Faculty of Medicine, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

Erlangen is a compact university location where the campus, the hospital and the city centre are close together. Studying medicine here means a classically structured standard curriculum with a separate pre-clinical and clinical phase. One distinctive feature is the twice-yearly intake: unlike most German faculties, Erlangen also admits students in the summer semester. The university hospital with around 1,460 planned beds is close to the pre-clinical institutes, so there are no long distances between teaching sessions and wards.

The second route via Erlangen leads to Franconia: in the Medicine Erlangen/Bayreuth track you complete the pre-clinical phase in Erlangen and transfer to the Medizincampus Oberfranken for the clinical phase, with the Klinikum Bayreuth as the central teaching hospital. The cohort there is considerably smaller than in Erlangen, making bedside teaching groups correspondingly compact. This suits you if you want early hands-on responsibility and close contact with faculty, and have no objection to relocating after the fourth semester.

Study 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 Erlangen's selection procedure, the Abitur grade and the aptitude test score are considered together; in the aptitude quota the Abitur grade plays no role and the test score carries the weight.

No tuition fees are charged; only the semester contribution is payable. The precise point values are set by the university in its selection statutes and updated regularly.

Classical standard curriculum

The Faculty of Medicine at the FAU adheres to the standard curriculum. The programme lasts at least six years. In the pre-clinical phase, from the first to the fourth semester, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology are the focus, together with medical psychology and sociology; it concludes with the Physikum, the nationally uniform First State Medical Examination. From the fifth to the tenth semester follows the clinical phase with lectures, bedside teaching and elective placements in hospitals and practices, before the Second State Medical Examination.

Two cities: Erlangen and Bayreuth

In addition to the Medicine programme, the Medicine Erlangen/Bayreuth track has existed since the winter semester of 2019/20. Both cohorts spend the first four semesters together in Erlangen, with only individual practical courses running separately. From the fifth semester onwards, students in this track transfer to the Medizincampus Oberfranken and receive their clinical training at the Klinikum Bayreuth. Applications go through the national procedure but separately for each track.

Practical training, Praktisches Jahr and degree

For practical and communication skills, the SkillsLab PERLE and the simulation patient hospital SimPatiK are available. The Praktisches Jahr consists of three rotations of 16 weeks each in surgery, internal medicine and an elective subject; it can be completed at university hospitals and teaching hospitals nationwide, and at recognised institutions abroad. The programme concludes with the Third State Medical Examination and the Approbation. A doctoral thesis can be prepared alongside the degree.

Small city, short distances

Erlangen is a compact university city where medicine sets the tone visibly: the university hospital, institutes and lecture halls are close to the city centre, most things are reachable on foot or by bike. Erlangen is known as a cycling city and you do not need a car for daily life. The downside of a small city is a smaller range of going-out options, but you quickly get to know your cohort and the wards.

Housing and surroundings

The housing market is tight for the size of the city, because alongside students the employees of the medical technology and industrial employers in the area are also looking for accommodation. Shared flats are scarce and expensive for a city of this size; student accommodation from the Studierendenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg fills up fast. Many students move to Nürnberg or Fürth and commute, which takes only about twenty minutes by S-Bahn or regional train. Erlangen has an ICE stop, Nürnberg Airport is nearby, and Franconian Switzerland is a short cycle or train ride away. The Bergkirchweih festival in early summer, when half the city gathers on the hill, is a firm fixture in the year.

What is the difference between Medicine and Medicine Erlangen/Bayreuth?

The pre-clinical semesters one to four are largely identical for both tracks and take place in Erlangen. From the fifth semester, students on the Erlangen/Bayreuth track receive their clinical training at the Medizincampus Oberfranken in cooperation with the Klinikum Bayreuth. You choose one of the two routes at the application stage.

Is there a Physikum at the FAU?

Yes. Unlike faculties with a model programme, the classical structure with a pre-clinical phase and the Physikum after the fourth semester is retained. This is followed by the clinical phase, the Second State Medical Examination and the Praktisches Jahr.

How is the Praktisches Jahr organised?

It consists of three rotations of 16 weeks each: surgery, internal medicine and an elective of your choice. Alongside the Erlangen University Hospital, the faculty's teaching hospitals, other university hospitals and approved institutions abroad are eligible. The faculty has a dedicated Praktisches Jahr coordination office.

Do I need a car to get around?

Not in Erlangen itself, where distances are short and cycling is the fastest option. If you live in Nürnberg or Fürth because of the rent, you commute by S-Bahn or regional train, which takes only about twenty minutes. Students who choose the Erlangen/Bayreuth track relocate to Bayreuth for the clinical phase.

How do you get a study place?

Allocation runs nationally via hochschulstart, with the top-grade quota, the additional aptitude quota and the university's own selection procedure; the aptitude test and a completed vocational qualification in healthcare can considerably improve your chances. Requirements are high and the waiting-time quota no longer exists. Medschool Experts advises on NC-free pathways to medical study abroad and does not handle applications to German state faculties.