Germany[edit]

See also: List of medical schools in Germany

The University of Freiburg Faculty of Medicine

In Germany, admission to medical schools is currently administered jointly by the Stiftung fr Hochschulzulassung (SfH), a centralized federal organization, and the universities themselves. The most important criterion for admission is the Numerus clausus, the final GPA scored by the applicant on the Abitur (highest secondary school diploma). However, in light of the recent gain in influence of medical schools in regards to applicant selection, additional criteria are being used to select students for admission. These criteria vary among medical faculties and the final Abitur GPA is always a core indicator and strongly influences admission. Admission remains highly competitive. A very small number of slots per semester are reserved for selected applicants which already hold a university degree (Zweitstudium) and for medical officer candidates (Sanittsoffizieranwrter). The first two years of medical school consist of the so-called pre-clinical classes. During this time, the students are instructed in the basic sciences (e.g. physics, chemistry, biology, anatomy,physiology, biochemistry, etc.) and must pass a federal medical exam (Erster Abschnitt der rztlichen Prfung), administered nationally. Upon completion, the students advance to the clinical stage, where they receive three years of training and education in the clinical subjects (e.g., internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, pharmacology, pathology, etc.). The last year of medical school consists of the so-called "practical year" (Praktisches Jahr, PJ). Students are required to spend three four-month clerkships, two of them in a hospital (internal medicine and surgery) as well as one elective, which can be one of the other clinical subjects (e. g. family medicine, anesthesiology, neurology, pediatrics, radiology etc.). After at least six years of medical school, the students graduate with a final federal medical exam ( Zweiter Abschnitt der rztlichen Prfung). Graduates receive the license to practice medicine and the professional title of physician(Arzt). The academic degree Doctor of Medicine (Dr. med.) is a research doctorate degree and is awarded if the graduate has, in addition, successfully completed a scientific study and dissertation. Many medical students opt to perform their thesis during their studies at medical school, but only a fraction of them is able to finish the dissertation-process during their studies. If physicians wish to open up a doctor's office, they are required to further completeresidency in order to fulfill the federal requirements of becoming Facharzt (specialized in a certain field of medicine like internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics etc.).

There are 36 medical faculties in Germany.

Netherlands and Belgium[edit]

See also: List of medical schools in Netherlands and List of medical schools in Belgium In the Netherlands and Belgium, medical students receive 6 years of university education prior to their graduation. In the Netherlands, students receive three years of preclinical training, followed by three years of clinical training (co-assistentschappen, or co-schappen for short) in hospitals. At one medical faculty, that of Utrecht University, clinical training already begins in the third year of medical school. After 6 years, students graduate as Basisartsen (comparable to Doctors of Medicine). As a result of the Bologna process, medical students in the Netherlands now receive abachelor's degree after three years in medical school and a master's degree upon graduation. Prospective students can apply for medical education directly after finishing the highest level of secondary school, vwo; previous undergraduate education is not a precondition for admittance. The Belgian medical education is much more based on theoretical knowledge than the Dutch system. In the first 3 years, which are very theoretical and lead to a university bachelor degree, general scientific courses are taken such as chemistry, biophysics, physiology, biostatistics, anatomy, virology, etc. To enter the bachelor course in Flanders, prospective students have to pass an exam, as a result of the numerus clausus. In the French-speaking part of Belgium, only the best students that pass the first year of the bachelor course in medicine are admitted to the second and third year. After the bachelor courses, students are allowed to enter the 'master in medicine' courses, which consist of 4 years of theoretical and clinical study. In general, the first 2 master years are very theoretical and teach the students in human pathology, diseases, pharmacology. The third year is a year full of internships in a wide range of specialities in different clinics. The seventh, final year serves as a kind of 'pre-specialization' year in which the students are specifically trained in the specialty they wish to pursue after medical school. This contrasts with the Dutch approach, in which graduates are literally 'basic doctors' (basisartsen) who have yet to decide on a specialty.

South Korea[edit]
In South Korea, there are two types of Medical Doctor(MD) licenses (with two types of Medical Schools). One is Doctor of Western-medicine, and another is Doctor of Korean-medicine(before 2012, It was called Doctor of Oriental-medicine) The medical educations in South Korea(Republic of Korea) are 6 or 4 years in duration, 6-year coures starting right after high schools, and 4-year course starting after 4-year's university education(To start 4year course, the student needs bachelor's degree). The first 2 years in the 6-year system is composed of basic sciences and liberal art courses.

Sweden[edit]
See also: List of medical schools in Sweden Medical education in Sweden begins with a five-and-a-half-year undergraduate university program leading to the degree "Master of Science in Medicine" (Swedish: Lkarexamen). Following this, the National Board of Health and Welfare requires a minimum of 18 months of clinical internship

(Swedish: Allmntjnstgring) before granting a medical license to be fully qualified as Doctor of [20] Medicine (MD). This internship consists of surgery (36 months), internal medicine (36 months), psychiatry (three months) and family medicine (six months). Upon receiving a license to practice, a physician is able to apply for a post to start specialist training. There are currently 52 recognized medical specialties in Sweden. The specialist training has a duration of minimum five years, which upon completion grants formal qualification as a specialist.