MBBS in Germany [Complete guide]

If you want to obtain a "Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery" (MBBS) qualification, studying abroad is often the best route to choose. Germany and its highly advanced medical care is one of the best places to earn a medical qualification that opens doors worldwide.

But how can international students apply for an MBBS, what does the application entail (eligibility criteria, admission process, tuition fee, visa process), and how long does the qualification take? 

This article will explain everything you need to know about Germany's elite medical certificate, MBBS.

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German MBBS

Germany's MBBS is the country's primary medical qualification

Germany's MBBS is the country's primary medical qualification

But it's not just valued within German borders. This course in Germany has a solid international reputation, making it highly desirable anywhere in the world.

The degree duration is usually 6 years, and the MBBS includes both theoretical medical education and hands-on clinical experience, providing one of the best foundations for a medical career students could hope for.

Domestic and international students pursuing an MBBS in Germany receive the same access to German hospitals and clinics. This ensuring that they will leave university with the credentials and experience required to launch a successful medical career.

Advantages of studying MBBS in Germany

Studying this course in Germany is a truly rewarding investment in time and your personal career. It is one of the best options for quality and affordable medical education. It is a great idea to study medicine in Germany if you want excellent training.

• Medical Universities in Germany are among the best in the world.
• If you are an Indian student, one of the biggest advantages of studying medicine in Germany is that most German universities are recognized by the major medical commissions of the world like MCI - Medical Council of India (National Medical Council) or WHO - World Health Organization.
• The quality of education in Germany is generally very high and attracts international students from all over the world.
• The best medical schools in Germany organize seminars to help students get a job abroad.
• The weather in Germany is very good, and it is easy to adjust to them.
• The lifestyle in Germany is just as easy to adapt to.
• The cost of living in Germany is quite low compared to other countries in the EU or the United States.
• MBBS studies in Germany are completely free with a scholarship.
• The universities for medicine in Germany also have very good hospitals for the practical phase of the studies.

Studying this course in Germany is particularly interesting for Indian students because the fees are quite low compared to India (there are no tuition fees in public universities, and the cost of living in Germany is really manageable) and the quality of the programs is top-notch.

Duration and Stages

Studying medicine is never a quick process, no matter where you get medical training, and that's no different in Germany

Students must complete academic and practical medicine courses, and prepare for final examinations that require an extra year of hard work. So, studying MBBS is an investment in time that should only be undertaken by serious applicants.

How many years does it take to get an MBBS in Germany?

Schedules can vary in some cases - depending on the individual medical university - but most medical courses for an MBBS in Germany will go something like this:

Pre-Clinical Training

The first stage will last two years (four semesters). Described as a "pre-clinical" or “preparatory course”. This section of the course is primarily academic, and introduces medical and general scientific concepts that students need to know about. It concludes with the Ärztliche Prüfung - an examination that allows students to enter medicine courses and medical practice at a trainee level.

Clinical Training

Secondly, students will undertake 3 years (6 semesters) of clinical training during their MBBS course duration. Generally, this medical training covers a hospital placement in a nearby institution. Students will work closely with doctors and nurses, and participate in medical operations. This concludes with a practical examination of your clinical skills.

Practical Assessment

The final stage of the Germany MBBS lasts for one year, and consists of supervised practical training at government hospitals. Students gain more responsibility and are closely assessed for their abilities and temperament.

Final Examination

Finally, completing MBBS requires students to take the MBBS State Examination and Approbation of the Federal Republic (which approves your license to practice medicine).

How to apply for an MBBS at German medical universities

MBBS admission: The application process for medicine in Germany varies between medical universities

Contact the International Offices of possible universities for their specific requirements. Most are part of a system called Uni-Assist, which helps non-EU applicants find suitable courses.

Uni-Assist will provide information about how to apply to a medical college, including the provision of digital application forms, which educational credentials are needed, and what letters of recommendation and motivation to obtain.

Remember that the application deadline to these universities in Germany is July 15th (for Fall/Winter entry) and January 15th (for Summer entry).

Remember the different deadlines for Summer and Winter!

Will examinations be part of the application process for an MBBS?

There will usually be an entrance exam at medical colleges. Medical schools tend to be among the strictest in Germany when it comes to choosing candidates. Their examinations will filter out academically weak applicants, and assess what kind of preparatory study is needed to study medicine before others can take their course places.

If you are successful, you may be asked to complete a year-long Studienkolleg course, and extra German language lessons to make sure you have German language proficiency may also be required for international students before starting at a Germany medical college.

Is NEET required for an MBBS in Germany?

Those applying from India may well wonder whether NEET supplies the credentials required to access a German MBBS as an Indian student. The answer is that, yes, it definitely helps.

Holders of NEET certificates will have proved that they have basic medical knowledge and enthusiasm to study at a medical university. However, NEET to study MBBS isn't mandatory for Indian students and foreign students in general. And it isn't sufficient if candidates lack language skills and other academic qualifications.

What if I have a foreign medical degree?

If you already have international medical education and a foreign medical qualification, you won't need to study a full MBBS in Germany. But you can't begin practicing medicine in Germany straight away. Instead, you will need to apply for a document called a Berufserlaubnis, which is essentially a medical permit from the National Medical Commission.

The authorities may issue one without requiring any further action. However, they may require foreign medical graduates who didn't study MBBS in Germany to take examinations to prove the required level of competence.

Is MBBS in Germany free?

Free medical education: If you are interested in pursuing MBBS in Germany, you have chosen the right location! Germany has a very cost-effective medical education - it offers free education without any tuition fees unless you study at private universities.

Salary and career prospects after MBBS in Germany

An MBBS degree is one of the most sought-after degrees because doctors are among the highest-paid professionals in the world, and Germany is no different. Studying MBBS in Germany guarantees both high employability and a high salary. Since a medical degree in Germany has an excellent reputation worldwide, employers will be happy to hire you regardless of your location.

As in any other industry, a medical professional's salary depends on his or her position and experience, but the demand for medical professionals is constantly increasing. In Germany, the average salary of a medical doctor is around €80,000 per year.

Apart from the financial benefits, an MBBS degree in Germany provides easy access to other EU countries where you can practice medicine without restrictions. Since Germany is part of the European Union, there are almost no restrictions on free movement within the EU, which includes countries like France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and others.

Germany medical universities: Required Documents

When you apply for an MBBS in Germany, your university will require a range of important documents.

When you apply for an MBBS in Germany, medical universities will require a range of important documents.

Here is a quick breakdown of the documents most MBBS colleges will request:

• Educational credentials - Students must have a German high school level leaving certificate or the equivalent in their country.
• Qualifications in relevant subjects - Students must have high school-level qualifications in biology, physics, and chemistry.
• English skills are highly desirable, and a working knowledge of Latin can help as well.
• German language certificates - If you study MBBS in Germany, courses are taught in German.
• A certificate at TestDaf Level 4 or better is usually required.
• Letter of Motivation - This letter is written by the candidates, and explains clearly why they wish to study medicine, and what makes them a suitable student for the best medical colleges.
• Letter(s) of Recommendation - One or more letters from relevant individuals who know the candidate and can comment on their abilities and enthusiasm to study MBBS.
• Student visa - All students need a valid student visa from the German embassy. This will require purchasing health insurance and (usually) opening a blocked account to store a year's worth of living funds. This way you can get a permanent residence certificate while pursuing MBBS studies.

Language Requirements

Finally, it's worth stressing the language element once again, as it's absolutely central to succeeding in medicine at top German medical universities.

Medicine is a profession where precise language and communication skills make a huge difference.

In Germany, doctors need to understand English and speak excellent German, and there's really no way around this. Students are therefore required to have valid German language qualifications before admission.

Alongside TestDaf, many medical universities accept qualifications from Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS), Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH), or the Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS) from the Goethe Institut.

This really is the only way to receive an admission letter from Germany medical universities and study MBBS in Germany.