Studying medicine abroad: How to choose the right medical or paramedical course?
Changes in admission procedures for healthcare professions in France are encouraging many applicants to opt for expatriation. Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Hungary, Romania and Croatia are all popular destinations for students.
Studying medicine in Europe offers a number of advantages: a more flexible selection system, proximity to France and the opportunity to learn a new language. What’s more, at the end of the course, students receive a diploma that complies with European directives, enabling them to practice in any EU member country.
Looking for adventure? Here’s an overview of the most popular destinations for French students.
In Belgium
Belgium remains a top destination for those wishing to study medicine or paramedicine abroad. Belgium’s universities enjoy an excellent reputation in this field, and offer courses in French.
Since 2017, future candidates for medicine and dentistry must now pass a two-part written entrance exam (a questionnaire including math, physics, biology and human sciences, but also testing students’ ability to handle difficult situations and show empathy) in order to hope to enter one of Belgium’s medical faculties. The maximum quota of places for non-residents (including French nationals) is limited to 30% in the following courses: medicine, speech therapy, dentistry audiology, physiotherapy and veterinary medicine. If you fail the exam, you can retake it a second time within five years.
Students who have passed the written entrance exam must then convert their French bac into its Belgian equivalent at the Ministry of Education’s equivalence service in Brussels.
For further information www.ares-ac.be/fr
In Eastern Europe
Close to France, with courses taught in French or English and a reasonable cost of living, Romania in particular, but also Hungary and Croatia, attracts French students every year.
In Romania, applicants are generally selected on the basis of their academic record, while an entrance test is required to enter a medical university in Hungary or Croatia.
Every year, more than 500 French students join the University of Cluj-Napoca in Romania for their medical studies, not least because it offers a six-year medical curriculum entirely in French.
At the end of the six-year regulatory period, young French graduates can then take the ECN (épreuves classantes nationales) to choose a specialization (remember that general medicine is also a specialization) and their city of assignment.medical, dental and veterinary students or other healthcare course, you’ll need to learn the language of your host country in order to be able to communicate with the patients you’ll meet during your hours of practice.
Au Royaume-Uni
British universities enjoy a high international reputation, but selectivity in this type of course is high. To apply to British medical schools, you’ll also need to use the UCAS platform, through which students are required to make four wishes (and not five, as is the case for other streams). It is imperative to build up a solid application file, as it is on this initial basis that students will be pre-selected. The vast majority of universities require students to take an additional exam, such as the BMAT (biomedical admission test) ou le UCAT (university clinical aptitude test) which generally take place from early September to early November. If the student’s profile and test score match the university’s expectations, the applicant will then be invited to one or more admissions interviews. Remember: for British universities, theprofessional experience is fundamental. Don’t forget to include in your application any internships, training courses or volunteer work you’ve done with health organizations, hospitals or retirement homes.
t goes without saying that applicants must have an excellent level of English to be able to follow their course of study, and that most establishments require at least a first class honors degree (16/20 average and in scientific subjects).In the UK, theoretical medical studies last six years, followed by three years of practical training to become a general practitioner, and can then take up to nine additional years for certain specializations.
In Malta
Queen Mary University in England offers a six-year medical course in Malta, with tuition fees of €20,500 per year. To be admitted, you will generally need to have an average of 14/20 in your A-levels and a minimum score of 2,281 in the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), which is required to enter a medical course in the UK.
In Ireland
Studying medicine or veterinary medicine in Ireland is possible, but very difficult! To do so, you need to pass a national examination called the HPAT or Health Professions Admission Test. To register for the HPAT, go directly to https://hpat-ireland.acer.org/register. The deadline for registering for the HPAT is usually January 20 (or February 1, for an additional fee). The exam takes place around February 24, and results are published at the end of June.
In addition, medical school entrance requirements are among the highest in the country, so you’ll generally need at least a 17/20 Baccalaureate average to stand a chance of gaining admission to an Irish medical school.
It is also possible to study medicine in Ireland after a Bachelor’s degree in another discipline. They can then obtain their medical degree in just four additional years.
To be admitted, they must pass the test d’admission aux écoles de médecine (GAMSAT).
For further information www.gamsat-ie.org/gamsat-ireland
Medical studies in Europe – Summary of the most popular destinations for French students
| Duration of studies | Language of instruction | Admission procedure | Annual tuition fees | Universities | |
| Belgium | 9 to 12 depending on specialty | French | Competition | 835 (adjustable according to student’s income and nationality) | Université de Mons (UMons)Université de Namur (UNamur)Université de Liège (ULg)Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL)Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) |
| Romania | 6 years old* | French or English | On file | 5 000 € at UMF Iași, 6 000 – 6 250 € Cluj-Napoca, Arad and Timisoara | 5 000 € at UMF Iași, 6 000 – 6 250 € Cluj-Napoca, Arad and Timisoara |
| Hungary | 6 ans* | English | Application and admission test | Between €15,000 and €18,000 per year, depending on the university. | University of SzegedUniversity of SemmelweisUniversity of Pecs |
| Croatia | 6 ans* | English | Application and entrance exam | Between €7,000 and €9,000 per year, depending on the university. | University of ZagrebUniversity of Split |
| United Kingdom | From 9 to 15 years depending on the specialty. | English | Application and interviewMany medical universities also require the BMAT or UCAT. | Approximately €11,000 per year. | Université d’OxfordUniversité de CambridgeKing’s College Imperial college of LondonUCLBrighton and SussexManchester |
| Malta | 5 years | English | 14/20 average in bacDossierUCAT | 20,500 per year | Queen Mary University |
| Irlande | 5 or 6 years | English | 17-18/20 average in bacHPAT | 3,000 per year (if EEA resident) | Trinity College DublinUniversity College DublinRCSI |
Choose to study medicine abroad
The decision tostudy medicine abroad is an important step in a student’s life. It requires careful thought and meticulous research in order to choose your university program that best suits your goals and aspirations. Visit medical studies abroad offer numerous opportunities to acquire quality medical training in an international environment.
When you plan to make your medical studies abroad, il est essentiel de recueillir toutes les informations necessary on universities and programs available. You also need to take into account aspects such as tuition fees, requirements d’registration and the availability of places. It is also important to consider the specialization you wish to pursue and check whether it is offered in the medical schools you’re considering.
One of the advantages of studying medicine abroad is the opportunity to learn in a multicultural environment. You’ll be exposed to new languages and different medical approaches, enriching your experience and strengthening your skills as a future doctor. What’s more, obtaining a degree from a European university can give you the opportunity to work in different European countries
It is also important to note that medical studies abroad require serious commitment and preparation. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with the requirements d’admission specific to each country and university, including language tests and academic criteria. You’ll also need to take into account fees school feesschool feesand the duration of the studies.
In conclusion, the medical studies abroad offer many opportunities for ambitious students who wish to pursue quality medical training and gain valuable international experience. With diligence and preparation, you can realize your dream of studying medicine abroad and open the doors to a successful medical career.
Find all the answers to your questions about studying abroad. our book “Etudier à l’étranger après le Bac” (Studyrama Editions).
Would you like more personalized support to make your study abroad project a reality? Please do not hesitate to contact contact the Your Dream School team!