Structure of the German Medical Degree Program

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the structure of the German Medical Degree Program (Medizinstudium). This outlines how the 6-year program is organized, what subjects you'll study, and what exams you'll need to pass.

🏥 Structure of the German Medical Degree Program

The medical program in Germany is state-regulated and the same across all public universities. It consists of three main phases:

Phase	Duration	Key Focus
1. Pre-clinical phase (Vorklinik)	2 years	Basic sciences and medical theory
2. Clinical phase (Klinik)	3 years	Clinical subjects, practicals, diagnostics
3. Practical Year (Praktisches Jahr - PJ)	1 year	Full-time hospital work in three rotations

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1️⃣ Pre-clinical Phase (Vorklinik) – 2 Years

🔬 Goal: Build foundational knowledge in medical sciences and human biology.

📚 Subjects:

• Anatomy

• Histology

• Physiology

• Biochemistry

• Medical Psychology and Sociology

• Physics and Chemistry for Medicine

• Introduction to Clinical Skills

• Medical Terminology (Latin)

• First Aid

🧪 Practical Elements:

• Lab sessions

• Dissection classes

• First aid and nursing internship (Pflegepraktikum – 90 days)

📘 Ends with:

• First Medical Examination (Erster Abschnitt der Ärztlichen Prüfung), also called Physikum

  • Combines written and oral/practical parts.

  • Conducted after 4 semesters.

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2️⃣ Clinical Phase (Klinik) – 3 Years

🩺 Goal: Develop clinical knowledge and diagnostic skills in all major medical fields.

📚 Core Subjects:

• Internal Medicine

• Surgery

• Pediatrics

• Gynecology and Obstetrics

• Neurology

• Psychiatry

• Dermatology

• Ophthalmology

• ENT (Ear-Nose-Throat)

• Pharmacology

• Microbiology

• Pathology

• Radiology

• Public Health

• Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine

🧑‍⚕️ Activities:

• Lectures and seminars

• Case-based learning

• Clinical internships (Famulatur – 4 months total, split into 3 blocks)

• Skills training with simulated patients

• Hospital visits and bedside teaching

📘 Ends with:

• Second Medical Exam (Zweiter Abschnitt der Ärztlichen Prüfung – M2)

  • A written state exam based on real clinical cases.

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3️⃣ Practical Year (Praktisches Jahr – PJ) – 1 Year

🏥 Goal: Apply what you've learned in real hospital settings under supervision.

📅 Divided into 3 Rotations (Each 4 months):

1. Internal Medicine

2. Surgery

3. Elective subject (e.g., Pediatrics, Psychiatry, General Practice)

👨‍⚕️ Activities:

• Participate in ward rounds

• Assist in surgeries and procedures

• Practice taking histories and performing exams

• Write patient reports and develop diagnoses

• Daily clinical work with real patients

📘 Ends with:

• Third Medical Exam (Dritter Abschnitt der Ärztlichen Prüfung – M3)

  • Oral-practical exam conducted by a panel of doctors.

  • Involves discussing real cases from your hospital experience.

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🎓 After Completing All 3 Phases

You receive the Approbation (full medical license), which allows you to:

• Work as a general practitioner (Hausarzt)

• Begin specialist training (Facharztausbildung)