Medicine and Surgery

The Medicine and Surgery programme at the University of Bologna is a six-year, single-cycle degree that combines bachelor’s and master’s-level education. It is taught entirely in English in Bologna and prepares students to become medical doctors capable of working in an international environment.

Programme structure

The curriculum is integrated and practical, combining basic sciences, clinical sciences, medical humanities, and public health. Students begin clinical clerkships from the first year in affiliated hospitals, including Policlinico Sant’Orsola-Malpighi.

• Years 1–3: Students develop a strong foundation in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology, molecular biology, pathology, and pharmacology. They also receive early clinical exposure and participate in problem-based learning.

• Years 4–5: The programme focuses increasingly on advanced clinical subjects, including internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, as well as other medical specialties. Students also complete elective clinical clerkships.

• Year 6: Students undertake their final clinical rotations, complete the TPV qualifying clerkship required for professional licensing, and work on their thesis.

Students must pass the examinations from earlier years before they can access examinations and clinical clerkships in later years. They are also required to complete the programme’s mandatory and elective clinical training hours.