Studying medicine in Central Europe offers a blend of high-quality education, cultural richness, and affordability. This article provides an overview of four prominent medical universities in the region: Charles University in Czechia, Semmelweis University and the University of Pécs in Hungary, and the Medical University of Warsaw in Poland. We’ll explore their admission requirements, tuition fees, and QS World University Rankings for medicine.
Semmelweis University, Hungary – Faculty of medicine
Located in Budapest, Semmelweis University has been a leading institution in medical education for over 250 years. It offers programs in Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
- QS Ranking: Semmelweis University is ranked #251-300 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (Medicine) 2025.
- Required documents for submission of application:
– Matriculation / School Leaving Certificate from an accredited high school or senior secondary school. Registration number of documents should be indicated. Those who have not yet received this certificate can also submit their application and take the entrance examination. The final deadline for uploading the Matriculation Certificate is August 21.
– Curriculum Vitae (Resume) in English.
– Motivation letter
– Copy of passport (or ID card for citizens of Schengen Area member countries) with your personal data.
– Portrait photo (preferably passport size)
– Medical Certificate
– application fee receipt of USD 400 - Admission Requirements: Applicants are required to pass an entrance examination and a personal interview. The entrance exam covers Medical Biology, Medical Chemistry, Biomedical English and General English (20 questions each). There is 20 minutes available for each section of the test.
- Form of the exam: The exam has online form (Moodle interface). The oral interview, tests not only the applicant’s professional attitude, affinity and motivation towards medical sciences, communication skills in Englishm but also measure the applicant’s knowledge in the above disciplines.
- Format of the written test: multiple choice questions with 1 correct answer; negative points are deducted proportionally for incorrect answer. Calculators is allowed during the test of Chemistry.
- Tuition Fees: The tuition fee for the General Medicine program is USD 9,950 per semester (USD 19900 per year). Additional fees include a deposit of USD 2,000 (deducted from the first semester’s tuition fee) and an enrollment fee of USD 230.
- Application deadline: end of May, admission is announced within 2 weeks after the exam. Exams will take place until end of June.
University of Pécs – Faculty of medicine
The University of Pécs is one of Hungary’s largest higher education institutions, offering a diverse range of programs, including Medicine. The Medical University of Pécs is ranked #451-500 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (Medicine) 2025. There are 180 seats available.
- QS ranking: The Medical University of Pécs is ranked #451-500 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (Medicine) 2025.
- Required Documents for application submission:
– a passport-size photo copy of your valid passport with your personal data official
– copy of your secondary school leaving certificate (in English or with an authorized translation)
– official transcript of grades from secondary school (in English or with an authorized translation) (Note: you are invited to apply even if you’ll only get your high school leaving certificate in 2025. In case you get admitted you can submit the certificate as late as September 2025.)
– Europass CV (Curriculum Vitae) with a photo in English
– application fee of USD 200 + USD 250 examination fee (the exam can be repeated maximum twice) - Form of the exam: online written part consists of 20 questions in Biology, 20 questions in Chemistry, 40 questions in General medicine and 20 questions in Medical English. There is 100 minutes to complete the test. Students who pass the exam will be invited to oral interview to speak about medicine related questions and motivation online. Simple calculator is allowed.
- Format of the entrance exam: online exam (USD 250 entrance exam fee) – every Wednesday from March to July
- Tuition fees: USD 9000 for the 1st semester and USD 7750 for second semester
- Application deadline is end of June
Medical University of Warsaw
The university offers a 6-year Medicine program fully taught in English, specifically designed for international students. Clinical teaching is conducted in leading university hospitals in Warsaw, such as the University Clinical Center, which are modern, well-equipped, and offer access to real-world medical cases.
- QS Ranking: 258 worldwide, respectively 451-500 as per medicine
- Required documents for application:
copy of passport or ID card
photograph
High school diploma and transcripts (English or Polish)
English proficiency certificate
Application fee of 24€ - Format of the entrance exam:
CRITERION 1 – applicants need to show either Biology – passing grade at extended level of written baccalaureate examination, chemistry – passing grade at extended level of written baccalaureate examination, or mathematics / physics – passing grade (1st option) or write test in exam in 2 of these subjects (Biology / Chemistry / Physics). There will be 50 questions in each subjects for those who write entrance exam.
CRITERION 2: The points calculated are based on: – – Your competency test score, OR
Your score from BMAT, MCAT, GAMSAT, UCAT certificate, OR
If you hold a completed BSc or MSc in Life Sciences that the Admission Board shall accept, you will get points based on your University GPA. - More about competency test: test evaluates candidates’ knowledge in premedical sciences, focusing on high school-level biology and chemistry, as well as their analytical and logical problem-solving skills. There are 80 multiple choice test in Biology (30 questions), Chemistry (30 questions), Decsion making (20 questions). It has online form
- Tuition fees: € 17.100 (respectively € 8800 in 2 installments, or €4500 in 4 installments).
Charles University – 3rd faculty of medicine in Prague
The Third Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Prague offers a comprehensive 6-year General Medicine program taught in English.
- QS Ranking: 246 worldwide, respectively 185 per subject medicine
- Documents for registration:
High school leaving certificate
Official transcript
Marks cards / grade cards
copy of passport or ID card
Application fee receipt of 910 CZK (around 37€) - Admission rules: Entrance exam or it is possible to ask for admission without entrance exam (A levels or relevant Bachelor degree). If you want to apply without entrance exam, its necessary to submit documents before 15th of March.
- Format of the entrance exam: written test in Biology and Chemistry (30 questions each). There is 1 point for each question, totally 60 points. Applicants need to attend entrance exam either in Prague or selected destinations worldwide.
- Tuition fees: CZK 420.000 per academic year (approximately € 16700)
- Deadline to apply: end of April
Charles University – Faculty of medicine in Hradec Kralove
- QS Ranking: 246 worldwide, respectively 185 per subject medicine
- Required Documents for registration
copy of passport
academic documents
Receipt of payment of CZK 2500 (€ 95) - Format of the entrance exam: online entrance exam in Biology (25 questions), Chemistry (25 questions) and mathematics 10 questions. Calculator is allowed during the test. No negative marking. After passing written exam, there is necessity to do oral exam (parts: understanding and an analysis of the provided scinetific-medical information, interpretation, decision making (20 points) and personal profile including ethical and moral aspects, communication skills, teamwork and collaboration skills (20 points).
- Deadline to apply: end of April
- Tuition fees: CZK 400.000 per year (€15900)
