Should I do medical school in Italy?

[Maskchamp]

I wasn't aware that a B2 was required. I know that it's definitely recommended, otherwise you don't learn anything or talk to patients, and you "have to" learn it. But it doesn't prevent you from progressing to the next year. You talk with patients in your 3rd year, and if a student can barely say 'how are you' after 2 years in the country, that's just sad, so don't be one of those people who are even in the 5th/6th year and can't even speak. B1 is enough though.

I did sit IMAT, while ago. Resources are Khan for review and BMAT books. Although it might have changed, don't know much about it now.

Yes, the medical licensing exam is abolished. It was honestly quite useless and served no purpose. However, the specialization exam still stands, and it is quite difficult. You don't have to take it; if you choose not to, you can practice only as a GP on call at various places. But you can't specialize until you take it.

For the UK: there is the PLAB for non-EU citizens, no matter where you got your degree, wether in the EU or abroad, you have to take it. Also, the IELTS need to be taken by everyone, even native speakers, which is quite an annoying exam. I know some native speakers and Brits who have failed it, so don't take it lightly

Definitely much much easier to get a job in the UK. You'll get a job, the only question is where. Can end up in the middle of nowhere, or the best hospital in London. I'm not an expert on the selection process, but it's based on points. The degree is valid in all of the EU, but some countries need an extra exam to practice, same principle as Canada/US really. And you have to speak the language, usually at a B2 level. You can be the best doctor in the world, but if you don't speak the language, there is no chance, it's not even allowed. Even though many physicians and patients speak English, it will never be enough. I still have people asking me whether English is enough cause 'almost everyone speaks it'.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Maskchamp]

Hello @Maskchamp ,

I am heavily considering going to medical schools in Italy, and still in the process of choosing which one I want to go the most. I"d really appreciate it if you could answer my questions

I know that B2 level of Italian is required in order to go into third year in Italian public medical schools, and I was wondering if it goes the same for private schools. Also, I was wondering if you've also sat for the IMAT test.
I also have a little question about Cura Italia which was implemented due to the pandemic! According to articles I've read, it seems like the Italian government has abolished the medical licensing exam in Italy. Would this mean anyone who graduate from Italian med schools can practice medicine in Italy without no further examinations from now on? Finally, I have a question about going to the UK after graduating from Italian medical school. like USMLE, is there a particular exam you have to write in order to practice medicine in the UK? and is it easier to get a job in the UK than in Canada or the US with a MD degree from Italy?

Thank you!

I wasn't aware that a B2 was required. I know that it's definitely recommended, otherwise you don't learn anything or talk to patients, and you "have to" learn it. But it doesn't prevent you from progressing to the next year. You talk with patients in your 3rd year, and if a student can barely say 'how are you' after 2 years in the country, that's just sad, so don't be one of those people who are even in the 5th/6th year and can't even speak. B1 is enough though.

I did sit IMAT, while ago. Resources are Khan for review and BMAT books. Although it might have changed, don't know much about it now.

Yes, the medical licensing exam is abolished. It was honestly quite useless and served no purpose. However, the specialization exam still stands, and it is quite difficult. You don't have to take it; if you choose not to, you can practice only as a GP on call at various places. But you can't specialize until you take it.

For the UK: there is the PLAB for non-EU citizens, no matter where you got your degree, wether in the EU or abroad, you have to take it. Also, the IELTS need to be taken by everyone, even native speakers, which is quite an annoying exam. I know some native speakers and Brits who have failed it, so don't take it lightly

Definitely much much easier to get a job in the UK. You'll get a job, the only question is where. Can end up in the middle of nowhere, or the best hospital in London. I'm not an expert on the selection process, but it's based on points. The degree is valid in all of the EU, but some countries need an extra exam to practice, same principle as Canada/US really. And you have to speak the language, usually at a B2 level. You can be the best doctor in the world, but if you don't speak the language, there is no chance, it's not even allowed. Even though many physicians and patients speak English, it will never be enough. I still have people asking me whether English is enough cause 'almost everyone speaks it'.

 

[tbry159]

I wasn't aware that a B2 was required. I know that it's definitely recommended, otherwise you don't learn anything or talk to patients, and you "have to" learn it. But it doesn't prevent you from progressing to the next year. You talk with patients in your 3rd year, and if a student can barely say 'how are you' after 2 years in the country, that's just sad, so don't be one of those people who are even in the 5th/6th year and can't even speak. B1 is enough though.

I did sit IMAT, while ago. Resources are Khan for review and BMAT books. Although it might have changed, don't know much about it now.

Yes, the medical licensing exam is abolished. It was honestly quite useless and served no purpose. However, the specialization exam still stands, and it is quite difficult. You don't have to take it; if you choose not to, you can practice only as a GP on call at various places. But you can't specialize until you take it.

For the UK: there is the PLAB for non-EU citizens, no matter where you got your degree, wether in the EU or abroad, you have to take it. Also, the IELTS need to be taken by everyone, even native speakers, which is quite an annoying exam. I know some native speakers and Brits who have failed it, so don't take it lightly

Definitely much much easier to get a job in the UK. You'll get a job, the only question is where. Can end up in the middle of nowhere, or the best hospital in London. I'm not an expert on the selection process, but it's based on points. The degree is valid in all of the EU, but some countries need an extra exam to practice, same principle as Canada/US really. And you have to speak the language, usually at a B2 level. You can be the best doctor in the world, but if you don't speak the language, there is no chance, it's not even allowed. Even though many physicians and patients speak English, it will never be enough. I still have people asking me whether English is enough cause 'almost everyone speaks it'.

Thanks for the detailed answer!

I thought it was an requirement, maybe it's not! I was also wondering if it's possible to sit for IMAT after getting accepted to private school since private schools have their entrance exam much earlier than the IMAT. ( I heard the HUMAT is in March and IMAT is in September) I'm assuming it is since you've taken it unless you took them in different years, but I just want to make sure!
Also, it might be a dumb question, but is the specialization exam in Italian? Would I need to take it if I wanted to specialize in the UK or is only the PLAB and a MD degree required?

Thanks again!

 

[Maskchamp]

Thanks for the detailed answer!

I thought it was an requirement, maybe it's not! I was also wondering if it's possible to sit for IMAT after getting accepted to private school since private schools have their entrance exam much earlier than the IMAT. ( I heard the HUMAT is in March and IMAT is in September) I'm assuming it is since you've taken it unless you took them in different years, but I just want to make sure!
Also, it might be a dumb question, but is the specialization exam in Italian? Would I need to take it if I wanted to specialize in the UK or is only the PLAB and a MD degree required?

Thanks again!

Yes, you can take both exams.
Yes, of course the specialization is in Italian. To specialize in the UK, you do not need to take it. Only PLAB, IELTS, and MD.

 

[tbry159]

Yes, you can take both exams.
Yes, of course the specialization is in Italian. To specialize in the UK, you do not need to take it. Only PLAB, IELTS, and MD.

Thank you, that clarified a lot of things

 

[plantbasedlowwaste]

I'm not sure if this thread is still active, but I am an American with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. It's way too hard to get into med school here, I don't have a good grade point average. I'm considering studying medicine in Italy, and then living and practicing in EU. I got a lot of good info on this thread, but kind of unsure as to where to start the application process....
I know I need to take the IMAT (or the HUMAT?) Sorry kind of confused on that.

Do I go to a medical school's website and find a link to apply? Or do I take the IMAT/HUMAT first?

I would prefer programs taught in English, but open to programs in Italian

Thank you!

 

[medicalstudent21]

Thank you to everyone for all the useful information.
I'm a dual citizen of US and Italy and currently US resident. I have a Yale BA in history and took all premed courses, but had change of plans and went into another field. As ive never let go of bioresearch and medical schoo, i'm having a perhaps crazy thought of pursing this degree now.
I'm considering a post-bac in the US, as I graduated college too far back and feel I must at least several courses again (mainly calculus and physics and maybe chemistry as I was just not prepared for these from my classics background in high school - did much better in biosciences) to be competitive for medschool (and would like to improve grades a bit on these). I am in Rome now because of pandemic (Im faculty at US university and have been teaching remote), and grew up here so navigating Italy, the language or visa is not my problem (but bureacracy is!). I am not sure whether I want to practice in the US or in Europe, but I do know I would love to have the option. Like some have said, best track for practicing in the US is getting MD degree back in US, but as of now that would involve a post-bac for two years (not sure I can take the 1year accelerated with a family) and then four years of medical school. and getting in in the first place, which is very competitive and very expensive and might involve relocating my family. The post-bac also prepares you for the MCAT. Do any IMGs get in or are allowed to practice in US? the hours are crazy but i want to leave myself options, should my husband need to be in US permanently for work, i dont want to split my family.
Does UK offer residency options for Italian grads? I assume brexit has now changed everything.
Any advice from anyone? are there any european schools that are competitive for US residency placement? Italy, UK or other? Do any students transfer from Italian programs to US or other schools? With covid im assuming so much is online for the moment unless it involves practicum or lab. any thoughts on the current state of affairs for the 2021-2022 academic year?
Some previously mentioned La Sapienza (uniroma1). It is the main public university of Rome. My father taught here in the Architecture Department for years. i can't speak to the Medical school now, but I am sure it has a strong academic reputation, and heard lately it's one of the places to be.
Can someone tell me if they offer an MD course in English?
Are there other Italian medical schools, private, that you know of, in Rome, that are reputable? Campus Biomedico?
Appreciate any and all advice.

 

[maevel!]

Yes, you can take both exams.
Yes, of course the specialization is in Italian. To specialize in the UK, you do not need to take it. Only PLAB, IELTS, and MD.

Hi! I am new to this forum page and I am interested in going to Italian Medical School, and you seem to be quite knowledgeable!! I am wondering, do you need a bachelor's degree before going to Medical School in Italy or any pre-education requirements besides an IMAT score and high school degree? Additionally, how competitive (acceptance rate) is it for a US citizen to have a chance at getting to an English-speaking Italian med school for psychiatry? I also would like to know your opinions on Italian public uni vs private, what are the core differences between price and organization? (Also what are the clear differences in being a GP vs a Specialist, I want to be a psychiatrist so I would like to know what that would mean in connection?)

 

[Parent101]

Thank you, that clarified a lot of things

Do you take the IMAT test the year before admission or in September of the same year before the program starts?