Faculty of Medicine Kiel

The Faculty of Medicine Kiel traces its roots to the founding of Christian-Albrechts-University in 1665 and trains students at the Kiel campus of the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein. The UKSH operates across two sites — Kiel and Lübeck — making it one of Germany's largest hospital groups; the Kiel campus alone has 1,178 beds. Scientifically, the location is closely oriented toward inflammation research, neuroscience, and oncology. The Cluster of Excellence on precision medicine in chronic inflammatory diseases visibly shapes both research and teaching, and opens early pathways into doctoral projects.

This location suits you if immunology, the microbiome, or chronic inflammatory conditions interest you, and if you prefer studying in a manageable coastal city over a big-city campus. With 196 places per cohort, the year group is small enough that students know each other. Anyone looking for a model curriculum without the classic division between preclinical and clinical phases will find that at other faculties.

Places are allocated nationwide via hochschulstart.de: 30 percent through the top-grades quota, 10 percent through the additional aptitude quota in which the school-leaving grade does not count, and 60 percent through the university's own selection process. In Kiel, this selection process combines the school-leaving grade with the result of the TMS and takes a completed vocational qualification in a healthcare profession into account; the weightings are set out in Christian-Albrechts-University's admissions regulations and are adjusted from cycle to cycle.

No tuition fees apply. The only payment is the Christian-Albrechts-University semester contribution, which is set each semester.

Standard Curriculum at Schleswig-Holstein's Only Comprehensive University

The Faculty of Medicine at Christian-Albrechts-University, founded in 1665, trains students in the standard curriculum. The first four semesters establish the scientific foundations in physics, chemistry, and biology while running parallel introductions to anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology. As the program progresses, content is increasingly organized by organ system, and targeted training in medical skills is added in the fourth semester. The phase concludes with the First Section of the Medical Licensing Examination.

The clinical phase covers six semesters. Bedside teaching increases progressively throughout, culminating in the tenth semester with block placements in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, gynecology, and general practice, among others. The faculty emphasizes small groups, early patient contact, and digital learning formats such as instructional videos and web-based courses. The Second Section of the Medical Licensing Examination is taken in written form.

The Praktisches Jahr follows, consisting of 48 weeks of continuous practical training: one tertial each in internal medicine and surgery, plus one elective tertial. Training sites are the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein at the Kiel campus and academic teaching hospitals across the state. The program concludes with the oral-practical Third Section of the Medical Licensing Examination.

Having passed the Staatsexamen, you can apply for Approbation, valid nationwide and authorizing the practice of medicine. The preclinical phase starts exclusively in the winter semester; entry into the clinical phase is also possible in the summer semester.

Life on the Fjörd

Kiel is the state capital, a harbor city, and a sailing city all at once. The University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein is on the Kiel campus near the Förde, just a few minutes from the main university campus on Olshausenstraße. Between lecture halls, institutes, and wards, most people get around by bicycle — the terrain is flat and the distances are short.

Popular places to live include the neighborhoods around the university and toward the waterfront. Rent is considerably more affordable than in nearby Hamburg, though it rises noticeably at the start of the winter semester; dormitory places from the student services organization are in demand, and applying early helps. The semester contribution includes a pass for local public transport, and the Förde ferries are part of the route network.

Student life benefits from the water: beaches such as Falckenstein and Schilksee are within the city boundary, sailing and rowing are available through the university sports program, and in June the Kieler Woche brings the whole city to life. Bars, canteens, and student union activities are concentrated around the campus.

Hamburg is about an hour away by train, Denmark and Baltic Sea ferries are right on the doorstep. Those who want big-city buzz will find Kiel wrong for them; those who want a compact city with sea will find it right.

Does Kiel use a model or standard curriculum?

Kiel uses the standard curriculum, with the classic division between preclinical and clinical phases and the First Section of the Medical Licensing Examination after the fourth semester. Reform elements such as digital learning formats, small groups, and early skills training are built into this framework.

When does practical bedside teaching begin?

Initial medical skills training starts as early as the fourth semester. In the clinical phase, bedside teaching increases steadily and peaks in the tenth semester with several block placements in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, gynecology, and general practice, among others.

Where do you complete the Praktisches Jahr?

The PJ lasts 48 weeks and consists of three tertials. It takes place at the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel campus, or at one of the academic teaching hospitals in Schleswig-Holstein. The elective tertial can be chosen according to your specialist interests.

Can you start in the summer semester?

The preclinical phase in Kiel begins only in the winter semester. Entry into the clinical phase — for example after a university transfer or with recognized credits — is also possible in the summer semester.

How does the application and selection process work?

Places are allocated centrally via hochschulstart, divided into the top-grades quota, the additional aptitude quota, and the university's own selection process; school-leaving grade and the university aptitude test carry the most weight. Specific cutoff values change each year. Medschool Experts supports only paths into medicine that do not require a Numerus clausus and is not involved in this allocation process.