Medicine is a demanding field that combines patient care, scientific study, and professional responsibility. For international students, the language of instruction is an important consideration when comparing medical schools.
Many medical programs around the world are taught in a local language. However, a number of universities offer medical degrees taught in English, making them more accessible to international students. The options below are a useful starting point, but applicants should always confirm the latest admissions, licensing, and language requirements with the university and the relevant professional regulator. Let’s take a look at the medical schools taught in English.
Best Medical Schools Taught in English for International Students
1. University of Turin
The University of Turin (Università di Torino, UNITO) in Italy offers a six-year single-cycle master’s degree in Medicine and Surgery through its Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences. The program is taught in English. The number of places, the entrance-test date, and the selection procedures are established annually by the Italian Ministry of University and Research and published in the call for applications. Notable alumni include Nobel laureate Salvador E. Luria, who earned his M.D. at the University of Turin in 1935.
Applicants must hold an upper-secondary qualification that grants access to an equivalent degree program in the education system where it was issued and is normally obtained after at least 12 years of schooling. Applicants with 10 or 11 years of schooling must meet an additional requirement, such as completing the required university examinations, obtaining a relevant post-secondary qualification, or completing an accepted foundation program. Study documents are accepted in Italian, English, French, or Spanish; documents issued in another language require a certified translation into one of those languages. Applicants should review the current call for applications for the annual entrance-test requirements.
2. University of Bologna
Another Italian university that offers a medical program taught entirely in English is the University of Bologna (Università di Bologna, UNIBO). It offers a six-year Single Cycle Degree/Combined Bachelor and Master in Medicine and Surgery. For the 2026/27 academic year, the program has restricted access at the national level and 150 available places.
For 2026/27, applicants should review the university’s current enrollment page because the Italian Ministry of University and Research will establish the detailed admissions regulations. Applicants with a foreign qualification need a credential obtained after at least 12 years of schooling that grants access to university study in Italy. The university’s current admissions guidance states that English knowledge and skills at B2 level or higher are assessed through the admission test; a separate English-language qualification is not mandatory.
The English-taught curriculum can support graduates who plan to pursue medical careers internationally, but professional licensing and recognition requirements vary by destination.
3. Pomeranian Medical University
Moving away from Italy, we now look at an option in Poland: Pomeranian Medical University (Pomorski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Szczecinie, PUM). Through its Faculty of Medicine, PUM offers a six-year M.D. program. The curriculum consists of 12 semesters, and each year awards 60 ECTS credits.
The program prepares students for medical practice and further professional development. Graduates should confirm the licensing or recognition requirements in any country where they intend to work.
For 2026/27 entry, conditionally enrolled candidates must submit the required documents within 30 calendar days. The list includes the application form and fee receipt, a secondary-school certificate or high school diploma, an English or Polish sworn translation where required, a grading scale, proof of English proficiency at B2 level or higher, a passport or eligible national ID, a full health certificate, proof of hepatitis B vaccination or the university’s declaration form, health insurance valid in Poland, two 35 mm x 45 mm passport photos, and any applicable NAWA confirmation. Educational contracts are provided by the university and signed in October.
4. Medical University of Warsaw (WU
Medical University of Warsaw (WU) offers a six-year Medicine program in English leading to a master’s degree. For 2026/27 admission, candidates must hold a qualifying secondary-school credential and meet the required subject-grade criteria.
The standard recruitment path is WUM’s competency test. Some international candidates may request an exemption based on a recognized medical standardized test score, such as UCAT, BMAT, MCAT, GAMSAT, or HPAT, or an accepted life-sciences degree and GPA. However, most candidates are not eligible for an exemption and should obtain confirmation from the Admissions Board before applying through the Online Recruitment System.
Prospective students should review WUM’s current admissions pages and the licensing or recognition rules in any country where they hope to practice, because professional registration requirements vary.
5. University of Debrecen
Moving on to Hungary, the University of Debrecen (Debreceni Egyetem) offers a 12-semester Medicine program taught in English, leading to the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) qualification. The university states that its medical graduates are not required to take the PLAB exam to practice in the UK. The UK General Medical Council currently says that holders of a relevant European qualification do not need to take PLAB because of existing legislation, but applicants should still check the GMC’s current registration requirements for their individual circumstances.
Applicants must present a high school certificate and take written and oral entrance examinations in biology and either physics or chemistry, unless they successfully complete the University’s Basic Medicine Course.
Choosing a medical university with an English-taught program can help international students find an option that fits their academic goals. Before applying, confirm the latest admissions requirements and professional licensing rules for the country where you intend to practice.
Want to pursue medicine without breaking the bank? Check out the available courses for international students and our Scholarships Page for information on scholarships and medical universities across the globe!
