Every year, around 40,000 high school graduates apply for around 10,000 places to study human medicine in Germany (as of the winter semester 2021/2022).
A very good Abitur is the basic requirement for admission to medical studies, as the numerus clausus (NC) has usually been between 1.0 and 1.2 in recent years.
However, a good Abitur alone is often not enough to gain a place. Additional requirements may include a completed civil or military service, a voluntary social year, vocational training or semesters of study already completed.
When applying for a place to study medicine in Germany, applicants can fall into one of three categories:
Abitur best quota: 30 percent of study places are allocated in this category. Selection is based primarily on the Abitur grade and the numerus clausus;
University selection: 60 percent of study places fall into this category. Here, applicants must meet at least two criteria: the result of a subject-specific study aptitude test (e.g. TMS) and other criteria such as the result of a selection interview, vocational training or A-level grades;
Additional aptitude quota: The remaining 10 percent of study places are allocated via this category. It is not the Abitur grade that counts here, but other criteria such as completed vocational training, voluntary service, personal aptitude interviews or performance in science subjects relevant to the course.
There are also opportunities to study medicine in Germany without a numerus clausus and become a doctor:
Study place complaint: You can try to get a study place with a study place complaint;
Bundeswehr: Medical studies can be completed as part of a commitment to the Bundeswehr;
Private university: At a few German private universities, you can study medicine without an NC;
Studying abroad: Another alternative is to study medicine abroad.
Medical studies in Germany generally last six years (12 semesters), including the practical year (PJ) and the final examination. The first two years are dedicated to the pre-clinical phase, followed by four years of clinical internships and lectures.
Pre-clinic:
In the first four semesters of medical studies, the pre-clinical phase, the basics of medicine are taught. This includes subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, biochemistry and pathology. A three-month nursing internship must be completed during the lecture-free period. The pre-clinical phase ends with the first medical examination, the Physikum. This examination takes place over two days and consists of an oral and a written examination.
Clinical study section:
In the clinical semesters (5th to 10th semester), the focus of medical studies in Germany is on practical medical subjects. Students learn important subjects such as internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics and psychiatry. There are also interdisciplinary subjects such as health economics, oncology, radiotherapy, infectiology, immunology and clinical pharmacology. Students gain practical experience in courses and internships in which they learn basic medical skills such as taking blood samples, interviewing patients and physical examinations. In addition, a four-month internship in a hospital or medical practice during the semester break is mandatory. The course concludes with the written part of the second state examination, which lasts three days.
The practical year:
The practical year is an important part of medical training in Germany. It follows on from the clinical phase of study. During the practical year, medical students work in a hospital where they carry out practical medical activities under supervision. This year is divided into three sections of four months each, which are completed in internal medicine, surgery and a specialty of the student's choice. The practical year ends with the oral part of the second state examination. After successfully completing the third state examination, you can apply for a license to practice medicine. The career as an assistant doctor then begins.
Studying medicine in Germany provides future doctors with both comprehensive medical knowledge and practical skills. Important subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, internal medicine and surgery are included in the curriculum to ensure a comprehensive medical education.
After graduating, most medical graduates begin their careers as assistant doctors in a clinic or hospital. During this phase, they gain practical experience in treating patients. They then have the opportunity to specialize in a particular medical field, usually by completing five years of specialist training. At the end of this further training, they are awarded the title of specialist, which is required to carry out certain medical activities and to be licensed as a contract doctor by the statutory health insurance funds. This qualification is also required for further professional development, e.g. as a senior physician or head physician. Careers in the hospital sector are characterized by continuous specialization and further training, which can lead to higher positions.
תגובות