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University of Parma
A Modern Hub for MBBS in Italy, Blending a Millennium of Tradition with Innovative Training.
Institutional Overview
Founded in 1601, Parma offers a small, student-friendly city with a focus on practical training in its English-taught program. Internships are conducted at Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, a major teaching hospital.
Global Stature
QS 2025 (Medicine): 351-400
Censis 2024: Top-tier for clinical training focus.
EU GREEN Alliance
A member of the EU GREEN alliance, fostering sustainability and student mobility across Europe.
Key Accreditations
WHO, NMC, GMC, USMLE Eligible
EC Directive 2005/36/EC Aligned
A Rising Star in Medical Education
Dedicated Medical Campus
The English medical program is based in Piacenza with exclusive access to Piacenza Hospital.
Medicine and Surgery Program
Launched in 2021, this six-year, 12-semester (Oct-June) Single Cycle Master’s degree in English is delivered in Piacenza. It trains scientist-physicians with a focus on early clinical exposure, dedicating 60 ECTS credits to professional clerkships.
- Piacenza-Based Program: A dedicated campus offering exclusive access to Piacenza Hospital for clinical training.
- Large Student Intake (100): A vibrant cohort with 40 seats for Non-EU and 60 for EU candidates.
- International Clerkships: A unique opportunity for elective placements in European healthcare facilities in year six.
- Early Clinical Skills: Biomedical and professional clerkships begin from the second year.
Curriculum Overview (360 ECTS)
Semester 1 (Oct–Jan, Year 1)
Courses: Cellular Biology (6 CFU): Study cell functions and DNA processes. Physics (4 CFU): Learn physics for medical diagnostics and imaging. Chemistry (6 CFU): Understand biochemical molecules and reactions. Anatomy I (6 CFU): Explore body structures using models.
Skills: Lab skills, anatomical knowledge, scientific reasoning.
ECTS Credits: ~22 CFU
Internships: None
Semester 2 (Feb–Jun, Year 1)
Courses: Histology (6 CFU): Analyze tissue types in lab sessions. Biochemistry I (6 CFU): Study metabolic pathways like glycolysis. Physiology I (6 CFU): Learn functions of major organs (e.g., cardiovascular). Organ Systems (6 CFU): Integrate cellular and organ-level perspectives.
Skills: Master microscopy, physiological experiments, collaborative lab work.
ECTS Credits: ~24 CFU
Internships: None
Additional: Basic Life Support training with local health organizations.
Semester 3 (Oct–Jan, Year 2)
Courses: Anatomy II (6 CFU): Study detailed anatomy (e.g., thorax, abdomen) with lab practice. Biochemistry II (6 CFU): Explore advanced metabolism (e.g., lipid pathways). Physiology II (6 CFU): Study complex systems like nervous and endocrine. Developmental Biology (8 CFU): Learn embryology and fetal development.
Skills: Enhance tissue identification, prepare for advanced exams.
ECTS Credits: ~26 CFU
Internships: None
Semester 4 (Feb–Jun, Year 2)
Courses: Microbiology (6 CFU): Study pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi). Immunology (4 CFU): Understand immune defenses and antibody production. Genetics (6 CFU): Explore inheritance patterns and genetic disorders. Molecular Medicine (8 CFU): Study molecular mechanisms of diseases.
Skills: Conduct microbial cultures, analyze genetic data, prepare for clinical work.
ECTS Credits: ~24 CFU
Internships: Minimal lab-based work at Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma (not counted).
Semester 5 (Oct–Jan, Year 3)
Courses: Pathology I (6 CFU): Study disease processes (e.g., tumors, infections). Pharmacology I (6 CFU): Learn drug mechanisms, dosages, and effects. Clinical Practice (6 CFU): Practice history-taking and physical exams. Communication (4 CFU): Develop skills for patient and team communication.
Skills: Build diagnostic reasoning, patient rapport, basic Italian proficiency.
ECTS Credits: ~22 CFU
Internships: 4 CFU (68 hours) at Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, observing clinical workflows.
Semester 6 (Feb–Jun, Year 3)
Courses: Diagnostic Imaging (6 CFU): Learn to read X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. Pathological Anatomy (6 CFU): Analyze diseased tissues in lab settings. Cardiovascular/Respiratory Diseases (8 CFU): Study heart (e.g., angina) and lung (e.g., COPD) conditions.
Skills: Interpret imaging, diagnose tissue abnormalities, improve Italian.
ECTS Credits: ~20 CFU
Internships: 10 CFU (170 hours) at Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, assisting in patient care.
Semester 7 (Oct–Jan, Year 4)
Courses: Pathology II (6 CFU): Explore systemic diseases (e.g., autoimmune conditions). Pharmacology II (6 CFU): Study advanced therapeutics and drug interactions. Gastrointestinal/Endocrine Diseases (8 CFU): Focus on digestive (e.g., IBS) and hormonal disorders. Biostatistics (4 CFU): Learn statistical tools for medical research.
Skills: Apply statistics, refine diagnostics, strengthen Italian (B1 required).
ECTS Credits: ~24 CFU
Internships: ~10 CFU (170 hours) at Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, engaging in diagnostics.
Semester 8 (Feb–Jun, Year 4)
Courses: Clinical Microbiology (6 CFU): Study infections in clinical settings (e.g., sepsis). Renal/Musculoskeletal Diseases (8 CFU): Focus on kidney (e.g., nephritis) and bone disorders. Medical Ethics (4 CFU): Explore ethical issues like patient consent. Research Design (4 CFU): Learn to design clinical studies.
Skills: Ethical reasoning, research planning, achieve B1–B2 Italian.
ECTS Credits: ~22 CFU
Internships: ~10 CFU (170 hours) at Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, managing patients.
Semester 9 (Oct–Jan, Year 5)
Courses: Internal Medicine I (8 CFU): Diagnose and manage complex internal diseases (e.g., hypertension). Surgery I (6 CFU): Learn surgical procedures and care. Obstetrics/Gynecology I (6 CFU): Study pregnancy and women’s health. Pediatrics I (6 CFU): Focus on pediatric care from infancy to adolescence.
Skills: Manage patients, assist in surgeries, enhance communication.
ECTS Credits: ~26 CFU
Internships: 17 CFU (289 hours) at Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, working in specialty wards.
Semester 10 (Feb–Jun, Year 5)
Courses: Oncology (6 CFU): Study cancer diagnosis, treatment, and chemotherapy. Psychiatry (6 CFU): Learn mental health assessment and care. Legal Medicine (4 CFU): Understand legal aspects like medical malpractice. Emergency Medicine (6 CFU): Train in trauma and acute care scenarios. Community Health (4 CFU): Focus on preventive medicine and public health.
Skills: Handle emergencies, psychiatric assessments, apply legal principles.
ECTS Credits: ~26 CFU
Internships: 17 CFU (289 hours) at Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, working in ER and clinics.
Semester 11 (Oct–Jan, Year 6)
Courses: Internal Medicine II (6 CFU): Manage advanced chronic diseases. Surgery II (6 CFU): Deepen skills in complex surgical procedures. Neurology (6 CFU): Study neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s, seizures). Elective (e.g., Orthopedics, Dermatology) (4 CFU): Focus on a specialty. Thesis I (4 CFU): Start research project with faculty guidance.
Skills: Advanced diagnostics, research skills, fluent Italian for clinical work.
ECTS Credits: ~26 CFU
Internships: ~14.5 CFU (246.5 hours) at Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, leading patient care.
Semester 12 (Feb–Jun, Year 6)
Courses: Family Medicine (6 CFU): Learn primary care and patient follow-up. Emergencies (6 CFU): Train in critical medical and surgical emergencies. Public Health (4 CFU): Study global health and epidemiology. Thesis II (8 CFU): Complete and present research thesis.
Skills: Practice primary care, manage emergencies, present research.
ECTS Credits: ~24 CFU
Internships: ~14.5 CFU (246.5 hours) at Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, preparing for practice.
Notes: Total internship hours ~1,649. Affordable living in Parma, a food-centric city. Tuition €200–€3,000 (income-based). WHO/NMC/GMC accredited. B2 Italian recommended.
Life in Piacenza & Student Support
The medical campus is in Piacenza, a charming city of 100,000, crowned Italy’s best for young people in 2023. It offers affordable living, a high quality of life, and is currently housed at Collegio Alberoni, with a new campus under construction.
Tuition Fees (2024/25)
Range: €150 - €2,625 annually (ISEE-based). No-tax area for ISEE < €23,000. Payable in 2 installments.
Financial Support (ER.GO)
Scholarships and financial aid provided by ER.GO, covering accommodation and dining. KALINGAEURO provides guidance.
Piacenza is 45 mins from Parma by train (€4-6).
Living costs: €250–400/month for shared rooms.
Enjoy subsidized canteens (€2-4/meal) and events like the Piacenza Jazz Festival.
Admissions & Notable Features
Admission Requirements
- 12 years of secondary education with a high school diploma.
- Competitive IMAT score (100-minute, 60-question exam).
- Estimated 2024 IMAT cut-offs: Approx. 41.9 (non-EU) & 44.4 (EU).
- Non-EU: D-type visa, pre-enroll via Universitaly, pre-application by July 8.
- English B2 proficiency is mandatory for admission.
- KALINGAEURO provides IMAT preparation.
Notable Features
New Program (2021)
A modern, recently launched curriculum with a global perspective.
Exclusive Hospital Access
Dedicated and exclusive clinical training access at Piacenza Hospital.
Free Italian Courses
Offered by the university's Language Center to support clinical integration.
Cultural Legacy
The university has an honorary affiliation with composer Giuseppe Verdi.
Why Choose Parma for Your MBBS?
Parma offers a cutting-edge MBBS experience, blending a millennium of academic tradition with innovative training. Globally accredited and set in Piacenza’s affordable, culturally rich city, it prepares you for a distinguished medical career.
