Posted by To study medicine in Europe for free is the dream of most people. Most medical schools in Europe are quite good and have to want it takes to produce exceptional doctors.
However, due to the high cost of medical school, the majority of students borrow money to pay for their studies. 73% of medical students graduate with an average debt of $200,000, according to the AAMC.
In this article, we will highlight countries as well as universities that offer free medical education.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Countries to Study Medicine in Europe for Free
Below is a list of countries to study medicine in Europe for free:
Top 5 Countries to Study Medicine in Europe for Free
1. Denmark
Denmark offers free tuition for EU, EEA, and Switzerland citizens, but tuition must be paid by out-of-state and international students. Danish medical programs are divided into bachelor’s and master’s degrees, with a three-year master’s degree and a five-year specialty program required.
2. Finland
Finland is second on the list of countries to study medicine in Europe for free.
Students from EU/EEA nations are not charged tuition at Finnish public universities, while tuition fees are charged to students from outside the EU/EEA.
A licentiate in medicine is a degree that results from the minimum six-year duration of medical study in Finland, with no bachelor’s or master’s degrees associated with it.
3. Germany
Germany offers tuition-free admission to all students, except for public universities in Baden-Wurttemberg. Medical studies are solely taught in German, with some programs taught in English.
4. Norway
Norway is a top country for studying medicine in Europe, offering tuition-free courses to all students, including those in the medical field. A Cand.Med degree is earned after completing a six-year medical program, and a Doctor of Medicine degree is equivalent.
After earning the Cand. Med degree, doctors can work as they have replaced the 112 years of internship with a practical service as the initial step in a specialization track.
5. Sweden
Sweden is one of the countries in Europe for free medical study. Students from Swedish, Nordic and EU citizens are not charged tuition, while those from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland must pay tuition.
Swedish medical schools offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees, with a master’s degree being required after an 18-month internship at a hospital.
Benefits of Studying Medicine in Europe
Europe offers medical school costs less than the US, with Poland offering top-notch education at a fraction of the cost. Sweden and Germany offer free medical school, as well as world-class research institutions, and Italy and Belgium offer great deals on medical school.
The relatively affordable costs of living make them great bets for those looking to learn.
Also, Studying medicine in Europe offers the opportunity to gain international exposure, collaborate with colleagues from around the globe, and study at top universities in the most cosmopolitan cities.
It also provides lower costs, easier acceptance, programs in English, and European transfer, making it an ideal place to start your career.
Requirements and Eligibility for Free Medical Education in Europe
Below are the requirements and eligibility for free Medical Education in Europe:
- High school diploma (certificate)
- Good grades in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math
- Letters of recommendation
- Letter of motivation
- Proof of language proficiency
- Voluntary or work experience related to healthcare
- Interview (depends on the university)
- A Valid Passport
- Minimum TOEFL and IELTS results.
List of Universities to Study Medicine in Europe for Free
Below is a list of Universities to study Medicine in Europe for free:
- Karolinska Institute
- Heidelberg University
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- University of Copenhagen
- Lund University
- University of Helsinki
- University of Oslo
- Aarhus University
- University of Bergen
- University of Turku.
Top Universities to Study Medicine in Europe for Free
1. Karolinska Institute
- Founded: 1810
- Cost of living: 9,450 SEK per month
- Ranking: In the subject of Medicine, Karolinska Institute is #7 in the world and #4 in Europe (2022/2023 QS World University Rankings).
The Karolinska Institute is a research-led medical school in Solna, Sweden, offering the most medical education options in the nation. It is the third-oldest medical school in Sweden and offers one English-taught bachelor’s program and eleven international master’s programs.
Students from within the EU/EEA and Switzerland are not charged fees; however, Non-EU/EEA students must pay application and tuition costs.
Karolinska Institute offers a maximum of 10 merit-based scholarships to excellent students who have been admitted to one of our Global master’s Programs starting each Autumn semester.
2. Heidelberg University
- Cost of living: € 900 – 1000 per month
- Ranking: In the subject of Medicine, Heidelberg University is #1 in Germany (QS World University Rankings 2023).
Heidelberg University is the oldest university in Germany, founded in 1386. It offers programs in medicine and dentistry and is free for German and EU/EEA students.
Non-EU/EEA students must pay tuition ($1500 each semester), and also pay semester fees (€171.80 per semester). Heidelberg University offers several kinds of scholarships for international students
3. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- Founded: 1472
- Cost of living: € 850-1000 per month
- Ranking: #59 (QS World University Rankings 2023).
The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich is a public research university in Munich, Germany. Except for a few graduate-level programs, all students at Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, including those from non-EU/EEA countries, are tuition-free.
All students must, however, pay Studentenwerk (Munich Student Union) dues each semester.
4. University of Copenhagen
- Founded: 1479
- Cost of living: EUR 1,280-1,800 per month
- Ranking: #82 (QS World University Rankings 2023).
The University of Copenhagen is a public research university in Copenhagen, Denmark. Students from non-Nordic or non-EU/EEA countries must pay tuition, which can cost anywhere between €10,000 and €17,000 per academic year.
5. Lund University
- Founded: 19 December 1666
- Cost of living: SEK 9,450 per month
- Ranking: #95 (QS World University Rankings 2023).
Lund University is a public research university in Sweden. EU/EES students are free from paying tuition fees, however, tuition will be charged to non-EU/EEA students, the medical program tuition fee is SEK 1,470,000 per year. Lund University offers merit-based scholarships to students.
6. University of Helsinki
- Founded: 1640
- Cost of living: EUR 700 to 1000 per month
- Ranking: #106 (QS World University Rankings 2023).
The University of Helsinki is a public research university located in Helsinki, Finland. For students and students from EU/EEA nations, there are no tuition fees.
However, Depending on the curriculum, tuition ranges from €13,000 to €18,000 every academic year for non-EU/EEA. Finland scholarships offer merit-based scholarships that cover a 100% tuition fee and also include a € 5000 relocation grant.
7. University of Oslo
- Founded: 1811
- Cost of living: approx. NOK 11,500 per month
- Ranking: #1 in Norway and number 126 in the world (2023) (Times Higher Education World University Rankings)
The University of Oslo is a public research university located in Oslo, Norway.
The annual tuition for the professional programs in Clinical Nutrition, Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Psychology ranges from NOK 380,000 to NOK 500,000.
The University of Oslo does not offer any scholarships to students in full bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
8. Aarhus University
- Founded: 1928
- Cost of living: € 1045 per month
- Ranking: #161 (QS World University Rankings 2023).
Aarhus University is a public research university with its main campus located in Aarhus, Denmark. Aarhus University offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships to the most talented applicants from outside Europe.
At Aarhus University, tuition and application fees are normally charged to students from outside of Europe. Fees are not required of students from EU/EEA or Switzerland.
9. University of Bergen
- Founded: 1946
- Cost of living: NOK 128,887 (USD 12,863) per year
- Ranking: #170 (Best Universities for Clinical Medicine).
The University of Bergen is a research-intensive state university located in Bergen, Norway. The University of Bergen does not charge tuition for any of its students. However, every student is required to pay the NOK 590 per semester. The University of Bergen does not offer any scholarships.
10. University of Turku
- Founded: 1920
- Cost of living: € 600–900 per month
- Ranking: #342 (Best Global Universities)
The University of Turku is a university located in Turku in southwestern Finland.
The University of Turku does not charge tuition fees for students from EU/EEA or Switzerland; however, the University of Turku will charge tuition for students from countries outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland which costs between €10,000 and €12,000 a year.
The University of Turku provides significant scholarships to deserving and driven students. Scholarships are available for students who must pay tuition for both Bachelor’s and master’s level studies, i.e. non-EU/EEA and non-Switzerland students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can International Students Study Medicine For Free In Europe?
Yes, German public medical schools are free for all international students. Norwegian public medical schools are free for all international students. For students from the EU and EEA, public medical schools are free in Finland, Denmark, and Sweden.
Are The Tuition-Free Medical Schools In Europe Of The Same Quality As Those In Other Regions?
Yes, European universities have high-quality tuition-free medical schools.
How Difficult Is It To Get Into A Tuition-Free Medical School In Europe?
Applying for tuition-free medical programs in Europe can be competitive, but a strong application is key.
Can I Work A Part-Time Job In Europe While I Study Medicine?
In most European countries, international students have the same rights as EU citizens to work part-time while studying, without a work permit.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, Students who wish to receive a top-notch education while saving money on tuition could take advantage of the free study of medicine in Europe in 2023.
Students must meet certain criteria and navigate the application process, but they can succeed with the correct assistance and tools.
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