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Are public universities in Germany a good option for my master's in medicine?

31 Aug 2026 · Answered by Arati Rai · 2 min read
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Germany does not have a traditional Master's degree in medicine, since it trains doctors through a six year Staatsexamen program instead. If you hold an undergraduate medical degree, public universities offer postgraduate options such as Molecular Medicine, Public Health, or Biomedical Sciences, many of which are taught in English.

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You should know that Germany does not offer a standard Master's degree in medicine the way some other countries do, since medicine there is taught as one continuous Staatsexamen program lasting about six years. Whether public universities suit your goal depends on whether you want a primary medical degree or a postgraduate specialisation.

Your Two Possible Paths

Your SituationWhat Public Universities Offer
No medical degree yet, want to become a doctorStaatsexamen program, about 6 years, taught mainly in German, highly competitive (Numerus Clausus)
Already hold a medical degree (e.g. MBBS), want postgraduate studyResearch focused Master's such as Molecular Medicine, Public Health, or Biomedical Sciences, often taught in English

Costs and Language to Consider

Most public universities in Germany charge low or no tuition, aside from a semester contribution of 150 to 350 euros, though Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students around 1,500 euros a semester. The full Staatsexamen path requires C1 level German for patient interaction, while research Master's programs are frequently available in English.

My Advice

If your existing medical degree is from outside the EU and you want to practise clinically in Germany, you would need to pass the Kenntnisprüfung licensing exam rather than simply completing a Master's, so share your exact background and goal so the right path can be narrowed down further.

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