10 Best Medical Schools in Germany
Germany is always at the forefront of breakthroughs and innovations, especially in the field of medicine. In the 17th century, it played host to one of the earliest separations of conjoined twins. It is the home of many accomplished physicians, including Theodore Schwann (cell theory of animals), Ferdinand Cohn, and Robert Koch (founders of modern bacteriology), to name a few.
A proponent of quality education, Germany provides free schooling to its constituents. As such, the country is very attractive to local and foreign students alike. If you are looking for excellent yet free medical education, then you need to set your sights on any of these 10 best medical schools in Germany.
How long does it take to finish Medicine in Germany?
A Baccalaureate Medicine program – which is only taught in German – takes 6 years to complete. It is divided into three stages, namely the pre-clinical phase (2 years), clinical phase (3 years), and practical stage (1 year). The last step is the Medical Examination. After passing this, you can apply for your physician license.
What are the requirements for students who wish to study in German medical schools?
You need to submit several documents, including the results of your language proficiency test (DSH or Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang). You also need to submit an admission application form, as well as a certification of secondary studies from your home country.
Top Medical Schools in Germany
1. Heidelberg University Faculty of Medicine
Heidelberg University – also known as Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg – is Germany’s oldest and most illustrious institution. Established in 1386, it was modeled after the University of Paris. Medicine is one of its four initial faculties. As such, it is considered one of the best in Europe and one of the top few in the entire world.
This medical school in Germany is noted for its high-tech skills labs, E-learning programs, and study abroad opportunities. It also produces top-caliber research, notably in the fields of cardiovascular medicine, neurology, oncology, and immunotherapy.
The Heidelberg University Faculty of Medicine is located in Neuenheimer Feld, which is the largest life science campus in all of Germany. The University Hospital Heidelberg, as well as the German Cancer Research Center and the Max-Planck Institutes, are situated on the campus as well.
2. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich Faculty of Medicine
Known in the local language as the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, this public research institution is located in the heart of Munich, Germany. It was established in 1472, which makes it the sixth-oldest university in the country.
One of its oldest departments is the Faculty of Medicine, which is the largest one in Southern Germany. It follows a Medical Curriculum Munich (MeCuM), which offers practical and intensive training in General Medicine. Additionally, it aims to educate students by way of evidence-based practice.
Medical students get to spend their practical year in the Medical Center of the University of Munich, which has a 2,000-bed capacity. With its 29 specialist clinics and 46 interdisciplinary centers, it is considered one of the best medical schools in Germany.
3. Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Medical School
As one of Europe’s biggest university hospitals, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin has gained the distinction of being one of the most research-intensive schools in the country.
The Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin medical school is a fusion of faculties from Humboldt University and Freie Universität Berlin. Through this academic marriage, the medical school has been named one of the best in Germany – and the whole of Europe.
Charité is known for its New Revised Medical Curriculum program, which was only applied in the year 2010. This curriculum is said to be based on practical medicine, as well as new teaching and learning concepts.
Apart from interning in the Charité hospital, students are also allowed to work in other institutions. The school shares exchange programs with Sorbonne University, University of Copenhagen, University of Zürich. Karolinska Institute, University of Amsterdam, and Università di Roma La Sapienza, to name a few.
4. Technical University of Munich Faculty of Medicine
Next on our list of top medical schools in Germany is the Technical University of Munich (TUM), a member of the T9 or Germany’s coalition of top educational institutions. Established in 1868, this public university has campuses in Munich, Heilbronn Garching, Freising-Weihenstephan, and Singapore.
Its Faculty of Medicine, which was established in 1967, is known as one of the best centers for medical research. Its pre-clinical training phase is run in coordination with the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich Faculty of Medicine, which is another prestigious medical school.
The TUM Faculty of Medicine follows a subject-focused curriculum known as “MediTUM”. The school also has a state-of-the-art simulation center, which offers cutting-edge medical education.
In their 5th year of study, students can complete their clinical internships at the University Hospital or the German Heart Centre Munich.
5. University of Tübingen Faculty of Medicine
The University of Tübingen, formally known as the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, is a public institution based in Baden-Württemberg. Established in 1477, it is recognized as one of 11 German Excellence Universities.
More than just creating exemplary physicians, the University engages its future doctors with medical research as well. As such, the Faculty of Medicine is well-known for its journals on Neuroscience, Oncology, Infectious Disease, Immunology, and Vascular Medicine, to name a few.
This strong curriculum has helped the school create internationally-renowned doctors, including Alois Alzheimer (of presenile dementia/Alzheimer’s disease fame), Hans Schlossberger (noted immunologist), and Carl Haeberlin (developer of climatotherapy and thalassotherapy).
This medical school in Germany is affiliated with 17 hospitals, which are collectively known as the Klinikum. These institutions have a combined bed capacity of 1,500, which equates to 66,000 inpatient admissions every year.
6. Hannover Medical School
The Hannover Medical School, known in the local dialect as the Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH), is located in Lower Saxony. It was established in 1961, though the first classes were only held four years later.
The Hannover Medical School follows a curriculum named “Hannibal”. Launched in 2005, it features adaptive teaching and intensive job orientation. The first year of study is dedicated to a preparatory course, followed by diagnostic methods (2nd year) and clinical medicine (3rd to 4th years).
Internship, which occurs during the 4th and 5th years, is usually done at MHH hospital. This multi-disciplinary institution is home to several prestigious departments, including the Allergy Center, the Breast Center, the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, the Center for Rare Diseases, and the German Hearing Center, to name a few.
7. RWTH Aachen University Faculty of Medicine
RWTH Aachen University, short for Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, is a public research institution. Founded in 1870 at North Rhine-Westphalia, it is considered the largest technical university in Germany.
The campus is home to 9 faculties, including the Faculty of Medicine. Founded in 1966, this German medical school follows a model degree program called Modellstudiengang Medizin. With this in mind, the school’s goal is to make excellent doctors who are continuously willing to learn.
Students usually spend their internship year at the University Hospital, known to locals as the Universitätsklinikum Aachen. It has 1,297 beds, which can accommodate about 45,000 patients yearly. It has 33 clinics and 21 institutes, all of which help provide practical education to its medical students.
8. Goethe University Faculty of Medicine
Goethe University, located in Frankfurt, was founded (and funded by wealthy German citizens) in 1914. Originally called Universität Frankfurt am Main, it was dedicated to the memory of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in the year 1932.
Included in the university’s 16 departments is the Faculty of Medicine, which is housed in the Niederrad campus. It offers a six-year program that aims to mold doctors who are well-versed with medical science, art, and ethics.
The school is affiliated with the University Hospital or the Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt. It is home to several specialized centers, including the Center for Molecular Medicine, the Brain Imaging Center, and the Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, to name a few.
9. University of Freiburg Faculty of Medicine
Founded in 1457, the University of Freiburg (officially the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg) is a public institution based in Baden-Württemberg. As the fifth-oldest university in Germany, it was established with four schools, one of which is the Faculty of Medicine.
The University has one of the largest medical student populations, averaging at 2,500 yearly. Although it receives a large number of applicants, it only admits 5% of aspiring students. As such, the Faculty admits only about 340 physician-hopefuls every year.
Apart from producing top-ranking physicians, this medical school in Germany also publishes top-caliber medical research. Such areas of specialization include neuroscience, oncology, immunology, and stem cell studies, to name a few.
10. University of Hamburg Faculty of Medicine
We end our list of best medical schools in Germany with the University of Hamburg or UHH. This university was founded in 1919 by Werner von Melle and Rudolf Ross. A combination of three smaller institutions, the university has its main campus in the central district of Rotherbaum.
The Faculty of Medicine is one of the oldest departments within the UHH. The degree, which follows a curriculum named Medicine – iMED, spans 6 years. It is centered on scientific orientation, which aims to make its students more critical when it comes to problem-solving.
Apart from the usual general medicine track, the Faculty also offers research opportunities in the fields of Oncology, Cardiovascular Science, Neurology, Inflammation, and Health Services.
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