Medicine

The study programme Medicine serves to impart the basic medical and methodological knowledge and skills for the recognition, treatment and prevention of diseases. The training to become a doctor is carried out on a scientific basis and is both practice- and patient-oriented. The study programme leads to the completion of the state examination. Both the training and the practice of the medical profession are regulated by the Approbationsordnung für Ärzte (Licensing Regulations for Doctors, ÄAppO) and by the Bundesärzteordnung (Federal Medical Code, BÄO). The study programme is divided into two study sections (lasting two and three years) and a practical year (lasting one year). The first part of the course covers the basics of natural sciences (biology, chemistry, and physics), anatomy, biochemistry and physiology. The second study section includes training in the individual clinical areas. Afterwards, a practical activity of 12 months must be completed as a practical year. After successful completion of the study programme, the licence to practise medicine is granted upon application. It is valid throughout Germany. After the licence to practise medicine has been granted, almost all doctors go on to specialist training (four to six years), which is usually completed while working and leads to specialization in a particular field (e.g. internist, surgeon, paediatrician, psychiatrist).