University Medical Centre of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

About the Faculty

The University Medical Centre (Universitätsmedizin) of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz is the sole institution in Rhineland-Palatinate with the legal authority to award medical degrees and grant Approbation. It admits approximately 447 students per year and, unusually for Germany, accepts new cohorts in both the winter and summer semesters. The institution runs more than 60 clinics and institutes, operates around 1,600 beds, employs approximately 9,000 staff, and treats roughly 395,000 patients annually. Total enrolment exceeds 3,600 medical students.

Teaching and Clinical Infrastructure

The Rudolf-Frey-Lernklinik provides structured practical skills training — history-taking, physical examination, procedural skills — before students move into clinical rotations. The standard Regelstudiengang is followed, including the Physikum (first state examination at the end of the preclinical phase).

Since summer semester 2025, Mainz has operated a Mainz/Trier track for 30 students per cohort. These students complete semesters 7–10 in Trier at the Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder and the Klinikum Mutterhaus der Borromäerinnen, and also carry out their Practical Year (PJ) there. This track provides a smaller-cohort, community-hospital experience within the Mainz degree framework.

Practical Year (PJ)

The PJ consists of three blocks of 16 weeks each: Innere Medizin, Chirurgie, and a Wahlfach that may include Allgemeinmedizin (general practice). Part-time PJ is available at either 50% or 75% of full-time, making Mainz one of the few German faculties to formally support this option — relevant for students with caregiving responsibilities or part-time employment.

Admission

Admission is via hochschulstart (both semesters). Main quota: Abitur grade 45%, TMS score 45%, other criteria 10%. Aptitude quota: TMS 90%. No tuition fees are charged.

Admission

Winter and summer semester, via hochschulstart. Main quota: Abitur 45%, TMS 45%, other 10%. Aptitude quota: TMS 90%. No tuition fees.

Degree Recognition

Graduates receive the German Staatsexamen (Approbation as Arzt/Ärztin), recognised across the EU under Directive 2005/36/EC and in many other countries worldwide.

Campus Life

Mainz is a lively Rhine city with a thriving wine culture, a large student population, and easy access to Frankfurt (30 minutes by regional train). The university campus is compact and well integrated into city life. Students on the Trier track experience a smaller, historically rich city in the Moselle wine region.

Why does Mainz admit students in both semesters?

Mainz is one of very few German state medical faculties to admit cohorts in both the winter and summer semesters. This increases overall capacity and gives applicants a second annual entry point, which can be useful for those who miss the winter round.

What is the Mainz/Trier track?

From summer semester 2025, 30 students per cohort complete semesters 7–10 and the PJ in Trier rather than Mainz, at the Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder and the Klinikum Mutterhaus der Borromäerinnen. The degree and Approbation are identical to the standard Mainz track.

Is part-time PJ possible?

Yes. Mainz formally supports PJ completion at 50% or 75% of full-time — one of the few German faculties to do so.