International Medical Doctor Program

The International Medical Doctor Program at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University has been designed to foster a new kind of doctor. This doctor will possess the necessary human, cultural and professional values to provide healthcare and share ideas in today’s globalized world.

Why Study medicine at Vita-Salute San Raffaele?

UniSR is one of the top-ranking universities in Italy for research and teaching; it is well known in Italy and in Europe for research on Cancer, Urology, Cardiovascular diseases, and cardiac surgery, HIV/AIDS, Rare diseases, Preclinical, and Human Biological Sciences. This means that students have the unique possibility of studying and living in an exciting environment where breakthroughs are made every day in the treatment of acute and chronic conditions.

San Raffaele Hospital, UniSR's hospital of reference, is both a private and a public hospital, which means that you’ll get the chance to see a wide range of patients with everyday diseases or sometimes neglected or even rare genetic pathologies. Don’t forget that Lombardy is one of the richest regions in Europe and Milan is at its very heart.

Classes are smaller compared to the majority of medical schools, which will increase student-teacher interaction and productivity.

The IMD Program offers an innovative and integrated study curriculum, where students are at the center of the teaching process. Group work and early patient contact are part of the stduy experience enouraging pro-active learning, creative thinking and teamwork.

You will start clinical rotations from the first year of your studies, following the Nursing course organized on the hospital premises. What's more, you will also re-visit topics from your first two years in the fourth and fifth years both in class and by sitting mock licensure exams. The second semester of the sixth year is free from lessons and exams, allowing you to concentrate entirely on your Thesis Internship and to do part of it abroad. This gives you the possibility of getting to know foreign institutions where you might want to continue with your specialization training.

The medical school, research institute and hospital at San Raffaele in Milan all boast state-of-the-art facilities and are located on the same premises, allowing for unsurpassed interaction. Medical students can also use the facilities on the Campus, giving them the chance to meet other students studying subjects such as Nursing, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Biotechnology, and Philosophy.

But it’s not all work! At Vita-Salute San Raffaele, you will find clubs to join, cultural activities to follow, music bands, sports activities such as football, basketball, cheerleading, and many others. The clubs organize nights out, and you will be able to meet students from other faculties and universities in Milan.

Finally, we pride ourselves on being a large family. Our students are very sociable and are committed to the local and international community.

Key Features

The key feature that makes this program unique is its inspiration to internationally acclaimed models and adopts highly integrated, and in many aspects innovative, educational approaches. It offers many opportunities for clinical training and promotes integration of "transversal" disciplines and multiple courses, such as anatomy, physiology, general pathology, imaging, pathological anatomy and pharmacology within the clinical courses related to organs.

• International electives and training activities: Students can spend part of their final years abroad by participating in international electives and clinical or research thesis internships.
• English is the official language for lessons, practical activities and examinations; Italian language lessons are offered to international students in order to enable interaction with patients during clinical rotations.
• Worldwide recognition: The International MD Program enjoys recognition from the World Health Organization, the British General Medical Council (UK), and by the US Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG®). The curriculum allows students to complete foreign licensing examinations in the correct timing for accessing residency programs.
• Multicultural Environment: Vita-Salute San Raffaele University is a significant cultural, scientific, and social body that brings together people from different places in the world as part of the universal Mission that San Raffaele promotes. Students with diverse backgrounds from all over the world easily become part of the multicultural environment of San Raffaele.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for enrolment, the successful candidate must possess a high school diploma with a minimum of 12 total years of education and a C1 English Language Certification.

Students with foreign academic certificates must have all the necessary documentation translated and legalized for enrolment by their local Italian Consulate.

Non-European Citizens must also request a Study Visa.

Lesson Organization

The Academic year begins in October and ends on the 30th of September each year.

Lessons usually begin at 9 am and end at 4 or 6 pm. Lunch break is from 1 to 2 pm. Exam sessions are envisaged during the year and attendance in lessons is mandatory.

The Italian system of evaluation goes from 18 points to 30 cum laude, where 18 means pass and 30 cum laude corresponds to honors. Each subject has a specific number of credits and each year a specific number of total credits.

Get the scoop on studying at UniSR from current medical students! Click here to get connected.

The MD curriculum is inspired by internationally acclaimed models and adopts highly integrated, innovative and educational approaches where contents are organized to ensure a progressive specialization with an increasing complexity that corresponds to the skills and competencies gradually acquired.

Elective courses from year 1 offered along with comprehensive courses in all medical areas, are the main innovations of the new curriculum whose aim is to foster and encourage a critical approach towards translational research, behavioural sciences and health management processes.

This early multidisciplinary approach in year 1 is made possible thanks to 3 Elective courses, which are mandatory for all students:

• Language and Behavior for those who want to take care of people
• Nursing (25-hour diving experience to deeply and directly understand the needs and uneasiness of the patient)
• The scientific method, quantitative biology and the art of medicine (with selected professionals and experts to better understand what it means to carry out medical research)

Starting from the second year, students of our medical program are presented with the opportunity to choose one of four specialized tracks that align with their personal interests and professional goals. These tracks become available from the third semester and provide highly specialized learning opportunities and personalized education, ensuring that students are fully equipped to pursue their chosen career path.

The four specialized tracks are designed to cater to the diverse needs of our students:

1. General Track - allows students to customize their study path by choosing elective courses. Students have the flexibility to select courses that align with their specific areas of interest, providing them with a rich and diverse learning experience.

2. Medicine and Surgery - offers early clinical exposure, giving students the opportunity to gain experience in the field of medicine and surgery. This experience provides students with a unique perspective on the practical application of their learning and helps them develop important skills that are essential to their future careers.

3. Translational Research - focuses on research experience, equipping students with the skills and knowledge required to conduct cutting-edge research in the field of medicine. Students in this track have the opportunity to work on research projects with experienced faculty members, gaining valuable insights into the field of medical research.

4. Global Health - focuses on public medicine and social health management, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by healthcare systems across the world. The track explores topics such as Healthcare Management, Health Economics, and Access to Medicine in Low-Income Countries, giving students the opportunity to learn from professionals how to address global health issues and develop solutions that contribute to the betterment of healthcare systems.

Upon the completion of six years, regardless of the chosen pathway, all students are awarded the prestigious title of Medical Doctor, which is recognized internationally. This ensures that our graduates are fully equipped to pursue their chosen career path and make a meaningful contribution to the field of medicine.

Mandatory licensing rotations are offered as curricular activities during the last years allowing IMDP graduates to be immediately granted license to work as doctors in Italy.

The total number of credits for the 6 years medical degree program is 360.

The detailed IMDP study plan is indicated in the link below.