Thriving Berlin Offers Ample Opportunities for Aspiring Medical Students
The distribution of medical study places across German federal states for the winter semester 2024/25 has been revealed, shedding light on the varying numbers of places offered per capita.
According to the data, Hesse offers 18 medical study places per 100,000 inhabitants, with Hamburg following closely behind with 19. Saarland leads the way with 29 medical study places per 100,000 inhabitants. However, Bremen and Brandenburg do not offer any medical study places at their state universities for the winter semester 2024/25.
The reasons behind these differences can be attributed to several factors. State-specific education systems, admission quotas, and selection procedures for medical faculties play a significant role in the allocation of study places. Differences in Abitur (university entrance qualification) grading standards across states lead to varying admission thresholds (Numerus Clausus, NC) per federal state. Furthermore, admissions combine several quotas including the best Abitur scores within each state, additional suitability assessments, and university-specific criteria, ensuring that places are not distributed evenly but reflect both local education policies and university selection rules.
The presence of university hospitals and medical faculties in certain states, such as Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and others, further impacts the number of study places available. These cities serve as training centers and research hubs in human medicine, attracting study places and medical professionals. Regional healthcare infrastructure and funding policies also affect where teaching hospitals are located and how resources for medical education are allocated.
Regarding the annual running costs per person in human medicine/health sciences, precise figures specifically for Germany were not provided. However, it is known that university hospitals and medical faculties generally incur high costs due to research activities, sophisticated clinical care, and training requirements. Operating budgets per student or patient typically include personnel, infrastructure, research, and pharmaceutical expenses, which vary by institution and region.
Looking ahead to the winter semester 2026/27, the Medical University of Lusatia is expected to train the first medical students in Brandenburg. Saxony-Anhalt offers 19 medical study places per 100,000 inhabitants, while Mecklenburg-Vorpommern offers 26. Unfortunately, no information about the number of medical study places offered in other federal states for the winter semester 2026/27 has been provided.
It's worth noting that medical studies are one of the most popular subjects among prospective students in Germany, but they are also particularly difficult to secure a place in. In the academic year 2024, around 20,000 applicants were unsuccessful in securing a medical study place for the winter semester 2024/25.
In conclusion, the distribution of medical study places in Germany is influenced by a variety of factors, including state-specific education systems, admission quotas, and selection procedures. The presence of university hospitals and medical faculties, regional healthcare infrastructure and funding policies also play a significant role in determining the number of study places available. As the demand for medical professionals continues to grow, it is expected that more federal states will increase their offerings in the coming years.
