The European continent is home to 44 countries. Out of these 44, the UK has long been a popular place to pursue an MBBS degree. However, many international students find it difficult to study in UK medical colleges. There are two reasons: high tuition costs and fierce competition. Many students eventually started going to other European countries to pursue an MBBD/MD. Some of these popular countries are
Students can study medicine in Europe in English. This is contrary to the widespread misconception that these countries offer MBBS courses only in their native language. We have listed the countries that teach their MBBS/MD degrees in English only. A degree from any medical university in these countries is recognized by WHO and is accepted in any part of Europe and the world. Let us discuss in-depth medical (MBBS/MD) universities in Europe.
Overview
| Popular European counties for MBBS/MD studies | UK, Czech Republic, Georgia Hungary, Italy, Poland, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Lithuania, Latvia |
| Degree offered | MBBS, MBChB, BMBS, MD, or MB |
| Type of Degree | Undergraduate, integrated, single-cycle, or long-cycle degree |
| Duration of Degree | 5 to 6 years |
| Credit system | CATS (UK) and ECTS (EU) credit system |
Popular Medical universities in European countries
UK
The General Medical Council (GMC) establishes standards for medical education in the UK. Many universities in the UK require international students to do foundation courses if they do not meet admission requirements for a direct entry. One such program is offered by ONCAMPUS leading to an MBBS degree in the University of Central Lancashire and other medical universities. The table below contains some of the best medical universities in the UK.
| University Name | Degree Offered | Duration | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
| Queen’s University Belfast | MB | 5 years | 41,241 |
| Anglia Ruskin University | MBChB | 5 years | 17,979 |
| University of Central Lancashire | MBBS | 5-6 years | 57,837 |
| Brunel University London | MBBS | 5 years | 51,802 |
All the medical universities in the UK follow the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) credit system. Here are some admissions requirements to study MBBS/MD in the UK.
- Higher secondary school certificate in subjects chemistry, math, biology, and physics
- UCAT/BMAT scores
- Proof of English proficiency
- Academic transcripts
- Recommendation letters
- Curriculum Vitae
- Personal statement
- Interview
- Valid passport
Czech Republic
There are many reasons to study an MBBS in the Czech Republic. An MBBS degree from the Czech Republic is recognized by the WHO and hence is accepted worldwide. The medical universities in Czech are recognized and ranked worldwide. Plus the tuition cost and living costs are reasonable for international students. The following table contains popular medical universities in the Czech Republic.
| University Name | Degree Offered | Duration | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
| Charles University | MBBS | 6 years | 18,299 |
| Masaryk University | MBBS | 6 years | 13,740 |
| Palacký University | MBBS | 6 years | 10,500 |
There is no common entrance exam for MBBS programs in the Czech Republic. Students just need a certificate proving high-school completion, a motivation letter, English language proficiency proof, and a university entrance exam (if any).
Georgia
Georgian medical universities offer an MD degree of 5 years plus one year of clinical internship. All the MD degrees in Georgia are one-cycle programs. Students can go for residency or post-graduate studies after graduation. Those who wish to enter research can take up PhD courses. The following is a list of top medical universities in Georgia.
| University Name | Degree Offered | Duration | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
| European University | MD | 5 years + 1-year internship | 5,000 |
| Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU) | MD | 5 years + 1-year internship | 8,000 |
| Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) | MD | 5 years + 1-year internship | 7,000 |
The admission criteria for Georgian medical universities are as follows:
- High school mark sheets in physics, chemistry, and biology
- Passport copy
- Unified National Examinations score
- Pre-requisite courses
- English proficiency test
Hungary
Hungarian medical universities offer one-tier master’s medical programs which require completion of 360 ECTS credits. They are called MD programs and run for 6 years. The following are some of the best medical universities in Hungary for international students.
| University Name | Degree Offered | Duration | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
| University of Pecs | MD | 6 years | 16,750 |
| University of Szeged | MD | 6 years | 15,250 |
| Semmelweis University | MD | 6 years | 18,200 |
| University of Debrecen | MD | 6 years | 16,900 |
Admission process to Hungarian medical universities is relatively smooth. Students require
- High school certificate (chemistry, physics, and biology)
- An entrance exam or an interview
- A valid passport
- Photos in passport size
- A completed application form
Ireland
English is a universally spoken language in Ireland. Thus, top medical colleges in Ireland offer their degrees in English making it a great study destination for foreign students. Ireland has two types of MBBS degrees:
- Undergraduate entry medicine (UEM)
- Graduate entry medicine (GEM)
| University Name | Degree Offered | Duration | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
| Trinity College Dublin | MB, BCh, BAO (Hons) | 4 years (UEM)
or 6 years (GEM) |
51,500 |
| Royal College of Surgeons | MB, BCh, BAO (Hons) | 4 years (UEM)
or 6 years (GEM) |
59,470 |
| University College Dublin | MB, BCh, BAO (Hons) | 4 years (UEM)
or 6 years (GEM) |
56,870 |
| University of Limerick | MB, BCh, BAO (Hons) | 4 years (UEM)
or 6 years (GEM) |
53,970 |
Not only MBBS but Ireland is quite a famous destination for medical PG studies as most of the population speaks English. This makes it easier for student doctors to communicate with patients without having to learn a foreign language. The admission requirements to study MBBS in Ireland are (undergraduate entry medicine):
- Secondary school degree with prerequisites of biology, chemistry, and physics or mathematics
- Academic transcripts
- English proficiency
- Copy of passport
- Resume
- Statement of purpose
- Reference letters
- Personal interview
In addition to the above admission criteria, graduate entry programs demand a bachelor’s degree in science.
Poland
There are a total of 14 medical universities in Poland that offer an MBBS degree in English. They offer their MD as a long-cycle course for a duration of 6 years. The curriculum has 12 semesters and a total of 360 ECTS credits. Some popular medical universities in Poland are listed here.
| University Name | Degree Offered | Duration | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
| Jagiellonian Medical University | MD | 6 years | 15,536 |
| Medical University of Bialystok | MD | 6 years | 12,900 |
| Medical University of Gdańsk | MD | 6 years | 10,521 |
| University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn | MD | 6 years | 10,740 |
| Medical University of Warsaw | MD | 6 years | 14,389 |
| Medical University of Lodz | MD | 6 years | 12,216 |
Many international students prefer to study medicine in Poland as it is an affordable study destination. Medicine or MBBS study in Poland requires the following:
- A secondary school diploma in biology, or chemistry and physics
- Academic transcripts
- English proficiency
- Copy of passport
- University entrance test
Italy
Italian medical universities offer their MD degrees as single-cycle master’s programs. The curriculum is designed in a way that students can prepare for the USMLE exam. The table below lists some of the premium medical universities in Italy.
| University Name | Degree Offered | Duration | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
| Vita-Salute San Raffaele University | MD | 6 years | 21,198 |
| Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore | MD | 6 years | 16,630 |
| University of Humanitas | MD | 6 years | 21,050 |
| UniCamillus University | MD | 6 years | 21,050 |
The admission criteria for Italian medical schools is quite simple and includes:
- Secondary school diploma in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics
- Proof of English proficiency
- Copy of passport
- University entrance test (written multiple choice test)
Lithuania
Lithuanian medical universities offer an MBBS degree as an integrated MSc degree in health science. The duration of the course is 6 years. The admission criteria are a high school diploma in biology and chemistry, English language proficiency, and an online interview.
| University Name | Degree Offered | Duration | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
| Vilnius University | MSc Health Sciences, Doctor | 6 years | 12,713 |
| Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | MSc Health Sciences, Doctor | 6 years | 14,503 |
Latvia
There are only two universities in Latvia that offer an MD degree in English. As per the QS ranking, both are ranked among the world’s 600 best universities for medicine. Here are the two best medical universities in Latvia. Both of them offer MD as long cycle programs.
| University Name | Degree Offered | Duration | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riga Stradins University | MD | 6 years | 13,880 |
| University of Latvia | MD | 6 years | 10,469 |
The process to study MBBS/MD in Latvia is quite simple. Students need to fulfill the following criteria for admission.
- Secondary school diploma and transcript of grades in biology, chemistry and mathematics
- Two letters of recommendation
- Motivational letter
- Proof of English proficiency
- Copy of passport
Application procedure of MBBS/MD universities in Europe
Applying for an undergraduate degree in the UK is quite simple. For admissions to the MBBS/MD programs, students can use the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). It is a centralized service where students can apply to many universities in a single shot. October is the deadline for almost all the medical colleges in the UK. You just have to pay the application fee of 22 Pounds for a single university and 26.5 Pounds for two choices or more. The steps for a UCAS application are as follows:
- Register with UCAS through their website
- Fill out the online application form
- Write a compelling motivational letter
- Add a reference letter from a mentor
- Finally submit the application
If you are accepted, you will receive an email from UCAS. You can accept the letter and start your visa application process. Gyanberry offers visa services to the UK and 22 other countries worldwide. You can take our help to make your visa application hassle-free.
The process is a bit lengthy for other European countries like the Czech Republic, Georgia, Poland, etc. There is no centralized application service like that of the UK. Hence students have to fill out separate forms for each medical university they wish to apply to. We also offer admission counseling services to help students with their application process.
The US MD degree takes 4 years compared to 5 to 6 years in Europe. But students should know that an American MD is a secondary degree requiring an undergraduate degree. Whereas, European MBBS/MD degree is an undergraduate degree. This means a student with a high school diploma can get admitted to one. Some European universities might ask students to do pre-med courses which can range from four weeks to 2 years or more.
*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.
