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Studying medicine in Europe

Thanks for raising this point to me. But even if I'm a UK national ... if any changes do happen?

I honestly don't know what will happen in 5 or more years time.

I wouldn't do it myself though. Predominantly because of the language thing (and I'm good at languages) but also because I don't know how I'd be treated on returning to the UK and whether I'd actually stand a chance of getting training jobs.

Reply 61

member9876

11

I heard gmc expects european grads to go straight to fy2...

Reply 62

supanogi

6

Original post by member9876

I heard gmc expects european grads to go straight to fy2...

Some European schools are 6 years, where the final year is just an internship year. The GMC regards this as equivalent to the FY1 year (even though it may be nothing like working in the NHS) and so these schools are eligible for FULL GMC registration after med school unlike UK medical grads....as such these people can only apply for stand alone F1/F2 jobs and not for the full foundation program me....thereafter you compete for specialty training like everyone else.

Ps. It's not an easy option. I study in Prague. All the British students in my year had the grades to do Medicine in the the UK, but lack of getting interviews/being rejected after interview let them down. There's strong emphasis on the academic side of medicine and the basic sciences. The courses here are very traditional and most of the studying is self-directed. As long as your organized, motivated and are prepared to study hard you'll be fine.

Having said that, the first year is tough, due to the volume of the course (sometimes upto 50% fail in the first year -> but mostly from students that messed around the whole year/postponed exams) ...after that its uncommon to fail the year.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 63

levantine

12

Original post by Bally2

Hi, I'm studying Medicine at the University of Malta. I see that someone has already posted application details, but if you have any further queries then feel free to PM me.

whats it like in malta?? is the degree worth it? do you just come back to uk after doing it and go into f1 and f2 as normal? is it tonnes of work and tests?? do you think the degree is acceptable standard?? is it easy to come back to uk and work??

Reply 64

levantine

12

Original post by supanogi

Some European schools are 6 years, where the final year is just an internship year. The GMC regards this as equivalent to the FY1 year (even though it may be nothing like working in the NHS) and so these schools are eligible for FULL GMC registration after med school unlike UK medical grads....as such these people can only apply for stand alone F1/F2 jobs and not for the full foundation program me....thereafter you compete for specialty training like everyone else.

Ps. It's not an easy option. I study in Prague. All the British students in my year had the grades to do Medicine in the the UK, but lack of getting interviews/being rejected after interview let them down. There's strong emphasis on the academic side of medicine and the basic sciences. The courses here are very traditional and most of the studying is self-directed. As long as your organized, motivated and are prepared to study hard you'll be fine.

Having said that, the first year is tough, due to the volume of the course (sometimes upto 50% fail in the first year -> but mostly from students that messed around the whole year/postponed exams) ...after that its uncommon to fail the year.

I heard that the workload is outrageous and its just learn this and learn that. is that true?? and also is learning czech language really difficult??

Ive been rejected from 3outof4 just southampton left. I have offer for pharmacy but dont know whether to take it or go to prasgue uni.

Also where did you do your entrance exam??

Reply 65

Bright.Inspiration.

10

Original post by halima iqbal

no you dont need to learn the language because they teach in english. ive applied to:
1. Doctor of Medicine
University: Ovidius University of Constanta
Country: Romania
2. Doctor of Medicine
University: Universita degli Studi di Milano
Country: Italy
3. Doctor of Medicine
University: Universita degli Studi di Pavia
Country: Italy
4. Doctor of Medicine
University: Medical University of Sofia
Country: Bulgaria
5. Doctor of Medicine
University: Medical University of Varna
Country: Bulgaria

6. University: Universita degli Studi di Roma 'La Sapienza'
Country: Italy

i am currently studying optometry and this is my second time applying in UK, wbu? x

Hiya,

do you know of any places in Italy that teach dentistry in english? x x

Reply 66

supanogi

6

Original post by levantine

I heard that the workload is outrageous and its just learn this and learn that. is that true?? and also is learning czech language really difficult??

Ive been rejected from 3outof4 just southampton left. I have offer for pharmacy but dont know whether to take it or go to prasgue uni.

Also where did you do your entrance exam??

Well, the first year at our uni is a nightmare...not much time to socialize or know your classmates...as theres a mini test of about 5-10 mcqs for every subject daily in the first year (eg 2x weekly anatomy mcq, 1x latin, 1x czech, 1x biophysics, 1x histology) ...but atleast this way you are forced to study from the beginning, rather than cramming at the end....and then all the final exams are oral viva exams....the other years are not as intense, since you will have developed your own learning style by then.

czech is the same as learning any other language...you'll know enough after the first two years to take a history as your forced to rote memorize the kinda questions you'd ask

i'd say get your grades, take a gap year and then reapply, and if still no luck try prague....depends on how motivated you are to do medicine i guess.

Reply 67

levantine

12

Original post by supanogi

Well, the first year at our uni is a nightmare...not much time to socialize or know your classmates...as theres a mini test of about 5-10 mcqs for every subject daily in the first year (eg 2x weekly anatomy mcq, 1x latin, 1x czech, 1x biophysics, 1x histology) ...but atleast this way you are forced to study from the beginning, rather than cramming at the end....and then all the final exams are oral viva exams....the other years are not as intense, since you will have developed your own learning style by then.

czech is the same as learning any other language...you'll know enough after the first two years to take a history as your forced to rote memorize the kinda questions you'd ask

i'd say get your grades, take a gap year and then reapply, and if still no luck try prague....depends on how motivated you are to do medicine i guess.

why do i have to learn latin??? the degree is medicine right? im personally not liking the university from what ive heard

Reply 68

supanogi

6

it helps with anatomy/medical terminology....but most of us think its a waste of time!

Reply 69

AkDo

11

Original post by supanogi

it helps with anatomy/medical terminology....but most of us think its a waste of time!

learning latin is definitely a waste of time! even with anatomy you can generally learn a few latin words and get the gist of all of it!

Reply 70

halima iqbal

1

Original post by Bright.Inspiration.

Hiya,

do you know of any places in Italy that teach dentistry in english? x x

sorry, i dont.
but if go go onto the website eunicas, you should be able to find some.
hope this helps :smile:

Reply 71

Bright.Inspiration.

10

Original post by halima iqbal

sorry, i dont.
but if go go onto the website eunicas, you should be able to find some.
hope this helps :smile:

Thanks for the website :smile:

How will you pay for the course abroad though?
The UK student loans company only supports courses in the UK...

Reply 72

Macromolecular

12

Original post by halima iqbal

no you dont need to learn the language because they teach in english. ive applied to:
1. Doctor of Medicine
University: Ovidius University of Constanta
Country: Romania
2. Doctor of Medicine
University: Universita degli Studi di Milano
Country: Italy
3. Doctor of Medicine
University: Universita degli Studi di Pavia
Country: Italy
4. Doctor of Medicine
University: Medical University of Sofia
Country: Bulgaria
5. Doctor of Medicine
University: Medical University of Varna
Country: Bulgaria

6. University: Universita degli Studi di Roma 'La Sapienza'
Country: Italy

i am currently studying optometry and this is my second time applying in UK, wbu? x

Hi,

Do you have the entry requirements for the 2 Italian Universities?

Also, how did you apply?

Thanks

Reply 73

b-beauty

Hi everyone. Im just being really nosy here but Im a graduate and am starting to consider studying medicine outside the UK. I would just like to share my thoughts with you all especially if you are doing your a-levels or on a gap year. If you decide against going abroad to study medicine and decided to do a degree first, i would advice you to do 2 things.
1. make sure you do a degree that you know you will enjoy and are likely to do well in (good career prospects are a big plus. there is nothing worse than being stuck in university for 3 years doing a degree you detest. Its a waste of your time and more importantly a waste of tuition fees. In other words, dont do a degree just because you can do it and are using it as a means to getting into medicine. I will remind you that graduate entry is extremely competitive to get into. Far more competitive than undergrad.
2. give yourself the time to really think things through before making any decisions whether it be going abroad or taking undergraduate study. A gap year is a really good idea for thinking things through

I personally feel that i have exhausted all the avenues apart from going abroad which is why Im now considering it. :smile:

Reply 74

OMFS_BoneSetter

16

For those, whom money is an issue. Uni of Malta is by far the cheapest most other English-speaking Medical Schools are private institutions and charge in the region of €7000-9000. If your from the EU/EEA, you pay a lot less than you would now in the UK http://www.um.edu.mt/finance/service/coursefees
I've also posted a link to the entry requirements http://www.um.edu.mt/registrar/regulations/faculties/ms/MD-1998-2

Alternatively, if you are prepared to learn a language for a year and still want to study Medicine relatively cheaply <£1000/(semester/year)

French-speaking:

Uni. Liège (Belgium) - http://www.ulg.ac.be/cms/c_22089/secondary-school-student

Uni. Mons (Belgium) - http://portail.umons.ac.be/en2/Pages/futuretudiant.aspx

ULB (Belgium) - http://www.ulb.ac.be/df/index.html

Uni. Genève (Switzerland) - http://www.unige.ch/international/index_en.html

UNIL (Switzerland) - http://www.unil.ch/index.html

Swedish/English-speaking:

Karolinska Institutet (This is a really good one if you are prepared to learn Swedish for a year) - http://ki.se/?d=11786&a=93625&l=sv&academicYear=12%2F13&url=%2Fselma%2Fselma%2Fprogramme%2F4K109

Dutch/English-speaking: These are slightly more expensive at €1500-2000

University of Amsterdam - http://www.studeren.uva.nl/regular_programmes/programmes_dutch.cfm/F57A5B79-259F-484B-A3694CA473EDD51E

Vrije Universiteit - http://www.vu.nl/en/programmes/bachelors-in-dutch/programmes/l-p/medicine/index.asp

UMCG - http://www.rug.nl/umcg/onderwijs/opleidingen/geneeskunde/index

Leiden University - http://prospectivestudents.leiden.edu/programmes/bachelor/bachelor-courses/bachelor-courses-lumc.html#bsc-in-medicine

Maastricht Uni (This is more expensive due to the Netherlands Government allowing unis to set their fees - ~£3000) -

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/web/Main/ProspectiveStudents/HomepageNewPortalProspectiveStudents/ChooseYourProgramme/BachelorsProgrammes/Medicine.htm

I hope this helps. They are all accredited by the GMC in this country. Don't be too put off by the fact that it's in another language. Bear in mind that international students come here to learn Medicine. So, if they can do it, so can you.

Reply 75

Rat_Bag

1

Sorry if this is offensive to anybody who is studying at an Eastern European medical schools, but all British graduates of these medical schools (Czech and Poland mainly) that I have encountered have been very lower calibre doctors. I don't know if this is the quality of education, or the the issue of language that interferes with learning during clinical rotations, or just the people that have to apply there, but this is what I, and many other people, have observed. I have a feeling it might be mainly to do with language, because I have met some very good native Polish and Czech doctors.

Also consider that if you graduate from Poland or Czech, you will not be eligible to apply for FY1, and will have to go straight into FY2. Most people would find that very tough

Reply 76

Skwee

Well I'm afraid I can't offer a UK-viewpoint, but the graduates from Eastern European medical schools I've met here have been, like Rat_Bag put it, very lower calibre doctors...this applies to both Eastern European natives who've come here for training, and for graduates who've gone there for medical school then came back. :s-smilie:

I don't mean to offend anyone, I don't know if it's the language differences that do it, or different teaching methods, or else, but most of the ones I've met here have either a) been unable to communicate with patients/other doctors, or b) been unable to deal with pretty simple situations (say, tonsillitis for example). So, overall, I wouldn't recommend it - like Helenia said.

Regarding EU graduates applying directly for FY2 standalone posts, I know it wouldn't work for my uni specifically but I don't know about others. I suspect FY2 standalone applications demand 12-months experience in a FY1-like setting, but since our final year is only 9-or-so-months-long, it wouldn't quite work. And on top of that, I'd rather start "from scratch" on FY1 as it is, so I get used to the NHS/British-way-of-doing-things (lol, for lack of a better word) rather than go straight into FY2 and have a really hard time catching up.

Edit: BTW, I'm studying in the University of Lisbon Faculty of Medicine. I did my A-levels in the UK but since my parents were moving here and I didn't qualify for a loan I had to move back too (despite having two offers from Manchester and London). I was quite pissed off about that at the time but now I'm 4 months away from finishing my degree I feel I've been quite well taught and overall I wouldn't say it was any less decent than a UK-taught course from what I've read around. So, studying abroad is always an option to be considered. Just be wary of which university you pick! :smile:

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 77

Ronove

18

Original post by medic_armadillo7

For those, whom money is an issue. Uni of Malta is by far the cheapest most other English-speaking Medical Schools are private institutions and charge in the region of €7000-9000. If your from the EU/EEA, you pay a lot less than you would now in the UK http://www.um.edu.mt/finance/service/coursefees
I've also posted a link to the entry requirements http://www.um.edu.mt/registrar/regulations/faculties/ms/MD-1998-2

Alternatively, if you are prepared to learn a language for a year and still want to study Medicine relatively cheaply <£1000/(semester/year)

French-speaking:

Uni. Liège (Belgium) - http://www.ulg.ac.be/cms/c_22089/secondary-school-student

Uni. Mons (Belgium) - http://portail.umons.ac.be/en2/Pages/futuretudiant.aspx

ULB (Belgium) - http://www.ulb.ac.be/df/index.html

Uni. Genève (Switzerland) - http://www.unige.ch/international/index_en.html

UNIL (Switzerland) - http://www.unil.ch/index.html

Swedish/English-speaking:

Karolinska Institutet (This is a really good one if you are prepared to learn Swedish for a year) - http://ki.se/?d=11786&a=93625&l=sv&academicYear=12%2F13&url=%2Fselma%2Fselma%2Fprogramme%2F4K109

Dutch/English-speaking: These are slightly more expensive at €1500-2000

University of Amsterdam - http://www.studeren.uva.nl/regular_programmes/programmes_dutch.cfm/F57A5B79-259F-484B-A3694CA473EDD51E

Vrije Universiteit - http://www.vu.nl/en/programmes/bachelors-in-dutch/programmes/l-p/medicine/index.asp

UMCG - http://www.rug.nl/umcg/onderwijs/opleidingen/geneeskunde/index

Leiden University - http://prospectivestudents.leiden.edu/programmes/bachelor/bachelor-courses/bachelor-courses-lumc.html#bsc-in-medicine

Maastricht Uni (This is more expensive due to the Netherlands Government allowing unis to set their fees - ~£3000) -

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/web/Main/ProspectiveStudents/HomepageNewPortalProspectiveStudents/ChooseYourProgramme/BachelorsProgrammes/Medicine.htm

I hope this helps. They are all accredited by the GMC in this country. Don't be too put off by the fact that it's in another language. Bear in mind that international students come here to learn Medicine. So, if they can do it, so can you.

The link you've given for Karolinska Institutet is for some 2-year Masters in Clinical Medical Studies. The medical degree is called Läkarprogrammet, and the link is http://ki.se/?d=11786&a=93625&l=sv&academicYear=12%2F13&url=%2Fselma%2Fselma%2Fprogramme%2F2LK10.

You also missed out all Danish medical schools which would be just as possible! And tuition fee-free!

Reply 78

OMFS_BoneSetter

16

Original post by Ronove

The link you've given for Karolinska Institutet is for some 2-year Masters in Clinical Medical Studies. The medical degree is called Läkarprogrammet, and the link is http://ki.se/?d=11786&a=93625&l=sv&academicYear=12%2F13&url=%2Fselma%2Fselma%2Fprogramme%2F2LK10.

You also missed out all Danish medical schools which would be just as possible! And tuition fee-free!

Yes, sorry I was only giving some examples. Denmark is also a good choice. ;-P.

I was also gonna say Ireland but it's a lot more expensive than it used to be. Italy, I think has a mixture of private and public medical schools, but people will have to check that out themselves because admittedly I don't know much about Italian universities.