Germany is an ideal location for studying medical degree, offering high-quality education at an affordable price.
An important fact to note about medical programs in Germany is that training programs are not divided between bachelors and masters – a medical training program takes six years to complete and is conducted entirely in German, so you’ll need a strong knowledge of the language. However, alternative programs in the medical field do exist as bachelors and masters, including some English-taught programs.
Requirements to study medicine in Germany
- A University entrance qualification / your secondary school leaving certificate. Your leaving certificate should be generally accepted as equivalent to the German certificate, if you’re from the EU. However, non-EU students will need to check that their qualification is eligible.
- Good knowledge of English language, in order to understand specialist literature. It is also helpful, though not, essential to have knowledge of Latin.
- An extensive high school knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics.
- The ability to cope well with stress as medical programs are often time-consuming and intensive, with up to 25-30 hours of compulsory classes a week.
- Non-EU students may require a student visa and residence permit.
How to apply to study medicine in Germany
To allow you plenty of time to get specific information on admission requirements, procedures and deadlines, it is a good idea to contact your chosen university’s International Office well in advance (if possible, a year before you plan to begin your course). The admissions process is organized into a restricted, highly selective admissions policy known as the numerus clausus (NC) since there are more applicants than there are spaces available to study medicine in Germany. The admissions process varies from university to university. If you received your university entrance qualification from Germany or a German school abroad or you come from an EU country, you should apply via the Trust for admission to higher education – the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (Foundation for University Admissions – website is in German).
To submit your application via the Foundation for University Admissions, you should register with them via their website. This will allow you to submit your application and monitor its status. You may also need to complete an online registration procedure on your university’s website.
Non-EU students will need to enquire as to whether their chosen university is a member of uni-assist. If it is, you can apply through the uni-assist centralized admission process. If not, you should apply through your chosen university, and include copies of any relevant documents.
Cost of studying medicine in Germany
If you study medicine in Germany at a public university in any state except Baden-Württemberg, you will only pay a semester fee to cover administration and enrolment costs – this is typically no more than €300 per semester (~US$320). Private universities will charge considerably higher fees.You will also need around €9,600 (~US$10,200) a year to cover your living costs, although expenses will vary depending on where you study,
Working as a doctor in Germany after your studies
If you should pass the State Examination, you’ll be granted your medical license and can begin working as a doctor. The good thing about the medical license is that it is permanent and valid anywhere across Germany. If you’re from the EU, you can work in Germany without needing a work permit and will have the same access to the labor market. However, if you are from outside the EU, you can apply to extend your residence permit for up to 18 months, in order to find work related to your studies.
The goodnews is: There is currently a large demand for doctors in the labor market in Germany, especially in rural areas. Plus the average starting salaries are very good, averaging around €49,000 (~US$52,000) a year, which is generally more than starting salaries for graduates of any other discipline.
So if you are thinking of studying medicine, it’ll be a good idea to consider studying it in Germany.
