Semmelweis University: The Medicine Curriculum

Twelve semesters in Budapest: which subjects you take each year, what the rigorosa are and how you get from the first semester to the state exam.

Overview

Studying medicine at Semmelweis University at a glance

Semmelweis University is the most traditional medical university in Hungary. The programme is divided into twelve semesters: four pre-clinical semesters with the major rigorosa, a clinical-theoretical phase, clinical semesters at the university's own clinics and a final internship year.

Duration

12 semesters, 360 credits

Studies start in September.

Language

English or German

Plus Hungarian for everyday ward work.

Major exams

Rigorosa

Comprehensive exams in the core subjects.

Clinical training

Own university clinics

Placements in all major specialties.

Research

Thesis

A compulsory part before graduation.

Graduation

State exam

After the internship year in year 6.

Tuition fees, recognition and life in Budapest are covered on the Semmelweis University page.

Curriculum

The medicine curriculum year by year

Open a year to see its subjects.

Year 1: Structure of the body

Anatomy with dissection shapes the first year, accompanied by the science foundations.

Subject	Focus
Anatomy, Histology, Embryology	Musculoskeletal system, internal organs, tissues
Medical Chemistry	Chemical basis of biochemistry
Medical Biophysics	Physics of cells, radiation, imaging
Cell Biology	Structure and function of the cell
Hungarian, First Aid	Language and emergency basics

Year 2: Function and rigorosa

The second year is the most demanding of the pre-clinical phase. It ends with the rigorosa in anatomy, physiology and biochemistry.

Subject	Focus
Anatomy II, Neuroanatomy	Head, neck, central nervous system
Physiology	Organ functions and control loops
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology	Metabolism, gene expression
Medical Psychology and Sociology	Behaviour, doctor-patient relationship
Hungarian	Medical language for the clinic

Year 3: Pathology and disease

The clinical-theoretical phase connects the foundations with clinical practice. Pathology and pharmacology are examined as rigorosa.

Subject	Focus
Pathology	Organ pathology and autopsies
Pathophysiology	Disease mechanisms
Microbiology, Immunology	Pathogens and immune defence
Pharmacology	Drugs and how they work
Internal Medicine Propaedeutics	Examining patients

Year 4: Clinical subjects I

You learn at the university clinics in small groups, often directly on the ward.

Subject	Focus
Internal Medicine	Cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology
Surgery	General surgery and traumatology
Neurology	Neurological conditions
Radiology, Dermatology	Imaging and skin diseases
Preventive Medicine	Epidemiology and public health

Year 5: Clinical subjects II

The specialties complete your clinical training. In this phase most students also write their thesis.

Subject	Focus
Paediatrics	Child health
Obstetrics and Gynaecology	Women's health and labour ward
Psychiatry	Mental illness
ENT, Ophthalmology, Urology	Smaller clinical specialties
Forensic Medicine, Infectious Diseases	Legal and infectious disease foundations

Year 6: Internship year

The final year consists of continuous ward rotations. Each rotation ends with an exam, followed by the state exam.

Rotation	Focus
Internal Medicine	The longest rotation of the year
Surgery	Ward and operating theatre
Paediatrics, Gynaecology	Child and women's health
Neurology, Psychiatry	Neurosciences
Family Medicine, Emergency	General practice and emergency department

Exams and graduation

How you are assessed at Semmelweis University

Semester exams

Every subject ends with an exam, written, oral or practical. Grades run from 1 to 5; you pass from 2.

Rigorosa

Comprehensive exams covering several semesters of material in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology and pharmacology.

Thesis

A research thesis supervised by a clinic or institute, which you defend before graduation.

State exam

After the internship year you receive the Doctor medicinae universae diploma with EU-wide recognition.

FAQ

Questions about the curriculum in Budapest

What is a rigorosum?

A rigorosum is a major final exam for a subject that runs over several semesters. It is usually taken as a practical and oral exam and covers the complete material of that subject.

How much Hungarian do I need?

Hungarian is a compulsory subject in the first semesters. It is meant to let you talk to patients on the ward; teaching and exams are in English or German.

Can I also study dentistry or pharmacy?

Yes. Dentistry takes five years with its own dental clinical phase, pharmacy also five years. We are happy to go through the exact structure in a consultation.