Studying Medicine and Dentistry in Germany: Universities, NC and Application
13.10.2026
Σύντομη απάντηση
All public and private universities for medicine and dentistry in Germany: NC quotas, TMS, application via hochschulstart.de, costs and NC-free alternatives.
Last reviewed: August 2026.
The Admission System for Medicine in Germany: An Overview
Since the 2020 reform, the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (hochschulstart.de) allocates state study places in human and dental medicine through three quotas. A single formula no longer exists. No process works solely on the Abitur grade any more — but the grade remains the most important factor in two of the three quotas.
| Quota | Share of Places | Determining Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Top-grades quota | 30% | Abitur grade alone, compared within the same federal state |
| Additional aptitude quota | 10% | Grade-independent criteria such as test results or vocational training |
| University selection process (AdH) | 60% | Combination of Abitur grade, test result, selection interview, or training — varies by university |
Many federal states additionally set aside their own places for the so-called rural doctor quota. Those who commit to working as a general practitioner in an underserved region for several years after graduating can gain entry there with a significantly lower Abitur average.
Top-Grades Quota, Aptitude Quota, and University Selection Process in Detail
In the top-grades quota, only the average grade counts, compared to all other applicants from the same federal state. Realistic averages here are between 1.0 and 1.2. In strict years, only the 1.0 suffices in some states — and even a top average is thus no guarantee.
The additional aptitude quota is deliberately grade-independent: universities can, for example, base selection solely on the result of the Test for Medical Programmes (TMS) or on completed vocational training in the healthcare sector.
The university selection process is the largest and simultaneously most opaque quota, because each faculty sets its own criteria. Common is a combination of Abitur grade, TMS or HAM-Nat result, completed vocational training, and sometimes a selection interview. A good TMS result can improve the Abitur average here by up to 0.8 grade points — for many applicants the only lever besides the grade. The test is held once a year in May centrally; the HAM-Nat runs at individual locations such as Hamburg or Kiel as a separate process. Both require several months of preparation.
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State Medical Faculties in Germany
39 state universities currently train human medicine graduates; most recently Bielefeld (2021) and the Medical University of Lausitz in Cottbus (2024) were added. The table below lists all locations by federal state.
The author's view
I did not have the courage myself, despite a good Abitur, to rely solely on the German process, and instead went to Sofia at 24 as a late starter to study dentistry. In retrospect, that was the right decision — not because the German system is poor, but because it decides almost exclusively on grade and test and gives little consideration to a late or unconventional background.
Those who meet the requirements for the top-grades quota should apply in Germany — the training at the state faculties is excellent and costs almost nothing. For everyone else, looking beyond the border is worthwhile considerably earlier than most are willing to admit: one year waiting for a German place is one year that already counts as study time abroad.
Summary
Germany offers with 39 state faculties one of the largest medical training landscapes in Europe — virtually free of charge, but with one of the strictest admission processes on the continent. Eight private universities open a second, significantly more expensive path without an Abitur average. Those who cannot or do not want to take either route will find state alternatives abroad in Europe without an NC.
- 39 state and 8 private universities train doctors in Germany, some of them also training dentists.
- Admission runs through three quotas: top-grades quota (30%), additional aptitude quota (10%), and university selection process (60%).
- The TMS can improve the Abitur average in the university selection process by up to 0.8 grade points.
- At state faculties, no tuition fees are charged, only the semester contribution of around 150 to 350 euros.
- Private universities charge between around 77,000 and well over 100,000 euros for the complete programme.
- Medschool Experts does not arrange applications in Germany but shows the NC-free route in Europe.
Further Reading
- University Lexicon: detailed profiles of every individual German faculty with admission figures and key data.
- Cost Comparison: Abroad and Germany: is a medical degree abroad really more expensive?
- Transfer Back to Germany: how a later return transfer works.
- Licensure and Recognition: what happens with a foreign degree in Germany.
- Studying Medicine in Hungary: the most obvious NC-free neighbouring location.
Frequently Asked Questions About Studying Medicine in Germany
How good does my Abitur need to be for medicine?
In the top-grades quota, cut-off values are usually between 1.0 and 1.2. Through the university selection process, applicants with an average around 2.0 can also gain entry with a good TMS result — at some locations even slightly above that.
What is the rural doctor quota?
A reserved share of study places for applicants who contractually commit to working as a general practitioner in an underserved rural region for several years after graduation. The Abitur average plays a much smaller role; instead, the selection interview, motivation, and sometimes a prior connection to the target region count.
Do I need the TMS to study medicine?
It is not compulsory, but a good result is an advantage at almost every university in the selection process and can improve the Abitur average by up to 0.8 grade points. Without a test result, only the top-grades quota remains as a realistic option.
What does a medical degree in Germany cost?
At the 39 state faculties, only the semester contribution of around 150 to 350 euros. At the eight private universities, total costs lie between around 77,000 and well over 100,000 euros for the complete programme.
Can I study medicine without the required NC in Germany?
In Germany itself, only at a private university. In Europe, however, there are numerous state universities with a pure aptitude test instead of an Abitur average, whose degrees are recognised in Germany without additional examinations.
What happens if I do not receive a study place?
Those who receive no offer land on the waiting list for the subsequent allocation process, or must apply again in the next cycle. Many use the time instead for an NC-free programme abroad, rather than waiting one or more years for a German place.
Is the application for dentistry different from human medicine?
No, the process is identical: the same three quotas, the same application through hochschulstart.de, the same TMS as a potential lever. Only the number of faculties and study places is smaller.
Does Medschool Experts arrange study places in Germany?
No. The application through hochschulstart.de runs exclusively directly between the applicant and the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung. Medschool Experts supports the NC-free route at state universities in Europe.
Further reading
More guides on this topic
- Studying Medicine and Dentistry in Spain: Nota de Corte and Costs
- Studying Medicine and Dentistry in France: PASS, LAS and Costs
- Medical School Admissions 2026: Quotas, Chances, and the TMS Explained
Key terms explained
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Πάνω από 500 τοποθετήσεις σε 25+ συνεργαζόμενα πανεπιστήμια σε περισσότερες από 10 χώρες. Δείτε πώς βίωσαν οι φοιτητές μας τον δρόμο τους προς τις ιατρικές σπουδές στο εξωτερικό μέσα από τις ιστορίες φοιτητών μας.
Σχετικά με τον συγγραφέα
Marcel Kloos
Swiss-licensed dentist, founder and owner of Medschool Experts
Marcel Kloos is the founder and owner of Medschool Experts, a placement agency for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy degrees abroad. Since 2021 the team has secured more than 500 study places at over 25 partner universities in Europe and worldwide.
Study medicine abroad: Marcel's own path
Born in Stuttgart, Marcel started his degree late: at 24 he enrolled at the Medical University of Sofia, Faculty of Dental Medicine, and graduated in 2021 from the English-language programme. He went through the same steps his clients face today — nostrification of school certificates, entrance interviews, finding a flat in Sofia and later the recognition of a foreign degree. In Switzerland he completed the federal recognition procedure and holds a Swiss dental licence.
What Marcel does at Medschool Experts
Today Marcel lives in Bern and runs Medschool Experts full-time. He visits every partner university in person, negotiates placement agreements directly with faculties and deans, and leads the free consultations in which applicants learn at which university they can start next semester. His YouTube channel on studying medicine abroad has helped thousands of applicants compare universities, costs and recognition.
Topics Marcel writes about
- Study medicine abroad without an entrance exam: universities, costs and admission
- Study dentistry, veterinary medicine or pharmacy in Europe in English
- Tuition fees and living costs at medical schools in Europe and worldwide
- Recognition of foreign medical degrees in the EU, Switzerland, the UK and the US
- Transferring between medical schools and returning home into a higher semester
All articles by Marcel Kloos are based on first-hand visits to the universities, placement data from Medschool Experts and conversations with current students. Book a free consultation to discuss your own path.
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