Development of a degree in human medicine in the Czech Republic
The courses last six years and correspond to 360 ECTS points. They consist of a theoretical and preclinical as well as a clinical part or a mixture of lecture and practice. The academic year in the Czech Republic is divided into two semesters consisting of 15 weeks of lessons and a four to six week exam period.
According to a2zdirectory, the study of human medicine in the Czech Republic, as in Germany, is not divided into a two-stage bachelor’s and master’s degree, but a so-called long-cycle master’s degree. Just like the German medical degree, the Czech medical degree ends with a state examination, the so-called Státní rigorózní zkouška.
The medical school is similar in all Czech universities and large. There may be differences in the curriculum and the course structure: while Charles University in Prague, for example, divides the areas of “Medical Basics”, “Preclinical Subjects” and “Clinical Work” into so-called “Cycles” and divides these in turn into modules with different courses other universities tend to the “classic” curriculum.
The lessons take the form of lectures, seminars and so-called practicals (exercises). All medical faculties in the Czech Republic divide the students for the seminars and practicals into small groups of eight to a maximum of 15 students in order to create a pleasant and effective learning atmosphere. Theoretical and practical aspects intermingle right from the start and the students come into contact with patients at an early stage. No distinction is made between the international and local students. In all English-language medical courses, however, international students still receive lessons in Czech for the first three years so that they can communicate with their patients later.
As in Germany, medical studies in the Czech Republic are divided into two sections: the preclinical and the clinic. However, here the boundaries between theory and practice are often more fluid, and value is placed on establishing clinical relationships as early as the first part of the study. In the first semesters in particular, in which the theoretical and preclinical disciplines are taught, minor performance reviews are continuously carried out. In this way, the students have the incentive to always stay on the ball, at the same time not everything depends on an exam at the end of the semester.
Unlike in Germany, there is neither a physics course nor the so-called “hammer exam ” (the second state exam) in the context of Czech medical studies. Instead, the students complete each subject of the pre-clinical phase with a single examination, which usually consists of a written and an oral part. The situation is similar with the final exams at the end of the course. Here, too, the students have five to six individual state exams in various subjects such as paediatrics, internal medicine and surgery.
After successfully passing all partial exams of the Státní rigorózní zkouška, the Czech state examination, the students receive the academic degree MUDr., the Medicinae Universae Doctor. This qualification is recognized in Germany and the graduates can apply for a license to practice medicine back at home without any problems.
Costs and financing options for studying medicine in the Czech Republic
Admittedly, anyone who wants to study human medicine in the Czech Republic has to dig deep into their pockets. At least when it comes to the English-language course. Unlike the courses that are taught in Czech, these are not free even for EU citizens. The amount of the fees depends on the respective medical faculty and is currently between EUR 9,200 and EUR 12,200 per academic year.
However, the fact that international students pay tuition fees for English-language medical courses is also reflected in the framework conditions: the students benefit from close-knit and individual support, from the most modern equipment and therefore optimal opportunities to develop and gain a lot of practical experience. The high tuition fees can be compensated, at least in part, by the significantly lower cost of living compared to Germany.
If you want to study human medicine in the Czech Republic, you have to think about the financing in advance. Good news: Anyone studying within the EU can apply for BAföG abroad for their entire study abroad. There is even a subsidy for the tuition fees for the first year of study, but only up to a maximum of EUR 4,600.
Another possibility for (partial) financing of the studies would be a scholarship, for example through a foundation. Taking out an education or student loan can also be considered.
After studying in the Czech Republic: recognition in Germany
The courses in human medicine in the Czech Republic meet the requirements of the European Professional Recognition Directive and are therefore automatically recognized in Germany without an extensive equivalency test. Anyone who has successfully completed a medical degree at a recognized university in the Czech Republic can apply for a medical license in Germany.
Recognition of a degree in human medicine completed entirely in the Czech Republic in Germany is therefore problem-free and uncomplicated due to the principle of equal treatment. Because the content of the training is regulated across the EU. The recognition is done via the state examination office of the state in which it has its principal place of residence.
It is more complicated to switch to a German university after the pre-clinical phase and continue the medical studies that you started in the Czech Republic. Here, those who change university apply directly to a higher subject semester. In this case, the University Admissions Foundation (hochschulstart.de) is no longer responsible for allocating study places, but rather the university itself. To apply for a higher semester, you need a credit transfer notification that provides information on the study achievements and study times abroad. The respective state examination office (depending on the place of birth of the person changing university) is responsible for this proof of qualification.
However, a place at a German university for the second stage of study is not guaranteed, even with the appropriate qualifications. Students from abroad compete here with students who have only received a so-called partial study place via the Foundation for University Admission and who were therefore only admitted for the pre-clinical phase of medical studies. These too are now applying for the second stage of study, the “clinic”, at the medical faculties in Germany. It is also possible that students lose an academic year when they move to Germany. The course content is the same overall, but the course or curriculum can be organized differently. The full academic recognition is therefore not guaranteed either.