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Choosing to study Medicine abroad is a great way to get a place on a Medicine programme if you weren’t successful in the UK.
In particular, studying Medicine in Europe offers a number of benefits:
As well as more obvious benefits that come with the lifestyle of studying abroad in Europe, like the cultural experiences, meeting different people and learning about different healthcare systems.
Studying Medicine in Europe is a good option for some, but won’t be right for everyone. It should not be considered an ‘easy’ option.
Take the quiz to see if studying abroad would suit you.
You will be signing up to studying a challenging degree in another country for six years of your life. You will also be learning the language of the country you are studying in, because, while your studies and exams are in English, you will be communicating with patients in their native language. The University of Nicosia, for example, offers free Greek classes to all Medical School students to help them learn the local language, even though English is widely spoken everywhere.
Additionally, if you are a British citizen and already have a second language that is spoken in Europe, your options for studying medicine abroad are further opened to schools that teach in your second language.
You will also have to finance your studies and living costs with limited access to student finance.
If you’re considering studying Medicine in Europe, it’s important you understand the entry requirements first, as they’re different from the UK.
For example, the A-Level grade requirements may be lower in Europe: you might be able to apply if you have ABB. You probably won’t need to sit the UCAT – but there may be an alternative admissions test.
If you’re applying to the University of Nicosia Medical School, the entry requirements for their popular six-year MD (Doctor of Medicine) programme include:
The below shows the top 10 medical schools in Europe outside of the UK with their world ranking placement.
In terms of quality of life, European countries consistently rank among the highest in the world, with Luxembourg, Netherlands and Denmark taking the top three spots in 2024.
| Medical School | Country | Teach in English | World Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karolinska Institutet | Sweden | Not Medicine, but similar courses | 7 |
| University of Amsterdam | Netherlands | Only partly | 29 |
| Universität Heidelberg | Germany | No | 31 |
| KU Leuven | Belgium | Yes | 33 |
| Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München | Germany | No | 38 |
| Sorbonne University | France | No | 38 |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | Netherlands | No | 40 |
| Universitat de Barcelona | Spain | No | 48 |
| University of Copenhagen | Denmark | No | 52 |
| University of Zurich | Switzerland | No | 55 |
It is worth noting however, that most of these schools teach in their native language, and therefore you will need to meet certain language proficiency requirements in order to enrol. Instead, you could look at the English-taught courses below.
There are many European Medical Schools that teach in English. These include:
Medical Doorway provides free advice to students aiming to Study Medicine in Europe for every single one of its partner universities listed above.
The cost of studying Medicine in Europe varies greatly. Many universities charge fees comparable to that of home students at UK Med Schools – but the amount is different with each one. The cost of living is often lower in Europe – particularly in Cyprus, where UNIC Medical School is based.
Their tuition fees are €22,000 (£18,300) for each year and they estimate the annual cost of living to be €12,000 (£10,000). In comparison to the UK, the cost of living is 15.4% lower in Cyprus in 2025.
For international students outside of the UK, choosing a European Med School like the University of Nicosia Medical School can slash the cost of studying by up to 60%. That’s because some UK universities charge international students more than £40,000 a year for tuition, in comparison to the figures outlined above.
At UNIC Med School you can also get a scholarship up to 20% of tuition for the duration of your studies, and are granted based on the financial needs of your sponsor(s). Speak to their admissions department for some detailed information based on your personal circumstances.
The best way to find out more is to speak to Medical Doorway, or if you’re considering the University of Nicosia then you can apply directly. It’s also a good idea to sign up for Open Days at a number of European Medical Schools. You can see all future Open Days at the University of Nicosia Medical School here.
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