Want To Pursue MBBS, PG in Germany?

rediffGURU Dr Nagarajan JSK counsels a student about the possibilities and challenges of pursuing a medical residency in Germany.

In India, despite the presence of top medical institutions like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) and the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) Pune, the number of students pursuing MBBS abroad is going up exponentially every year.

The rising cost of education and living expenses don't seem to deter the hopes of these aspirants and their parents.

The reason?

Every year, nearly 20 lakh students appear for the NEET-UG (National Eligibility Entrance Test) for admission into undergraduate medical programmes at top government colleges. Only a few thousand qualify for the 55,000-odd medical seats, while the rest are forced to explore private and international colleges.

Countries like Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia are known for their lower tuition costs. But getting an international medical license is not easy.

rediffGURU Dr Nagarajan JSK, former head of medical research at the JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty, has over 30 years of experience in counselling students towards making the right career choices, particularly in the field of pharmacy and medicine.

Here, he counsels a student about the possibilities and challenges of pursuing a residency in Germany.

• You can post your career-related questions to rediffGURU Dr Nagarajan JSK HERE.

Sahil: I have completed my MBBS from Georgia. I do not have a Georgia medical license but I have passed the FMGE exam and I hold an Indian medical license.
I want to pursue PG/residency (Facharztausbildung) in Germany.
Kindly confirm the following:
1. Is FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) mandatory for Germany or can I apply directly for PG/residency there?
2. Has there been any new rule in Germany that requires a doctor to have a license from the same country where MBBS was completed?
Please let me know if, with my profile (Georgia MBBS + FMGE passed + Indian licence without Georgia license), I am eligible to apply for PG/residency in Germany under current rules. Thank you.

Unfortunately, you cannot obtain a medical license from Georgia.

Even though you completed your medical degree there, you didn't meet the necessary requirements specific to Georgia.

Similarly, to practise in India, graduates who completed their courses outside India must also meet specific criteria. This is quite common in many countries.

To obtain their licence, candidates are required to take and pass an eligibility exam. That's why you took the FMGE in India.

To study PG medicine in Germany after your MBBS from Georgia as an Indian, you must get your foreign qualification recognised by a German State Medical Council, learn German to C1 the level, pass the FSP (Fachsprachprufung), and then undergo the approbation (licensing) process, often via an observership/prep programme, to get your license and apply for specialist training (Facharzt) in German hospitals.

Your Indian license isn't directly applicable so you must follow Germany's pathway to become a licensed doctor there.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Document assessment and deficiency letter

Apply to a German State Medical Council (eg, in Bavaria, Berlin, etc) to assess your Georgian MBBS degree. They'll compare it to German standards and issue a 'Deficiency Letter' (Defizitbescheid) listing missing subjects/hours.

2. German language proficiency

Learn German to a B2 level for initial entry and C1 level (TELC C1 Medizin) for full licensing and specialist training.

Appear for FSP (Fachsprachprufung). Pass this specialised medical German exam (often after B2/C1) to prove your clinical communication skills.

3. Preparatory programme/Approbation process

Enrol in a preparatory course (often six to 12 months) in Germany. This will help you attend an observership (hospitation) in a German hospital (one to six months) to get a practical experience and a confirmation letter.

Prepare for the knowledge exam (Kenntnisprufung) if needed to cover any subject deficiencies from your degree.

4. Obtain provisional licence (Berufserlaubnis)

After passing FSP and potentially the knowledge exam, you get a temporary licence to work under supervision.

5. Apply for specialist training (Facharzt)

With your licence, you can apply for junior physician (assistenzarzt) positions in your desired specialty at German hospitals, a four to six year process.

If you are an Indian candidate with Georgian MBBS, you don't need your Indian licence to start; you need German licensure.

The process is rigorous so you must ensure your university and degree meet German standards.

German fluency (C1) is non-negotiable for success.

It is a lengthy process. Why don't you pursue the same in India?

• You can post your career-related questions to rediffGURU Dr Nagarajan JSKHERE.

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