Applying to Study Medicine in Europe in 2025

Here are the best medical schools in Europe as ranked by the Times Higher Education Rankings 2025, and some key considerations for each of them.

• Karolinska Institute, Sweden: Situated right next to Stockholm and with an associated research & teaching hospital, the Karolinska Institute is one of the planet’s leading medical schools. However, with an acceptance rate of just 3.9%, it is notoriously difficult to get into.

• Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany: Boasting over 3,700 working medical researchers, Charité is an excellent choice for candidates with a particular interest in medical research.

• Heidelberg University, Germany: Heidelberg University is a favourite amongst international applicants. Not only is it home to students from over 130 countries, but it also has a 73% acceptance rate which makes it a great choice if you missed out on a spot in a UK medical school. It is one of the easier medical schools to get into in Europe.

• LMU Munich, Germany: The third German institution on our list, LMU Munich is another school that is great for research - their Research Services have a reputation for helping researchers throughout every stage of the process.

• ETH Zurich, Switzerland: With its medical school having opened just a few years ago, this world-renowned university has climbed the rankings quickly thanks to its modern, fresh facilities and teaching style.

• KU Leuven, Belgium: KU Leuven prides itself on its expert teaching in a variety of fields, from Medicine to Bioethics and Deglutology.

• Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands: EUR is a world-class university that offers a fantastic pre-med programme to prepare you for their postgraduate medical education.

• Sorbonne University, France: Not only is this one of the best universities in Europe for Medicine, but it also accepts all candidates who meet their minimum requirements! The lack of uncertainty can make this an excellent choice of school for those looking to minimise stress in the application process.

• Maastricht University, Netherlands: This medical school is a favourite amongst students keen to learn via a curriculum heavy on problem-based learning. Their interactive classes help to build scientific understanding and problem-solving skills.

• University of Paris, France: Spread over 20 campuses and research sites, students studying here will have the perfect opportunity to explore Paris and embed themselves in French life.

This is only an introduction, however - there are plenty more excellent medical schools in Europe, such as the University of Malta Medical School and some medical schools in Bulgaria such as Sofia Medical University.

👉🏼 Read more: UK Medical School Fees For International Students Compared (2025 Updates)