Great—your question opens the door to understanding the official, structured curriculum for Human Medicine (Humanmedizin) in Germany, which is widely considered one of the most rigorous and well-organized programs in Europe.
Below is a clear and precise breakdown of the study structure, phases, and main examinations.
Overall structure of medical studies in Germany
Total duration: 6 years + 3 months (i.e., 12 semesters)
The program consists of 3 main phases:
| Phase | Duration | Main content | Key exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Pre-clinical phase (Vorklinik) | first 2 years | Medical basics & natural sciences | 1st State Exam (Physikum) |
| 2. Clinical phase (Klinik) | years 3–5 | Clinical studies + practical training | internal clinical assessments/exams |
| 3. Practical Year (PJ) | 6th year | Full-time hospital training (3 rotations) | 3rd State Exam (oral-practical) |
Phase 1: Vorklinik (pre-clinical)
Semesters 1–4
Goal: Build a strong scientific foundation and understand the human body on a theoretical level.
Core subjects
| Subject | Content |
|---|---|
| Anatomy (Anatomie) | practical + theoretical, including dissection course |
| Physiology (Physiologie) | organ and system functions |
| Biochemistry (Biochemie) | biochemical reactions and processes |
| Psychology / Sociology | introduction to understanding patients psychologically and socially |
| Medical physics | applying physics to the human body and medicine |
| First aid | mandatory course |
| Nursing placement (Pflegepraktikum) | 3 months in a hospital—before or during Vorklinik |
End-of-phase exam
Physikum (1st Section of the Medical Examination)
written + oral/practical
tests the main basic-science subjects
required to enter the clinical phase
Phase 2: Klinik (clinical phase)
Semesters 5–10
Goal: Study diseases, diagnostics, treatments, and patient care in clinical settings.
Key clinical subject areas
| Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Internal medicine (Innere) | cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, hematology |
| Surgery (Chirurgie) | general surgery, orthopedics/trauma, emergency care |
| Pediatrics (Pädiatrie) | development, genetic diseases, neonatology |
| Gynecology & obstetrics (Gynäkologie) | pregnancy, childbirth, gynecologic oncology |
| Dermatology (Dermatologie) | skin diseases and allergies |
| Neurology (Neurologie) | brain, nerves, movement disorders |
| Psychiatry (Psychiatrie) | behavior and mental disorders |
| Diagnostics (Diagnostik) | radiology, lab medicine, nuclear medicine |
Additional components
Practical blocks (Blockpraktika)
Applied clinical courses (Kurse)
Short mandatory clinical placements (Famulatur – at least 4 months)
Phase 3: Practical Year (PJ)
6th year (3 rotations)
Goal: Work in a real hospital environment as a student doctor under supervision.
Mandatory rotations
| Rotation | Duration |
|---|---|
| Internal medicine | 4 months |
| Surgery | 4 months |
| Elective | 4 months (e.g., pediatrics, anesthesiology, etc.) |
Students work full time in a university hospital (Uniklinik) or an accredited teaching hospital. Sometimes they receive a small monthly allowance (~€400–€600).
Final examinations: State Exams (Staatsexamen)
| Exam | Timing | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1st State Exam (Physikum) | after year 2 | basic sciences (Vorklinik) |
| 2nd State Exam | after year 5 | written clinical-theoretical exam |
| 3rd State Exam | after PJ | oral + practical exam before a medical board |
Important notes
Medicine in Germany is not organized as “Bachelor + Master.” It is a single unified degree.
Approbation = the official medical license recognized across the EU.
Some universities (e.g., Charité Berlin) offer integrated “model programs” (Modellstudiengang) that combine pre-clinical and clinical elements from the start.
You must pass each phase in order—e.g., you cannot skip the Physikum and move directly into Klinik.
Key German terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Vorklinik | pre-clinical phase |
| Klinik | clinical phase |
| PJ (Praktisches Jahr) | practical year |
| Staatsexamen | state medical exams |
| Famulatur | mandatory short clinical placement during Klinik |
| Approbation | official license to practice medicine |
Conclusion
Medical studies in Germany follow a strictly structured path:
Vorklinik = strong scientific foundation
Klinik = clinical study of diseases + practice
PJ = full-time hospital work under supervision
Staatsexamen = final examinations
The website’s authors and editors strive to provide accurate information through extensive research and consulting multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some details may be unconfirmed. Please treat the information as an initial reference and always consult the responsible official bodies for verified information.
