Study Medicine in Germany: No GPA Cut-Off, from 62,880 €

Admission without GPA requirements: how to apply

At private medical schools, you study in small groups – with early patient contact from the first semester.

At public universities, medical school places are allocated via Hochschulstart: 30% by Abitur grade, 10% via the Additional Suitability Quota (ZEQ) and 60% via university selection procedures (AdH). The required GPA is typically 1.0–1.2.

At private medical schools, there is no GPA requirement. Instead, admission is based on:

• Motivation and personality: Structured interview or assessment centre (all providers).
• Science aptitude: Some schools require aptitude tests similar to the HAM-NAT (e.g. MSH, MSB).
• Healthcare experience: Nursing internships, voluntary social year (FSJ/BFD) or vocational training in healthcare are valued.
• Secondary school grades: Relevant but not the sole criterion. Students with a GPA of 2.0–3.0 (equivalent to B/C grades) have realistic chances.

Language requirements: All Staatsexamen programmes (human medicine, dentistry) are taught in German. You need C1-level German proficiency. There are currently no English-taught Staatsexamen programmes at private medical schools in Germany. Some Physician Assistance and health sciences programmes offer individual English-language modules.

Human medicine vs. Physician Assistance: which path fits?

Physician Assistance and other bachelor programmes

Beyond Physician Assistance, the medicine category includes bachelor programmes in medical informatics, biomedical sciences, emergency sciences, medical technology and more.

Master programmes: specialisation and advanced training

Master programmes in medicine range from Medical Education and Physician Assistant (from 386 €/month) to Digital Health, Pharmaceutical Medicine and highly specialised programmes such as Implantology and Orthodontics. Many are designed for working professionals.

Career prospects and salary for physicians in Germany

Physician salaries in Germany follow the TV-Ärzte/VKA collective agreement (estimated 2026):

All amounts are gross per month. Physicians in private practice earn an average of 180,000–220,000 € gross per year, depending on specialisation and practice type.

Return on investment: Even at entry level, a resident physician earns approximately 1,400 € more per month than the average German graduate. Tuition of 62,880 € (Witten/Herdecke) pays for itself in under 4 years. Over a 10-year career on entry-level salary alone, the earnings advantage exceeds 168,000 € gross.

Practical information for international students

• Language: All Staatsexamen programmes (human medicine, dentistry) are taught in German (C1 level required). There are no English-taught Staatsexamen programmes at private medical schools in Germany.
• Student visa: Non-EU citizens need a student visa. You must demonstrate sufficient funds – currently around 11,904 € per year in a blocked account (Sperrkonto).
• Credential recognition: Check whether your school-leaving certificate is recognised via anabin.kmk.org.
• Approbation: The Staatsexamen leads to the German Approbation (medical licence), which is recognised throughout the EU. For practice outside the EU, additional licensing steps may apply.
• Alternative for English speakers: If you prefer studying in English, consider the UMCH (cooperation with Victor Babes University, taught in English in Hamburg) or medical programmes in other European countries.

Frequently asked questions about studying medicine privately in Germany

• Can I study medicine in Germany without a top GPA? Yes. All private medical schools in Germany have open admission – no Numerus Clausus. Selection is based on motivation, aptitude tests and healthcare experience.
• How much does a private medical degree cost? Human medicine (Staatsexamen) costs 62,880–125,000 € total. Physician Assistance ranges from 17,640 to 30,000 €. Health sciences programmes start at around 250 €/month.
• Is a degree from a private medical school recognised? Yes. All listed universities are state-recognised and accredited. The Staatsexamen is identical to public universities – you receive the same Approbation (medical licence).
• Can I study medicine in English in Germany? Staatsexamen programmes at private medical schools are taught in German (C1 required). For English-taught options, consider the UMCH in Hamburg or programmes in other EU countries.
• Is it worth the investment? Yes. Resident physicians earn approximately 5,200 €/month gross from day one. Tuition costs pay for themselves within 3–8 years, and lifetime earnings as a physician far exceed most other professions.

Related programmes at private universities

• Health Management: Business administration for the healthcare sector – ideal for leadership roles in hospitals and clinics.
• Nursing: Academic nursing programmes for leadership and teaching positions.
• Psychology: From clinical psychology to organisational psychology – a foundation for therapeutic and consulting careers.
• Physiotherapy: Academic physiotherapy with research focus – for careers beyond the clinic.

View the German-language programmes at Medizin.