Medicine Schools and Programs in Germany

Medicine Studies in Germany

Study Medicine in Germany at Technische Universität München (Munich).The pursuit of a degree in Medicine can be a long and arduous one, but today there are many programs available that can help break up this monotony by allowing students to study and live for a time in a foreign country, while still earning the equivalent amount of credits for the material they cover.  One such study abroad program enables students to study for a semester or year in the beautiful country of Germany, a country known for its excellent universities and cutting-edge medical research.
 
Germany, officially known as the Federal Republic of Germany, is a federal parliamentary republic located in the west-central part of the European continent.  The country covers a total geographic area of just under 138,000 square miles (357,021 square km), an area that is shared by Germany’s nearly 81 million inhabitants, making it the second-largest country in Europe by population (after Russia) and the largest country of the European Union.  Germany consists of 16 states and its capital and largest city is Berlin.  As Europe’s most powerful economic and political force, Germany relies on its excellent system of education, particularly higher education, to produce graduates who are ready and able to lead the country into the 21^st century and beyond.

Medical Education in Germany

Like in most developed countries, students in Germany who wish to pursue courses leading to a medical degree (M.D.) must first earn their undergraduate degree in a science-related field, such as Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, etc.  Students must also take and pass the National entrance examination prior to being considered for admission.
 
Medical education is offered by a select few of Germany’s excellent universities.  Students who are accepted into medical school will first undergo a 4-5 year program of advanced medical education that includes both classroom study and practical laboratory experience.  Traditionally, the initial part of a student’s medical education is divided between preclinical and clinical studies.  The former consists of studies in the basic sciences, including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology and pharmacology.  The latter consists of teaching in the various areas of clinical medicine, such as internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry and surgery.  Some of the German institutions offering medical education are now using a systems-based curriculum, in which the pre-clinical and clinical studies are integrated.

Following completion of entry-level training, newly graduated doctors are usually required to undertake a period of supervised practice before full registration is granted; this is most often a one-year program and may be referred to as an "internship" a "provisional registration" or "residency".

Further training in a particular field or specialty within the field of medicine may also be undertaken for students who wish to focus exclusively on a particular area of medicine. In some jurisdictions, this is commenced immediately following the completion of entry-level training, while in other countries junior doctors are required to undertake generalist training for a number of years before beginning specialized training.

Why Study Abroad in Germany

The reasons to study abroad in Germany are innumerable.  Not only does the country boast some of the finest universities and the most knowledgeable faculty in the world, it is also a country of great history, immense beauty and deep cultural roots.  Students studying in Germany will have opportunities to meet fellow students and faculty from around the world, sample delicious German and international cuisine and gain valuable language skills that may later benefit them in their professional lives.  There are also countless sights and attractions to behold in Germany, such as those listed below.
 
Cologne
 
Situated on the Rhine River in the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne is one of the most popular places to visit in Germany. The city offers a colorful array of attractions, a bustling and fast-paced nightlife and an arts and culture scene that is out of this world. Cologne is also home to more than its share of impressive landmarks, such as the city’s informal symbol, the Cologne Cathedral, a stunning Gothic church.
 
Dresden
 
Before being almost leveled to the ground from World War II bombings and air raids, Dresden was referred to as the Jewel Box of Germany, due to its lavish collection of stunning art and architecture. After many painstaking years, the city has now restored much of its former glory and is now one of the hottest tourist destinations in Europe. The capital of the federal state of Saxony, Dresden offers a number of historic sites to peruse, including the stunning Frauenkirche Cathedral, rebuilt in the 1990s after being leveled during the Second World War.
 
Heidelberg
 
With historic treasures like the medieval Old Bridge, the Heidelberg Castle, the Church of the Holy Spirit and the Knight St. George House; it’s easy to see why the city of Heidelberg is such a popular attraction for visitors. The city center’s main street, Haupstrasse, is jam-packed with traditional pubs and restaurants, interesting museums, art galleries, shops and markets, selling everything from genuine German beer steins to cuckoo clocks to tasty German sausages.
 
Neuschwanstein Castle
 
The most photographed building in Germany, Neuschwanstein Castle, is also one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. Nestled among the breathtaking beauty of the Bavarian Alps near the town of Fussen, this fairy-tale-like castle served as the inspiration behind Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.