Medical school can be an exciting time in a student’s life, or it can be a stressful experience. Many students who choose to train as physicians are driven by their desire to help people. It is also commonly accepted that becoming a physician will allow you to make high salary. However, medical school is very competitive and getting accepted into any program is difficult.
Schools in Europe are growing quickly in popularity, and it’s easy to see why. You can get a world-class medical degree that’s affordable, usually at a fraction of the cost of schools here in the United States. Europe is a wonderful place for medical students to study and practice medicine, with programs available across the continent.
Right here on infolearners, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on best medical schools in europe, why study medicine in europe vs usa, requirement to study medicine in europe, u s accredited medical schools in europe, medical universities in europe, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.
Study Medicine in Europe
Medicine in Europe (Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Moldavia, Ukraine, Russia, etc): Medical Studies (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, etc.) in European universities with medical programs in English, French, Bulgarian, Romanian, etc.; internationally recognised diploma; affordable tuition fee and living cost; safe and secure environment is possible. Get into general medicine, medicine dental, pharmacy, nursing etc in language of your choice without entrance exam but on application file selection!
Study Medicine in Europe in English
Study medicine in Europe in English: Medical study and training slightly varies within Europe and around the world. The medical study encompasses university medical university (university school) followed by a period of supervised practice or internship, and/or residency, which can be followed by postgraduate vocational training (medical science is in continuing evolution).
Planning to become Doctor in Europe or abroad, you must consider:
- Studying medicine in Europe or else where is the same science, but the quality and qualification differ among different countries and even medical universities. The diplomas from all accredited medical Universities in EU and EEA countries are recognised in all countries, but the diplomas from medical universities outsides of EU and EEA in Europe are not automatically recognised.
- Study medicine in Europe can varies from country to country: Example, en Occidental countries, the medical study is centred more on theoretically study, while in East European countries (Romania, Bulgaria etc.) the most time is dedicated to practical side of medicine from the beginning.
- In most European Countries, it is easy to get into medical university but hard to become doctor (approximately 80 % of students are excluded within the first 2 years!); in other countries it is difficult to get in medical school but as soon as the student is hard worker has a good back ground, the possibility of becoming doctor is higher (this is the case of some East European countries where students are divided into small groups from the beginning and where the place are very limited from the first year!). Some university welcome medical transfer students from accredited medical universities.
- Studying medicine success requires application and hard work, both while studying and when in practice. However, it brings great rewards in terms of job satisfaction, involving as it does a combination of science and human interactions, and numerous medical career opportunities. All our medical university courses provide medical education and training required to be one of tomorrow’s doctors of medicine, reflecting the latest advances in medical sciences and practice.
Requirement to study medicine in Europe
Even if the requirements to apply to medical university in Europe can slightly differ, the prospective medical student must know that most of medical universities require most of the following documents:
- High school diploma (certificate) giving acces to university;
- Good marks in biology and chemistry and maths;
- Speak English, French, or Romanian or Bulgarian or follow one year preparatory course;
- To be in good health mentally, physically and without daisies incompatible with medical career;
- To have enough source of financing medical studies by student loans, wonderful parents or generous sponsors or other sources;
- University course (if applicable); letters of recommendation; letter of motivation ; academic achievements; hobbies and personal interests;
- relevant to health care paid or voluntary work experience e.g. ;work as a hospital auxiliary, in nursing or residential care, red cross etc.; computer literacy; communication skills; teamwork skills etc.;
- Some universities organise medical English test or even entry test in biology and chemistry;
Best Medical Universities in Europe
Among the best Universities of Medicine in Europe, the can be classified by region as:
- Medical University and Pharmacy of East European countries, members of European Union (Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia etc);
- Medical University and Pharmacy in East European countries, non-European Union countries (Moldavia, Russia, Ukraine etc.);
- Medical University and Pharmacy , in Occidental countries (France, Germany, Italia, Spain, Sweden, UK, etc.)
Most of those countries have English or French program of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy. The degrees from all accredited medical Universities in European Union are recognised in all European Union Countries and beyond.
Best medical schools in europe
1. Karolinska Institute, Sweden
Located in Solna, right next to Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, Karolinska Institute is one of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world. With an affiliated teaching and research hospital, Karolinska is a place where a lot of focus isn’t just on the theoretical side, but on innovation and on practice, as well.
2. Heidelberg University, Germany
Heidelberg University has a rich history in Germany and Europe. As the oldest university in the country, and the third ever university established by the Roman Empire, the university is home to a lot of international students, coming from over 130 countries.
3. ETH Zurich, Switzerland
ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology was founded over 150 years ago and has established itself as one of the most important institutions in STEM research. As one of the most important and highly-ranked universities in the world, not just in Europe, a degree at ETH is definitively something that will make your CV stand out.
4. KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Belgium
The Faculty of Medicine is involved in international projects and networks and is part of the Biomedical Sciences Group. Also collaborating with a hospital, the school usually has a consistent group of international students. Research is also a main focus of the specialists from KU Leuven and there are plenty of studies on science, technology and health.
5. Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin stands out among other German universities thanks to its research efforts. Over 3,700 researchers are working on new medical innovations and devices. You can be one of them!
6. Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands
The Erasmus University Rotterdam is often present in the global university rankings created by Times Higher Education, TopUniversities, US News, and other organisations. This is excellent proof of the university’s quality, assets, and its research efforts & facilities.
7. LMU Munich, Germany
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich has a centuries-old tradition and is one of the most internationally renowned universities in Germany. Research Services support researchers during all phases of research from consultation on third-party funding to the administrative, and legal aspects of projects.
8. Technical University of Munich, Germany
Technical University of Munich is one of the youngest medical schools in Germany and has active collaborations with over 20 teaching hospitals and clinics. Within the university, the medical faculty has extensive modern facilities, including 24 clinics and 18 institutes that enables students to focus on research and gain valuable practical experience.
9. Paris Sciences et Lettres – PSL Research University of Paris, France
PSL Research University of Paris is a collegiate university created in 2010 offering degrees at all levels and focusing on top-quality research and a focus on interdisciplinary education. PSL features 181 laboratories, workshops, incubators and a unique scientific and cultural environment.
10. University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
The University of Amsterdam has two educational institutes, which study medicine and medical informatics and a research institute that develops projects in cardiovascular disorders, epidemiology and public health, infectious diseases and immunology, metabolic disorders, oncology and many others.
Best Medical Schools in Europe Taught in English
Why some university in Europe are more attractive than others? Different reasons: English or French programmes, medical preparatory year, admission without entry exam, reasonable tuition fees, etc.
Degree awarded from all accredited universities in European Union are valid and recognised in the entire European Union provided the University is accredited. This is ideal for anyone planning to work in the UK, France, Germany or elsewhere in the European Union in the future.
Medical University in Bulgaria
- Medical University of Sofia;
- Medical University of Varna;
- Medical University of Pleven;
- Medical University of Plovdiv;
- Trakia University of Stara Zagora, Faculty of medicine;
Medical University in Romania
- University of Medicine and pharmacy Cluj napoca;
- University of Medicine and pharmacy Timisoara;
- University of Medicine and pharmacy T. Gr. Popa Iasi;
- University of Medicine and pharmacy Craiova;
- University of Medicine and pharmacy Carol Davial, Bucharest;
- University of Medicine and pharmacy Ovidius, Constanta;
- University of Medicine and pharmacy Oradea;
- University of Medicine and pharmacy Arad;
Medical University in Czech Republic
- Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove;
- Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen;
- Charles University in Prague, first faculty of Medicine;
- Charles University in Prague, second faculty of Medicine;
- Charles University in Prague, third faculty of Medicine;
- Masaryk University, Faculty of Medicine;
- Palacky University, Faculty of Medicine, Olomouc;
Medical University in Hungary
- Semmeiweis University, budapest;
- University of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Center;
- University of Pecs;
- University of Szeged, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Medical University;
Medical University in Poland
- Medical Academy of Bialystok, 4 year and 6 year programs;
- Medical University in Bydgoszcz, Faculty II, 6 year program;
- Medical Academy of Gdansk, 6 year program;
- Medical University of Lodz, 4 year program (6 year program not for students with a degree);
- Medical University of Lublin, 4 year and 6 year programs;
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, 4 year and 6 year programs;
- Pomeranian Academy of Medicine, 6 year program;
- Poznan School of Medicine, 4 year and 6 year programs;
- Medical University of Silesia, 4 year and 6 year programs;
- Medical University of Warsaw, 4 year and 6 year programs;
- Wroclaw Medical University, 6 year medical program;
Medical University in Slovakia
- Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Kosice;
- Comenius University, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin;
- Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine;
- Medical University in Croatia:;
- University of Split, 6 year program;
- University of Zagreb, 4 and 6 year programs;
Medical University in Ukraine
- Bogomolets National Medical University;
- Bukovinian State Medical University;
- Crimea State Medical University;
- Danylo Halytsky Lviv State Medical University;
- Dnipropetrovsk State Medical Academy;
- Kharkov State Medical University;
- Lugansk State Medical University;
- I.Y. Gorbachevsky Ternopil State Medical University;
- M. Gorky Donesk National Medical University;
- Odessa State Medical University;
- Zaporozhya State Medical University;
Best medical schools in the rest of Europe – QS Subject Rankings 2020
- Karolinska Institute, Sweden
- University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Heidelberg University, Germany
- Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
- LMU Munich, Germany
- KU Leuven, Belgium
- Aarhus University, Denmark
- Leiden University, the Netherlands
Best medical schools in the UK in 2020
Medical schools in the UK are at the top of university rankings in Europe, so we thought it best to create a list of their own. Keep in mind that while they are considered the best, the study and living costs at these universities is likely higher than other top universities in Europe.
Here are the best medical schools in the UK, according to QS Rankings 2020 by Subject Medicine:
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- University College London
- Imperial College London
- The University of Edinburgh
- King’s College London
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
- The University of Manchester
- Newcastle University
- Queen Mary University of London
In addition to the UK medical schools mentioned above, Times Higher Education 2020 also features the following 2 universities in the top 10:
- University of Glasgow
- University of Liverpool
Why study Medicine in Europe vs the USA
We all know that there are differences in teaching between Europe and other areas on the globe. Here are some distinctions between Medicine studies in continental Europe and the USA:
- The study usually lasts a total of six years, while in the USA the academic period lasts four years.
- Including the training, the total period before you may begin your career in Europe lasts for 6.5 – 7 years, while in the USA you are considered trained after 10 years.
- Tuition fees are usually lower in Europe for graduate studies in Medicine. You can even study for free at numerous universities in countries like Germany, Finland, Norway, and others. Just make sure tuition fees apply to you. In some countries, free courses are only available for EU/EEA students. Other international students have to pay fees, although these are still much lower that those in the US.
- Entry requirements in Europe usually don’t involve exams such as the MCAT, which usually requires 1 – 2 years of preparation.
By studying Medicine at European universities abroad, you will gain access to elite global research and higher education institutions preparing future doctors. With their cutting-edge research programmes, innovative curricula and teaching styles, medical schools in Europe are ideal destinations for students keen on becoming responsible and capable M.D.s or healthcare professionals.
