I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Moscow)

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University dates back to 1758 and is one of Russia's oldest medical institutions. According to the university, more than 19,000 students from 88 countries study there. The English-language medicine programme is based at the N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine and spans six years. This makes it one of the few locations where an English-language medical programme and a very large in-house clinical structure come together.

What sets the faculty apart

What stands out is the clinical substance. The campus houses 25 university hospitals with more than 3,000 beds in total, plus a high proportion of robot-assisted operating theatres. This is not a faculty that has to send its students to external hospitals for clinical training. For you, this means breadth of cases: from general medicine to specialist centres, much is represented on campus, and the distances between lecture and ward are short.

The structure follows the classic pattern: two pre-clinical years, clinical examination courses and placements at the university hospital from the third year, and a fully practical final section in the sixth year equivalent to the German practical year. Selection takes place via the university's own entrance examination. Your school grades play no decisive role; what counts is your performance in the examination. Basic science knowledge from upper secondary school is tested. There is no numerus clausus, but a university entrance qualification is required.

Where the limitations are

The organisational conditions for studying in Russia have become considerably more difficult since 2022. This applies equally to entry, payment channels, and planning certainty, and must be acknowledged honestly in any assessment. There is also the exchange rate: fees are invoiced in roubles at RUB 1,250,000 per semester; the euro amount fluctuates accordingly. This uncertainty cannot be planned away; it should be included as a buffer in the financing.

The second point is language. Teaching is in English, but from the third year you work with Russian-speaking patients. Russian is therefore genuine additional effort alongside an already intensive academic programme. And the degree is from outside the European Union: there is no automatic recognition in Germany, and a mid-programme transfer to a German faculty is rarely possible because vacancies in higher semesters are scarce and the receiving faculty decides on credit recognition itself.

Who this location is right for

Moscow is a good fit if clinical breadth is important to you, you prefer an entrance examination to the school-leaving grade, and you are prepared to learn Russian alongside English. Anyone choosing this route should soberly factor in the more difficult conditions and the detour via the equivalency assessment, and clarify financing in advance since grants under the German student finance scheme generally do not apply here. Whether this fits your plans is something we assess individually in a free consultation.

Entrance examination instead of school grades

A university entrance qualification is required – in Germany, the Abitur; there is no numerus clausus. Admission is decided by the university's entrance examination, which tests basic science knowledge from upper secondary school. A good command of English is additionally required since teaching is in English. Participation is generally possible entirely online; you do not need to fly to Moscow for the examination. Because places for international students are limited, the examination is a genuine selection process rather than a formality. We assess this individually in a free consultation.

Deadlines

The programme begins in the winter semester; a summer semester start is not offered. Apply early in the preceding year: the study visa requires lead time, the entrance examination takes place before the semester start, and places for international students are limited. If it does not work out one year, the start shifts by twelve months. The cohort therefore starts together once a year.

Tuition fees and living costs

Tuition is EUR 6,650 per semester, invoiced as RUB 1,250,000. Over twelve semesters, this amounts to approximately EUR 79,800. Since fees are invoiced in roubles, the euro amount depends on the exchange rate and may vary from semester to semester; this uncertainty should be included in your calculation. One-off costs include the application, study visa, health insurance, travel, and a deposit for accommodation; ongoing costs include textbooks and materials. You should budget around EUR 400–700 per month for living expenses. Food, dining out, and public transport are below German price levels; rents vary considerably by location. Grants under the German student finance scheme are generally not available outside the European Union and Switzerland. Student loans, education funds, scholarships, and family support are the realistic options.

Structure and language of instruction

The programme lasts six years. Years one and two are pre-clinical; the clinical section begins in the third year. The sixth year is practically oriented and corresponds to the German practical year. Teaching and examinations are in English; Russian is additionally required for patient contact. Solid school-level English is a good starting point; the medical terminology in English is new for everyone in the first year regardless.

Clinical training and practice

From the third year, you work in examination courses and placements at the university hospitals on campus, which together comprise more than 3,000 beds. Elective placements can in principle also be completed in Germany. The relevant authority decides on recognition, so you should clarify this early rather than in your final year. The sixth year is almost entirely practically oriented and corresponds in scope and structure to the German practical year. The English-language programme is based at the N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine.

Recognition in Germany

Russia is not an EU member state; Directive 2005/36/EC does not apply. The competent state authority assesses your degree under § 3 BÄO for equivalency with the German medical programme. If equivalency is established, the licence to practise follows; if not, you sit the knowledge test and are then granted the licence to practise. A limited professional licence is possible in the interim. You should keep semester certificates, transcripts, and curriculum documents without gaps throughout your studies, as the authority will assess exactly these documents. Obtaining documents from Moscow retrospectively is known to be laborious. An individual assessment likewise applies in Austria and Switzerland; for Switzerland, the competent federal authority is the relevant contact.

Life in Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia and, with more than twelve million inhabitants, one of Europe's largest cities. The metro network covers the city densely and is comparatively affordable; food and dining out are below German price levels. A study visa and a medical certificate are required for entry. Distances within the city are long, but the metro makes them manageable and runs at close intervals. A large part of student life takes place on campus, which brings hospitals, institutes, and dormitories together in one place.

Housing and everyday life

Many international students start in a dormitory; others share a flat – a deposit is generally required for accommodation. Rents depend heavily on location and are significantly higher in central areas. Because the metro network is dense, you can live a little further out and still reach the university quickly. Russian helps with shopping, dealing with authorities, and fitting in locally – the conditions have become noticeably more demanding since 2022. Anyone choosing Moscow should factor this in soberly rather than counting on a quick change.

Is the degree from Moscow recognised in Germany?

Not automatically. Russia is not in the European Union; Directive 2005/36/EC does not apply. The competent state authority assesses the equivalency of your training under § 3 BÄO. If the assessment is positive, the licence to practise follows; if not, you sit the knowledge test and are then granted the licence to practise. A limited professional licence is possible in the interim.

How does the entrance examination work?

The university selects via its own entrance examination; school grades are not the decisive factor. Basic science knowledge from upper secondary school is tested, and you need confident English. Participation is generally possible online. The process and dates change from year to year, so we discuss both in the free consultation. There is no numerus clausus.

Do I need Russian?

Not for teaching, but for the clinical section. Lectures and examinations are in English; from the third year, however, you work with Russian-speaking patients. Russian also helps considerably in everyday life in Moscow. This is genuine additional effort alongside an already intensive academic programme. Starting early makes the third year considerably easier.

How much is a semester?

EUR 6,650, invoiced as RUB 1,250,000. Over twelve semesters, this amounts to approximately EUR 79,800. Since fees are invoiced in roubles, the euro amount depends on the exchange rate and may fluctuate. Visa, insurance, travel, and a deposit are additional, as is living costs of EUR 400–700 per month. Grants under the German student finance scheme are generally not available here.

How practice-oriented is the programme?

The campus houses 25 university hospitals with more than 3,000 beds. From the third year, you work there in examination courses and placements; the sixth year is almost entirely practically oriented. Elective placements in Germany are possible; the relevant authority decides on recognition according to its own rules. Clarify this early rather than in your final year.