Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg

Freiburg is one of the largest and oldest medical training locations in Germany, and at the same time a manageable city on the edge of the Black Forest. Teaching follows the standard curriculum with a separate pre-clinical and clinical phase. The university medical centre with around 2,189 planned beds covers practically the full range of specialties — from transplantation medicine to highly specialised fields unavailable at smaller institutions.

Oncology is particularly prominent: the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg has been funded as a leading oncology centre since 2006 and brings diagnostics, therapy and clinical trials together under one roof. Freiburg suits you if you want to learn at a research-strong maximum-care provider without living in a metropolis. The tight housing market is a factor to plan for.

Places are allocated nationally via hochschulstart.de: 30 per cent through the top-grade quota (Abiturbestenquote), 10 per cent through the additional aptitude quota (Zusätzliche Eignungsquote) and 60 per cent through the university's own selection procedure. In Freiburg's selection procedure, the Abitur grade and the aptitude test score are close together, with the test weighted slightly more heavily; additional points are awarded for a completed vocational qualification, relevant work experience and recognised voluntary service. The Abitur grade plays no role in the aptitude quota.

No tuition fees are charged for students from Germany and the EU; only the semester contribution is payable. Baden-Württemberg levies a separate fee for students from non-EU countries.

Standard curriculum with four competency strands

Freiburg teaches in the standard curriculum. The first study section covers four semesters of natural-science foundations and fundamentals of scientific practice, concluding with the First State Medical Examination. Six clinical semesters with block placements follow, and then the Praktisches Jahr over 48 weeks. The standard period of study is six years and three months including examination time.

The curriculum is built around competency and draws four strands through the entire programme: medical communication, interprofessional collaboration, practical skills and scientific competence. Teaching is mainly in small groups with early patient involvement. Accompanying mentoring programmes are provided for the first semesters, and there are well-developed opportunities to spend one or two semesters abroad with partner faculties in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region.

Research strength, Praktisches Jahr and degree

The Faculty of Medicine is one of the founding faculties of the university, established in 1457, and remains one of the most research-active in Germany. Its priorities lie in immunology, oncology, neurosciences and molecular medicine, with correspondingly high third-party funding. Anyone wishing to pursue a doctorate or work as a clinician-scientist will find connections to research groups early.

The Praktisches Jahr is completed at the Freiburg University Medical Centre, one of the largest hospital complexes in Germany, or at one of the affiliated teaching hospitals in South Baden, the Black Forest and on Lake Constance, including facilities in Offenburg, Lahr, Villingen-Schwenningen, Singen, Tuttlingen, Lörrach and Emmendingen. The Staatsexamen leads to the Approbation after the Third State Medical Examination.

Short distances between the institute district and the hospital

Freiburg is compact, and the medical programme occupies two corners of the city: the pre-clinical institutes are in the institute district near the city centre, and the university medical centre is on Breisacher Straße to the west of the main railway station, towards Stühlinger and Mooswald. A short cycle ride separates them, and cycling is the main mode of transport here in any case.

The price of this quality of life is the rent. For its size, Freiburg has one of the tightest housing markets in Germany; affordable rooms are scarce and the search takes time. Those who are flexible look to Stühlinger, Haslach or surrounding communities in the Breisgau.

In return you get a student city with an old town, the Münstermarkt, the Bächle and a great deal of sunshine. The Black Forest begins at the city's edge, the Schauinsland is reachable by bike or cable car, the Kaiserstuhl, Alsace and Basel lie within day-trip distance. The Rhine valley rail line offers fast connections to Karlsruhe, Frankfurt and Basel, and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse is the most convenient flight option.

Is Freiburg a model programme or standard curriculum?

Freiburg teaches human and dental medicine in the standard curriculum. The curriculum has been revised along competency lines, however, and lays four continuous strands across the full programme: communication, interprofessional collaboration, practical skills and scientific practice. Much of the teaching takes place in small groups.

What does the research strength mean for me in practice?

Concretely: more options for your doctoral thesis and scientific projects. The faculty is strong in immunology, oncology, neurosciences and molecular medicine and attracts substantial third-party funding. Those who want to work purely clinically will notice less of this day to day; those who want to do research will find a group early.

Can I study abroad from Freiburg?

Yes. The faculty supports one to two semesters abroad and maintains partnerships in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. Elective placements abroad are also possible, for which the location at the tri-border area is an advantage. Basel, Strasbourg and Colmar are reachable from Freiburg in a short time.

Where can I complete the Praktisches Jahr?

At the Freiburg University Medical Centre, one of the largest hospital complexes in Germany, or at one of the faculty's affiliated teaching hospitals. The network extends from Offenburg and Lahr through Villingen-Schwenningen and Tuttlingen to Singen, Lörrach and Konstanz. You therefore have the choice between a maximum-care provider and a smaller hospital where you take on more independent responsibility.

How competitive is admission to Freiburg?

Freiburg is a highly sought-after location and correspondingly oversubscribed; the number of study places is small relative to applications. Allocation runs via hochschulstart through the top-grade quota, the additional aptitude quota and the university's own selection procedure, in which the TMS carries considerable weight. Medschool Experts advises on NC-free pathways to medical study in Germany and abroad and does not submit applications via hochschulstart on your behalf.