Study medicine privately

Studying medicine privately is an interesting alternative to state universities. Private universities do not make it NC whether you get a place at university. They are well equipped and offer personalised support. However, the tuition fees charged per semester are high.

Which private universities are there in Germany?

In Germany, there are a number of renowned private universities for medical studies. These universities offer the human medicine degree programme without a strict numerus clausus. Thanks to small teaching groups and usually much more intensive supervision than at state universities, you can prepare yourself perfectly for the state examination and your future career as a doctor.

Tuition fees are higher than at state universities, but there are various financing options that allow students without assets or paying parents to finance their private studies each semester. 

Studying medicine at a private university can be a worthwhile investment in your future, especially in combination with a very practical education. We would now like to introduce you to the German private universities.

Brandenburg Medical School 

Brandenburg Medical School (MHB) offers degree programmes in medicine, dentistry, psychotherapy and health services research. You can study here without an NC, because personality and motivation are what count most at this university.

Theory and practice are combined in an innovative model degree programme at Brandenburg Medical School. Brandenburg Medical School works together with four university hospitals to ensure the highest academic and medical standards.

Thanks to the intensive support of the students, the proportion of those who complete the programme within the standard period of study and do not require any additional semesters is above average. You benefit from practice-orientated teaching and a close connection to clinical practice.

Asklepios Campus Hamburg

The Asklepios Campus Hamburg (ACH) is an official part of the renowned Semmelweis University in Budapest. It is therefore possible, among other things, to continue studying medicine at this university after the Physikum in the fifth semester.

The degree programme is practice-oriented and integrates theoretical knowledge directly into clinical processes. At ACH, students benefit from state-of-the-art equipment and close co-operation with the Asklepios clinics. A transparent application process and a high graduation rate are further good reasons that make the Asklepios Campus Hamburg an attractive choice for students of human medicine.

Medical School Hamburg 

The Medical School Hamburg (MSH) offers you the opportunity to study medicine without an NC hurdle. The degree programme in human medicine at MSH is run in cooperation with the Helios Clinics in Schwerin and is part of the Faculty of Medicine in Hamburg. 

The study programme meets all quality requirements and ends with the state examination. The Medical School Hamburg relies on a well thought-out university concept that produces highly qualified doctors and teaches you all the skills required to work in teams from different specialities.

University Medicine Neumarkt a.M. Campus Hamburg

This private university offers a six-year, English-language degree programme in medicine. The practice-orientated teaching takes place in small groups and promotes interdisciplinary learning. The state-of-the-art campus and large international student community provide a dynamic learning environment. Students complete their clinical training in German teaching hospitals and qualify for an international degree.

Thanks to a convenient online application and an interview conducted by video call, you can try to get a place on the degree programme at this university in a particularly uncomplicated way.

Medical School Berlin

The Medical School Berlin (MSB) offers the Human Medicine degree programme without an NC. The programme concludes with the state examination and a licence to practise medicine. The MSB cooperates closely with the Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch, where students receive practical training. As at a state university, the medical degree programme is divided into three study sections. At MSB, however, it includes more intensive practical training. The university attaches great importance to interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration. Students benefit from modern learning laboratories and intensive supervision throughout. MSB's state accreditation is regularly renewed and ensures the high quality of the programme.

Kassel School of Medicine

You may have already noticed the advert for the Kassel School of Medicine. It offers an innovative medical degree programme in cooperation with the University of Southampton in England. Students spend the first two years in the south of England and complete the pre-clinical phase there. This is followed by the clinical phase in Kassel. 

Instead of the traditional duration of six years, the medical degree programme at the Kassel School of Medicine only lasts five years. Although the sixth year is similar to the practical year (PJ) at German universities, it can be credited towards training as a specialist.

The tuition fees total around 65,000 euros. On average, this is less money than the fees for many other study programmes at a private university.

Paracelsus Medical Private University Nuremberg

Paracelsus Medical University Nuremberg has been offering a practice-orientated medical degree programme since 2014. Every year, 55 students can start their degree programme here and complete it in just five years instead of the usual six. As the main office of Paracelsus University is based in Salzburg, graduates in this subject are awarded the professional doctorate title "Dr med. univ.". 

Applications can be submitted until the end of April and require a letter of motivation, a CV, a school-leaving certificate and proof of a four-week internship in a medical institution. The tuition fees are currently 20,600 euros. 

There is also a demanding entrance test in Nuremberg, based on the standard Med AT in Austria. If you pass this, you can start your first semester.

Paracelsus University Salzburg

Although this university is located in Austria and not in Germany, as we have explained the branch of Paracelsus University in Nuremberg and the application is also possible in Salzburg, we would also like to mention this university at this point.

As at all universities in Austria, studying medicine here takes five years and is completed with a "Dr. med. univ." degree.

The university in Salzburg offers various scholarships and support programmes. If you meet the high requirements of the entrance examination and receive such a Scholarship you can work there under ideal conditions. Study medicine.

Witten/Herdecke University

Witten/Herdecke University in the Ruhr region offers an innovative medical degree programme. In small groups of around 40 students per semester, you can study here on a model degree programme without a Physikum. Many lectures in this degree programme follow the concept of "problem-based learning" (PBL). Students work on diagnostic cases in small groups. 

Applications for the summer semester at Witten/Herdecke University are possible until 15 July, for the winter semester until 15 February. Prerequisites are a six-month Nursing internshipa convincing letter of motivation and an application fee of 250 euros. 

The annual costs of around 10,000 euros can be financed at this university through a reverse intergenerational contract and various funding programmes, among other things.

Health and Medical University Potsdam & Erfurt

The Health and Medical University (HMU) offers an innovative degree programme in human medicine in Potsdam and Erfurt. Students complete a practical, interdisciplinary training programme here. The six-year degree programme ends with the state examination and qualifies students for a licence to practise medicine. 

Tuition fees amount to 1,500 euros per month, and a fee of 500 euros is payable for the application. 

The first part of the programme takes place in Potsdam or Erfurt, followed by the clinical part in the partner clinics. The Health and Medical University Potsdam & Erfurt promotes interprofessional skills and supports its students through the innovative Medical Teaching Programme.

How much does it cost to study medicine at a private university?

Studying medicine at a private university in Germany can be very cost-intensive. Tuition fees vary depending on the university. At the Health and Medical University Potsdam & Erfurt, for example, the monthly costs amount to 1,500 euros. 

There are also one-off application fees and enrolment fees. Brandenburg Medical School, for example, charges each applicant a processing fee of 200 euros.

Before you apply, you should thoroughly check all financial aspects. With precise information about the costs, you can put together a financing concept that will allow you to realise your studies.

Financing your studies at a private university - possible solutions

Studying medicine at a private university can be expensive. Fortunately, however, there are various financing models. Students who would like to study medicine at renowned universities such as the Brandenburg Medical School or other private universities in Germany have the following options, among others:

• Scholarship
• Reverse intergenerational contract
• Student loan
• BAföG

It is essential that you carefully consider all available options and research any information required for your individual case. This way, you can avoid financial pressure during your studies and instead concentrate fully on your medical degree.

We would now like to take a closer look at the individual financing options and typical questions.

Scholarship

Many private universities offer scholarships to finance the fees for the 12 semesters. There are also numerous external organisations from which you can also receive a scholarship.

A scholarship covers part or even all of the costs of your studies. While some scholarships are merit-based, others also take social criteria into account. Find out about the scholarship options available to you and what content is required in the application. It is often even possible to apply online.

Reverse intergenerational contract

An innovative option for financing your medical studies at a private university is the reverse generation contract. This focusses on the fact that doctors generally earn well after they have completed their studies.

In this model, students do not have to pay tuition fees, as these are covered by those who previously benefited from the reverse intergenerational contract and are now trained doctors and working professionals.

Only after you graduate will it be your turn to pay in a fixed percentage of the money you earn as a doctor over a certain period of time, from which the doctors enrolled on the current degree programmes then benefit.

This model is particularly attractive for motivated applicants who are keen to study medicine but cannot immediately raise the necessary funds. 

Student loan

A student loan is another way to finance your studies at a private university. Many banks in Germany offer special loans for students that include favourable conditions and flexible repayment plans. 

Such a loan allows you to cover the costs of your studies, including tuition fees and living expenses. Repayment usually only begins after you graduate, as soon as you have a fixed income at that point. Your loan amount is paid out monthly so that you can concentrate on your studies and each individual stage of your degree programme without financial stress. 

BAföG

BAföG is a state grant that helps you to finance your studies. It is available to students at state universities as well as private universities and even abroad. 

Half of the amount is usually granted as a grant and half as an interest-free loan. Repayment only begins after you graduate and is made in small instalments. In order to receive BAföG, you must prove that neither you nor your parents exceed a certain income. If you are over 30, you can apply for parent-independent BAföG.

Studying medicine at private universities - the requirements

Studying medicine at private universities in Germany can be a good option if you have not been offered a place at a state university due to the high number of applicants and would still like to study medicine.

The requirements vary from university to university, but in most cases include the following requirements:

• A-levels or an equivalent qualification
• Passing a medical aptitude test
• Letter of motivation
• Personal interview
• Proof of internships or other further training in the medical field

Even at a private university, the number of study places is limited. It is therefore important that your application is submitted within the deadline set by the university and includes all the required elements. 

Is studying at a private university easier?

Studying medicine at private universities in Germany fulfils the same strict requirements as a state university. As the degree programmes end with official qualifications for which there are strict requirements, it takes a lot of motivation and commitment to study medicine.

One very positive aspect, which is also a good explanation for the high graduation rate, is the closer supervision in smaller groups that private universities have to offer each semester.

Studying abroad instead of a private university?

Studying medicine abroad can be an attractive alternative to a private university. Many countries offer excellent opportunities for such studies. There is often no NC at universities abroad. Instead, you have to convince them with your personal qualifications and, if necessary, with an entrance test. We know the admission procedures of many good private universities in Europe and can provide you with intensive support for every part of the process.

The right university for your study abroad programme

Preparation for studying abroad begins with researching and selecting suitable universities. Find out exactly what the requirements, deadlines and application procedure are. It is also important that your degree is recognised in Germany later on. This is the case with all of the universities abroad recommended on our website.

If you are interested, please get in touch with us. We will take care of your application, provide you with intensive support in studying for the entrance exam and will also be there for you during your medical studies throughout all semesters.