Updated at: 14-03-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

Within these pages, you’ll find a list of the 30 medical schools across Europe that we consider to be the very best. However, before entering college, becoming a doctor is the most common goal among high school students.

If you limit your search to medical schools in Europe, you’ll find a wide range of options, each with its own approach to education, cultural norms, and possibly even admissions standards. All you have to do is narrow down your options and choose a suitable country.

We hope this list of the top medical schools in Europe will help you narrow down your options.

If you want to pursue a degree in healthcare, you are not restricted to schools in the United States. The United States may be home to some of the world’s finest educational institutions, but Europe is a bustling hub of research and development as well.

Researching the best possible school is essential whether you plan on studying abroad for a few weeks, a few months, as part of an exchange program, or for an entire degree.

We have already done the hard work of gathering data from up-to-date sources like QS World Rankings and UNISTATS. Methodology We started with more than 170 top European universities listed on the QS World Rankings website and collected data on seven variables: the share of international students, the share of international faculty, the student-to-faculty ratio, the value of faculty in the life sciences/medicine, the reputation of the university with employers, and the share of bachelor’s degree medical programs.

We used data from the UNISTATS website to rank UK universities in terms of how satisfied their health sciences students were with their education and how many of their graduates found work or continued their education within six months of graduation. It is important to note that the absence of this data had no bearing on the rankings we created.

Let’s look at why Europe is a good place to study medicine before we get into our list of the best universities in Europe for medicine.

Best Universities In Europe For Medicine

Best universities in europe for medicine

Karolinska Institute, Sweden 

The Karolinska Institute is a world-renowned medical research facility located in Solna, just outside of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.

Karolinska, a university with a teaching and research hospital affiliated with it, places a strong emphasis not only on theory but also on practice and innovation.

LMU Munich, Germany 

LMU Munich, Germany

The Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) in Munich, Germany The University of Munich is one of Germany’s oldest and most prestigious institutions.

From advice on securing external funding to assistance with the project’s administrative and legal requirements, Research Services is there for researchers at every stage.

KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Belgium

As a part of the Biomedical Sciences Group, the Medical School participates in both domestic and global research initiatives and networks. The school has a hospital partnership and attracts a diverse group of international students.

KU Leuven researchers have conducted numerous studies in the fields of medicine, science, and technology.

Maastricht University, Netherlands

At Maastricht University, they use a problem-based approach to education, bringing together students from all over the world for lively discussions and the development of analytical and scientific perspectives.

The university is engaged in significant research on contemporary hot topics such as new techniques for creating plastic from organic materials, global warming, migration, and many others.

University of Oxford

If you want to study medicine in Europe, you should seriously consider applying to Oxford University, which has consistently been ranked first in the world in medicine by the Times Higher Education Supplement (2011-16). College life at Oxford is described as welcoming and rich in possibilities.

It is said that at Oxford, “everyone is a member of a college in addition to their subject department(s) and the university. Therefore, students enjoy the advantages of both a large, prestigious university and a close-knit learning environment.

Oxford University, founded in 1096, is the world’s oldest continuous English-language educational institution. The school’s alumni include 56 Nobel laureates and 28 British prime ministers.

Since Oxford is a top-tier ivy league institution, gaining admission can be difficult. If you think you might be interested in attending Oxford University, you should familiarize yourself with the institution’s admissions criteria and application process.

Imperial College London

Imperial College London

The engineering and science programs at Imperial College London are particularly well-known and respected around the world. According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, the university is ranked third in Europe, eleventh globally, and first for graduate employment opportunities.

On many lists, Imperial University of London appears near the top. Recently, however, it has surpassed its close rival, UCL, for a number of important reasons.

Imperial ranks higher than UCL in terms of both international students and student-faculty ratio, as well as the employer reputation indicator and bursary opportunities. Furthermore, UCL and Imperial both have strong programs in a variety of subject areas; therefore, the best choice for you will ultimately depend on your intended field of study.

Imperial College London claims to be “the only UK university with a focus on science, engineering, medicine, and business” on their website. Imperial, established in 1907, has spent a lot of time and effort cultivating its reputation, which has helped it rise to the number three spot on our list.

Catholic University of Leuven

The Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven) is another research university on our list, and it consistently ranks among Europe’s best. The large university spans fourteen locations in ten different metropolitan areas.

Humanities and Social Sciences; Science, Engineering and Technology (SET); and Biomedical Sciences make up KU Leuven’s three main faculties. A doctoral program is available at each of these universities.

Founded in 1425, KU Leuven is one of the oldest universities on our list. In their mission statement, they state that they hold a “Christian perspective” on the world and on people. According to the website, “KU Leuven aspires to be a place for open discussion of social, philosophical, and ethical issues and a critical center of reflection in and for the Catholic community. ”

KU Leuven is a top choice for medical students looking to study in Belgium. Please review some basic Dutch before applying!

ETH Zurich

More than 150 years after its founding, this university continues to be recognized as a leader in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The school’s prominence on the international stage is due in no small part to its rising profile in Europe. Consequently, if you want your medical school resume to stand out from the crowd, studying at ETH Zurich is the way to go.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam

US News, Times Higher Education, Top Universities, and many others have all named this institution as one of the best places to study medicine in Europe.

Some of the reasons why this university is exceptional are its resources, qualities, research efforts, etc.

University of Cambridge

The medical programs at this institution are both intellectually stimulating and rigorously professional.

As a medical student, you will be immersed in a rigorous, research-based curriculum at the university, a center of scientific exploration.

Students will have multiple chances to engage in independent study and finish course-related projects.

Utrecht University

When it comes to medical education and research, the UMC Utrecht and the Utrecht University Faculty of Medicine work together to better serve patients.

The Clinical Health Sciences and the Graduate School of Life Sciences are responsible for this work. They also offer a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science and Medicine degree.

University of London

Graduates from this university have a 93.6% placement rate in professional jobs or graduate school, making it the best in the UK according to the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018.

The screen also took first place globally in the 2018 Times Higher Education World University Rankings for the quality of its citations for research influence.

They feature numerous medical and scientific programs, including pre-med and paramedic training.

Students gain a multifaceted understanding of the clinical field through group projects and discussions.

University of Copenhagen

The medical school here strives to produce well-rounded graduates who will make valuable contributions to society as a result of their education and training.

Researchers, students, citizens, and businesses working together achieve this goal by uncovering new information and developing novel ideas. It is also considered to be among Europe’s top medical schools.

University of Milan

University of Milan

At the International Medical University (IMS), students can earn their medical and surgical training in English.

Since its inception in 2010, the Interdisciplinary Master’s in Science (IMS) has been a six-year program that welcomes students from both the European Union and outside of it.

Italy has a long history of producing excellent medical practitioners who are prepared to engage the dynamic global medical community by way of high-quality clinical training and a robust research base, both of which are reflected in this list of the Best Universities in Europe for Medicine.

Heidelberg University

Academic life is flourishing in Germany and the rest of Europe. This institution has a long history in Germany.

It was established during the time of the Roman Empire and has a long history of training outstanding doctors from both local and international communities.

University of York

The University of York is one of only six colleges in the world under the age of 50 to consistently appear on global ranking lists, making it one of the youngest universities in the United Kingdom. Students love the awe-inspiring architecture, which includes remnants of Roman, Viking, and Medieval civilizations, and the incredibly warm and friendly campus community.

York has one of the highest research revenues per student in the United Kingdom because of its emphasis on research. Popular fields of study include those pertaining to immunology and infection, HIV/AIDS, neuroimaging, and other areas of interest to the healthcare workforce. Students interested in the healthcare industry often study biochemistry, biology, the biomedical sciences, biological and medicinal chemistry, genetics, medical sciences, and nursing. As a medical school, it is also highly regarded.

University College Dublin

UCD is one of the most research-intensive universities in Ireland and consistently ranks among the world’s best universities in a number of categories, including medicine. It takes great pride in its illustrious alumni, among them James Joyce. UCD is one of the top 20 universities in the world in terms of the number of international students and faculty, thanks in large part to the school’s determined efforts to establish a sterling reputation abroad.

Human Nutrition; Medicine; Biomedical, Health, and Life Sciences; Physiotherapy; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Neuroscience; Health and Performance Science; Nursing; Midwifery; and Radiography are only a few of the more than sixty undergraduate courses offered in a wide variety of traditional and professional healthcare topics.

Queen’s University Belfast

The University of Queen’s The University of Northern Ireland at Belfast is one of the top research institutions in the United Kingdom and is part of the prestigious Russell Group. The prestigious institution has been honored with the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education, the Times Higher Education Entrepreneurial University of the Year award, and the Outstanding Research Team of the Year award.

To improve cancer care in Northern Ireland, researchers from some of Europe’s top medical schools collaborated with local health and social services trusts to launch a new initiative called the Cancer and Pharmaceuticals Improvement Project.

FAQs

Is medical school in Europe less difficult?

It has been suggested that applying to and being accepted by a medical school in Europe is less difficult than in the United States. Keep in mind, however, that many of the world’s finest educational institutions, complete with state-of-the-art facilities, technologies, and research endeavors, can be found in Europe. Studying in Europe is not easier, but it will take less time and acceptance may be easier to manage.

Why Attend Medical School in Europe?

Europe is home to numerous highly regarded medical schools, in addition to its world-famous cuisine, music, and scenery. Maybe you want to familiarize yourself with your own history or explore other cultures. Studying in a foreign country has many exciting advantages.

In the long run, where do you see yourself working as a doctor? Assuming you hope to one day open a practice in Germany, attending school there could be a smart move. In addition to being a great place to learn, medical school is a fantastic venue for establishing professional ties. If you want to practice medicine abroad, it might help to study the subject in the language spoken there.

The shorter length of medical education programs in other countries is a major draw for students from the United States. In Europe, medical school lasts between eight and ten years, while in the United States it takes between eleven and fifteen years. The reason for this is that to begin your medical education in Europe you do not need a bachelor’s degree.

It’s possible that the total cost of an international education will be lower. Tuition is extremely cheap, if not completely free, in many European countries. Even if living expenses are higher, you could end up saving a lot of money by taking advantage of free educational opportunities.

Which country in Europe is the cheapest to study medicine?

In general, medical school in Europe is more reasonably priced than in the United States, though some nations offer assistance in reducing costs. It is least expensive to study medicine in Poland, Sweden, and Germany, with Italy, Belgium, and Hungary not far behind.

Universities in these countries are among the best in the world, so they deserve some consideration if you’re trying to decide where to go to school.

Conclusion

Some of the best universities and hospitals for medical study and research can be found in Europe. Comparatively, medical school in the United States takes longer and costs more than six times as much as it would in Europe. Our findings highlight the importance of keeping an open mind when selecting a medical school.

When exploring higher education options, it’s important to keep in mind that each university in the world is a leader in a slightly different field of study. In your search for the ideal European medical school, we hope this list is helpful. Let the hunt begin!