Prof. Dr. med. Winfried Neuhuber, FAU Senior Professor of Anatomy, explains:

„Your pathway to becoming a physician involves studying for at least six years (twelve semesters) while you grow into the profession. In the pre-clinical phase, this means that in the first four semesters you will study the fundamental scientific and theoretical knowledge in medicine, such as physics, chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, as well as medical psychology and sociology. The curriculum and structure of degrees in medicine are legally defined in the Licensing Regulations for Physicians (Approbationsordnung) in Germany. In anatomy courses, you will learn to look precisely at the structures of the human body and how to describe them either using the naked eye in the dissection course or a microscope in the histology course. Physiology and chemistry will teach you how to understand how the body functions from its molecules to organ systems. In medical psychology and sociology, you will reflect on the doctor-patient relationship and practice patient communication. Before the first part of the medical examination (Physikum) in the fourth semester, you will learn how to examine the body and use important instruments such as a stethoscope and reflex hammer. You may practice on yourself and other students, but you will also start to practice on patients. During your preparation for the first part of the medical examination, you will summarize and revisit all of the knowledge and skills that you have learned in the pre-clinical phase. The first part of the medical examination is assessed with a written and an oral examination in all German states.

When you have passed the first part of the medical examination, you have demonstrated the knowledge and skills you need to understand the pathogenesis of diseases, as well as for diagnosing and treating patients in your medical career. In the following clinical phase which lasts for six semesters, you will acquire knowledge of pathology, pharmacology and applied knowledge of clinical subjects relevant to diagnosis and treatment such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, opthalmology; a range of subjects you may be familiar with from observing the signs of physicians‘ offices when walking through town. You will study these different subjects in lectures and practical exercises at the bedside, as well as in clinical electives, where you will study as a medical student in a hospital or in general practice. You will also learn practical skills using textbooks, by working with models and using computer-assisted virtual learning methods to solve practical tasks. You will also increasingly be confronted with questions that border between life and death and learn to think about answers to them. You will have the opportunity to experience medicine in other cultures and countries through stays abroad. Medical degrees are intense programs but there is sufficient time in some semesters and outside the lecture periods to find a topic for your doctoral thesis and deepen your independent research.

After the six semesters in the clinical phase of the medical program, which are concluded with written examinations, you will study for the written examination in the second part of the State Examination in Medicine, which is the same in all German states. After completing the second part of of the State Examination in Medicine, you will begin your final year (clinical rotation), where you will spend a third of your time developing your knowledge and skills in surgery, a third in internal medicine and a third in an additional subject of your choice. After your final year, you will complete an oral examination at the bedside and receive your license to practice medicine. This qualifies you for further training in a clinical or theoretical subject of medicine and marks the official start of your medical career.“

• Fascination with the scientific knowledge of human health and disease
• Intellectual curiosity with excellent observational skills
• Interested in studying a broad range of subjects
• Integrity and honesty
• Self-discipline and diligence
• Resilience

Depending on your specialty, you may work as a physician at a hospital department (such as anesthetics or orthopedics) or you may establish your own practice. You may also find a career in first response services, at health authorities, in occupational health at large companies or in clinical research.

Accreditation of achievements:

The Government of Upper Bavaria, Maximilianstr. 39, 80538 München, phone + 49 89/2176-2772 is responsible for accrediting achievements from identical, related or other degree programs (also known as lateral entry). The following authorities are responsible for the accreditation of international study periods and achievements.
a) If you are not enrolled in or admitted to a medical degree in Germany: the State Examination Office (Landesprüfungsamt) for the state you were born in (proven by your birth certificate).
b) If you are enrolled in a medical degree in Germany: the State Examination Office (Landesprüfungsamt) in the state of the university you are studying at.
c) If neither of the above apply: the State Examination Office for Medicine, Psychotherapy and Pharmacy in Düsseldorf (Landesprüfungsamt für Medizin, Psychotherapie und Pharmazie bei der Bezirksregierung Düsseldorf, Postfach 30 08 65, 40408 Düsseldorf)
Address: Am Bonneshof 35; 40474 Düsseldorf;
Email: dez24.lpa@brd.nrw.de