Study Medicine in Germany, taught in English

About UMCH — Medical Campus Hamburg

UMCH operates as the Hamburg branch of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Târgu Mureș, a Romanian institution with a medical-teaching tradition stretching back to 1945. Establishing a Western European campus allowed the university to bring its established curriculum, faculty network and clinical partnerships into Germany — giving international students access to the same recognised degree, in a new setting and entirely in English.

The university belongs to a broad academic network of 91 international partner institutions, opening doors to exchange semesters and clinical placements across Italy, Austria, Turkey and beyond. This makes UMCH one of the most internationally connected English-language medical schools in continental Europe.

The campus is located in Bahrenfeld, Hamburg's “Science City” — a research-led district surrounded by leading universities, research institutes and biomedical organisations. Few European medical schools sit inside an academic ecosystem of this scale.

Why study medicine at UMCH?

UMCH carries the academic weight of its parent university in Târgu Mureș, an institution that has trained doctors and pharmacists for nearly 80 years. It is one of the very few medical schools in Germany delivering the entire MD programme in English — making it accessible to students who have not learned German.

From the third year onward, students complete clinical rotations across 12 partner teaching hospitals in Germany, including Protestant Hospital Mettmann and St. Josef Hospital Moers. This early, real-world clinical exposure is one of UMCH's biggest advantages over other European programmes.

The university runs a wide range of student clubs covering music, yoga, dance, football, theatre, debate and more — and the Bahrenfeld campus offers state-of-the-art lecture halls, anatomy labs, simulation facilities and study spaces built specifically for medical education.

Admission requirements & application process

The UMCH application process is structured but straightforward — and Medently guides every applicant through it personally. Applicants need a completed school-leaving qualification of 12 years of schooling, such as a high school diploma, A-Levels, IB, Abitur or the equivalent national qualification. No separate English language certificate is required — your English proficiency is assessed directly during the admissions interview that follows the written entrance exam.

All UMCH applicants must pass an online written entrance exam covering Biology, Chemistry and General Knowledge — 25 questions from each subject, 75 in total. The admissions interview takes place after the written exam and evaluates your personal statement, your CV and academic background, your motivation for studying medicine, and your English. Medently provides full preparation materials, mock testing and mock interviews so you walk in prepared, calm and clear about how to present yourself.

Accreditation & degree recognition

UMCH is fully accredited in both Germany and Romania, which means the medical degree it awards is automatically recognised across the European Union, the EEA, the United Kingdom and many countries beyond Europe. The university is also listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) — the global registry maintained by FAIMER and WFME — which makes UMCH graduates eligible to sit the USMLE and pursue medical licensure in the United States and Canada.

The programme uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), which makes transferring credits, taking exchange semesters or moving between European medical institutions straightforward.

Student accommodation in Hamburg

UMCH offers university-affiliated student housing — modern, well-maintained dormitory-style residences with shared kitchens, study areas, common rooms and social spaces, popular with first-year international students who want a built-in community from day one. Students who prefer independence can rent privately across Hamburg, and Medently helps you identify suitable, safe and well-located housing near the Bahrenfeld campus.

The average monthly cost of living for a student in Hamburg is approximately €845, covering rent, utilities, food, transport and leisure — a Western European lifestyle in one of Germany's most desirable cities.

Living in Hamburg as a medical student

Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city, home to 1.8 million people and one of the most connected hubs in Northern Europe — excellent global flight connections, a high quality of life, and one of Europe's most English-friendly cities. It is a major international student city, served by excellent public transport and strong flight links via Hamburg Airport.

The city has a vibrant cultural scene with 60+ theatres, world-class musicals, festivals and live music year-round, plus a buzzing nightlife and food scene across the Reeperbahn, Sternschanze and HafenCity districts. Hamburg's harbour, the Alster lakes and quick weekend escapes to the North Sea and Baltic coasts keep nature close by.

Application deadline & next steps

UMCH operates on a rolling admissions basis, meaning earlier applicants are at a significant advantage as places fill on a first-qualified basis. International students aiming to start in the next academic year should begin their application as early as possible — ideally several months before exam season.

UMCH is one of the strongest English-taught medicine programmes in Germany — a respected European curriculum, extensive clinical training across 12 German teaching hospitals, an internationally recognised degree including USMLE eligibility, and a campus in one of the best cities in Northern Europe. Book a free consultation with Medently today to check your eligibility and start your UMCH Hamburg application.