Medical studies without NC

If your A-levels are not good enough for you to go straight to the NC one Medical study place is Study medicine without NC is a good alternative for you. Alternative selection procedures at universities take other criteria into account that are not dependent on your A-level score. These routes offer a real chance of admission to a medical degree programme.

Is it really the Numerus Clausus (NC) alone that determines the allocation of study places?

Many prospective medical students believe that the numerus clausus (NC) alone determines the allocation of medical study places. But this is a misconception. In Germany, applications are made centrally via hochschulstart.de, but the procedure takes far more than just the A-level average into account.

In fact, the universities have the option of setting their own selection criteria for 60 % of the study places. In addition to the grade, these often include

• social skills

• Voluntary commitment

• Professional experience

• Results from aptitude tests such as the TMS or HAM-Nat

• Letter of motivation

This means that even applicants without top A-levels have a realistic chance of gaining a place if they have other convincing qualifications. Even one Studying medicine abroad is a promising alternative - we will go into this in more detail below.

It is important that all documents are submitted completely and correctly via hochschulstart.de. This is the only way to ensure that no additional criteria are overlooked or incorrectly assessed.

Only in the case of one of 3 quotas in the admission procedure is the NC the sole deciding factor

Within the admission procedure for medical studies in Germany, it is not only the NC that determines the allocation of medical study places. Three quotas regulate admission, whereby only one quota is determined exclusively by the NC or the Abitur grade:

Abitur quota (NC quota):

• 30 % of the study places are reserved for the best graduates.
• The average grade achieved in the Abitur is the sole factor here.

University selection procedure (AdH):

• 60 % of the study places are allocated by the university's own selection process.
• Here, the NC counts, but also criteria such as test results (e.g. TMS or HAM), vocational training, professional experience or letters of motivation.

Additional suitability quota:

• The remaining 10 % places are awarded to applicants who fulfil certain criteria. These include, for example, completed vocational training or good prerequisites for studying medicine that have been proven in aptitude tests such as the TMS.
• Applicants who do not have the top NC can still get a place on the programme.

Due to this quota distribution in the admission procedure, there are different ways for applicants to gain a coveted place on a medical degree programme. Although the A-level grade plays an important role, it is by no means the only one.

Rather, the system also offers prospective students with additional qualifications or special personal circumstances the opportunity to begin a degree programme in human medicine. The system is intended to ensure that there is a broader base of students who are characterised by more than just a good Abitur.

What is important for your application if you are not relying on the NC

If you do not fulfil the top NC for a place on a medical degree course, there are additional aspects to consider when applying. 

Universities are interested in your personal motivation, practical experience in the healthcare sector and social commitment. The test for medical degree programmes (TMS) and other study aptitude tests can significantly increase your chances. When applying via hochschulstart.de, make sure you submit all evidence that emphasises your strengths that qualify you for this degree programme.

Also find out about the specific requirements of the individual universities and adapt your application if necessary in order to maximise all opportunities to study medicine.

Waiting semesters are no longer recognised

In the past, students could improve their chances of gaining a place to study medicine by waiting longer. Since the 2020/2021 winter semester, however, the waiting time no longer plays a role in the admissions process, even if some not-so-current articles on the subject still claim otherwise.

Nowadays, universities focus on selection procedures that take into account other qualifications such as tests, work experience or voluntary work in addition to a good A-level. If the NC is not sufficient for a direct medical degree programme, you should therefore focus on alternative routes to a study place instead of relying on waiting semesters.

The lottery procedure

In some cases, there are still individual places available at universities after the allocation procedure has been completed because someone has not started their degree programme. If such a place is allocated by lottery, you can apply directly to the university independently of hochschulstart.de. The free capacities for the degree programme are then drawn by lot among all applicants.

The chances in the lottery procedure are low and you have to apply separately to each university concerned. However, it can still be an opportunity to study after all and not wait any longer for the central allocation procedure to finally work out in the next semester.

First training, then medical studies?

Completed training in the medical or nursing field can be an advantage before studying medicine. It provides practical experience and can increase your chances of getting a place at university, as completed training is taken into account in the selection process.

The training is also an advantage because it can make the otherwise often difficult start to the degree programme easier, as knowledge of anatomy, physiology or dealing with patients is already available. 

Applicants should recognise vocational training as an effective way to realise their dream of studying medicine even without an NC. 

The rural doctor quota - studying medicine despite the NC

The Landarztquote is still a relatively new but promising way of gaining a place to study medicine even without a top NC. It was launched to counteract the acute shortage of doctors in rural regions of Germany - and at the same time creates a real opportunity for applicants whose A-level grades are not sufficient for the regular NC.

What exactly does the rural doctor quota mean?

As part of this quota, study places are reserved for prospective doctors who commit to working as a GP in underserved regions for at least ten years after graduating. You are therefore guaranteed a place if you:

• sign a declaration of commitment,

• pass a special selection procedure,

• and convincingly explain your motivation for working as a doctor in the countryside.

The selection process not only assesses grades, but also aptitude, personality, motivation and social skills - a real alternative for all those who do not fulfil the classic NC requirements.

For whom does this route make sense?

The rural doctor quota is aimed at applicants who:

• can imagine a professional future as a family doctor,

• are looking for a secure study place - regardless of the NC,

• and want to make a contribution to medical care in rural areas.

What happens if you don't honour your commitment?

Important: Participation is mandatory. Anyone who does not take up the contractually agreed service must expect severe financial penalties - in many federal states the contractual penalty is up to 250,000 euros.

You should therefore be sure in advance that you can identify with life and work as a country doctor. Later specialist training in areas such as research or specialised clinics is not envisaged in this model.

A real opportunity - with responsibility

The rural doctor quota is not a back door, but a sensible way for motivated applicants to start studying medicine without an NC. Anyone who loves the profession of general practitioner, enjoys working with people and wants to improve care in rural areas will not only find a place to study here, but also a meaningful perspective for the future.

Alternatives to studying medicine with NC at a state university

Those without NC Study medicine can find a variety of alternatives in Germany and abroad. Private universities, study places via the rural doctor quota and studying medicine without an NC at foreign universities are some of the options that enable medical studies outside of the state NC regulations. These options offer prospective medical students flexible opportunities to fulfil their career aspirations. In the following sections, we take a closer look at the most common alternatives and show how they make studying medicine without an NC possible.

Other study programmes

In addition to traditional medical studies with a state examination, there are many degree programmes in the healthcare sector that allow students to realise their interests and career aspirations. For example, degree programmes such as biomedicine, health sciences or medical education at universities offer alternatives without a waiting period and without the strict NC regulations.

Dentistry and pharmacy are also popular as an alternative degree programme to medicine, although there are significantly fewer places available than applicants, just like for medical studies. The situation is different for many Bachelor's degree programmes in the field of healthcare, which also offer you interesting career prospects or the opportunity to switch to a degree in human medicine.

Private university

Private universities offer an alternative to studying medicine at a state university, which is restricted by the NC. They give motivated students the opportunity to study medicine regardless of their A-level grades. 

The decision as to who receives one of the places at such a private university and can study medicine there is based on individual selection criteria set by the university. As a rule, your personal suitability is assessed in interviews and tests.

A private university often offers a stronger practical orientation than state universities and impresses with modern teaching concepts. However, you need to bear in mind the tuition fees if you want to study medicine at a private university. These are many times higher than when studying at a state university. Fortunately, there are options in this regard, such as the reverse generation contract, scholarships or a student loan.

Study medicine without NC at the Bundeswehr

Some high school graduates who want to study medicine without an NC join the German Armed Forces. This offers the opportunity to complete all semesters and the examination at a civilian university. 

However, if you decide to study medicine at the Bundeswehr without an NC, you must be aware that you will have to commit yourself for a total of 17 years. In addition, there is no guarantee of a place here either; you must first go through an application process and wait for an acceptance letter. If you are accepted, the Bundeswehr will cover the full costs of your studies and pay you a salary from the outset.

Studying medicine abroad

Studying medicine abroad is an attractive option for many students from Germany to be able to study medicine without the hurdle of a high NC. If you obtain a degree at a university in another European country, it is usually recognised in Germany without any problems, so that you can also practise in Germany after your studies.

Although studying abroad requires good planning, it can be a valuable experience and a good response to the shortage of study places in Germany.

You must fulfil these requirements for a place to study medicine abroad

In order to study medicine abroad, you must fulfil certain requirements, depending on the university. A good school education, often with a focus on natural sciences such as biology and physics, is important. However, many universities do not have an NC corresponding to the A-level grade.

Of course, it is also important that you speak the language in which the lectures and courses are held. This does not necessarily have to be the national language at every foreign university. We offer you support in applying to various universities where you can study in English or even in German.

Instead of the Abitur, the allocation of study places at universities abroad is often based on internal university entrance examinations or interview procedures. Here, too, we can help you prepare, as we know what is important at the university in question and what is asked in the entrance exams.

We support you during your studies abroad

At futuredoctor, we specialise in providing you with professional support on your way to studying medicine abroad. Our service includes comprehensive counselling and taking care of your application. 

We will help you choose the right degree programme for you and the most suitable university. We are also on hand to help you register for internal university entrance exams. We also offer preparation courses and intensive support with our learning app and videos to help you perform well in tests and interviews. 

We support you not only before, but also during your studies - with questions about apprenticeships, scholarships or the recognition of your degree in Germany. With futuredoctor, you have a strong partner at your side who will help you realise your dream of studying medicine without a waiting period.

Is studying medicine without an NC equivalent to a "traditional" medical degree programme?

Studying medicine without an NC is a recognised alternative to the traditional route. The quality of the education does not depend on the NC, but on the teaching at the university in question and, of course, the motivation of the students. 

Different universities have different strengths, and degree programmes without an NC often offer innovative teaching and practical experience in clinics. If you are studying abroad, it is crucial that your studies are recognised in Germany. This is usually the case when studying medicine at a European university. The NC is therefore not a quality criterion for a degree programme, but merely one of many ways of distributing the available medical study places among applicants.

A good school-leaving certificate says nothing about medical qualities

A good Abitur shows that a student has fulfilled the requirements set by the school. But if you want to study medicine successfully, you need more than just good grades. Medical qualities also include communication, empathy and the ability to solve problems. 

Many universities have recognised this and are therefore specifically looking for these qualities when selecting their students. After all, patients will not usually ask future doctors what their A-level average is in order to assess their qualities in practice. After all, this is completely irrelevant.

It would be a shame if someone is ideally suited to the medical profession and is an asset to medical care or research, but is left behind when it comes to the allocation of places on their degree programme due to a less-than-perfect A-level. It is therefore a good thing that it is possible to study medicine without an NC and that you can fulfil your desire to gain your licence to practise medicine in this way.

How much does it cost to study medicine without an NC - and how can you finance it?

A study place without an NC sounds like a great relief - but it often comes with higher costs. Private universities or medical degree programmes abroad generally charge significantly higher tuition fees than state universities in Germany. On top of that:

• Cost of living

• Costs for learning materials, books and lab coats

• Travel and relocation costs, especially for study abroad programmes

There are numerous financing options that enable you to study dentistry or human medicine without an NC - regardless of your bank balance.

1. scholarships - financial aid without repayment

A Scholarship is perhaps the most convenient form of student finance: you receive regular payments or a one-off grant without having to pay the money back.

Possible scholarship providers:

• Public funding programmes (e.g. BAföG abroad)

• Foundations and non-profit organisations

• Private universities themselves

• EU-funded educational projects

What can a scholarship cover?

• Tuition fees (full or partial)

• Cost of living

• Learning materials and technical equipment

Important: Find out early! Many scholarships require a detailed application, including certificates, a letter of motivation and sometimes interviews or selection procedures.

2. the reverse intergenerational contract - study now, pay later

The so-called "reverse intergenerational contract" (UGV) is a social student financing scheme that allows you to study free of charge today - and only pay back a proportionate amount once you start your career.

How does it work?

• A sponsor (e.g. a university or foundation) pays all tuition fees

• You commit to paying back a certain percentage of your income for a limited period of time after graduation

• If graduates earn more, they pay more - fair adjustment according to income

This makes the model particularly attractive for students who have no start-up capital but want to invest in their future without the risk of debt.

3. student loans - classic, but flexible

Another way to finance your studies is with a student loan. Many banks and development banks (e.g. KfW) offer special loans for students - also for studying abroad or at private universities.

Advantages:

• Flexible repayment models

• Long amortisation-free periods after the end of studies

• Can be combined with other sources of financing

Important: Pay attention to interest rates, repayment periods and total costs to avoid falling into an unwanted debt trap.