Admission to Medical Study in Germany
Admission to medical universities in Germany is competitive and restrictive. Medical education Germany is free and the main admission requirements are high school diploma and Germany language skills. Only Master in medical studies are available in English language.
There are admission restrictions for degree courses in medicine at all universities in Germany. When selecting applicants the universities can take into account not only the average mark of the qualifications entitling the applicant to go to university but also other criteria, for example grades in certain subjects, the results of an interview, a vocational qualification gained before applying to university, the student’s preferred university etc. What is also important is the waiting period for a university place.
University applicants from a member state of the European Union (EU), from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway or foreign nationals and stateless persons who have gained German qualifications entitling them to go to university (so-called “Bildungsinländer”) are treated as equal to German applicants and, like them, always have to apply via the Internet portal of the Foundation for Higher Education Admission (Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung).
All other international applicants for university places who fulfil the basic requirements for starting a degree course at a German university apply directly to their preferred university, which will also inform them about admission requirements for the degree course. Depending on the university, up to five percent of the university places are reserved for this group of applicants.
For a number of universities, applications have to be submitted via the University Application Service for International Students, uni-assist. You can find details about the member universities and detailed information about the application procedure.
Studying Medicine in Medical universities in Germany enjoys practical and high-quality training and excellent reputation internationally. Medical education in Germany is integrated into a network of hospitals, universities, research institutes and business enterprises. Teaching, patient care and research therefore form an integrated whole from which everyone involved benefits – especially the students. As everywhere in the world, Germany offers great opportunities to graduates in medicine: employment in a hospital or in general practice, in research, in industry, in the public health service or in management consulting, etc.
Application for admission to medical university requirements in Germany
German language skills
Medical study in Germany requires the German skills. Even students who would like to take german course at the Studienkolleg to improve the German language skills, are expected to have attained a certain proficiency level right from day one. Students may prove German language skills by presenting a certificate issued for passing a DSH or TestDaF exam (after approx. 400 to 600 class hours), corresponding roughly to level B1 of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages".
Student visa
International students who need visa to enter the Federal Republic of Germany might have to go to a German Embassy and apply for a student visa. Note that it is not possible to change a tourist or other visa into a student visa once you have entered Germany!
Medical examination
To apply for student visa, the student must present a medical certificate. He may also be asked to present a health certificate when he wants to extend his resident permit.
Authenticated translation of required documents
Prospective international medical students to German medical schools must present originals and authenticated translation of high school of certificates certificate (equivalent to Abitur).
Financial requirement
Most of international students coming to study in Germany are self-financing students. Even if students in Germany are allowed to work, this is only permitted for a very limited number of hours during the out of session (vacation) period. This is not enough to be able to completely finance university studies. DAAD Scholarships allow some of international student to cover their expenses while studying in Germany.
Status of Studienkolleg students – Preparatory courses
Students admitted to any university Studienkollegs automatically have the status of registered (matriculated) students of the respective university. However, the time spent studying at the Studienkolleg cannot be credited to their later academic studies in Germany.
Application documents to Medical Universities in Germany
For admission to medical preparatory course or medical university, the applicant must prepare the following documents:
Proof of having passed the DSH - Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang - language proficiency test required for entry to a German university and to undertake all classes in the German language / TestDaF - Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache -Test of German as a foreign language: standardised language test of German proficiency for non-native German speakers. It aims at people who would like to study at or academics and scientists who want to work in German universities;
A secondary school-leaving certificate issued in your home country;
Application for university admission;
Students from some countries must additionally prove that they have passed the university entrance exam in their home country and/or have studied successfully in their home country for one or two years;
Application deadlines to Medical Universities in Germany
The application deadlines and addresses differ greatly from one Studienkolleg to the next. Some Studienkollegs arrange their academic year by university semesters, while others use the half-yearly school rhythm. In some federal states, you can apply direct to the chosen Studienkolleg, while in other cases, you apply to the International Office of a university, and in others, the application will go to a public authority.
In general the applicationion deadline for admission to medical universities in germany is by 15th July for the winter semester and by 15th January for the summer semester. The application deadlines may differ from this depending on the university, however.
