Do I need a placement agency for my medical studies abroad? - Tips from medical students for students

This blog post was written by our medical student Peter Reisinger in Bratislava.

Whether you need an agency [university placement agency] for a medical degree programme depends on a number of factors. If the university of your dreams is located abroad, using an agency has some advantages. Basically, the question here is how well organised you are, how much time is left before the entrance test and how well you speak the language of the country and the university you hope to attend.

1. do I need an agency for the application process for a medical degree programme?

Applying to a medical university abroad can involve a number of hurdles, such as the language or the lack of contacts or a local network. Above all, it can be very stressful when it comes to finding out about the admissions process, enquiring about the housing situation in the country or even looking for accommodation itself. And this is exactly where agencies come into play to help you with these problems and more.

Of course, it also depends on which agency you choose. After all, not all of them offer the same services, let alone differ from each other in terms of price. Therefore, when comparing agencies, pay attention to which agency offers which price-performance ratio.

In some cases, having documents translated into the respective foreign language can cost a lot of nerves and there is also the risk of having to dig too deep into your pockets. Some universities, for example, require sworn translations. With the right agency, you don't have these worries because they take care of the entire process. This gives you the advantage of being able to focus directly on studying for any admissions processes for your degree programme. Studying medicine abroad and thus avoid wasting valuable time on other time-consuming processes.

2. do I need an agency for the admission process for a medical degree programme?

If you have nevertheless managed to apply successfully, the admission process is now imminent. As is usual at most medical universities, I also have experience with a Medical entrance test made. The Learning materials is complicated and very time-consuming. On top of that, the lack of local contacts/networks means you miss out on lots of helpful tips that would make your preparations a lot easier.

At this point, a good agency will help you with the right learning material and the corresponding tips and tricks so that you can prepare for the medical entrance test abroad in the best possible way.

Agencies like "futuredoctor" offer for a Studying medicine abroad also offers preparation weeks where you have the chance to get to know your future fellow students in advance and prepare intensively for entrance examinations.

3. how else can an agency help me?

Once you've passed the entrance test, the next nerve-wracking hurdle comes, and it's better to take good care of it right from the start. What is this hurdle and why is it so important?

It's about finding accommodation, specifically in this case, finding accommodation in a foreign country. This topic should be approached with careful consideration, as it is a decision that can influence the rest of your studies in many ways. Bear in mind that the flat is not just a place to sleep, but also a place to study, switch off and socialise.

Unfortunately, there is a risk of being ripped off, whether it's the rent, deposit or the flat itself. On top of that, there is the problem of time pressure, as you have exactly two weeks after the entrance test to find a flat. At least that was the case for me. This is usually almost impossible to manage on your own. It is therefore advisable to contact someone who is already familiar with this topic. Here too, futuredoctor will actively support you in finding the right flat at the right price, in a good location, usually occupied by other students. Of course, the average cost of housing varies from country to country. If you don't like the flat or if there are reasons for wanting to move, you will be offered support in any case

4. conclusion

For many agencies, this is where the offer ends. As mentioned at the beginning, you should therefore choose an agency, which do not only prepared you for your entrance exam for your medical studies abroad and then leaves hanging. Make sure that follow-up support is included so that you can start your studies as well as possible and master them just as well.

Whether a study placement is right for you depends entirely on you and your situation. For my part, I can recommend futuredoctor to anyone and would apply again at any time via futuredoctor to study medicine abroad.