Medical University of Silesia: The Medicine Curriculum
Six years in Katowice, taught in English: which subjects you take each year, where your clinical blocks take place and how you graduate as a Lekarz (MD).
Overview
Studying medicine at the Medical University of Silesia at a glance
The Medical University of Silesia in Katowice is one of Poland's large state medical universities. The English-taught programme follows the Polish national framework curriculum: two years of foundations, one year of pathology and disease, and three clinical years at university hospitals in Katowice and the surrounding region.
Duration
6 years, 360 ECTS
Studies start in October.
Language
English
Plus Polish courses for patient contact.
Pre-clinical
Years 1 to 3
Foundations and pathology.
Clinical
Years 4 to 5
Clinical blocks at university hospitals.
Internship year
In year 6
Rotations in the main subjects.
Degree
Lekarz (MD)
Medical degree recognised across the EU.
Tuition fees, recognition and life in Katowice are covered on the Medical University of Silesia page.
Curriculum
The medicine curriculum year by year
Open a year to see its subjects.
Year 1: Foundations
| Subject | Focus |
|---|---|
| Anatomy | Dissection course |
| Histology, Embryology | Tissues and development |
| Biophysics, Chemistry | Science foundations |
| Molecular Biology, Genetics | Cells and inheritance |
| Polish, First Aid | Language and emergencies |
Year 2: How the body works
| Subject | Focus |
|---|---|
| Physiology | Organ functions |
| Biochemistry | Metabolism |
| Neuroanatomy | Brain and nerves |
| Microbiology, Immunology | Pathogens and immune defence |
| Polish | History taking in Polish |
Year 3: Pathology and disease
| Subject | Focus |
|---|---|
| Pathology | Organ pathology |
| Pathophysiology | Disease mechanisms |
| Pharmacology | How drugs work |
| Internal Medicine Propaedeutics | Examining patients |
| Surgical Propaedeutics | Surgical foundations |
Year 4: Clinical subjects I
| Subject | Focus |
|---|---|
| Internal Medicine | Cardiology, gastroenterology |
| Surgery | General surgery |
| Neurology | Nervous system |
| Radiology, Dermatology | Imaging, skin |
| Infectious Diseases | Infections |
Year 5: Clinical subjects II
| Subject | Focus |
|---|---|
| Paediatrics | Child health |
| Obstetrics and Gynaecology | Women's health |
| Psychiatry | Mental illness |
| ENT, Ophthalmology, Urology | Smaller specialties |
| Forensic Medicine, Oncology | Cross-disciplinary subjects |
Year 6: Internship year
| Rotation | Focus |
|---|---|
| Internal Medicine | Ward and outpatient clinic |
| Surgery | Ward and operating theatre |
| Paediatrics | Children's hospital |
| Obstetrics and Gynaecology | Labour ward and ward |
| Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine | Further compulsory rotations |
Exams and graduation
How you are assessed in Katowice
Subject exams
Every subject ends with a written or oral exam, often with a practical part.
Tests and colloquia
During the semester, interim tests check your progress in seminars and labs.
Clinical exams
In the clinical years, bedside exams and structured practical exams count.
Graduation
After the internship year you receive the title Lekarz, the medical degree recognised across the EU.
FAQ
Questions about the curriculum in Katowice
Do I need to speak Polish?
Not at the start. Teaching is in English, and you learn Polish in accompanying courses so that you can talk to patients in the clinical years.
Where do the clinical years take place?
At the university hospitals and teaching hospitals of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice and the surrounding towns of the region.
Is dentistry also offered?
Yes, dentistry takes five years. You share the foundations with medicine, followed by the dental subjects with treatment courses.
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