6 Best medical schools in Germany
Are you interested in studying medicine in Germany and searching for the best medical schools in the country? You’re in luck! This article will provide you with a list of medical colleges in Germany.
If you’re considering studying medicine in Germany, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the institutions that offer training to become a medical doctor. To assist you in this process, this article answers the following questions:
Before we discuss the best medical schools in Germany, here’s the most important information you should know about studying medicine in Germany.
Medical degree
Medical studies are structured differently from almost all other subjects, as they follow a traditional system rather than a two-tier system of undergraduate (Bachelor) and graduate (Master) levels. The standard period of study for medical courses in universities is 6 years and 3 months, and it culminates in the state examination.
German as language of study
To complete the full medical training in Germany and practice as a doctor in the country, it is mandatory to have proficiency in the German language. However, there are some exceptions for Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in the health sciences field, which are taught in English but do not qualify graduates for approbation as physicians. Therefore, kindly refer to the article on the German language requirements for further information.
Admission
Medical studies are considered to be one of the most competitive subjects due to the high demand from students who aspire to become doctors, which greatly exceeds the number of available places. The application process for medical studies is quite complex, and generally, a high GPA in A-Levels is required, or applicants must meet alternative requirements such as admission tests, interviews, or a few years of work experience to be eligible for admission.
This is often used as a rule of thumb to evaluate the suitability of applicants.
Tuition fees
In public universities in Germany, studying is generally free of charge, except for non-EU foreign students in Baden-Württemberg and certain Master’s programs where tuition fees may apply. On the other hand, private universities charge approximately 50,000 – 100,000 € in total fees for medical studies.
Overview of Best medical schools in Germany
1. Heidelberg University
Heidelberg University, also known as the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg (German: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg; Latin: Universitas Ruperto Carola Heidelbergensis), is a public research university in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It was founded in 1386 on the instruction of Pope Urban VI and is not only Germany’s oldest university but also one of the world’s oldest surviving universities. It was the third university to be established in the Holy Roman Empire.
The Medical Faculty in Heidelberg has an international reputation and is one of the oldest medical faculties in Germany. Students can benefit from exceptional opportunities for study and research.
The Medicine degree program lasts for a minimum of six years and three months and comprises three phases: preclinical study, clinical study, and a practice year. After completing the degree program, students sit for the state examination, which licenses them to practice as a medical doctor. Graduates can pursue specializations by continuing to study while working.
2. Freiburg University
The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Freiburg (German: Medizinische Fakultät der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg) is the medical and dental school of the university, and is an integral part of the university’s biomedical research unit, along with the University Medical Center Freiburg. It was established in 1457, making it one of the oldest medical faculties in Germany and one of the most distinguished.
The faculty’s institutes and buildings are situated at the Medical Center campus in the Stühlinger district of Freiburg, as well as in the Institute Quarter in the Neuburg district. The Faculty of Medicine consistently ranks highly in various national and international rankings, including those published by German publications Der Spiegel and Focus.
The University of Freiburg is ranked 4th in Germany for funding in life sciences research by the German Research Foundation and 2nd in funding per professor. The Medical Faculty of the University of Freiburg is internationally recognized for its advancements in medical sciences, working in close collaboration with the Medical Center – University of Freiburg to improve medical care for the population.
3. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, also known as LMU or the University of Munich (German: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München), is a public research university situated in Munich, Germany. It was founded in 1472 and is recognized as one of Europe’s top research institutions, with exceptional potential for groundbreaking research across a diverse range of disciplines.
The Faculty of Medicine at LMU comprises the University Hospital, which is located in both Großhadern and downtown Munich, as well as preclinical and academic facilities, and clinical-theoretical facilities. It is the largest medical training institution in southern Germany.
The faculty has implemented innovative teaching and learning methods for the study of medicine, including the Medical Curriculum Munich (MeCuM-LMU). It has also established a renowned international reputation for both academic and clinical work, demonstrated by the substantial amount of external funding it has received for Collaborative Research Centers, postgraduate Research Training Groups, research units, and national and international joint projects.
4. Technical University of Munich
The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is home to the TUM School of Medicine (TUM MED), a research-intensive medical school located in Munich, Germany. The Rechts der Isar Hospital serves as its teaching hospital and biomedical research facility.
Together with the university hospital, the TUM School of Medicine is one of the strongest medical research locations in Germany, and its successes are internationally renowned. Medicine is a major area of focus for TUM and is critical for its further development. Students can complete their clinical studies at TUM School of Medicine after a pre-clinical training phase jointly offered with the Medical School of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
The TUM School of Medicine offers interdisciplinary courses based on the subject-focused curriculum “mediTUM”. Additionally, several doctoral programs are available for medical students/physicians and natural scientists, such as the PhD program “Medical Life Science and Technology”.
5. RWTH Aachen University
The RWTH Aachen University’s Faculty of Medicine was established in 1966 and is one of the nine faculties of the university. The Klinikum Aachen is the teaching hospital associated with the faculty and includes various specialized clinics, institutes for research, lecture halls, and other facilities necessary for a hospital. The faculty has approximately 2,700 enrolled students.
6. University of Tübingen
The Medical Faculty (MFT) of the University of Tübingen is one of the founding faculties of the university and is one of the largest medical training institutions in Baden-Württemberg. Along with the university clinics, the preclinical and scientific institutes, and the clinico-theoretical institutions, it provides a comprehensive medical education.
The MFT offers state examination courses in human medicine and dentistry, as well as bachelor and master degree programs in Molecular Medicine, medical technology, biomedical technologies, radiation sciences, and nursing and midwifery science. Moreover, the Graduate Training Center of Neuroscience offers three consecutive English-language master’s degrees.
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