A medical degree in Germany is considered demanding and opens a wide range of career prospects. Those who are interested in the health and well-being of humans and animals and are willing to delve deeply into complex scientific topics will find a fulfilling challenge in the areas of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and other health-related courses.

Structure of medical degree programmes: A long way to clinical practice

Medical studies in Germany are standardised nationwide by the Licensing Regulations for Physicians. In contrast to medical-related courses of study such as health and nursing sciences, they are usually not divided into Bachelor's and Master's degrees but instead are completed with the medical examination. Only graduates who have passed the medical examination are allowed to practice as doctors in Germany. 

Medicine

A human medicine degree programme in Germany usually takes six years and three months, including the examination period. 

In the pre-clinical stage of their studies (1st-4th semester), students learn the basics of medicine. Accordingly, subjects such as physics, chemistry, physiology and anatomy determine the timetable. The first stage of the programme lasts two years and is completed with the first section of the medical examination. 

In the subsequent clinical studies (5th-10th semester), students acquire specialised knowledge in various medical sub-fields, such as surgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, etc. While the content and structure of the course are largely determined by the licensing regulations, students have the opportunity to set their own priorities through elective courses, the location of clinical traineeships and the elective subject in the practical year. The second part of the medical examination is usually taken after the sixth semester and the third part after the practical year. 

After graduating from medical school and obtaining their licence to practice medicine, most graduates decide to train as a specialist. Only specialists are authorised to provide care for people with statutory health insurance. This training usually takes another five to six years, depending on the specialisation. Surgery, neurology, paediatrics, general practice or internal medicine are different examples of specialisations. This opens up a wide range of career opportunities, e.g. in hospitals or in medical practice.

There are many alternatives if you decide against direct contact with patients, as medical expertise is in demand across all sectors. For example, in management consultancy or marketing as well as in public healthcare, medical technology or the pharmaceutical industry. Interesting roles can also be found in the insurance industry or in hospital administration.

Dentistry

The degree programme in dentistry, including the examinations and practical training components, lasts eleven semesters. During the four pre-clinical semesters, the focus is on natural science subjects. The first part of the programme, therefore, includes physics, chemistry, biology, physiology, etc. In addition, the students complete a type of interdisciplinary internship in various departments of a clinic (the so-called professional exploration). Alongside introductory clinical courses, a range of electives are offered so that students can also pursue their interests. Finally, the first section of the dental examination must be passed. 

The second part of the course (semesters 5 and 6) is more practical, with students learning various treatments on a so-called phantom head. This second part of the course is concluded with the Second Dental Examination.

The third and final section of the programme then focuses squarely on the treatment of students' own patients, which takes place under supervision. To register for the third dental examination, students must also provide evidence of a clinical traineeship. After passing the exam, they can apply for a licence to practise as a dentist, which is necessary to be allowed to practise this profession permanently in Germany.

After obtaining their licence to practise dentistry, most dentists in Germany initially take a position as preparatory assistants. You have a wide range of options such as seeking employment in a dental practice or, for example, at a hospital. This preparatory assistant period is a prerequisite for later working as an employed dentist or establishing your own practice. Of course, you can also go into research and teaching or work for insurance companies if direct contact with patients is not your goal.

Veterinary medicine

In Germany, veterinary medicine can only be studied as a state examination programme at a few higher education institutions. These include the universities in Munich, Giessen and Leipzig, the FU Berlin and the University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover. At the end of the degree programme, students take the veterinary examination, which enables them to obtain a licence to practise as a veterinarian. In addition to the state examination programme, there are also Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes. However, a Bachelor’s or Master’s diploma is not enough on its own to become a vet and work in this field.

The content and structure of the state examination programmes are identical at all higher education institutions, as they are centrally regulated. The veterinary medicine programme lasts a total of eleven semesters. In the first part of the programme (1st-4th semesters), you will take preliminary science and later anatomical-physiological foundations. At the same time, you will gain your first practical experience in the fields of agriculture, animal breeding and animal husbandry.

In the second part of your studies (semesters 5-11), you will deepen your knowledge in all areas, including animal husbandry, bacteriology, food science and reproduction medicine, in preparation for the veterinary examination. In addition to the theoretical part, there are numerous internships.

Veterinarians can work in a variety of fields. Around half of all graduates in Germany set up their own practice, thus becoming self-employed. However, career paths are also conceivable in the public veterinary sector, in industry and the private sector, or research.

Requirements for all medical students: doctors need to speak German and be resilient

A good knowledge of German is absolutely essential to study medicine at a German university. The medical literature is often in English, but the lectures and examinations are usually not. That is why some higher education institutions require German language skills at the C2 level of the CEFR by the time of enrollment. Scientific skills also play a major role, especially in the first semesters. In particular, medical students are put to a difficult test by the obligatory examination in basic subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, physiology, or anatomy, which is compulsory in all courses of study. To successfully pass a medical degree, you need stress tolerance, persistence and empathy: all qualities that will be in demand over and over again in professional life.

Prospective students should be aware that working in a clinic or hospital can be very physically demanding and exhausting. Weekends and night shifts are the norm. Internships are always required during the course, which can be very helpful in gaining a realistic picture of the job.

How do I apply for a place at university?

Medical professionals are held in very high regard in Germany. It is therefore not surprising that this profession appears particularly attractive to many secondary school graduates. It can, therefore, be difficult to get one of the coveted places to study medicine at German universities. In all three medical fields, the allocation of study places is regulated nationwide, and the Abitur grade (the grade of the school leaving examination) is a central criterion. In most cases, an excellent grade is required to get a place at a higher education institution without a long wait. Some universities also require a Test for Medical Studies (TMS). 
 

Study programmes in health management, health economics or health education

The healthcare sector does not just need medical professionals. The health of an entire population is the focus of health science, also known as "public health". It examines the interaction between people and their environment, develops strategies for dealing with health problems, and addresses health-related economic issues.

Students are prepared for various fields of application in the healthcare industry. Well-trained graduates in health science are just as much in demand in workplace and community health promotion as they are in the pharmaceutical industry, international organisations, and quality assurance. In this field, there are Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in health management, health economics, and health education. Some of the programmes require completed vocational training. The course of study covers medical, health and social science topics, as well as subject-related aspects of psychology and economics.