A full state-examination medical program at Saarland University's dedicated medical campus in Homburg, combining a rigorous preclinical science foundation with broad clinical rotations across 26 specialised departments — and the option for students to participate in internationally connected research groups during their studies.
The Medicine program at Saarland University's Medical Faculty is a full state-examination degree leading to qualification as a physician. It is taught entirely at the dedicated medical campus in Homburg, which hosts both the university hospital and the full range of preclinical and clinical departments under one roof.
**Preclinical foundation (semesters 1–4)** builds systematic scientific knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, biochemistry and molecular biology, physiology, and medical psychology and sociology. These first four semesters culminate in the First State Examination (*Physikum*), which must be passed before the clinical phase begins. Alongside the sciences, students complete an introductory course in clinical medicine and a career exploration placement, and choose an elective from the start.
**Clinical phase (semesters 5–11)** covers the full spectrum of medical specialities required by German national medical education regulations: internal medicine, surgery, general practice, anaesthesiology, occupational and social medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, obstetrics and gynaecology, ENT, human genetics, microbiology and virology, paediatrics, clinical chemistry, neurology, orthopaedics, pathology, pharmacology and toxicology, psychiatry and psychotherapy, psychosomatic medicine, forensic medicine, and urology. Cross-cutting thematic modules integrate epidemiology, biostatistics and medical informatics, history and ethics of medicine, health economics, infectious diseases and immunology, geriatric medicine, emergency medicine, environmental medicine, palliative care, and pain medicine.
**Practical Year (semester 12)** consists of three clinical blocks of 16 weeks each: one in internal medicine, one in surgery, and one elective speciality chosen by the student. This full-time hospital placement provides hands-on patient care experience before the Second State Examination.
Beyond the structured curriculum, the Medical Faculty offers students the possibility to join internationally recognised research groups and contribute to active research projects — an opportunity available already during the undergraduate years, supported by 51 professorships in clinical medicine across 26 specialisations and 27 professorships in theoretical medicine across 9 specialisations.
