NC Medicine

Competition for a place on a medical degree programme is extremely high. With two exceptions, the NC for all federal states is 1.0, meaning that despite opportunities to improve their own NC rate and the additional criteria, many applicants have no realistic chance of gaining a place. 

Going abroad is therefore a sensible alternative for many applicants who do not want to give up their dream of studying medicine and do not want to have to wait for years.

How high is the numerus clausus for medicine?

The Numerus Clausus (NC) for the study of medicine has been consistently high in recent years and is close to 1.0. Since the A-level grades of the various federal states are relevant for the allocation of places, the NC that applies to you depends on the federal state in which you obtained your university entrance qualification. 

In the current NC for the winter semester 2023/24, only Schleswig-Holstein (1.1) and Lower Saxony (1.2) were an exception. Anyone who completed their Abitur in Rhineland-Palatinate, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Baden-Württemberg or another federal state must fulfil a numerus clausus of 1.0.

Study places are not allocated solely on the basis of A-level grades

To get one of the coveted places to study medicine - whether Humanmedizin, Zahnmedizin or Tiermedizin - and Medizin zu studierenThe Abitur grade is not the only thing that counts. Although it remains a central criterion, the selection process in Germany is much more complex and differentiated than many initially assume.

The award procedure is based on three central components:

1. Best Abitur quota (30 %)

2. Zusätzliche Eignungsquote (10 %)

3. University's own selection procedure (60 %)

This system creates more equal opportunities and takes into account personal aptitude, motivation and practical experience in addition to academic performance.

The Abitur quota

Around 30 % of the study places are allocated via the Abiturbestenquote awarded. Your school-leaving certificate is not compared with those of other applicants from your federal state nationwide, but rather within your state. The background to this is that the school system is organised differently in each federal state - which is why the NC values are initially assessed regionally.

Only then are the state rankings included in an overall nationwide list. In this way, top school leavers from all regions of Germany have a fair chance of gaining a place at university.

The additional suitability quota

If your Abitur average is not sufficient for the best quota, you can still apply for the so-called additional aptitude quota. Study medicine. Various extracurricular achievements and skills are assessed here. The following criteria play a role:

• TMS (Test for medical degree programmes)
  - A fee-based study aptitude test that can only improve your chances. Poor results do not have a negative impact.

• Completed vocational training or relevant professional experience
  - Especially in the medical field, e.g. as a paramedic*in, Nurse or dental assistant.

• Further qualifications
  - Involvement in voluntary work, social year, federal voluntary service or similar.

A total of 10 % of medical study places are allocated via this quota - a real opportunity for applicants whose grade point average is below the regular NC.

The universities' internal selection procedures

The majority of study places - 60 % - are allocated directly by the universities. This depends on the individual selection strategy of the respective university. In addition to academic performance, the following factors can be decisive:

• Personal letter of motivation

• Results of the university's own test

• Social commitment or voluntary work

• Possible invitation to a selection interview

The aim is to select not only according to grades, but also specifically according to aptitude, personality and motivation. Nevertheless, the process remains highly competitive - on average, there are five applicants for every study place.

Targeted preparation for entrance tests for medical universities

Whether it's the TMS, a university selection test in Germany or an entrance exam at a university abroad - systematic and targeted preparation for such tests is crucial to maximise your chances of gaining a place at university.

The selection procedures for medical degree programmes are competitive. Those who familiarise themselves with the respective test format, requirements and typical tasks at an early stage can train in a targeted manner and gain the necessary confidence for the day of the exam.

Why preparation pays off:

• You will find out at an early stage what test content and types of tasks await you

• You can build on your strengths and work on your weaknesses

• You reduce stress and uncertainty on test day

• Your results are proven to improve through targeted training

• You position yourself better within the selection limits for admission

We will support you:

To prepare you in the best possible way, we provide you with:

• A structured training platform is available

• Access to a large number of educational videos and interactive content

• Current information on the test requirements

• Support in the selection and planning of suitable preparatory steps

Our aim is to ensure that you fulfil the required quota and get a safe start to your medical studies - whether in Germany or for your Studying medicine abroad.

The Rural Physicians Act as an alternative route to studying medicine

For applicants with a strong interest in medicine, but who do not achieve the required NC, the Landarztgesetz (state doctor law) offers an attractive alternative in several federal states. It allows access to medical studies regardless of A-level grades, but with a mandatory professional commitment.

What is the Rural Physicians Act?

The law is intended to secure GP care in rural regions. To this end, certain medical study places are awarded to applicants who sign a contract:

• to complete specialist training in general medicine after graduation

• subsequently work for 10 years as a general practitioner for patients with statutory health insurance

• practise in a defined underserved area of their federal state

In return, you will be given preferential consideration in the allocation of study places - regardless of your average grade in the Abitur.

Important to know:

• Participation is voluntary, but with a binding contract

• A breach of contract can result in a contractual penalty of up to 250,000 euros

• The obligation relates to the location, duration and specialisation of your future job

In which federal states does the Landarztgesetz apply?

The State Physicians Act now applies in 9 federal states, after North Rhine-Westphalia introduced it for the first time in the 2019/20 winter semester. The following list shows you whether your federal state is included:

• Baden-Württemberg

• Hesse

• Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

• Lower Saxony

• North Rhine-Westphalia

• Rhineland-Palatinate

• Saxony

• Saxony-Anhalt

• Thuringia

In Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Saarland and Schleswig-Holstein, it is unfortunately not yet possible to improve the chances of admission to the medicine degree programme in this way.

NC quota not met? Alternatives to studying medicine

As this article shows, places at universities are scarce and demand is high. If your A-level average is not sufficient for the required numerus clausus (NC) for medicine, other specialisations may offer exciting prospects in the healthcare sector.

However, the pharmacy and dentistry degree programmes are only a limited alternative, as they also have a high NC. Bachelor's degree programmes with specialisations such as biomedicine or emergency services can be a good option, however. 

It may then be possible to go on to study medicine after completing your degree, as the specialised knowledge acquired during your first degree makes it easier to gain admission.

Studying medicine abroad as an alternative

If your A-levels are not good enough to study medicine in Germany, your dream of becoming a doctor doesn't have to end. Many prospective doctors choose to study at a foreign university - and successfully so.

Why studying medicine abroad can make sense:

• Many European universities have different admission criteria to those in Germany

• Often there is no numerus clausus, but alternative selection procedures

• Medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy are taught in English or bilingually at many universities

• Qualifications from EU countries are generally recognised in Germany

What counts instead of NC? Admission criteria abroad

Even if the NC does not play a role there, it does not mean that everyone who is interested in these degree programmes is automatically accepted by the university. Foreign universities often assess their applicants on the basis of other criteria:

• Letter of motivation or personal application

• Aptitude tests in natural sciences or English

• Previous education or practical experience

• Partly also selection according to the "first come, first served" principle

You should also note that there are tuition fees, which can vary greatly depending on the country and university. You can also find more information here.

Important points when deciding to study medicine abroad

Before you decide to study abroad, you should consider the following aspects:

• Organisation of the move: accommodation, visa (if outside the EU), health insurance

• Language: Even with a good language level, studying in a foreign language can be challenging

• Integration: contact with fellow students, cultural conversion

• Language of instruction: If you cannot find a full degree programme in German, choose a university that offers courses in English

We support you in finding the right programme, guide you through the application process and ensure that you start the semester as well prepared as possible.

Will my study abroad programme be recognised in Germany?

The high NC Medicine has prompted you to decide in favour of studying at a university abroad? Then you need to find out in advance whether and under what conditions your degree will be recognised in Germany. At the universities we recommend in other EU countries, the result of your final examination is generally equivalent to the German state examination.

Improving NC through training: opportunities and limits

For many applicants with an A-level average of between 2.0 and 2.5, the path to studying medicine initially seems blocked. One option to increase the chances of admission is to complete a medical vocational training programme. However, this route is not suitable for everyone - and it brings clear Vorteile and disadvantages.

Which training programmes help with NC improvement?

If you successfully complete training in the medical field, you can receive additional points in the application process via the aptitude quota. These are particularly recognised:

• Healthcare and nursing staff

• Dental assistant

• Paramedic

Depending on the university, these qualifications can help you to significantly improve your chances. However, training is not necessary if your average grade is 1.0 - 1.4 anyway. It usually becomes interesting from a grade point average of around 2.0 upwards.

Improve NC through training: The 3 biggest disadvantages

Before you decide in favour of this route, you should honestly weigh up the following points:

1. Loss of time

Medical training usually takes three years. If you then add the 6-year medical degree programme and the 5-6 years of specialist training, you end up with a total of 14-15 years before you are fully employed. That's a very long training programme - especially compared to going straight into medical school.

2. Shorter working years = financial losses

Any training before studying medicine shortens your potential working life as a doctor. With an average specialist salary of 80,000 euros per year, you will already lose 240,000 euros in gross income in three years - without the possible salary jumps as a senior physician or head physician.

If you are only doing the training to improve your chances of admission, it may even make more financial sense to invest directly in a private or foreign degree programme instead.

3. High work and study load

Medical training is intensive and demanding. You are under a lot of physical and mental strain, work in shifts, have to learn and assert yourself in everyday clinical practice. Anyone who then has the stamina to complete a long medical degree programme deserves great respect - but the road is tough.

Conclusion: NC Medicine

The NC for medicine is extremely high in Germany and is 1.0 in most federal states. Even if there are alternative selection procedures such as the aptitude quota or the university's own selection procedure, the chances remain limited for many applicants. But those who are flexible have options: Studying medicine abroad, the State Medical Practitioners Act or targeted preparation for aptitude tests can still enable access. Previous professional experience or training can also be helpful - but they bring with them time and financial challenges. It is crucial that you know your path, assess it realistically - and follow it consistently.