Study Medicine in Germany

Best Medicine Programs in Germany

Some of the top Medicine programs in Germany include the following:

• General Medicine
• Dentistry
• Nursing
• Nutrition
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacy

Medical School Structure in Germany

A medical degree takes six years to complete. The degree concludes with a state examination (Ärztliche Prüfung), which you must pass to receive your Licence to Practice Medicine (Approbation).

A medical degree in Germany comprises of the following phases:

• Pre-Clinical Phase: Includes the theoretical fundamentals of medicine. Takes 4 semesters/2 years to complete.
• Clinical Phase: Teaches core subjects (such as orthopaedics, neurology, gynaecology, etc.) through lectures, practical courses, and internships. Takes 6 semesters/3 years to complete.
• Practical Phase: One-year practical training in a clinic or hospital. Students become acquainted with the practical aspects of surgery, internal medicine, and an elective field.

A state examination (Ärztliche Prüfung) concludes your medical studies, after which you can apply for your medical license (Approbation).

Some Medical Doctors wish to become Medical Specialists in a certain subject of specialization. The specialization phase can take an additional 5-6 years, depending on the subject. There are approximately 30 different areas of medicine to specialize in. During the training program, you will be required to complete specific tasks. The specialization period also concludes with an examination, known as the specialist medical examination.

Requirements

General Academic Requirements

• Secondary school leaving certificate (equivalent to the German certificate).
  • If your qualification is not eligible/equivalent (non-EU students): One-year preparatory course (Studienkolleg) to enter the final exam (Feststellungsprüfungexam), which enables you to study at German universities.
• Outstanding GPA (applicants usually have excellent grades).
• German proficiency (generally C1 level): TestDaF or the DSH.
• Proof of English language proficiency (enough to understand scientific literature): TOEFL or IELTS.
• Aptitude for subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, and maths.
• Professional training or volunteer experience (depending on the university).

Application Process

Medical degrees in Germany have nationwide admission restrictions (centrally restricted NC), which happens when there are more applicants than places available at a particular program. Considering medical degrees are in demand across Germany, the admission restrictions apply nationwide. The admission process in these programs is restricted and quite selective, which means getting into medical school is not as simple unless you meet the university-specific requirements. Usually, 5% of the spots are reserved for non-EU international students at each German medical university.

EU Students

Students from the EU (including Liechtenstein, Iceland, or Norway) should submit their application through the Foundation for University Admission (Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung - SfH). To submit an application through this platform, students must register on their website and, additionally, also complete an online registration form on the university’s website. The complete set of documents varies according to the university.

Non-EU Students

Non-EU students should initially make sure that their chosen university is a member of Uni-Assist. If the answer is positive, they should submit their application to Uni-Assist, including all the required documentation. After receiving the Verification of Documents confirmation (Vorprüfungsdokumentation) from Uni-Assist, international students should submit their application directly to the university of their choice, along with the whole set of documents.

Degree Duration: How Long Does It Take to Study Medicine in Germany?

It takes six years and three months to complete medical training at a university in Germany, including the state exam (Ärztliche Prüfung). The degree is divided into three phases, including the pre-clinical phase (duration: two years), the clinical phase (duration: three years), and the practical phase (duration: one year). During each of these phases, students become more and more acquainted with the fundamentals of medicine. In the last year of studies, students are better exposed to the practical aspects of their work in a hospital/clinic setting as part of the practical phase.

Tuition Fees: How Much Does It Cost to Study Medicine in Germany?

The cost of studying medicine in Germany is relatively low, especially in most German public universities, which have introduced tuition-free education. Students pursuing their studies at German public universities only pay around €250 ($300) in semestral fees. The only exception to this no-tuition fee regulation is the state of Baden-Württemberg. Public universities in this state charge approximately €3,000 (~$3,600) in tuition fees per year. The affordability of tuition fees at German public universities is one of the greatest reasons to study medicine in Germany, complemented by higher education expertise and employment opportunities.

On the other hand, private universities in Germany regulate their own fees, which are usually higher compared to public universities. Moreover, when you decide to pursue your medical degree in Germany, keep in mind that you will also have to consider the living costs. Luckily enough, the living costs are also reasonably affordable. It has been estimated that a single student will need approximately €900 (~$1,100) per month to live comfortably in Germany.

Medical Jobs in Germany

The State Examination (Ärztliche Prüfung) is what will make you eligible to practice your medical profession. Medical professionals from EU member countries can access the labor market the same way as German nationals can without having to obtain a work permit or apply for a visa. Those from outside of the EU will have to extend their residence permit for up to 18 months to find employment in Germany.

The good news is that there is a great demand for medical professionals in Germany, which means finding employment will not be difficult, especially if you know the German language. There is a particular shortage of doctors in Germany, especially in rural areas. Some German states offer additional allowances for students who can commit to working as general practitioners in these understaffed areas in Germany.