Medicine in Europe for International Students: Top Colleges, Fees, Entry Requirements, Specializations, and Career Scope
About Medicine in Europe
Eastern European countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland are emerging as preferred places to study medicine in Europe. Many European universities are listed in the QS EECA (Emerging Europe and Central Asia) University Rankings; thus, a medical degree from these universities is recognized worldwide. European countries, especially East European countries, are quite affordable to live in, making Europe an attractive choice for international students to study medicine and related courses.
Quick overview of Medicine programs in Europe
Intake | April-May or September- October |
Fees structure for public universities (tentative) | 3,000-14,00 USD*/year |
Fees structure for private universities (tentative) | 8,000-19,000 USD*/year |
Cost of living (tentative) | 260-500 USD*/month |
Duration of an MD | 4-6 years |
Medium of instruction | English |
Exams required | IELTS or TOEFL, or any other entrance test required by the university |
Why study Medicine in Europe?
Many European countries offer medical degrees at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The undergraduate medical degree (MD) lasts for 6 years, whereas the graduate-entry MD lasts for 4 years. The following are some of the reasons why international students should consider studying medicine at European universities:
- They offer medicine courses in English
- They also provide optional language courses to help students learn the fundamentals of the local language
- Both the course fees and the cost of living are affordable
- Many European countries do not require standardized entrance exams for medical school admission, which makes the process less stressful for students
Medicine programs offered in Europe
Students can pick between an MD program and alternative medicine courses such as dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, and even veterinary medicine, which are in high demand nowadays.
Course | Duration |
MD | 6 Years |
Dentistry | 5 Years |
Pharmacy | 4 Years |
Nursing | 4 Years |
Veterinary Medicine | 6 Years |
Admission requirements
Eligibility criteria:
Here are some common requirements for studying medicine or other medicine-related courses at a European university. These requirements may vary by country and university.
- A student must be 17 years old at the start of the admission year. It is, however, elective and can differ from university to university.
- Students must complete their higher school education in English and science disciplines such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology.
- In addition, applicants must obtain an aggregate percentage of at least 50% or above in their higher secondary or high school education.
- Candidate must also score a passing grade on all required entrance examinations (some universities do not ask for entrance tests and offer admission on a first come first serve basis).
- At the time of enrolment, students must possess all original copies of the required documents.
Documentation required:
The students are required to submit the following documents to gain entry into medicine-related fields in Europe.
- High School diploma or certificate
- A valid passport
- Medical certificate
- Passport size photographs
- A completed application form
- Offer letter from the university
- Scanned copies of English proficiency exam scorecards like IELTS, TOEFL, etc., if applicable
Admission procedure for Medicine programs in Europe
- Complete the online application form with accurate information and submit it
- Students may be required to engage in an admissions exam, a personal interview, or a group debate by universities as a part of the admission process
- Once selected students will receive an offer letter from the respective university
- They will have to pay the fees in full or in part, depending upon the university’s requirements
- Following payment of fees, students can begin the visa application process and make travel plans
- Fly to Europe once upon receiving a student visa card
- Make plans for accommodation and pay the deposit in advance
Interested students can apply via Gyanberry. They can utilize our admission services for a better and quicker admission experience.
Tuition fees for the top Medical universities in Europe
University | Tuition Fees per year (USD*) |
Charles University – Faculty of Medicine | 18,538 |
Masaryk University – Faculty of Medicine | 13,595-14,830 |
Palacky University – Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry | 12,503-14,003 |
New Vision University | 7,000 |
Georgian National University | 5,500 |
University Heidelberg | 5,001 |
Warsaw Medical Academy | 11,500 |
Medical University Of Gdansk | 12,000 |
Medical University of Lodz | 12,500 |
Medical University of Wroclaw | 12,500 |
University of Pécs | 5,001-8,802 |
The University of Debrecen | 8,000-16,000 |
The University of Szeged | 15,200 |
Semmelweis University | 6,000-9,100 |
Tbilisi State Medical University | 8,000 |
European University Tbilisi | 5,000 |
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University | 3,826 |
*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.
Major recognitions of European Medicine universities
- WHO (World Health Organization)
2. WFME (World Federation for Medical Education)
3. ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates)
4. FAIMER (The Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and
Research)
Advantages of studying Medicine in Europe
- Minimum eligibility criteria
2. Excellent research facilities and internship programs
3. Affordable cost of living
4. Many universities offer admission without an entrance exam
5. Lucrative job opportunities
6. World-class education system
7. Multicultural society and welcoming environment - State-of-the-art facility
Disadvantages of studying Medicine in Europe
- Most medical universities in Europe require students to study the local language
- Internship or residency training is quite strict and difficult
- Registration and licensing processes are required to practice
- Some universities ask for additional entrance tests for foreign students
- Distinguished Foreign Medical Educational standards
Residency options after Medicine in Europe
Many students pursue a medical residency after an MD for professional development. In Europe, medical residencies or specializations take place at the university hospital or affiliated clinics. A residency can take 3–6 years, depending on the type of specialization. The following are some popular PG options in Europe:
- Anesthesia
- Geriatrics
- Dermatology
- General surgery
- Ophthalmology
- Anatomy
- Pediatric Surgery
- Cardiac Surgery
- Plastic Surgery
- Gynecology
- Urology
- Oncology
Career scope after Medicine in Europe
Many students pursue advanced degrees such as master’s and doctoral degrees after receiving an MD from Europe. Working as a doctor after completing a residency program is also an option, as is opening a private clinic. There is also an option for a master’s in the medical field. Students who are interested in academia or research choose to do a Ph.D. after completing a master’s degree. Management and MBA courses in hospital management and administration are some of the very unique opportunities available to students once they have completed their MD or medical degree.
Candidates pursuing medical degrees other than an MD may pursue post-graduate specialties in that field, followed by a Ph.D. Dentists can specialize in the following areas:
- Pediatric dentistry
- Community dentistry
- Odontology
- Dental surgery assistant education
- Periodontology
- Orthodontics
- Implantology
Students after a pharmacy degree can go for specializations in clinical studies, toxicology, pharmacology, or drug discovery. Veterinary doctors can specialize in areas such as physiotherapy, dentistry, or groups of species.
Best places for Medicine in Europe
Here is a list of some of the countries with top medical universities to study medicine courses in Europe:
- Poland
- Germany
- Latvia