Can you imagine pursuing your medical degree at a place where cutting-edge technology meets centuries-old buildings? A land where medical institutions ask for little to no fees to help you pursue your medical dreams.
Along with its cars, the country is known for its exceptional medical institutions. Imagine pursuing your medical degree in a country where up-to-the-mark medical education is taught at alongside buildings that speak of centuries-old tales. In Germany, you get to join the vibrant communities of Heidelberg and Berlin and contribute to a world-class healthcare system that is there to make a difference in medicine.
In this blog, we will discuss, in detail, everything you need to know about studying MBBS in Germany.
Why Pursue MBBS in Germany?
Germany is renowned for being the world's economic hub, making it an ideal destination for international students. The state is especially famous for its state-funded education system, from which around 40,000 international students benefit annually. The public universities in Germany are research-oriented and offer specialisations in over 30 fields. Here are a few more perks of studying MBBS in Germany:
- You do not need a lot of money to fund your studies
- Since all the Public universities in Germany are free for all students
- Germany hosts some of the top medical universities in the country.
- The country's medical universities are accredited all around the world.
- All the top medical governing bodies worldwide, such as UNESCO, WHO, UNO, ECTS, and WFME, recognise the country's medical universities.
- Germany is also known as the leader of medical technology around the country, so all students get to practice top-tier medical technology.
- Students are also allowed to work part-time after completing their first year of education.
- Working in the country can earn a student between 12.50 and 14 euros per hour.
- Students get PR after working for three years in the country.
- A medical degree holder can earn around 50 thousand euros annually by working in the country.
Top Medical Universities in Germany
Unlike UAE and other Asian Countries, a medical degree or MBBS in Germany is not considered a bachelor's degree. In the country, an MBBS is part of a long cycle of a master's program.
The Technical University of Munich:
The Technical University of Munich is one of the top medical universities in the country. It is famous for its robust and up-to-the-minute medical curriculum. But let not the name, technical, fool you. Although the university stands out for its technical excellence, it also holds the prestigious TUM School of Medicine. The University is among the top 50 medical universities in the world.
The Ludwing Maximillian University of Munich:
Ludwig Maximillian University is the sixth oldest university in the country and holder of the “Elite University Award.” Since its inception in the 1400s, the university has maintained an image of academic excellence and commendable medical training. The institute is also the proud owner of the largest medical training facility in Southern Germany.
RWTH Achen University:
The RWTH medical university is the country's oldest and most prestigious institute, with a curriculum focused on STEM-oriented courses. The university is also known for its focus on technical education for students and is the Largest Technical University in the country. The university offers courses in both English and German.
Heildeberg University:
Founded in 1386, Heidelberg University is Europe's most reputed medical university. It is popularly known for its neuroscience, molecular biology, and oncology research. Its affiliation with the Heidelberg University Hospital allows students to work and practice medicine in real-life medical situations.
The Heidelberg University was ranked as the 11th best university worldwide in terms of medical technology, 13th in the place for clinical medicine and 18th in pharmacy. The university is also known for its research programs. Like other universities in Germany, Heidelberg is also a public university, which means it charges meagre or no tuition fees for its students.
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin:
The institute is one of the oldest and largest university hospitals in Europe. It is the joint medical Faculty of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
The university has over four campuses, all offering hundreds of courses. The university also provides multiple interdisciplinary research opportunities to all of its students—the research centres at the university work on cardiovascular research, molecular medicine, and infectious diseases.
This approach helps students gain exposure to different fields of medicine during their studies at the university. Another perk that the university offers is the problem-based learning curriculum, which sets it apart from other universities centred solely around the traditional approach.
Tuition Fees and Cost of Living in Germany:
Education in Germany is free; many public universities charge very low or no tuition fees for any program. However, on average, completing a bachelor's degree in a public university costs around 1000 - 2000 euros a year. Making 100-200 euros/ month. Whereas private universities can charge up to 28000 euros per month
Although the country has plenty of universities funded by the state, students still have to pay the cost of living. Germany's average cost of living can range between 1200 and 1400 Euros a month. This includes the cost of living, health insurance, textbooks, and travel expenses.
How many years does it take to get an MBBS in Germany?
MBBS in Germany usually takes six years to complete. The entire duration of the course is divided into three stages, which are as follows:
- Pre-Clinical Training: This stage lasts for the first two years of the MBBS. The stage primarily focuses on fixing or strengthening the academic basis of the students. It is also known as the “pre clinical’ or the “preparatory course”. During these years, students are taught the core subjects of medicine, preparing them for the training and practical exams to fall in the coming years. The first stage ends with Ärztliche Prüfung, an exam that is the pivot for students to enter the field of medicine at the trainee level.
- Clinical Training: After strengthening their foundation in the first two years of their MBBS, the students are moving towards clinical training. This phase lasts for about three years. During this time, the students undergo rigorous training and medical rotations to practice their learning. During this phase, students spend most of their time doing rotations in a nearby or affiliated university hospital. They are subsequently taught about advanced specialisation courses such as surgery or internal medicine. The phase ends with a practical exam.
- The Practical Assessment Stage: This is the last and final phase of the training. During this phase, the students are placed under the supervision of trained doctors and nurses who not only train them but also assess them for their rigour and capabilities. After this phase, students are put in internship programs.
After all the stages and the student has completed their MBBS, they must undergo the MBBS state examination and approbation of the Federal Republic. It is also important to note that although this is the said and suggested time frame for MBBS in the country, the period can subsequently be extended due to retakes or long sabbaticals.
What is the Eligibility Criteria for MBBS in Germany?
In order to be eligible to study MBBS in Germany, you must fall under the following points:
- A high school diploma or its equivalent with physics, chemistry and biology as the core subjects.
- With good grades, the required percentage varies from university to university; however, it is imperative to note that the grades should be higher than 70%
- Proficiency in English as well as German language. Almost all medical schools in Germany teach in the German language.
- Hence, students seeking a medical degree in the country must be proficient in German to avoid problems during the course.
- Students must present a proficiency certificate with a minimum score grade of B1 or C1.
- Students are generally required to pass the German Language Proficiency Test. Many universities also require students to take the TestDaf or DSH exam.
- All students applying to German medical universities must take the entrance exam.
- To be eligible, students must score at least 50% on the exam or initial interview.
What Documents Are Required by German Medical Universities?
While applying for MBBS in Germany, all applicants must bring the following documents with them:
- A German high school level diploma or equivalent
- Proof of English language
- Proof Certificates for German language proficiency
- Test Certificate for TESTDaf
- A Letter of Motivation
- Two or more letters of recommendation
- Student Visa from the German Embassy
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of Blocked account or a bank statement
- Updated CV or Resume
- Passport Sized photos
- Proof of fee payment
How Many Intakes Are There In German Medical Universities?
The German academic year is divided into two portions.
The Winter Session: The winter session runs from October to March. The application deadline is usually mid-July, and it is commonly known as the September Intake.
The Summer Session spans from April to March and is popularly known as the January intake. Students are required to submit their applications by mid-January.
MBBS in Germany In the English Language:
Multiple reputable institutes in Germany offer MBBS. However, only one of them teaches medicine in English. Because of this, all university applicants, whether they are applying for MBBS or any other degree, are required to learn the German Language.
So, if you’re interested in studying medicine in the English language in the country, you have only one choice: The University Tarugus Mures Medical Campus Hamburg. The University of Targus Mures is a reputable medical university in the city of Hamburg that is Romanian in origin. Established in 1945 to deliver excellence in medicinal studies, it offers various disciplines and specialisations in pharmacy, medicine, and dentistry.
During the first phase, the students are taught all the basic subjects in the English language. After the first two years end, the students are presented with two choices: to continue their studies in Germany or to transfer to the main campus in Romania. The fee structure for the university typically ranges from 14,000- 15,000 euros for the entire duration. However, if you wish to study in Romania, your expenses would be significantly lower, and you would be paying around 3000 euros for the last four years of your degree.
What Career Prospects are there in Germany?
Doctors are among the highest-paid professionals worldwide, and an MBBS Graduate from Germany is no exception. Since German medical degrees are well-known worldwide, any institute or hospital would happily hire you. In Germany, a doctor can earn an average salary of 80,000 euros per year.
But to earn handsome amounts of money, every medical graduate must hold the “Zulassung zur ärztlichen Berufsausübung in Deutschland.” Suppose a medical graduate does not wish to become a practising doctor in the city’s hospital. In that case, they can still practice privately, join a university hospital, or work as a scientist in the industry.
Are there any Scholarships in the country?
Although the country's universities offer financial support to their students, the government of Germany also helps international students by providing them with scholarships. These scholarships have different criteria, such as merit, achievements, nationality, extracurricular activities, or need.
Here are some of the scholarships that you can benefit from as an international student studying in Germany
The DAAD Scholarship:
DAAD scholarship provides financial assistance to international students studying in the country.
Usually, students of master's or research benefit the most from scholarships. Under the scholarship, students get a minimum monthly stipend of 850 USD.
The Friedrich-Ebert- Stifung Scholarship:
The Friedrich-Ebert Scholarship is meant to provide financial assistance to students in Germany. Students can apply for the scholarship based on merit, need, or extracurricular activities. The scholarship spends between 1000 and 1500 euros a month on students, with 934 euros per month for basic scholarships, 1200 euros for graduate scholarships, and 200 plus euros on rent.
Conclusion:
To conclude, Germany is ideal for students pursuing medical degrees in reputed organisations in Europe. The medical universities in Germany offer unmatched curriculums, equipped campuses, and modern technologies to all students. One of the biggest perks about studying in Germany is that the public universities are either free or charge minimal tuition fees to their students. While studying in the country, students get to explore countless opportunities to grow and learn.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the Criteria for MBBS in Germany?
To pursue an MBBS in Germany, students must have a secondary education or a degree equivalent to German Abitur education. It is preferred that the students have physics, chemistry or biology as their core subjects in high school, with at least 60% marks in high school. Since the majority of the programs are taught in German Language, students must learn German language. Many institutions require at least a B1 or C1 proficiency level. Along with this, students also need to present test scores for IELTS & TOEFL.
2. How long does it take to complete an MBBS in Germany?
In Germany, an MBBS degree lasts six years. It is divided into three stages: the pre-clinical stage, which lasts two years; the clinical stage, which lasts three years; and the practical stage, which lasts one year. During this span, students are rigorously trained to be doctors, with a curriculum focusing on research, innovation, and theory.
3. What is the medium of instruction for MBBS in Germany?
The Primary medium of instruction for MBBS in Germany is German. International students must have a strong command of German regardless of their course of choice. Some universities give students leverage in terms of language. You should start learning the language before you reach the country. Although few courses are in the English language, the majority of them are taught in the German language.
4. Is studying MBBS in Germany free?
Yes, German public universities are free of cost. Or either take meagre fees. This fee may cover administrative charges, transportation fees, and other student services. The fee usually ranges between 200 to 300 euros. This fee range makes Germany one of the cheapest European countries to study.
5. Why should I choose to study MBBS in Germany?
Germany is renowned for its top-quality education system, medical technologies, and strong emphasis on research and technology. All German medical universities are recognised globally, so an MBBS graduate can practice medicine anywhere. The country also hosts some of the top universities in the world.
6. Is it worth doing an MBBS in Germany?
Yes, German degrees are among some of the world's most highly sought-after medical degrees. Doctors are the highest-paid professionals not only in the country but all over the world. A German medical degree opens doors for students to countless opportunities no matter where they go. If a student still chooses not to practice medicine in the country, they can practice medicine anywhere worldwide after passing the licensing exam.
7. Are there any scholarships available for international students in Germany?
Yes, there are countless scholarships that international students can benefit from while they are in Germany. The DAAD ( the German International Exchange Program) international scholarship is one of the most famous. The country also offers countless other scholarships to its students. Many universities also offer scholarships based on merit and need.
