Almost everyone at the University of Nebraska Medical Center is studying to become a health professional or a researcher. It's the state's public academic health science centre, on a midtown Omaha campus shared with its hospital partner, Nebraska Medicine. International students mostly come for biomedical PhD programmes or the Master of Public Health. Its biocontainment unit made national news in 2014 when it treated Ebola patients.
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Official website: unmc.edu
Public academic health science centre
Nebraska Medicine
Nebraska Biocontainment Unit
Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center
$20,000 – $30,000
Non-resident graduate students; most PhD students are funded
$14,000 – $18,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on unmc.edu before you apply.
PhD Biomedical Sciences
DoctorateDuration
60 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
TOEFL: 90, IELTS: 7.0
Master of Public Health
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
TOEFL: 90, IELTS: 7.0
PhD Pharmaceutical Sciences
DoctorateDuration
60 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
TOEFL: 90, IELTS: 7.0
PhD Nursing
DoctorateDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
TOEFL: 90, IELTS: 7.0
Nebraska's public academic health science centre.
A biocontainment unit that treated Ebola patients in 2014.
The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center on campus.
PhD graduates move into postdoctoral research, biotech and pharmaceutical roles.
Public health graduates work for health departments, hospitals and global health organisations.
STEM-designated graduates can apply for up to three years of OPT.
Undergrad
Limited programmes
Postgrad
Programme deadlines
Omaha is a mid-sized city on the Missouri River, with several big company headquarters and restaurants in the Old Market's brick warehouses. The campus is in midtown, a short drive from downtown.
Rent is low for a US city. Winters are cold and summers hot and humid. Lincoln is an hour west, and Kansas City about three hours south.
Form I-20 issued by the institution
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Each programme sets its own deadline, and biomedical PhD applications usually close in December for the following August. Apply early to leave time for the I-20 and visa.
Graduate programmes start in August. A few professional programmes have summer starts.
You'll need an F-1 visa. Once you accept your offer and send proof of funding, University of Nebraska Medical Center issues the Form I-20. After that it's the SEVIS fee, the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
The biomedical sciences PhD, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing research and the Master of Public Health are the main routes for international students. You need a relevant bachelor's or master's degree, research experience for PhDs and TOEFL 90 or IELTS 7.0.
Most PhD students receive a stipend and tuition remission through research assistantships. Master's funding is more limited, so ask the programme directly.
