.58
As in most cases, these prices can differ from one location to the next. And the overall living expenses can vary for individuals depending on their lifestyle. However, students living in school halls should expect to pay less per month.
Top Five Universities in Cuba
There are over 60 government-owned universities in Cuba. Tertiary education in Cuba, like in most countries, has programs leading to degrees in the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels.
A bachelor’s degree usually takes four years, while courses in medicine can take up to 6 years.
Universidad de LA Habana
This is the country’s biggest and oldest university, located in Havana’s capital. Originally a religious Institute, it now has 16 faculties offering humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences programs. The university has a vast student population of about 60,000.
Universidad de Oriente Santiago de Cuba
This is the second-ranked University in the country and is in the seaport city of Santiago de Cuba. The university has 11 faculties offering several sciences, humanities, social science, and agriculture programs.
Universidad Central Marta Abreu de Las Villas
This University has two campuses: one is located in Santa Clara, while the other is located upcountry in Topes de Collantes.
A journalism college was recently added to the 13 faculties of the university. Programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students are offered in humanities, law, and the sciences.
Ciudad Universitaria Jose Antonio Echeverria
This University is the top technical college in the country. It is located in the capital Havana with seven faculties offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees in many fields of specialized studies. In the whole of Latin America, it is ranked among the top 250 universities.
Universidad de Cienfuegos Carlos Rafael Rodriguez
Located in the beautiful city of Cienfuegos, the University was founded in 1970 and had four faculties in Agricultural science, Social sciences, Engineering, and Economic and Enterprise Science.
Tuition
The various universities have no fixed tuition, even though they are all public universities.
Depending on the university and course of study, tuition can range from $20,000 to $40,000. These fees, though, cover the total amount to be paid for the duration of the chosen course, not just per session.
You receive more information on tuition from the University of choice.
Visa
Students wishing to study abroad in Cuba would need a student visa. Visa requirements can be obtained from the Cuban embassy in your country.
However, the university you would attend can also help in Visa procurement. Talk with the proper school official to help get a visa to expedite the process in your home country.
The initial student visa should be valid for at least six months. About three months before going to Cuba to start your studies, the consulate would require you to submit the following.
- Your chosen university
- Your full name and address
- Passport number with an expiration date
- Place of birth and date
- Parents’ name
- How long do you plan to stay in Cuba?
- Date of arrival
Language Requirements
Since the country is Spanish-speaking, students must be fluent in the language. In contrast, students who cannot speak the language must enroll in a 1-year intensive course in Spanish.
CONCLUSION
As we all know that Cuba has excellent educational and health systems. So enrolling in any of the schools in Cuba will help you in your educational life and will significantly benefit you.
We Recommend
- List of Most Affordable Residential Cities for Students In
- Okanagan College Scholarships, Tuition, And Cost of Living 2024
- Konkuk University Acceptance Rate & Tuition Fees in 2024
- Study in Mexico: All you Need To Know, Tuition Fees, Cost of Living And List of Top Universities
- Study In Liechtenstein: Cost of Living, Tuition & List Of Universities
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.
Comments are closed.