Study Medicine in Germany
Studying Medicine in Medical universities in Germany enjoys practical and high-quality training and excellent reputation internationally. Medical education in Germany is integrated into a network of hospitals, universities, research institutes and business enterprises. Teaching, patient care and research therefore form an integrated whole from which everyone involved benefits – especially the students. As everywhere in the world, Germany offers great opportunities to graduates in medicine: employment in a hospital or in general practice, in research, in industry, in the public health service or in management consulting, etc.
Beside their outstanding quality of medical education, relatively easy and well organized admission procedure, free tuition fees; medical preparatory courses and German policies attract international medical students dedicated in pursuing academic (undergraduate programs) or medical further training (international post-graduate programs) leading to excellent career prospects. All German medical universities, the teaching language is German.
Beside their outstanding quality of medical education, relatively easy and well organized admission procedure, free tuition fees; medical preparatory courses and German policies attract international medical students dedicated in pursuing academic (undergraduate programs) or medical further training (international post-graduate programs) leading to excellent career prospects. All German medical universities, the teaching language is German.
As everywhere in the world, Germany offers great opportunities to graduates in medicine: employment in a hospital or in general practice, in research, in industry, in the public health service or in management consulting, etc.
Undergraduate Medical Study in Germany
According to German education legislation, medical undergraduate study requires12 semesters (6 years) compulsory full time: the preclinical phase, first (preclinical: 2 years) and second clinical (3 years) phase and a practical year.
Preclinical medical study: 2 years
The first two years of preclinical study focus on basic scientific subjects such as physics, chemistry and biology, as well as on the traditional preclinical subjects of medical terminology/propedeutics, anatomy/neuro-anatomy, medical psychology and sociology, physiology and biochemistry.
During semesters 3 and 4 so called integrated seminars are offered, in which the clinical relevancy of basic-science subjects is exemplified, including first exposure to clinical cases and all day stays in general practices. First aid is not offered as a course at the university. Students must therefore arrange for participation in such a course at a recognized institution outside the university on an individual basis and prior to the 1st State Examination. Patient care does not constitute a part of this seg¬ment of study. However, students have to arrange four clinical work attendance of three months prior to enrolment for the 1st State examination.
Clinical medical study: 3 years
The successful completion of the First State Examination is a requirement for admission to the clinical segment of the undergraduate degree program in medicine. The first year of clinical study consists of courses in basic clinical subjects, as well as a comprehensive course in clinical examination and the general examination methods in the operative and non-operative subject areas. The actual clinical part takes place in the second half of the clinical segment of studies. These activities build upon the knowledge acquired in previous semesters. Students have increased direct contact with patients and become familiar with the various areas of specialization. The clinical courses include the presentation of patients and practical exercises on the ward. Usually a practical part and seminars in a block are accompanied by a semester long lecture course which is not compulsory.
Theoretical education is reduced from about two thirds of all classes during the first two clinical semesters to about 25% during clinical semesters 3 - 6. During the last clinical year theoretical classes are further restricted to one voluntary day per week which can overlap with continued medical education for postgraduates.
Regardless of these shifts the overall regimen in education is compulsory attendance on the wards during the morning 5 days a week, followed by compulsory and voluntary attendance at lectures and seminars in the afternoon sessions. Subjects are preferentially restricted to one semester. 22 compulsory subjects are complemented by 12 transversal, interdisciplinary subjects (including alternative medicine modules and methods) and 5 blocks practical.
Teaching methodology and examination policies are under the autonomous decision of the Faculty. Thus details of this general scheme can ary between different Faculties according to specific majors foreseen in their curricula.
Practical medical study: 1 year
The practical year ends with the Second State Examination. Prior to the Second State Examination students have to attend the Practical Year at the university hospitals, one of the affiliated teaching hospitals of the Medical Faculty or equivalent institutions.
During this phase of clinical education, students are expected to broaden their experience and improve medical knowledge and skills. Students learn to deal with individual cases and carry out medical tasks under supervision. Active participation in clinical meetings, discussions and conferences form another aspect of the training. Theoretical training accompanies duty on the ward.
Training in the Practical Year consists of three sixteen-week practical completed full-time in a University or affiliated Teaching Hospital. One day per week is reserved to continued medical education throughout the three subjects. Medicine and surgery are mandatory subjects. The third subject may be selected by the student from a range of sixteen different disciplines.
