Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf was founded in 1965 and traces its roots to a medical academy established in 1907. The Faculty of Medicine replaced its standard curriculum in 2013. Since then, training has followed the model programme Düsseldorfer Curriculum Medizin, which is structured into three qualification levels: Q1 covers the first three years of study and concludes with an examination equivalent to the First State Medical Examination. Q2 deepens clinical competencies in years four and five. Q3 corresponds to the Praktisches Jahr. Themed and study blocks, an elective curriculum including a science track, and training centres for clinical skills define the programme.

The University Hospital Düsseldorf with 1,303 beds provides maximum-care medicine across the full range of specialties and is the central learning environment during the clinical phase. This location suits you if you want clinical content integrated with the basic sciences from the very beginning and are drawn to a competency-based curriculum with fixed block structures. Students who prefer a strict separation of pre-clinical and clinical phases, or a highly self-directed pace of learning, will find that Düsseldorf does not cater to that preference.

Study places are allocated nationally via hochschulstart.de across three quotas: the top-grade quota (Abiturbestenquote), the additional aptitude quota (Zusätzliche Eignungsquote) and the university's own selection procedure (AdH). In the AdH, Düsseldorf awards a maximum of 100 points: up to 48 for the Abitur grade, up to 48 for the TMS score, up to 2 for a qualifying voluntary service such as a Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr, and up to 2 for recognised prizes. The Abitur grade and TMS therefore carry equal weight. Applicants with a completed medical vocational qualification are considered in a separate quota of 6 per cent of places, in which the qualification is credited with 50 points.

The faculty charges no tuition fees. Only the semester contribution is payable, which covers the student services contribution and the semester transport ticket.

The Düsseldorfer Curriculum Medizin

Düsseldorf teaches in the model programme under the Düsseldorfer Curriculum Medizin. Subject matter is not organised by individual disciplines but by organs, systems and body regions; all modules are interdisciplinary. The first qualification phase comprises eight themed blocks — from an introduction to medicine, people and society through to movement, the nervous system, nutrition, circulation, respiration and reproduction — accompanied by clinical training courses. The second phase consists of nine study blocks on clinical topics such as the abdomen, thorax, oncology and emergency medicine. Competency orientation, ePortfolio, feedback consultations and mini-CEX are integral features; the elective curriculum includes a science track.

Examinations in place of the Physikum

Each block concludes with a block examination. The Physikum is replaced by the Ärztliche Zwischenprüfung (medical intermediate examination), which takes place after the third year of study. It consists of a cumulative written component, an OSCE with at least ten stations on a single day, and an oral component covering anatomy, biochemistry, physiology and a randomly assigned subject. Each component may be repeated at most twice, and the requirements are correspondingly demanding.

Praktisches Jahr and degree

The sixth year comprises 48 weeks divided into three rotations of 16 weeks each, starting in mid-May or mid-November. Internal medicine and surgery are compulsory; a third elective rotation is added. You may work at the University Hospital Düsseldorf, at affiliated teaching hospitals, at the LVR-Klinikum for psychiatry, or abroad. The Approbation follows upon passing the Third State Medical Examination.

Campus in Bilk

Heinrich Heine University's campus is located in the southern district of Bilk, with the university hospital directly adjacent. This means short distances between lecture halls, institutes and wards — a significant practical advantage during the clinical phase. The botanical garden and Südpark are close by, and the city centre is about fifteen minutes away by tram or metro.

Housing and daily life

Düsseldorf is expensive. Rents rank among the highest in North Rhine-Westphalia, shared flats near the university are scarce, and student accommodation managed by the Studierendenwerk does not cover demand. Many students therefore live in Neuss, Duisburg or surrounding areas and commute — the semester transport ticket covering the entire transit network makes this feasible. In return you get the Rhine, the Altstadt, a rich cultural offering and a very international environment. The academic timetable is densely packed: blocks, training courses and examinations follow one another in quick succession, but you get to know your cohort fast. The airport and main train station are within the city itself.

Is the Düsseldorfer Curriculum Medizin a model programme?

Yes. The programme follows its own study and examination regulations for the model programme in medicine. Teaching is organised by organs, systems and body regions rather than by individual disciplines, and the examination structure differs from the standard curriculum. The degree awarded is the Staatsexamen, as at every medical faculty in Germany.

What is the Ärztliche Zwischenprüfung?

It replaces the Physikum in Düsseldorf and takes place after the third year of study. It consists of the cumulative result of the written block examinations, an OSCE with at least ten stations and an oral examination covering several subjects. If you fail one component, you have two resit attempts.

Where can I complete the Praktisches Jahr?

At the University Hospital Düsseldorf, at the faculty's affiliated teaching hospitals, for a psychiatry rotation at the LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf, or at recognised institutions abroad. Each rotation lasts 16 weeks and begins in May or November. Applications are submitted via the national online portal; popular hospitals fill up early.

How much does studying in Düsseldorf cost?

No tuition fees are charged; you pay the semester contribution including the transport ticket. The dominant cost factor is housing: Düsseldorf is in the upper tier of German cities for rent levels. Budget realistically and start your search early, especially for the winter semester.

How competitive is admission?

As everywhere in human medicine, demand far exceeds the number of places. The requirements in the top-grade quota are high, and a strong TMS score meaningfully improves your chances in the selection procedure. Applications are submitted via hochschulstart. Medschool Experts advises on NC-free pathways to medical study abroad and does not handle applications to German state faculties.