10 Best Medical Schools in Poland

Posted on August 16, 2020April 27, 2022 by Hyun Lee

Poland is one of the best destinations for aspiring doctors. It’s home to some of the best medical schools in Europe, with fees that are significantly lower than the rest of the continent. Should you meet the specifications, you can even study for free! So if you’re looking for an education that won’t break the bank, then you should consider these top medical schools in Poland.

How long does it take to become a physician in Poland?

It takes 6 years to complete an undergraduate Medicine degree in Poland. As for graduate-entry programs, the study duration is 4 years. You will have to complete residencies as well as taking medical exams. To view the complete process of being a doctor, read How to Become a Medical Doctor in Poland (8 Steps).

What are the requirements for studying at a Polish medical college?

The basic requirement is a high school diploma, although some universities require applicants to undergo an interview. Compared to other countries, some Polish medical schools favor their competency tests over medical college admission tests. If you are interested, take a look at How to Study Medicine in Poland!

Is it Possible to Study Medicine in Poland for free?

Yes, it is entirely possible to study medicine in Poland for free. In fact, many international students have studied completely free of charge. To help you with the process, we’ve outlined How to Study in Poland for Free. Take a look if you want to know how to attend Polish medical schools without it being a burden.

You might want to check out some related articles on the best medical schools in Poland.

Best Medical Schools in Poland

1. Jagiellonian University Medical College School of Medicine in English

Jagiellonian University Medical College is Poland’s first medical school. It is also one of the oldest in Central Europe. Founded in 1364 by King Casimir III the Great, it was previously a studium generale modeled after the University of Bologna.

The university has a special School of Medicine in English, which was founded in 1994. It offers 2 types of medical degrees. One is the undergraduate-entry course, while the other is a graduate program for those who have taken their bachelor’s degrees.

The faculty is composed of local lecturers, as well as visiting professors from the US, Germany, and Canada. The curriculum is patterned after the specifications of the European Union, as well as the Medical Board of California, USA.

After completing their theoretical schooling in Jagiellonian, foreign students may opt to complete their clinical electives in American institutions, including UC San Diego, UCLA, University of Rochester, and Case Western Reserve University.

2. Medical University Warsaw Second Faculty of Medicine

The Medical University Warsaw can trace its beginnings back to the University of Warsaw’s Faculty of Medicine. It was established in 1809 and is considered one of the more prestigious medical schools in the country.

The Second Faculty of Medicine opened its doors in 1993 to cater to local and foreign students alike. It offers a 6-year undergraduate Medicine degree, which starts with pre-medical studies. Lessons are taught by esteemed professors through various methodologies such as lectures, practical classes, and seminars. Evaluation of learning is then done through oral and written exams. This chapter is then followed by Clinical Training, which is held in several affiliate hospitals and training facilities.

Medical University Warsaw awards an internationally-recognized medical diploma that renders its students eligible to take the USMLE.

3. Medical University Gdańsk Faculty of Medicine

The Medical University of Gdańsk is the largest medical institution north of Poland. Founded in 1945, it is considered one of the top medical schools in the country.

The university’s Faculty of Medicine offers a 6-year MSc program, which has been taught in English since the year 2002. Due to the competitive nature of admission, only 171 students are accepted every year.

Hands-on education is held at the University Clinical Center, which has been recently upgraded with a Laboratory Medicine and Invasive Medicine Centers, to name a few. Some rotations are done in other Gdańsk hospitals as well.

The Faculty is recognized by both the Conference of Presidents of Medical Universities and the State Accreditation Committee.

4. Pomeranian Medical University Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

Pomeranian Medical University is an educational institution based in Szczecin, Poland. Founded in 1948, this Polish medical school is home to 4,000 students majoring in the health sciences.

Through the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, the university offers 2 types of MD programs. One is the 6-year Asklepios Program, which is taught in a combination of English and German. This program is only limited to 30 applicants of German nationality.

The school also offers an English MD program, a 12-semester course that totals 5,710 hours of lectures and practical classes. It follows the outcome-based learning method, which focuses on what the student knows, what the student can do, and the competence of the student as a professional.

At the end of the program, the aspiring doctor is expected to master the 7 domains of morphological science, basics of medicine, preclinical studies, behavioral science, clinical science, treatment, and the legal/organizational basis of medicine.

5. Wroclaw Medical University Faculty of Medicine

Next in our list of top medical schools in Poland is Wrocław Medical University, a public educational institution founded in 1950. It is located in Wrocław, which is the country’s seat of healthcare education, many thanks to its rich medical tradition.

The Faculty of Medicine is one of the university’s first departments, predating its founding by 5 years. It offers an English medicine program, which can be taken full-time or part-time.

The latter is quite an extraordinary feature, as it is not offered by other universities.

Similar to most Polish curriculums, the medical course is divided into pre-clinical and clinical cycles. The first 3 years center on basic theories, which are taught through lectures, seminars, and laboratory classes. The 4th and 5th years are devoted to clinical education with exposure to client cases. For the last year, students are assimilated in the hospitals as medical clerks.

The full-time program accepts 273 applicants, while the part-time course has a stricter intake of only 105 students. Special merits are given to medal-winning Olympians.

6. Medical University of Lublin Faculty of Medicine

While the Medical University of Lublin was already present in 1944, it wasn’t until 1950 when it was granted autonomy.

The school is particularly known for its Faculty of Medicine English Language Division, which opened its doors in 2001. It offers 6 types of medical curriculums, namely American, Asian, European, Middle East, International, and Dual Degree.

All follow the 6-year MD program, which is taught in English. It is recognized by the New York State Education Department, the Medical Board of California, and the U.S. National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation. It is also endorsed by the Medical Councils of India and Thailand. Because of these, its medical graduates are entitled to practice in their destinations of choice.

7. Poznań University of Medical Sciences

Poznań University of Medical Sciences is a prominent medical school based in western Poland. Formerly a part of the Poznań University, the school separated in 1950 – which is considered the university’s official founding year.

The school offers 2 Medicine tracks: the 6-year undergraduate (6MD) entry pathway and the 4-year graduate program (Advanced MD).

The 6MD course features a curriculum that starts with basic science for year 1, and physiology, microbiology, and behavioral sciences for year 2. CPR training is also included, before heading on to year 3’s lessons in disease and pharmacology.

Both programs entail clinical rotations that last for 3 years. These include elective options for the last year, especially for those who wish to work in the US or Canada.

8. Medical University Silesia Faculty of Medical Sciences

Founded in 1948, the Medical University of Silesia is a public educational institution based in Katowice, Poland. After receiving its US Department of Education accreditation in 1996, the university launched its English-taught programs for international students.

This medical school in Poland offers 2 types of MD programs: the International MD and European MD courses. Both programs run for 6 years, with each semester lasting 15 weeks.

The international course features clinical rotations for the fifth and sixth years, with required rotation hours at 1,285 (core) and 1,334 (electives) respectively. As for the European degree, the required hours for the fifth and sixth years are 1,087 and 906.

Both programs encourage clinical rotations at institutions located outside of the country.

9. Medical University of Białystok Faculty of Medicine

The Medical University of Białystok is housed in the beautiful Białystok Palace. It has been the school’s home since it was founded in 1950. Its flagship department is the Faculty of Medicine, which offers a 6-year MD program.

The 1st year of schooling features subjects in biophysics, chemistry, anatomy, and first aid. The 2nd year advances to the more comprehensive disciplines of pathophysiology, microbiology, and parasitology, to name a few. As for the 3rd year, students get to engage in the basics of surgery, medical ethics, and internal medicine.

For the 4th to 6th years, lectures and rotations focus on the clinical disciplines of family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology, among many other elective courses.

10. Medical University of Łódź

The final school in our list of top medical universities in Poland is the Medical University of Łódź, the result of the merger between the Medical Academy of Łódź and the Military Medical Academy of Łódź. While it was only founded in 2002, it has academic roots that reach back to the 1950s.

The university’s 6-year MD program, which runs from October to June, is specially designed for secondary school graduates. The first 6 semesters of pre-clinical education cover the basics of biology, medical chemistry, anatomy, biophysics, histology, and cell biology, to name a few.

The last 3 years are devoted to clinical education, with emphasis on the fields of internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics & gynecology, pediatrics, and family medicine, among many others.

The university also offers an Advanced MD degree, which is developed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree. This course runs for only 4 years.

I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Europe Scholarships Page.