Not only is the country famous for Music scholars, but Austria is also another excellent option to study Medicine. Though it has relatively fewer options among its neighboring European countries, its medical schools are nonetheless world-class, providing top-tier education and attracting students worldwide. This article will answer common questions for aspiring international students and list the best medical schools in Austria.
Can Foreigners Study in Medical Schools in Austria?
Yes, foreigners can study Medicine in Austria. All aspiring medical students need to pass the entrance exam to medical universities, also known as MedAT, to get started. A German-language level of C1 is highly required for the exam and subsequent studies. The exam also covers basic Medicine, medical terms and texts, and social-emotional and cognitive abilities. Most international students sign up for preparatory courses to help them study for the entrance exam.
One of the universities in Austria that accepts international students is Paracelsus Medical University. It offers degree programs in Human Medicine with a study structure aligned to modern American medical schools. The degree requires the completion of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1, which grants the medical students a Doctor of Medicine degree that is internationally recognized.
What is the most prestigious medical school in Austria?
The most prestigious medical school in Austria is the Medical University of Vienna. As the country’s leading school, it brought Austria to global recognition in Medicine, with multiple international ranking institutions placing it within the top 150 universities worldwide. Times Higher Education placed it between 101st to 125th in 2021, in its ranking by subject. Meanwhile, QS Top Universities gave it 106th place in its 2020 ranking by subjects Life Sciences and Medicine. Another ranking institution, the Academic Ranking of World Universities, placed it between 101st to 150th for its Clinical Medicine ranking in 2020.
Best Medical Schools in Austria
1. Medical University of Vienna
The Medical University of Vienna was officially formed as an independent institution in 2004. It has a history dating back to 1365 as a previous faculty at the University of Vienna, making it the oldest medical school in Austria. It is also considered the largest, with 32 university clinics and institutes. The university has 7,700 students and employs more than 5,900 employees. Its university hospital, currently Europe’s largest, Vienna General Hospital, provides 78,734 inpatient treatments and handles 553,000 outpatient cases.
It offers a 6-year Human Medicine degree, taught in German, and requires at least a C1 level. The first and second stages of the study help students develop clinical skills and abilities through small group lessons. Clinical internships occur in the third stage of the study, where students further learn and master skills in outpatient departments and hospital wards. Students also write diploma theses for degree completion.
2. Medical University of Innsbruck
The medical university of Innsbruck, established in 1674, was one of the founding faculties of the University of Innsbruck, along with Philosophy, Law, and Theology. With over 340 years of history, the university provides top-quality medical education and training, world-class research, and continuous advancement in Medicine. As one of the best medical schools in Austria, the university is home to more than 3,000 students and 2,000 employees.
The university offers a Human Medicine degree, which lasts for 12 semesters. Its curriculum consists of interdisciplinary modules and ensures students face patients right from the start of their studies, with the aim of closely interlinking theoretical knowledge and practical skills. During their 11th and 12th semesters, students undergo 48-week clinical internships in various subjects and hospitals. Unlike the other medical schools in the country, the university also allows students to take the General Medicine internship for up to 16 weeks.
3. Medical University of Graz
The Medical University of Graz dates back to 1863 as one of the faculties of the University of Graz. It became an independent institution in 2004, with sustainable health research as its central theme. It has over 2,500 academic and non-academic employees and more than 4,300 students across different programs. The university provides medical teaching through the principles of the biopsychosocial model, placing patients’ needs at the center of attention. This model ensures high-level patient care.
Its degree program in Human Medicine consists of 12 semesters divided into three sections and taught in German. At this top medical schoo in Austria, students learn theoretical basics and practical skills through an integrative, patient-oriented, and topic-centered model. Successful completion of the degree program leads to the awarding of the degree Doctor Medicinae Universae (Dr.Med.Univ.) and the chance to pursue post-doctoral studies.
4. Johannes Kepler University Linz – Faculty of Medicine
The Johannes Kepler University Linz Faculty of Medicine, established in 2014, provides medical education and research expertise to address social issues. The university currently has 66 institutes and departments that conduct medical research, highlighting the two specialized areas: Clinical Research on Aging and Health Services Research.
It offers a Bachelor’s degree in Human Medicine for three years. Students either spend the first two years at the Johannes Kepler University Linz or the Medical University of Graz. Upon completion, students need to take the Master’s degree in Human Medicine to achieve the Doctor of Medicine degree. Besides topic-centered modular education, the faculty emphasizes general Medicine, communication, social skills, and health services research.
5. Paracelsus Medical University
Paracelsus Medical University, established in 2002, is a private institution for medical teaching, patient care, and research. Located in Salzburg, Austria, and Nuremberg in Germany, the university has 22 institutes, six research programs, three research centers, and two university hospitals, each located in Salzburg and Nuremberg.
This top medical university in Austria offers a Human Medicine degree for five years taught in German, with a curriculum aligned to modern American medical schools. Fourth-year and fifth-year students have the option to study abroad at the university’s partner schools. For this reason, students should also have high-level competency in other foreign languages, such as English, which the university provides them with consistent support.
I hope that this article on the best medical schools in Austria was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Medical Schools Category!
