Located in the Caribbean Sea, Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean. The country is known for its beaches, music, culture, and distinctive history. In this article, we will look at universities in Cuba that international students may want to consider. Admissions requirements, tuition fees, and available programs can change, so prospective students should confirm the latest information directly with each institution.

Before applying, prospective students should consider whether they want to complete a full degree, study abroad for one or two semesters, or pursue a shorter academic program. Available options vary by institution and field of study. In this article, we will be looking at the cheapest universities in Cuba for international students.

Affordable Schools in Cuba for International Students

1. University Marta Abreu of Las Villas (UCLV)

The Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas (UCLV) opened its first academic year in 1952. Its main address is in Santa Clara, Villa Clara.

UCLV states that undergraduate education is delivered through 12 faculties, the Institute of History, Marxism, and National Security, and 12 municipal university centers. Its current undergraduate page lists 55 university degree programs, nine short-cycle higher education programs, and approximately 9,000 students.

Prospective students may be admitted through government scholarships or as self-funded students. In addition to degree programs, UCLV offers options such as internships, thesis-related academic stays, specialized courses, and Spanish-language courses. The university also provides accommodation options for international students.

2. University of Holguín (UHo)

  • Degree program fees: full undergraduate degree: 27,200 CUC to 28,200 CUC per year

The University of Holguín (UHo) is located in the city of Holguín. Its official history page describes roots in higher education activity in the province beginning in 1968 and the integration of several provincial higher education centers in 2015.

The university’s website lists eight faculties: Economic Sciences and Administration; Social Sciences; Communication and Letters; Mathematics and Informatics; Engineering; Natural and Agricultural Sciences; Education Sciences; and Physical Culture and Sports.

The university provides information for international applicants interested in complete degree programs, semesters of study, preparatory programs, internships, and shorter academic stays. Prospective students should review the university’s current list of degree options for international students and confirm the required application documents directly with the institution.

UHo has also participated in international academic cooperation initiatives, including Erasmus+ activities.

3. Technological University of Havana José Antonio Echeverría (CUJAE)

  • Degree program fees: doctoral programs for foreign doctoral students: 8,000 USD

The Technological University of Havana José Antonio Echeverría (CUJAE) was inaugurated in 1964.

The university’s official website lists nine faculties: Architecture; Civil Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Industrial Engineering; Informatics Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Automation and Biomedical Engineering; and Telecommunications and Electronics Engineering. It also lists 14 study and research centers.

4. Medical Sciences University of Havana (UCMH)

  • Degree program fees: Medicine: 55,000 USD; Stomatology: 50,000 USD; Nursing: 33,000 USD; Health Technologies: 32,000–33,000 USD.

The Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana (UCMH) is part of Cuba’s medical higher education system. Official Cuban public-health sources identify UCMH as the national rector center for the Medicine curriculum.

The Medicine program follows a six-year curriculum. Prospective international students should obtain current information about available degrees, admissions procedures, tuition fees, accommodation, and policies for accompanying family members directly from the institution or an authorized medical-study channel.

For additional information, review the Medicine curriculum overview and confirm current payment instructions through the authorized medical-study channel before applying.

We hope that this article on universities in Cuba was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hi! I am Hyun, and I am the founder at Global Scholarships. I've received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College and a $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for my undergraduate degree and was offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. You can read more about my scholarship journey here. If you are interested, you can follow me on Linkedin where I regularly write about scholarships.

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