Distance learning medicine

MUDr Andreas Zehetner

MUDr Andreas Zehetner

CO-Founder of futuredoctor

Reading time: 9 Minuten
Last updated: 17 September 2024

☝️ The most important facts in brief

  • If you want to become a doctor, you cannot study medicine by distance learning, but must complete a face-to-face course at one of the recognised medical universities.
  • There is a whole range of very good medical degree programmes that are offered as distance learning courses. Many of them lead to a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree.
  • With a distance learning medical degree, you can work in the healthcare sector, in science, in the management of medical companies and in many other areas after graduation.

📖 Table of contents

Not all medical degree programmes are offered exclusively on campus. There are many interesting topics from the healthcare sector that are not exclusively part of the medical degree programme, but are also taught as distance learning Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes. However, it is not possible to take the state examination and become a doctor as part of a distance learning programme. Nevertheless, a Master's or Bachelor's degree programme can be a good choice for a career in the healthcare sector.

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If you study medicine by distance learning, you can't become a doctor

There is no distance learning programme in medicine that qualifies you for a career as a doctor. If this is your declared goal, there is no way around attendance-based study programmes. However, if you are primarily interested in medical topics, the content of many Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes that can be completed via distance learning are also ideal for you.

A Master's or Bachelor's distance learning programme can still be the ideal choice

There are numerous professions in the healthcare sector for which medical expertise is important, but for which you don't have to be a doctor. Distance learning degree programmes often have the advantage that they offer many very practical subject areas and also give you more flexibility when studying. For example, you can also acquire the content in a kind of "evening study programme" alongside a job. This in turn makes it easier to finance your Master's or Bachelor's distance learning programme.

When is medicine a suitable distance learning programme for you?

As a first degree programme, distance learning is generally not a good option. However, if you would like to study alongside a job or have children to look after at home, which would make it difficult to study on campus, distance learning programmes are a good choice.

These degree programmes enable you to pursue a career in the healthcare sector without having to take the traditional route of studying medicine.

Distance learning in medicine usually takes place in Bachelor's or Master's degree programmes

The opportunity to study medicine at a distance is often offered in the form of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) or Master of Science (M.Sc.).

The various distance learning programmes cover different areas of health, medicine, nursing and therapy. Among other things, this type of degree programme offers you the opportunity to pursue a career in the healthcare sector.

Bachelor distance learning medicine

In the Bachelor's degree programme, you will acquire basic knowledge in the relevant field. Depending on the degree programme, you can organise your time relatively freely and you will be taught specific knowledge from a particular area of medicine.

Providers such as the Apollon University of Applied Sciences in Healthcare Management, for example, enable you to specialise in healthcare economics and the management of clinical facilities.

Master distance learning medicine

A degree programme leading to the title "Master of Science" provides more in-depth knowledge, but also takes a little longer than a simple Bachelor's degree programme. As a rule, you first acquire the title "Bachelor of Science" and then complete the Master's distance learning programme.

Just as with the Bachelor's distance learning programme, you can also obtain a table of contents of the course topics and other relevant information directly from the universities for the Master's programmes on offer.

There are numerous distance learning programmes in the field of human medicine

Distance learning programmes have the advantage that the content of the course is generally more practice-oriented and you can organise your learning very flexibly. This means, for example, that working people can also study.

You can obtain information material on the degree programmes on offer from the distance learning universities and online. We have picked out some examples of distance learning programmes offered in Germany in the field of medicine and compiled some interesting information about them.

Health management

The distance learning programme in healthcare management optimally prepares you for management tasks in the healthcare sector, but also opens numerous other doors for you. Among other things, you will learn how medical processes work and how healthcare facilities can be efficiently managed and improved.

Renowned universities offer healthcare management degree programmes in practical courses and provide you with a wealth of knowledge that goes far beyond the work of a doctor.

Health informatics

Would you like to develop suitable cookies and programmes specifically for the medical sector? Then the Health Informatics degree programme is perfect for you.

Health informatics is, of course, much more than just cookies. Here, medical knowledge is combined with sound IT skills. This allows you to optimally combine technology and health services. Of course, you can still develop cookies.

Medical education

Special pedagogical skills are required to impart knowledge from the field of medicine. It is precisely this knowledge that students interested in medicine and education can learn much better and more profoundly in the subject of medical education than in the actual medical degree programme.

Health economics

If you want to know how healthcare projects are financed and how they can be analysed economically, the distance learning course in health economics is the right choice for you.

Here you can learn a lot about the medical system in Germany and around the world and, after completing your studies, you will even be able to conduct your own studies on relevant issues.

Clinical Research Management

Clinical Research Management is the right course for people who are generally very interested in organising and conducting studies.

With a degree from this distance learning programme, you can take on an important role in medical research without having to pay for it. Study human medicine to have to.

Medical ethics

Here you will complete courses in which you will deal with moral issues in the field of healthcare and medical practice.

Although an ethics course is also included in the medical degree programme for prospective doctors, the distance learning course in medical ethics is much more in-depth and comprehensive.

The distance learning programme in healthcare management prepares you optimally for management positions in clinics.

Processes and special features of distance learning in medicine

While there is a fixed timetable for traditional medical studies, the timetable for distance learning is much more flexible. This makes this form of study ideal for all working people. Evening studies and working at the weekend are therefore perfectly possible.

In the information material for your degree programme, you can find out by when which documents need to be submitted and when any attendance examinations need to be taken in order to receive your degree at the end.

Decide which of the available distance learning universities is right for you

Have you decided that you would like to complete your studies in the form of a distance learning programme? Then it's now time to compare the various providers where you can make medicine the central subject of your distance learning programme.

Different universities offer different degree programmes, some of which have very different costs. Research all the relevant information about the provider and degree programme and then decide on the distance learning course that is best suited to you.

The costs of a distance learning programme in medicine

Studying medicine by distance learning can involve very different costs. As a rule, the pure fees for distance learning programmes in healthcare in Germany are around 8,000 to 16,000 euros. You can find all information on prices and other special features from the respective provider.

You should also expect these additional costs

The tuition fees are not all you will spend during your studies. There may also be travel costs for travelling to the attendance phases, as well as equipment and specialist literature.

We recommend creating a watch list of foreseeable expenses before enrolling for a degree programme. This should include the following entries, among others:

  • Fees for the degree programme including examinations
  • Travelling expenses
  • Specialised literature and teaching materials for all course contents
  • Living costs such as rent, shopping etc.
  • Buffer for unforeseen expenses

All these costs must be covered by a job or other income. Plan your finances well before you start studying so that you don't get into unnecessary financial stress during your studies.

The further training required as a doctor is also possible at distance learning schools

Doctors are obliged to undergo regular further training. After all, medicine is constantly evolving, so it is necessary to keep up to date at all times.

Depending on the field, the prescribed further medical training can also be completed via distance learning schools. It is an attractive option, especially for doctors who want to complete particularly comprehensive further training alongside their job, to obtain their further training certificate online.

Are the degrees from distance learning universities recognised at all?

If the provider of the distance learning course is officially accredited, the degrees are usually recognised. In the healthcare sector, it is now even relatively common, depending on the specific area of medicine, for a degree programme to be completed entirely or partially remotely.

Alternatives to distance learning

In addition to distance learning and on-site study, there are other options for obtaining a qualification to work in the healthcare sector. For example, you can also consider a dual study programme.

You can either apply for a suitable job with study opportunities in response to an advert in the job market or take the initiative.

Frequently asked questions

Is a distance learning programme for non-medical students a good preparation for "real" medical studies?

A degree programme in the field of medicine is very demanding. Of course, you will have a comprehensive picture of various medical subjects after such a degree programme. However, there are better and less time-consuming ways to prepare for a medical degree programme at university.

Does a distance learning programme involve an admission procedure?

One NC are not usually required for a distance learning medicine programme. You can request information on the requirements specified by the universities for the individual degree programmes directly by email. With this information, you will then be able to attach all the necessary documents to your application.

Is a distance learning programme in medicine really completed entirely online?

Most parts of a distance learning programme take place online or with course material sent to you. However, there are usually individual attendance phases in which, for example, practical exercises and the exam are completed.

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