The top English-taught medical schools in Europe are Pavol Jozef Šafárik University (UPJŠ) in Slovakia, Palacký University Olomouc (UPOL) in the Czech Republic, and UMCH in Hamburg, Germany — followed by established names like Charles University, Jagiellonian, Semmelweis, Masaryk and Riga Stradiņš. The first three offer six-year medicine programs taught entirely in English (UPJŠ and UPOL also run five-year dentistry), lead to EU-accredited MUDr. or MDDr. degrees, and are listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
The top medical schools in Europe taught in English (2026)
This list focuses on established public universities with full accreditation, a long track record of teaching medicine in English, and a realistic path to admission for international students.
1. Pavol Jozef Šafárik University (UPJŠ) — Košice, Slovakia
One of Slovakia's oldest universities, with English-taught General Medicine (6 years) and Dentistry (5-year MDDr). Admission is a single written exam in biology and chemistry — no physics, no interview — and sittings run through the summer, with the next one in Košice on 12 August 2026. Read the full UPJŠ guide or see how the entrance exam works.
2. Palacký University Olomouc (UPOL) — Czech Republic
A top-ranked Czech university founded in 1573, teaching Medicine and Dentistry in English in the student city of Olomouc. The entrance exam is taken online from home, results are shown immediately, and sittings run into early August. Read the full UPOL guide.
3. UMCH — Medical Campus Hamburg, Germany
The Hamburg campus of the University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș — the way to study medicine in Germany entirely in English, with clinical rotations across German teaching hospitals. Admission runs on a rolling basis with an online exam and a short interview. Read the full UMCH guide.
4. Charles University — Prague, Czech Republic
Central Europe's oldest university and the most famous name on this list. Its English General Medicine programmes are excellent but highly competitive, with tougher entrance exams and higher tuition than UPOL — many applicants sit both to keep their options open.
5. Jagiellonian University — Kraków, Poland
Poland's oldest university, with a respected English-language MD programme. Popular with Scandinavian and North American students, though applications typically run through paid agencies and total costs end up higher than in Slovakia or Czechia.
6. Semmelweis University — Budapest, Hungary
A dedicated medical university with a strong research reputation. Note that many international students are first admitted to a preparatory pre-med year, which can stretch the road to the degree beyond the six years advertised.
7. Masaryk University — Brno, Czech Republic
A modern, well-equipped faculty of medicine in the Czech Republic's second city, teaching General Medicine and Dentistry in English with a science-focused entrance exam.
8. Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) — Riga, Latvia
Latvia's leading health-sciences university, where more than a quarter of students are international. English-taught Medicine and Dentistry with a strong reputation in Scandinavia and Germany.
How does admission actually work?
Unlike grade-based systems, most English-taught programmes in Central Europe admit students through an entrance exam in biology and chemistry (sometimes physics or maths). Exams run right through the summer, and you can usually register up to about a week before your sitting — so a decision made in July can still mean starting medical school the same autumn. See all upcoming entrance exam dates.
What should I look for in a European medical university?
Accreditation comes first. Confirm the university is in the World Directory of Medical Schools and that its degree is recognised by the GMC, Helsedirektoratet, or whichever board governs your home country. After that, compare entrance exam format, tuition, living costs, and how early you get hands-on clinical exposure.
Why Central Europe wins on value
Programs at UPJŠ and UPOL deliver the same EU-standardised curriculum as Western European faculties, but at half the combined tuition plus living cost. You graduate with the exact same legal right to practise across the EU, UK, and beyond.
How do I apply?
The Medently advisory is 100% free. We help you shortlist universities, prep for the entrance exam with our UPJŠ flashcards, and handle apostille and translation. You can also ask Medently AI any specific question 24/7.
Every Medently student gets free entrance-exam flashcards, document handling, and direct chat with current students at UPJŠ, UPOL, and UMCH. No fees, no hidden costs.
Ready to apply to medicine or dentistry in Europe?
Talk to active students. 100% free advisory from Medently.
