Swiss Medical Schools

[TristanB]

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Does anyone have any information on entrance requirements for Swiss medical schools?
I looked some what but they seem to be all french...is french a requirement for acceptance?

any knowledge on any of the schools is much appreciated

 

[brightblueeyes]

Does anyone have any information on entrance requirements for Swiss medical schools?
I looked some what but they seem to be all french...is french a requirement for acceptance?

any knowledge on any of the schools is much appreciated

No, you only have to speak French if you go to a French-language med school like Université de Genève. If you were to study at a German-language university like Universität Zürich, you'd need to speak German (or better yet, Schweizerdeutsch...es ist ein bisschen anders). I have no idea if there are any Italian-language Swiss universities. As far as I know, if you don't speak half decent French or German, you're out of luck.

Equally important is that if you don't have Swiss citizenship or a class C residence permit (or meet other similarly stringent residence requirements), you simply won't be admitted to a Swiss medical program.

 

[TristanB]

Ok. Thanks...this narrows things down quite a bit... my french is not that great, ahah and i have no german skills.

Do you know anything on Danish medical schools? You seem to know your stuff.

 

[shreypete]

Do you know Danish? or for that matter swedish? norwiegen? usually all the programs in western europe are conducted in their native languages (with the exception of UK if you consider that to be part of europe)....i think you have to take a language exam followed by a test in chemistry, physics, and bio. It's a bit hard to get in, but worth it (ofcourse if you're confident that you can study medicine in a completely different language).

unfortunataly the best european schools are mostly in western europe conducted in their own languages...but there are some good schools in central europe (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic) which also have a leading reputation and are conducted in english (in fact some of them have been teaching the english program for the past 13-15 yrs.)

 

[TristanB]

Hmmm nope no Danish...that is good to know though, Thank you.
I guess England Wales Scotland Ireland are where i should look to go over seas.

 

[Broke]

I noticed your thread which interested me...

I am a Canadian-Swiss citizen. I just finished my MSc. at a Canadian University and wanted to study medicine in Europe (particularly Switzerland). Does anyone know if the Swiss universities have such rigorous admission requirements as those here in Canada (and the US)?? I have heard that not as much emphasis is put on GPA and admission tests (MCAT)...I can't find any decent websites either!!!!

-Please Help!

 

[Neuropathia]

@ broke:
Swiss med school have a very strict restriction of the number of foreign graduates to attend med.school. Exeptions are made for people that have lived there for the last 5 yeard or have parents that live there. If you have a double citizenship it might be possible.
Instead of the GPA the Swiss have an entrance exam called EMS. On the basis of the result you either get accepted or rejected.

If you speak German /Schweizerdeutsch (which I assume you do) you might find the following links helpful:
www.thieme.de/viamedici/studienort/index.html
[SIZE=-1]www.unifr.ch/ztd/ems[/SIZE]

Furthermore you'll find lots of information on the respective homepages of the swiss med schools eg Bern:
http://www.advd.unibe.ch/imd/info_ausl-vba.htm

 

[Lini007]

I just noticed the discussion here and was wondering is anybody can also give any info about further post graduate specialization in Switzerland:
1. How to apply?
2. How difficult is is to get into a programme?
3. How are the working conditions?

I am maybe thinking about going there to work...

 

[Neuropathia]

@ lini 007

It would help if you tell us where you're from. Do you know if your foreign degree is accepted in Switzerland?

You apply directly at the hospitals. And the chances on getting in depend on the specialty you want to do. General surgery is rather easy to get in, so is internal medicine.
You have to do a rotational year ,no matter what specialty you do, in a different field of medicie (eg one year of general surgery if you do gyn).

The working conditions are ok. Depending on your field the working hours are rather long, but the payroll is ok (although Switzerland is rather expensive from it's standart of living). But as to my experience it's usually a nice atmosphere especially with your superiors. As for the conditions of training is varies widely though. But Switzerland is a beautifull country. And almost no matter where in the country you always have some mountains to go skiing right at your doorstep.

 

[brightblueeyes]

General surgery is rather easy to get in, so is internal medicine.
You have to do a rotational year ,no matter what specialty you do, in a different field of medicie (eg one year of general surgery if you do gyn).

So far as I know, general surgery and internal medicine are easy to get into if you're Swiss or have a prior work permit specifically for medicine, but very tough to get into otherwise. Correct me if I'm wrong, but without a work permit you cannot be given a specialty training spot unless it can be shown that the spot was first made available to Swiss applicants and no one wanted it.

Switzerland is fairly xenophobic...at least when it comes to this sort of thing.

The US and even Canada are both more welcoming than Switzerland vis-à-vis foreign doctors.

 

[Neuropathia]

So far as I know, general surgery and internal medicine are easy to get into if you're Swiss or have permanent residency, but very tough to get into otherwise. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think foreigners cannot be given a specialty training spot unless it can be shown that the spot was first made available to Swiss applicants and no one wanted it.

I think you're correct. of course specialty training spots are first givern To Swiss citizens (I think same way as it is in the US?). Still from all specialties general surgery and internal medicine are easier to get in (first of all they have more spotas available and general surgery is not too possible at the moment with Swiss students).

I'm not a Swiss citizens either, but I was offered a training spot after 3 month of an internship there nevertheless.

Siwtzerland has a considerable number of foreign graduates (german>french>italian). Allthough depending on the region you aply in, you can be given a hard time as a foreigner.

Is there maybe a native Swiss citizens here who can give more accurate information?

 

[DrBrit]

Hi,

I'm interested in doing Orthopaedic or general surgical training in Switzerland. How competitive is Orthopaedics? I speak French, but not German. Also, I've heard surgical training is divided into two years basic and four years specialist surgical training in Switzerland. I've done basic surgical training and MRCS in the UK. Could I apply directly for specialist surgical training in Switzerland? How would I go about doing that?

I would greatly appreciate any information you have.

 

[brightblueeyes]

I'm not a Swiss citizens either, but I was offered a training spot after 3 month of an internship there nevertheless.

You may not be a citizen, but did you have a Swiss work permit at the time?

 

[Broke]

Thanks for the reply...

However, no, I do not speak Swiss-German - only French. I was looking at applying to the University of Geneve. It appears that there is no entrance exam...From what I can see, the University accepts all students and then eliminates students after the first year. Is this correct? If so, any rough idea of the stats??

-Much appreciated.

 

[brightblueeyes]

Thanks for the reply...

However, no, I do not speak Swiss-German - only French. I was looking at applying to the University of Geneve. It appears that there is no entrance exam...From what I can see, the University accepts all students and then eliminates students after the first year. Is this correct? If so, any rough idea of the stats??

-Much appreciated.

You're right. The entrance exam referred to earlier in this thread is only for the German-speaking schools. The French-language med schools in Switzerland and Belgium emulate the med schools in France and use a first year concours to select their students. They also exclude students who've already used up their attempts at one of the other two countries' concours.

You still have to be allowed to register for the first year, but for you it would be a mere formality. School officials would only need to see that you had at least the same educational attainment as the Swiss Matura holders who automatically get to register for the first year concours. MCAT scores and even your GPA (within reason) simply don't matter.

I'm afraid I don't have any proper stats for you. But the general consensus seems to be that the competition in Swiss med school concours is much less than in France and less than in Belgium. Roughly 8 or 9 in 10 are eliminated in France. And I'll go out on a limb and guess that 2 in 3 (or maybe even only 1 in 2) are eliminated in Switzerland. Neuropathia likely has a better idea than I do.

Given your background, you shouldn't have anything to worry about with the concours at the Université de Genève. If your masters is in something like Chemistry, you'll likely find the concours fairly easy. Just don't slack off because of that.

 

[brightblueeyes]

repeat

 

[Lini007]

Thank you very much for all the information.
I am a Dutch medical student and I thought it wouldn't be a problem to have my degree accepted in Switzerland.

I would most likely want to head to a region such a zurich (German speaking).

I heard that Swiss are quite strict and unfriendly to work with which surprised me as well.

 

[dr_lymphnode]

hello
can any one tell me which school is offering the pathology fellowship..
me from india.. and i completed my MD pathology from india. and now iwanted to do further study perticularly fellowhsiph about one year or sooo in histocytopathology or even transfustion medicion..
can some one help me out.

 

[Cholinergic]

I think you're correct. of course specialty training spots are first givern To Swiss citizens (I think same way as it is in the US?). Still from all specialties general surgery and internal medicine are easier to get in (first of all they have more spotas available and general surgery is not too possible at the moment with Swiss students).

I'm not a Swiss citizens either, but I was offered a training spot after 3 month of an internship there nevertheless.

Siwtzerland has a considerable number of foreign graduates (german>french>italian). Allthough depending on the region you aply in, you can be given a hard time as a foreigner.

Is there maybe a native Swiss citizens here who can give more accurate information?

Neuropathia, how did you obtain your internship?

 

[Neuropathia]

I just applied at a whole bunch of hospitals for a so called UHU (unterassistent) position. They have a waiting list, so I apllied about a year and a half ahead of time. Just send out my cv by email basically.

 

[Lini007]

@ Neuropathia
UHU is for people who are still medical students though right? Not for doctors looking to specialize?
I would like to get into the Zurich area...is it difficult in more urban areas?
Are you enjoying yourself working in Switzerland? Where are you originally from?
Thanks for all the info by he way!

 

[Ioannis]

I have just finished Athens medical school and i would like to specialize in switzerland
I know english and italian
can someone please tell me what are the recuirements to apply for a specialization in gynaicology?

 

[anah]

Hello,

I am the 5th year medical student from Czech Republic, graduating in a year at the university in my country.
I would like to work in Switzerland after obtaining my diploma, and have made already a lot of efforce to get the information about that. I have browsed through forums like this and the official web pages, but this always made me feel confused about all the rules and conditions, that I am lucky to have found this thread.
Is there anybody so nice who could give me basic information about the steps I need to undergo and what is the possibility for me to be able to work there as a doctor? I am quite sceptic after trying to get the summer training ship which turned to be impossible because of the rules and laws...but I have very hard motivation to try it again after the studies if it is ever possible. I have no idea (even if my diploma should be recognized by Switzerland according to the website) if it is just a question of administration or rather dream wish.
I can speak French, English and am starting with German as well and have a 3-month hospital training experience in France.
I would be very grateful for any useful advice.

 

[Dr Balram soni]

hello to all , n now looking for a postgraduation in ortho-surgery or in gyni..but seems getting harder n harder as im serching..wel i have a EU. Medical digree from Romania .
i have cleard my MCI exam as well..but the main problem is that i dont find PG where i can study n work as well so Ple. can any one help me n tel me how to get PG n there procedure in europe or in Switzerland.

 

[rikky purba]

Hi, I'm from Indonesia.
I'm 2nd yr medicine student proper in Philippines.
I just want to know if its possible to continue my study there in europe for training program in surgery field.
If its possible, what is the requirements?
Thnx.
Regards.

 

[shreypete]

Hey rikky purba,
I'm afraid you have to be more specific about where in Europe you want to train. Switzerland for eg. is almost impossible to get into as a non-EU medical grad/non-EU citizen. In fact, it's like this for most of Europe but recently, Sweden, Denmark and Germany are having lots of vacancies so they're accepting more international grads (although they still need to have a very good command of the respective language). France has a fixed system - you take an entrance exam called the ECN and based on the ranking, you get assigned to a residency at a hospital in France. Unfortunately as a non-EU grad, the process is complicated.

For both France and Switzerland, you would have to re-apply to medical school (and take the dreadful concourse in France where only about 30% of the entire group passes) and then you can get some course exemptions and directly go to the 6th year, at the end of which you'll be taking the ECN.

 

[d3d3]

I need help. I´m nearly finishing highschool and I have very good grades, I can´t speak french or german but my english is prety good, my father is working in switzerland for 10 years, and I want to study medicine there (in zurich), I would like to know if that´s possible!!!!

Another question is: May I do 1 or 2 years at my current country and them go to switzerland (I coul learn germam while I was doing my first year) ???

I would really like to know the answer!!!!!!!

 

[slight365]

The answer is no !!!!!!!!!!!! with many exclamation points!!!!!!!! look at the requirements!!!!!!! you have to also know the language first!!!!!!!! they won't give a limited number of study spots away to people who don't even know the language!!!!!!!! especially a very difficult form of German that even native speakers of German can't navigate around!!!!!!!!!!

I mean, just look at the post above yours!!!!!!!!! It doesn't matter how good your english is!!!!!!!!!

 

[hamsterfeet]

I need help. I´m nearly finishing highschool and I have very good grades, I can´t speak french or german but my english is prety good, my father is working in switzerland for 10 years, and I want to study medicine there (in zurich), I would like to know if that´s possible!!!!

Another question is: May I do 1 or 2 years at my current country and them go to switzerland (I coul learn germam while I was doing my first year) ???

I would really like to know the answer!!!!!!!

Well your main problem is not the language, since in school they speak Hoghdeutsch *although everyone will know and will most likely speak their dialect* . You can only get to a Swiss med school if you're Swiss (citizenship) or if you already hold a residency permit. They will not let you in if you don't already have this, is one of their requirements (The schools won't help you to get a student visa either).

Another thing is German is not an easy language (Schweizerdeutsch is even more complicated) , so don't be surprised if it takes you more than a year (in a non-speaking German country) to learn the language.
​

 

[Odeta]

I'm a dentist from Albania,and now i'm doing my Master degree in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in South Korea,i would like to find a specialization program in Oral Surgery in Swiss (as the OMS belongs to medical students there).I have fluent English and Italian (and Korean,but it doesn't count) and no German,which i know is not enough but I'm mostly worried if a non-EU nationalist will find it hard (or impossible) to get a chance in Swiss

 

[Gianma89]

Hi everybody. I come from Italy and I have almost finished my last year in MS. It's 2 years since I have started my internship in Urology, I have a CAE certification for english and I am going to start learning french in a month or two. As you may guess, I am interested in starting a postgraduate course in french-switzerland, expecially Geneve. Do you have any useful suggestions? do you think I can afford the task? I 'd like to achieve a medical diploma in italy and then to move in Switzerland, so I have a little time left to practice french. thank you for your answers