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Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin

Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin

Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin

Introduction

Located in the beautiful port city Szczecin (Stettin), PUM is home to 666,000 undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students across 12 major disciplines in allied health sciences, dentistry, and medicine. The students come from all over the world.
International students can choose to study medicine or dentistry in English.

As Poland’s one of the oldest universities, with its long traditions and diversity of disciplines, PUM embraces its mission to contribute to the vast medical field through world-class research and innovation.

PUM academics are research-active and many are renowned experts in their fields. They’re engaged in cutting-edge research on human genomics, well-being, diseases, and ground-breaking therapies, to name a few.

University Accreditation

Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, as a state university, is fully compliant with national strict norms, standards, and requirements in higher education. The university’s activities are externally assessed at least once every 5 years by The Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA).

The Polish Accreditation Committee is a full member of:

  • Central and East European Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (CEENQA) – since January 2002
  • European Consortium for Accreditation (ECA) – since December 2005
  • International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) – since May 2007
  • European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) - since January 2009

PKA also signed bilateral agreements with:

  • ANECA (Spain)
  • NVAO (Netherlands)
  • ÖAR (Austria)
  • ANQA (Armenia)
  • SKVC (Lithuania)
  • FIBAA (Germany)
  • NEAA (Bulgaria)
  • CSR (Slovakia)
  • AQAS (Germany)

In 2012, the U.S. National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA), conducted a review that confirmed that standards and processes used to accredit medical schools in Poland are comparable to those used to accredit medical schools in the U.S. That decision was validated in 2021, as an outcome of the subsequent evaluation procedure.

Programs for International Students

English Program

Candidates who do not speak Polish can apply to study one of the three programs taught entirely in English:

  • 6-year degree in Medicine
  • 5-year degree in Dentistry

Asklepios Program

German citizens who speak fluent English can pursue a 6-year MD degree taught in English and German language.

Asklepios Program is run in association with Asklepios Klinikum Uckermark GmbH in Schwedt. Students of this program train in hospitals in Schwedt/Pasewalk during their fourth, fifth, and sixth years of studies. PUM strives to expand the cooperation shortly and add hospitals in Brandenburg/Havel and Lübben/Teupitz to the list.

The Plan of Studies includes additional courses taught in German and by German tutors

Certified/True copies

Certified copies mean that the photocopies you submit are true to the original. We accept certified copies made by:

  • Notary Public
  • Diplomatic mission officer (consulate, embassy)
  • Court
  • Lawyer or barrister
  • Other legal institutions authorized to certify public documents

We do not accept copies certified by:

  • School, college, or university
  • Bank
  • Post office
  • Other public institutions not authorized to certify public documents

Before you begin your studies

Arriving in Szczecin

You can reach Szczecin by sea, land, or air. By air:

You can fly to Szczecin-Goleniów airport or any Berlin airport. From there, you can get to Szczecin with various bus companies:

  • Berlinia Interglobus • FlixBus • PKS By sea:

The closest port cities are Świnoujście and Kołobrzeg. If you’re coming from a Scandinavian country, you can take a ferry to any of these cities, and then take a direct train to Szczecin.

Getting around Szczecin

Szczecin has very good public transport. You can move around with buses, trams, or taxis. Rental bikes and scooters are also available.

Orientation Days and Pre-Courses

All prospective 1st-year students take part in online preparatory courses that normally take place in September. The main aim of the courses is to refresh student's knowledge in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, and to teach some survival Polish.

Dormitory

Each prospective student can stay at PUM dorms during the Summer (until mid-September at the latest) to take part in the Orientation Days. You will be charged for each night you spend in the dorms.

Epidemiological tests

As a prospective student of medicine or dentistry, you must complete epidemiological examinations (salmonella shigella stool test).

The examination consists of:

  • a visit to a GP
  • delivering stool samples to the Sanitary-Epidemiological Station (one sample per day for three consecutive days)

You will receive from the Dean’s Office staff all the necessary documents, i.e., epidemiology booklet, referrals, and examination schedule.

Living expenses

Housing

Prices depend on location, apartment size, and apartment standard. Before you move in, be sure that the landlord hands you a contract in English - read it carefully! Also, do check what’s included in your rent.

Accommodation

Avg. Price Range

1 bedroom (city center)

1700 - 2000 PLN

1 bedroom (outside center)

1500 - 1900 PLN

2-bedroom (city center)

2300 - 2900 PLN

2-bedroom (outside center)

2100 - 2800 PLN

3-bedroom (city center)

2900 - 4200 PLN

3-bedroom (outside center)

3100 - 3500 PLN

Food

There are several chain store brands present in Szczecin that sell quality and affordable groceries (Biedronka, Netto, Lidl, Kaufland, ABC, Groszek, Lewiatan, Carrefour, Stokrotka, Tesco, Żabka, Odido).

There are also regular markets where you can get fresh vegetables or meat directly from the farmers.

Utilities & Other expenses

Public transport in Szczecin (buses and trams)

Apart from single tickets, you can buy periodical tickets which allow you to travel by buses and trams as often as you want within a set period:

  • For 1 month For 3 months • For 1 semester Current prices: ZDiTM website

Staying safe

The most common crime is petty theft so carry only what you need and keep your valuables in a safe place.

  • Avoid leaving your backpack, computer, purse, suitcase, or wallet unattended in public
  • Keep your doors and windows locked or secured, especially when you are
  • Get to know your neighbors so you can ask them for help (should you ever need it).

Seeing a doctor

Students of PUM are not health-insured by the university. That's why you need to have proper insurance valid in Poland (arranged in your home country or purchased in Poland). PUM students may see the general practitioner (GP) in the outpatient clinic (located in the same building as the Dean’s Office). GPs will help you when you do not feel well or need a referral to a specialist.

If you experience a health emergency, you should go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. Be aware that waiting times at the hospital can be several hours.

In Poland, some medication is available “over the counter” at pharmacies (not covered by health insurance). Others will require a prescription from your GP.

To see a doctor, you’ll need to make an appointment at the registration counter. During your visit, make sure that you have your health insurance card or documents with you, as well as your passport or national ID.

Types of courses, exams, and teaching approaches

Lectures

Lectures usually range from 45 to 90 minutes and may involve up to 150 students. This type of course is fairly formal. Although professors may have different expectations, it is generally acceptable to, for example, have a beverage on the desk.

During longer lectures, you are allowed to leave the classroom for washroom breaks without asking for permission. If you arrive late, take a seat as quietly and quickly as possible without disrupting the class. When you have to leave before the lecture finishes, let your tutor know before class begins.

Whenever you’re in doubt about the accepted classroom etiquette, ask your tutor/professor during their office hours.

Seminars/Tutorials

Seminars provide an opportunity for discussion in smaller groups. You will usually be expected to participate in these group discussions. In some cases, you will be graded for your active participation and presentations.

Labs

Preclinical subjects are taught at the laboratory (lab), which includes hands-on practice (in addition to lectures or tutorials). Labs are conducted in small groups under the supervision of a tutor. In some courses, you must pass the lab to get the grade or credit. Labs and tutorials are usually mandatory. In some cases, you will receive a grade for active participation.

Problem-based learning (PBL) classes

The PBL approach applies to clinical courses. In a PBL class, rather than listening to a lecture, you will solve problems that you may face in real-life situations. Students mainly deal with real patients' cases. Most of the time, you will work in small groups under the general guidance of your tutor.

Online lectures (LMS Moodle e-learning)

Some courses will be streamed online so that the students can safely continue their studies without the need to sit in a classroom.

CET (Center for Theoretical Exams / University Examination Center)

CET is an interfaculty unit where students can sit their test-based exams fully online. They can do it on-site or remotely at home. The rules for performing exams on-site and from home are different. The center can accommodate 67 students at once.

Statistics

PUM took 671st place (out of 1306 places) in CWTS Leiden Ranking Open Edition 2023 in the Biomedical and health sciences. PUM took 12th place in the 24th Ranking of Universities 2023 prepared by PERSPEKTYWY Education Foundation (approved by IREG) including 1st place for Scientific effectiveness and 3rd place for Scientific potential.

    Admissions

    Recognition of Professional Qualifications: Directive 2005/36/EC

    Directive 2005/36/EC addresses professionals who are fully qualified to practice a profession in one Member State (i.e. who have completed the required training for access to the profession in that country, which for some professions may include both theoretical and practical training) and who wish to practice the same profession or professional activities in another Member State.

    Directive 2005/36/EC applies to EU nationals and nationals of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland (based on an international EU-Swiss agreement).

    How does this Directive apply to PUM?

    The education and training of future professionals at Pomeranian Medical University adhere to the requirements set in Article 34 of the said Directive.

    PUM graduates can:

    • Apply to third-cycle studies (doctoral/PhD).
    • Take the Physicians Final Examination or the Dentists Final Examination (Lekarski Egzamin Końcowy or Lekarsko-Dentystyczny Egzamin Końcowy). Both Exams are available in Polish and English languages.
    • Start the internship and exercise their profession outside their home country or the country they received their education from.

    What can I study at PUM?

    You can apply to study the following majors in the English language: In the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry:

    • 6-year MD English Program
    • 6-year MD Asklepios Program
    • 5-year DMD English Program

    In the Faculty of Health Sciences:

    • 3-year BSN English Program

    Who can apply?

    We welcome home and international candidates who speak fluent English (min. B2) and who meet our educational criteria. That means they studied at least two out of four basic sciences in their secondary school. These are:

    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Physics
    • Mathematics

    Candidates who completed a single subject being a combination of basic sciences, such as:

    • (Natural) Science
    • Science: Double Award

    – are not eligible to apply.

    In this case, we strongly recommend the BMAT exam to change this status.

    • You must prove that you completed at least one of these courses on an advanced level (i.e., 2 school years/4 semesters).
    • The other course may be taught on a standard level (i.e., 1 school year/2 semester).
    • You received positive (non-failing) numerical final grades in both of these courses (“pass” or “credit” are not considered as grades).
    • Your NC (Numerus Clausus)* on your Abitur is not lower than 2.7

    How can I apply?

    The admission is divided into two Steps. Both of them have separate deadlines and requirements, so let’s go through each step… step-by-step!

    Step 1: Apply online

    During Step 1, you submit your electronic application and wait for the decision of the Recruitment Committee.

    The deadlines for each Program are as follows:

    • English Program (medicine, dentistry) - the recruitment period usually runs from June until the Exact dates are published on the website each year.

    What is an eligibility declaration and how can I get it?

    An eligibility declaration is a statement proving that the secondary school leaving certificate you were awarded upon completion of your secondary education enables you to pursue higher education at any type of college or university in the country where your diploma was issued.

    If your school-leaving certificate was issued by a non-EU or non-OECD country, then you need to submit an eligibility declaration.

    You can download the blank form from the Admissions Office website.

    You can ask the following authorities to sign the declaration for you:

    • the Education Office (Office that supervises pre-university education in a given country)
    • the Ministry of Education of the country that has issued you your school leaving certificate

    What language proficiency certificates do you accept and why do I need them?

    All our programs (including Asklepios Program) are taught in English. We expect our prospective students to prove that their English language skills are at least on level B2 (or higher).

    When you submit your complete online application, the Admissions Office staff will add grades to the system based on the documents you uploaded. Then, the system will calculate the grade average from the two courses we require (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics).

    The rank list is dynamic. It means that one day you may be on position #12 and the next day drop to #65, and a few days later to #97, and so on.

    Why is that? As long as the registration period is open, other candidates will keep on submitting their applications that might be stronger or weaker than yours. If their average is higher than yours, then, naturally, your position will drop.

    It also works the other way around. If candidates resign, your application will go up.

    You may monitor your rank position anytime you want by logging into your count. Since there is a definite number of students we can accept to our programs, you can guesstimate your chances of being admitted.

    Why study at Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin

    Four Reasons to Study Medicine in Poland

    It boasts state-of-the-art facilities

    In May of 2013, a Polish surgical team became the first to accomplish the previously unthinkable: a groundbreaking, life-saving, full-face transplant. Not only was the surgery, during which the 33-year-old patient received a skin-and-bone transplant after losing his nose, upper jaw, and cheeks in an accident, but it was also the world’s quickest time frame for such a complicated operation. “Face transplants are extraordinarily complicated, relatively rare procedures that usually require extensive preparation, typically months or years,” said The Daily Mail. At the forefront of this and many other medical fields, thanks to its cutting-edge facilities and expert staff? Poland.

    If you speak English, you’re all set.

    Worried because you don’t speak Polish? Don’t be. All of Poland’s medical schools offer studies in English across specialty fields including pharmacy, nursing, and physiotherapy.

    You’ll be in excellent company.

    International students make up 8.58 percent of the total student body of Poland’s medical universities with students from Norway, Sweden, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Canada topping the list of sending countries. As part of the Bologna process, Polish universities grant degrees recognized throughout Europe and accredited by many of the globe’s most reputable institutions. Poland also cooperates with universities all over the globe. The takeaway? Not only will you have the opportunity to study alongside a diverse student body, but you’ll also have the chance to broaden your network and make connections -- not just in Poland but all over the world.

    You’ll spend less on top quality.

    According to the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), the average cost of one year of public medical school, including tuition, fees, and health insurance, in the US was $34,592 in-state and $58,668 out-of-state in the 2016-2017 academic year. Private school tuition and fees, meanwhile, soared above $50,000. These figures don’t include charges incurred outside of the university, such as housing, books, and food. The cost of a medical degree is significantly lower in Poland, according to figures from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education: Full-time studies at public schools are free for Polish students as well as international students who fulfill certain requirements, including citizens of the EU/EEA. Other international students will still score a bargain -- paying just EUR 3,000 (approximately USD 3,200) annually for studies. Not only that, but they also enjoy a significantly lower cost of living compared to in the US and throughout much of Europe.

    Campus Life & Facilities

    The Main Library of the University has permanent (free for students) access to Internet databases such as MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, UpToDate; ERIC, Science Direct; Cochrane Collection; ProQuest Science and Technology; ProQuest Medical Library; EndNote Web; EBSCO; McGraw-Hill; MedTube; etc.

    The University cooperates with many other medical schools, hospitals, and clinics in Europe. A student having high grades may enter the ERASMUS program. PMU has signed the agreement with the Universities in Germany, France, Italy and Spain. This results in possibilities of practical training and scientific exchange for the teaching staff as well as for the students.

    The Main Library of the University has permanent (free for students) access to the Internet databases such as MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Science Direct, Wiley online Library, UpToDate; ERIC, Science Direct; Cochrane Collection; ProQuest Science and Technology; ProQuest Medical Library; EndNote Web; EBSCO; McGraw-Hill; MedTube; etc.

    The University cooperates with many other medical schools, hospitals, and clinics in Europe. A student having high grades may enter the ERASMUS program. PMU has signed the agreement with the Universities in Germany, France, Italy and Spain. This results in possibilities of practical training and scientific exchange for the teaching staff as well as for the students.

    The students find that Szczecin is a lively city with a wide range of social, cultural, and recreational facilities available in the region. By studying in Szczecin one gets the additional benefit of learning about a new culture. Naturally, medical studies take up much of the student's everyday life, but Szczecin can provide a broad spectrum of activities to do in your spare time. Activities range from golf, football, and sports gyms to bowling, pool, and pub crawling. The city has a wide cultural life with its own philharmonic orchestra, opera, art galleries, clubs, etc.

    From time to time, the weather can be grim and one can get nostalgic or a bit sad and it is only natural to want to hide under the blanket with a good book or movie students of PUM get into the habit of searching for a superior place to meet friends, relax or just sip of a cup of hot coffee. Szczecin has plenty of such places.

    Given the fact that English Program students are from various corners of the world, studies at PMU offer not only excellent training for future doctors or dentists but also a fantastic opportunity to live and work in a diverse environment where one can learn a new language, understand another culture or even observe different scientific approaches and techniques.

    Locations

    • Szczecin

      Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin Rybacka 1, , Szczecin

      Questions