Germany is a bustling European economy, a tourist hotspot, and a student’s dream destination. But amidst all this, Germany is often recognized for its top technical universities offering premier science and business programs. However, Germany has everything for everyone!
That’s right, for young aspiring doctors who aim to go abroad but have yet to discover the hidden opportunities in Germany, the country offers a wealth of prospects. Known for its high-quality medical education, Germany provides an outstanding environment for studying medicine, with some of Europe’s best medical universities offering world-class MBBS and MD programs with low or no tuition fees.
But there’s more! If you want to learn everything about how to study MBBS or MD in Germany, keep reading this article for all the essential details!
Types of Medical Degrees
There is a wide range of medical degrees offered with distinct focal areas, pre-requirements, and duration, for both undergraduate and graduate levels, which are listed in the table below.
| MEDICAL DEGREE |
DESCRIPTION |
| Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) |
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery is an undergraduate level degree, which takes about 5 to 6 years. It follows secondary education. MBBS is granted by medical schools or universities in countries that conform to the UK’s higher education tradition. |
| Bachelor of Medicine (BMed or MB) |
Similar to MBBS, BMed or MB is an undergraduate-level degree that takes about 5 to 6 years to complete but follows the method of China. It is a wider field that incorporates medical science and practice instead of just internal medicine. |
| Doctor of Medicine (MD, Dr.MuD, Dr.Med) |
It is a post-baccalaureate/graduate-level medical degree, which follows an undergraduate degree. The duration of completion for MD is 4 years. |
| Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) |
Following an undergraduate degree (professional doctorate), DO spans for around 4 years after which its graduates have full medical and surgical practicing rights in all 50 US States. |
Out of all these medical degrees available worldwide, this article aims to focus on MBBS/MD Degrees.
How to Apply for an MD in Germany
Select Schools/Universities that Offer an MD Program
The first step when applying for an MD program in Germany, or any other country, is to complete thorough research on the available universities offering the preferred program and the suitability factors such as state, accommodation, expense, etc. It’s also important to consider the quality of education provided in the selected school or university and the teaching methodologies used throughout. Going through official university websites brings us clarity, which assists us in making the right decision. The table below lists some universities in Germany offering MD programs to help you make that decision.
Check the Admission Requirements
All institutions have certain standard requirements upon which their decisions of selecting or rejecting candidates are based, which include previous education completion and scores on standardized tests. Other requirements may include citizenship certificates and language assessment test scores. Take a look below to overview a few admission requirements that you may come across when applying for medical programs in Germany.
| GENERAL DOCUMENTS |
DOCUMENT DETAIL |
| Academic Transcripts |
Transcripts indicating graduating high school or equivalent are required, with having studied Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. |
| Language Proficiency Proofs |
For German language proficiency, candidates must have cleared up to the C1 level, while for English, some institutions may also require up to B2/B1 scores. |
| Home Country Medical Entrance Test Exam Marks |
Students may also have to showcase their passing marks on their national medical entrance exams such as NEET. |
| Passport Picture and Proof of Residence |
These account for the regular documents required for any study program in Germany. Similar documents may include a personal essay, proof of payment, and citizenship certificate. |
Application Process and Admission Timeline
- The application process for medical programs in Germany includes the submission of respective documents required by the university.
- Some universities may also conduct an entrance examination solely for their medical programs which will impact their selection process.
- International students may also have to provide their previous results which will be used to create a grade point average according to the system followed in Germany.
- The application deadline for the courses starting off in the Winter Semester is July 15 while for the Summer Semester, the application deadline is January 15.
- Some universities, however, may have varying dates and deadlines for their admission cycle, such as the application cycle for the University of Gottingen is 1 March to 30 April for the winter semester which starts in October, and 1 September to 31 October for summer which is set to begin from April. However, the application deadlines for the program of medicine and dentistry at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin are similar to the general deadlines that are summer semester deadline of 15 January and the winter semester deadline of 15 July.
Academic Financing (Tuition and Other Costs)
One of the most crucial stages is to take into account the costs and tuition fees that need to be paid during and after the application process. A few universities and their respective costs are as follows:
Apart from the application and tuition fee, students may also come across other costs such as evaluation fees, social contribution fees, and charges of joining student unions or any other memberships.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Promoting diversity and inclusion, universities and governments of host countries often have scholarship programs, to encourage students from all around the world to be a part of their institution, without any financial barriers as it gives way to cultural exchange and networking.
Living Expenses in Germany
As a byproduct of receiving quality education in reputable and recognized schools and universities abroad, students have to bear the living expenses which can be tough if one has not planned accordingly.
| EXPENSES |
MONTHLY AVERAGE COST |
EXPENSE DETAILS |
| Rent/Accommodation |
€300-€500 |
Students living in dormitories may incur no more than €400/month but renting a private apartment could even cost more than €500. |
| Transportation |
€80-€100 |
Most public transport in Germany is either free or at discounted rates for students. You can also go for a one-time student pass. |
| Food |
€170-€220/month |
This amount covers groceries and it can be decreased by shopping from certain places that offer discounted rates such as budget chains. Additional costs may be incurred due to eating out where a fast-food meal is below €10. |
| Utilities |
€30-€100 |
These include electricity, internet, water, gas, etc. Sometimes, some utilities are already accounted for in the rent, especially when living in dormitories. |
| Miscellaneous |
€50-€150 |
This may include any other costs such as emergency buys or unexpected charges that had to be paid. |
Applying for a Germany Student Visa
In order to get a student visa for Germany, one needs to follow these steps timely:
- Fill out the Germany Student Visa application form, keeping in mind the dates of university applications and the beginning of the semester.
- Gather the documents needed.
- Schedule an appointment with the visa application office and proceed to give the interview.
- The next step is to pay the German Student Visa Fee.
- One has to also partake in some formalities like submitting their biometrics, such as signature and fingerprints.
- Wait for the processing and response.
Tips for Your Arrival in Germany
It is important to understand and accept that adapting to a different environment can be extremely challenging and at times, may also get demotivating. However, to make the process easier, ensure to make all the arrangements prior to our arrival, such as getting a confirmation of our accommodation and having all our necessary belongings that one may need in the beginning.
Additionally, cultural shock and language barriers are real-time issues that students face, which can be overcome by working smartly and being mentally prepared. To minimize the struggles at the start, you can try to pack some essentials such as food beforehand or gather information about where to get the items when the need arises. It takes time, but students gradually adjust with time, one just needs to be more open and socialize with others.
The key takeaways from this article include the distinct types of medical degrees and details about an MBBS/MD degree in Germany along with universities offering these programs. Considering you now are aware of the average living costs and tuition fees of medical programs in Germany, along with the provision of scholarships, your application process has been made easy via this article. All you need to do now is to apply and fulfill your passion for studying medicine!
If you are interested in learning more about studying in this European powerhouse, then make sure to check out Available Programs in Germany and Study in Germany pages! You’ll find lots of valuable tips and insightful articles!
