About the DRTP program

The Department of Medical Education and Research provides opportunities for medical education, professional training and professional research and development for healthcare professionals in the UAE. The medical education sector established the Dubai Residency Training Program (DRTP) in 2006 with the primary objective of bridging the gap between university medical qualifications and medical professional practice.

The program provides a carefully designed learning platform where resident physicians are continuously trained and assessed to develop their skills. In addition, resident physicians can consistently advance in their duties and independent practice according to their level of knowledge and personal well-being under the guidance of highly qualified and experienced healthcare professionals.

Admission criteria

1. Applicants must be graduates of medical schools listed by the World Health Organization (WHO): https://imed.faimer.org/-https://search.wdoms.org/
2. A recognized internship program of at least one year’s duration, provided that it takes place after obtaining a bachelor’s degree and has no breaks.
3. The period between obtaining the bachelor’s degree and starting the internship before applying for the residency program (DRTP) should not exceed 5 and 4 years, respectively.
4. Certificate of English proficiency (TOEFL = 550 or higher / IELTS Academic = 6 or higher / OET = 300 (C+)).
5. Certification of higher medical education diplomas and internship certificates issued outside the UAE is carried out at:

• UAE Embassy of the country that issued the certificate.
• UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) equivalency certificate.

6. Primary Source Verification (PSV) report for all certificates ( https://dha.dfgateway.com/ )
7. Successful completion of the Emirates Medical Residency Entrance Examination (EMREE) for the medical specialty and the Emirates Dental Residency Entrance Examination (EDREE) for the dental specialty held at the College of Medicine and Healthcare (CMHS) ) at Al Ain University (UAE), prior to the commencement of the DRTP application. (The only exam accepted for applying for residency in the UAE. For more information, please visit https://fmhsmeb.uaeu.ac.ae/ and email: cmhsmeb@uaeu.ac.ae)
8. Applicants must not have ceased clinical practice for more than 12 months (not including national service for local residents or interruptions due to Covid-19).

 
Reception

1. Priority for UAE nationals in all majors.
2. The EMREE score, GPA and English test results will be part of the registration and admission criteria.
3. Getting a high score on the Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) and the Job Interview is an important factor in the initial selection process.
4. Some majors may be offered to non-UAE nationals as an alternative subject to criteria set by the assessment committee.

Specialties

DOH (Abu Dhabi)

Clinical residency training for graduates of medical specialties interested in improving their professional qualifications by enrolling in structured post-graduate medical professional training.

The application is available annually from February 1 to March 31.

Mandatory documents

1. Photo
2. Copy of passport
3. UAE residence visa (if available)
4. Identity card of a citizen of the UAE (Emirate ID) (if available)
5. For foreign applicants whose mothers are UAE nationals: Upload a copy of your mother’s passport, mother’s identity card, mother’s family book and your birth certificate
6. For spouses of UAE nationals: Upload a copy of the family book showing your name, husband’s passport, husband’s identity card and a copy of the marriage certificate
7. Completion or clearance from national service for men who are UAE nationals
8. Bachelor’s degree (for foreign citizens, the term of study is at least 5 years)
9. Diploma Supplement
10. Internship certificate (for non-UAE doctors, dentists and pharmacists)
11. Resume (CV)
12. Documents on work experience (if available)
13. Medical license(s) (required if working experience/internship outside the UAE)
14. Certificate of impeccable reputation (Good standing certificate) (required if there is work experience/internship outside the UAE)
15. Academic status (if the applicant has already completed a residency program)
16. A letter of no objection from the current employer (required if you have experience)
17. Proof that your degree was obtained in English or Academic IELTS with a score of 6 and above, or TOEFL with a score of 79 and above, or OET with a score of C and above (international applicants) Note : Based on the verification of the Department of Health

    ( DOH ) additional documents may be required.

Special conditions

1. All candidates applying to the MEAD program must meet the following admission criteria:
2. Successful completion of entrance exams for admission to the residency program.
3. Diploma of higher medical education + completion of medical internship before the start date of the residency program, i.e. before September 1.
4. Diploma of graduation from a medical university with a study program of at least 5 years.
5. Additional criteria will be determined on an annual basis and communicated to all applicants.
6. Applicants must not interrupt medical practice, see page 13 of the PQR for details.
7. Foreign citizens can apply for residency programs only three times.
8. Candidates applying for the medical education program in Abu Dhabi who are currently working in the UAE must have a letter of no objection from their current employer.
9. An applicant who has joined a medical education program in Abu Dhabi and is currently enrolled in a residency/postgraduate program wishing to apply for a change of major must submit a no-objection letter from Human Resources and a certificate of academic standing from the program director at the same time.
10. All medical graduates who wish to complete their internship/residency/postgraduate studies in Abu Dhabi must do so as part of the Abu Dhabi Medical Education Program.
11. No applicant who has not completed a medical education program in Abu Dhabi will not be admitted.
12. A change of specialty for current resident doctors is allowed only once for UAE nationals. Applications are accepted only for the second year of study in the program.
13. Candidates will be left without a place, in case of rejection of the offer during the selection process/ at the time of announcement of results or those who have not received offers (in case of all filling of non-eligible vacancies by UAE nationals who have scored higher number of points).
14. Approved Medical Education Program in Abu Dhabi Candidates who have successfully completed the Medical Education Program in Abu Dhabi are not eligible to decline their offered place. On the other hand, subject to proper justification and approval by the Ministry of Health, UAE nationals have two attempts to reapply in the future, while non-UAE nationals have one attempt.
15. Applicants must agree to and sign the new Declaration at the time of application.
16. To be selected for a study program, you must pass an interview in your chosen study program.
    NOTE: YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOCATED TO PROGRAMS FOR WHICH YOU HAVE NOT BEEN INTERVIEWED.
    Remember: The more interview places/schools you choose, the more likely you are to fit the program.

17. All candidates will be required to state whether they are currently working/under the guidance of Zayd Military Hospital, Police or any other organization and must attach an official no-objection letter from the HR department of the incumbent stating that they have no objection against your participation in the internship/residency/postgraduate program.
18. For male citizens of the UAE, it is mandatory to complete national service or obtain admission to it.
19. In addition to the third-party verification authorization form, all applicants must also complete an electronic third-party verification authorization form (e-Tarasol). Instructions in the application
20. Please note that the Ministry of Health is not responsible for applications with incomplete or incorrect information. These applications will be automatically withdrawn from the Abu Dhabi medical education program.
21. Applicants must meet the licensing requirements (ie the applicant has no interruptions in medical practice, see HPQR 2017 – link to appendix 2).