Where Can You Study Medicine in English in Europe? Charles, Semmelweis, Jagiellonian and Karolinska Compared
Short answer: Central European universities such as Semmelweis (Budapest), Charles University (Prague), Masaryk University (Brno) and the Jagiellonian University (Kraków) teach full medical degrees in English for international students, usually for a fee and with an entrance exam in biology and chemistry. Karolinska Institutet in Sweden teaches its medical degree in Swedish, but offers many English-taught master's programmes in biomedicine and public health.
Comparison
| University | City | English-taught medicine? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semmelweis University | Budapest | Yes (also in German) | Hungary's oldest medical school (1769); medicine, dentistry and pharmacy in Hungarian, English and German |
| Charles University | Prague and Plzeň / Hradec Králové | Yes | Five medical faculties; study in Czech is free, English programmes charge tuition |
| Masaryk University | Brno | Yes | Modern Bohunice campus for medicine and life sciences |
| Jagiellonian University | Kraków | Yes | Medical College of Poland's oldest university |
| Karolinska Institutet | Stockholm (Solna) | Medical degree in Swedish | English master's in biomedicine, global health and more; its Nobel Assembly awards the medicine prize |
How entry usually works
- An entrance exam or interview in biology and chemistry (sometimes physics), held online or in exam centres.
- Proof of English (IELTS/TOEFL or the university's own test).
- Secondary school results with science subjects.
Requirements and dates differ by university and change each year, so treat this as a checklist, not a rulebook.
Before you commit: recognition
A European medical degree is recognised across the EU, but if you plan to practise elsewhere (for example in the Gulf, India, Thailand or North America) check your home country's licensing rules and any exams you'll need afterwards. Ask the university about graduate outcomes in your country.
Also consider
Outside Europe, English-taught medicine is offered at RCSI Bahrain and JUST in Jordan.
FAQ
Is English-taught medicine in Europe free?
Generally no. Free routes usually require studying in the local language.
Do I need to learn the local language?
Yes, for clinical years. Universities usually teach the local language so you can talk to patients.
How long is the degree?
Typically six years for general medicine in these systems; check each programme.
Facts checked against listings and official websites, October 2026.
Universities in Hungary
Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE)
Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest traces its origins to 1635, making it Hungary's oldest continuously operating university, with faculties in humanities, sciences, law, informatics and education.
Semmelweis University in Budapest is Hungary's oldest medical school, founded in 1769, offering medicine, dentistry and pharmacy degrees in Hungarian, English and German to a large international student body.
