The Best Country to Study Medicine in Europe in English
If you’re looking for the best location for world-class education and a variety of educational options, you would be right to consider Europe. A European degree is a gateway to a lot of opportunities and a platform for global relevance. A medical degree is no less important. In this article we will be considering the best country to study medicine in Europe as well as the qualifications and some helpful notes that can make your educational goals a reality.
Why should you study medicine in Europe?
If you are still on the fence about studying medicine in Europe or you have been spending your time researching the best country to study medicine in Europe, but you’re not entirely convinced,
Here are some compelling reasons that will be enough to help you decide:
- Relatively short study duration: For instance, a regular structured degree course in medicine in Germany lasts six years and three months and is followed by a state exam (Staatsexamen) that grants one a license to practice as a physician (approbation). It’s similar for most countries in Europe. This is shorter than what is obtainable in many countries.
- Low tuition fees: Prospective international students can expect to pay much less to study medicine in Europe. There are many affordable universities that offer medical courses in Europe. The tuition for European medical schools is almost a third of the US medical school tuition. The average cost of a medical degree in the US is $140–240,000 over four years.
- Increased English-taught Programs: We know that the prevalent language in Europe is not the English language, but as an international student, you do not need to worry because there are many English-taught medical school programs you can enroll in.
Europe’s top medical schools
Here’s a quick look at the best medical schools in Europe. Most of the universities on this list were compiled by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021.
The Karolinska Institute is one of the world’s most prestigious medical schools. With an affiliated teaching and research hospital, Karolinska is a place where the emphasis is not only on theory, but also on innovation and practice.
Heidelberg University has a long and illustrious history in Germany and Europe. As the country’s oldest university and the Roman Empire’s third university, the university attracts a large number of international students from over 130 countries.
- ETH Zurich, Switzerland
ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) was founded more than 150 years ago and has become one of the most important institutions in STEM research. A degree from ETH will undoubtedly make your CV stand out as one of the most important and highly ranked universities in the world, not just in Europe.
- KU Leuven – Leuven University, Belgium
The Faculty of Medicine is a member of the Biomedical Sciences Group and is involved in international projects and networks. The school, which also works with a hospital, usually has a consistent group of international students. Research is also a major focus of KU Leuven specialists, and there are numerous studies on science, technology, and health.
- Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands
The Erasmus University Rotterdam is often present in the global university rankings created by Times Higher Education, TopUniversities, US News, and other organisations. This is excellent proof of the university’s quality, assets, and research efforts and facilities.
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (Munich, Germany)
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich has a centuries-old tradition and is one of Germany’s most prestigious universities. Research Services assists researchers at all stages of their research, from consultation on third-party funding to administrative and legal issues.
What is the cost of studying medicine in Europe?
Annual tuition fees in Europe vary considerably between universities and countries, but you can expect to pay anywhere between €3,000 and €30,000 a year. This variation depends on the state of the country. Countries like Serbia, Georgia, Romania, and Bulgaria tend to be the cheapest places in Europe to study medicine. Better still, these countries also have relatively low living costs. This makes them ideal for medical students looking for a more affordable alternative to the UK.
If you want to study medicine in Europe for free, you can consider Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. It’s important to know who is allowed to pay tuition. Most European countries have free tuition for students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. However, Germany is tuition-free for all students, including students from non-EU/EEA countries, except for public universities in Baden-Wurttemberg.
What Are the Requirements for Entry into Medical Schools in Europe?
The admission requirements for European medical universities vary from school to school. The only thing that they share is an English proficiency test. If you are considering the best country to study medicine in Europe, they would most likely require either Cambridge, IELTS, or TOEFL.
While it is possible that they may not take your high school transcript into consideration, most schools organize an entrance test in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics.
The most common entrance requirements are:
- SSCE, GCSE, or equivalent high school diploma.
- Satisfactory grades in Chemistry, Biology, Maths, and Physics on the school transcript.
- English Language Proficiency
- Entrance exams in Biology, Chemistry, and English (you can test online.)
- A simple online interview to check your motivation for choosing medicine
- Letter of recommendation or personal statement (optional).
- You must have a passport.
- Admission fees can range from €20 to €200 and above.
- Some universities require entry fees upon acceptance to secure your seat.
Best European countries for English-language medical studies
Universities in some countries provide specialized medical courses taught in English. These countries offer a variety of educational concessions, including scholarships, vocational training and free education for certain student groups.
These factors must be considered when selecting countries for medical education in Europe.
- Germany
- France
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Finland
- Sweden
European universities with medical courses taught in English
It is common to wish to enroll in a program where you would be taught in your preferred language, English. Despite the fact that there are many different languages spoken in Europe, there are universities that provide medical studies in English. In order to choose the best country to study medicine in Europe, it is important to consider the universities that are offering this specific program.
Some of these universities are:
- University of Nicosia Medical School, Cyprus
- Plovdiv Medical University, Bulgaria
- Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic,
- Palacky University, Czech Republic
- Masaryk University, Czech Republic
- Riga Stradins University, Latvia.
- Debrecen University, Hungary.
- Lithuania: University of Health Sciences, Lithuania.
Things to consider before planning to study medicine in Europe
Medical study varies slightly around the world. Although the system in Nigeria isn’t much different from the system in Europe, it’s not uncommon to see some slight differences here and there.
Usually, medical study encompasses university study, supervised practice and internship, and/or residency, which can be followed by postgraduate vocational training.
If you’re seriously considering medical study in Europe or anywhere abroad at all, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Studying medicine all around the world is the same science, but the quality differs. All approved medical institutions in the EU and EEA have diplomas that are recognized across the world, but medical universities outside of the EU and EEA in Europe do not.
- The experience of studying medicine varies from country to country. For example, in Occidental countries (most countries of the European Union as well as the U.K., Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand), medical studies are centred more on theoretical studies, while in East European countries (Romania, Bulgaria, etc.), the most time is dedicated to the practical side of medicine from the beginning.
- In most European countries, it is easy to get into medical university but hard to become a doctor (approximately 80 % of students are weeded out within the first 2 years). This only goes to show that studying medicine requires application and hard work, both while studying and when in practice. However, given that it combines science with interpersonal connections and offers a wide range of medical career prospects, it also offers excellent rewards in terms of professional satisfaction.
Why Study Medicine in Europe Rather Than the United States?
There are some differences in teaching between Europe and other areas of the globe.
If you are trying to make a decision between the UK and Europe, knowing these differences would help you decide.
- In contrast to the USA, where the academic year is four years, studies often last a total of six years.
- In Europe, it takes 6.5 to 7 years, including training, before you can start a profession. In the USA, you are deemed trained after 10 years.
- Graduate medical education in Europe often has lower tuition costs. Numerous colleges in nations like Germany, Finland, Norway, and others even offer free education. Remember to check to make sure that you are subject to tuition costs. Only students from the EU and EEA are eligible for free courses in several nations. Even while they are still significantly less than those in the US, other international students must pay fees.
- Entry requirements in Europe usually don’t involve exams such as the MCAT (a computer-based standardized examination for prospective medical students in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Caribbean Islands), which usually requires 1–2 years of preparation.
In conclusion
By enrolling in medical programs at European universities overseas, you can gain access to prestigious international research and higher education institutes preparing future doctors. Medical schools in Europe are the perfect places for students who want to become responsible, capable M.D.s or healthcare professionals because of their cutting-edge research programs, unique curricula, and innovative teaching methods.
Additionally, it’s critical to never consider language to be a barrier. If you look a little bit harder, the entire world is at your disposal. This search involves more than just discovering the best country to study medicine in Europe; it also involves making wise and well-informed decisions based on the information you can find right here on Setlinn!
Best wishes on your relocation journey
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