You have probably heard about some countries offering free college education, and you are wondering whether it is true. Well, studying in countries like Germany and Norway is virtually free. But the field of medicine is still one of the most expensive across all universities. For instance, in Germany, most Bachelor’s degree programs have been free since 2014, but international students are still expected to tuition fees for medical courses. However, in this article, we will be looking at free medical schools around the world!

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), most medical graduates end up with huge loans for the same reason. Following this report, several notable schools of medicine in the United States have vowed to remove the charges attached to medical education.

In this day and age, financial difficulties should not be a barrier to someone’s career. That is why there are several scholarship programs, not to mention universities offering free education. Note that if you are admitted to these schools, you will still need to cater for your living expenses.

List of Free Medical Schools

1. New York University School of Medicine

Studying medicine at New York University has always been quite expensive, with every student expected to pay up to $250,000 in total. However, in 2018, the university announced that it would start offering tuition-free education to all aspiring doctors.

What made the board come to this decision? Well, it all boils down to the student loan debt. Statistics show that most students usually accrue at least $100,000 in debt, which becomes a hindrance to one’s career in the future.

It is reported that NYU took about 11 years to make this idea a reality and has since raised $450 million. The university hopes to raise another $600 million in endowments to support the purpose. As an applicant to the New York University School of Medicine, you can expect a highly competitive admission process.

2. Cornell’s Medical School

Another free medical school is the medical school at Cornell University. Following recent statistics on the number of loans students accrue while taking medicine courses, more universities are coming up with new ways to solve the issue.

Cornell’s Medical School is unique from NYU’s in that it only provides loan-free studies to those students who have shown that they need financial aid. Starting in 2019 (the class of 2023), scholarships will replace student loans throughout their education period.

Those who qualify will start receiving these scholarships as early as their first year. The program is also expected to help students after school as they advance in their careers. Cornell’s Medical School still requires about $50 million to keep the program running in the future. Apply now and take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

3. Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine – Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University is another free medical school in the US. Every single student that attends this medical school from now on will receive full-tuition scholarships.

There are around 30 spots and thousands of students compete for this small number of spots, so you have to be one of the top applicants in order to be admitted.

4. Washington University School of Medicine

The School of Medicine at Washington University announced that it would provide free tuition education to around half of its medical students and another half would get generous partial tuition fee scholarships.

This medical school is well known for its excellence in research and education. The U.S. News ranked the Washington University Medical School to be 6th for research, which is very good considering there are hundreds of medical schools in the US.

5. The University of Bergen, Norway

Another international university with a world-class Health Campus lies in Arstadvollen and Nygårdshøyden. The Heath Campus teaches dentistry, health care, and medicine and hosts the university’s clinics. This multidiscipline university also offers programs in psychology, social sciences, law, and arts.

It is rare to find an institution with tuition-free medical programs, but as a Norwegian public university, the University of Bergen has managed to pull that off. The only fee you will be expected to pay, whether as a local or international student, is the Student Welfare Organization fee (just over $60).

Following these costs, it is no surprise that the university has attracted many international students. In fact, students from outside Norway take up about 30% of the total population. Not sure about the cost of living? The average cost per month for every student is nearly $1000 depending on your lifestyle. You might, therefore, need to work with a tight budget to be able to afford these costs every month.

6. Free University of Berlin

There are no tuition fees associated with the Free University of Berlin – except for some selected graduate and postgraduate programs. The university offers undergrad and postgrad courses in Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Human Medicine, and Dentistry.

The biggest huddle for most aspiring doctors is the thought of having to pay thousands of dollars throughout the course of their higher education. The Free University of Berlin, however, helps eradicate this barrier by giving every student equal opportunities regardless of their background by being a free medical school.

Students are, however, expected to pay certain fees to cater for their stay at the university. The university provides a favorable learning schedule for working students to allow them to raise those fees.

7. Technical University of Munich

Another high-class university in Germany is the Technical University of Munich which offers programs in the fields of natural sciences, life and medical sciences, and engineering. This research university has also succeeded in making double degree agreements with over 20 universities.

It also partners with more than 150 universities across the globe. The current population at TUM stands at around 37,000 students, 20% of whom are international students, spread over thirteen faculties. It has invested in more than 10,000 staff members, with at least 400 professors.

You don’t have to worry about the fee as TUM offers free studies to all students, regardless of nationality. The only fee you will be expected to pay is a semester fee of around $127, which also covers the public transport Semesterticket. Since you will be staying in Munich, you will have to strive to meet the expenses of living in the city.

The cost is quite expensive with basic expenses such as rent and food totaling about $1000 per month. During application, you will need to present proof that you can afford $723 every month of your stay there. Therefore, before you start your application, make sure you have this amount at your disposal excluding scholarships.

8. Umea University

If your dream is to study medicine in Sweden, then this might be your ideal pick. The faculty of medicine at Umea University offers studies in odontology, health care, and medicine. It has 13 departments and seven research centers hosting at least 3,400 students. Umea University is among many Swedish universities offering free medical school.

However, free education is only applicable to students from countries with the European Union and European Economic Area. Therefore, for an international student from outside EU/EEA, this might not be your ideal choice if you are on a low budget. It will cost you about $3,500 per year for a single program.

9. King Saud University’s College of Medicine

Located in Riyadh, King Saud University offers free education to Saudi Arabian and international students. On top of tuition-free services, students also receive stipends regularly throughout their education at the institution. The cost of living averages around $456 to $850 per month. Again, this is dependent on your spending behavior.

Since its founding in 1957, this prestigious university has been committed to providing high-quality teaching and research service hence the reason why it is among the best in the world. Are you looking to join King Saud University’s community? The average acceptance rate to the institution is 80% for both local and international students.

10. The University of Medicine in Vienna

This Austrian university is one of the best institutions for higher education in the country. It became an independent university in 2004 and is currently the largest medical school in Austria. It is also the biggest among medical schools in all German-speaking countries. The University of Medicine in Vienna specializes in Human Medicine and Dentistry.

An acceptance letter from a medical school in your country is required for all non-European students. In terms of tuition fees, this free medical school has no tuition to all students from within the European Union. A non-EU, on the other hand, is expected to pay 800 Euros per year, which is still cheaper compared to most countries.

11. Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine

Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine is a new establishment whose opening class will be in 2020. According to the university board, the first five graduating groups will receive free medical education throughout their four years of studies. The school is located in Pasadena, California.

The school has already received initial accreditation from the relevant authorities. You can, therefore, take advantage of this opportunity at this free medical school.

12. Poznan University of Medical Sciences

This is one of the most prominent universities in the world and probably the best in Poland. Poland is known for its highly-regarded medical education, and this is one of the universities making that possible. Its history traces back to 1919 before it became an independent institution in 1950. In 2007, it received full university status.

The degree programs offered at Poznan University of Medical Sciences are not only accredited by the national accreditation board but also recognized worldwide. Therefore, furthering your studies at this prestigious university is an opportunity of its kind. Poznan came into the limelight after producing one of the doctors who took part in the first successful full face transplant.

Although it is not entirely free, the fee charged for its medical programs is very affordable as compared to most western countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

 

We hope that this article on free medical schools was helpful. To know more information on studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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