Below is the full academic schedule used in Italian medical universities (Corso di Laurea Magistrale in Medicina e Chirurgia – 6 years).
Italy follows a nationally standardized curriculum under the Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca (MUR), though each university may arrange modules slightly differently (e.g., Sapienza, Bologna, Milan, Padova, Pavia, Naples).
This schedule applies to Italian-taught and English-taught (IMAT) programs such as:
- University of Milan – IMS
- University of Pavia – Harvey Course
- University of Rome Tor Vergata – English track
- University of Bologna – Medicine & Surgery
- University of Padova – Medicine in English
🇮🇹 FULL ACADEMIC SCHEDULE — ITALIAN MEDICAL UNIVERSITIES (MEDICINA E CHIRURGIA – 6 YEARS)
Structure Summary
| Phase | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Basic & Pre-clinical Sciences | Years 1–2 | Foundational biomedical sciences |
| Pre-clinical Pathology + early clinical | Year 3 | Disease mechanisms, diagnostics |
| Clinical Clerkships | Years 4–5 | Rotations in all major specialties |
| Advanced Clinical Training + Thesis | Year 6 | Final clinical rotations + dissertation |
Total: 360 ECTS (European standard) over 6 years
📘 TABLE: Detailed 6-Year Curriculum (Italy)
| Year | Main Modules | Detailed Subjects / Components | Skills & Competencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundations of Medicine | Biology, Biochemistry I, Physics, Chemistry, Human Genetics, Introduction to Medicine | Scientific foundations, academic orientation |
| Morphological Sciences I | Anatomy I, Histology I, Embryology | Anatomical lab work, microscopy | |
| Human Sciences | Psychology, Bioethics, History of Medicine | Communication basics | |
| 2 | Morphological Sciences II | Anatomy II, Histology II | Structural understanding |
| Physiology & Biochemistry | Physiology I–II, Biochemistry II | Integration of structure & function | |
| Microbiology (intro) | Basic microbiology & immunology | Early host–pathogen concepts | |
| 3 | Pre-clinical / Pathological Sciences | General Pathology, Systemic Pathology, Microbiology II, Immunology II, Pharmacology I | Disease mechanisms, therapeutic basics |
| Diagnostic Sciences | Radiology, Laboratory Medicine, Pathophysiology | Early diagnosis principles | |
| Clinical Methodology I | Interviewing, physical examination skills | OSCE-style training | |
| 4 | Core Clinical Rotations I | Internal Medicine I, General Surgery I, Pediatrics I, Obstetrics & Gynecology I, Neurology, Psychiatry | Bedside teaching, ward rounds, supervised patient care |
| Specialty Foundations | Dermatology, Ophthalmology, ENT, Infectious Diseases | Outpatient & specialty exposure | |
| 5 | Core Clinical Rotations II | Internal Medicine II, Surgery II, Orthopedics, Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesiology & ICU, Geriatrics | Advanced clinical reasoning, procedural training |
| Public Health & Preventive Medicine | Epidemiology, Community Medicine, Occupational Medicine | Population health competencies | |
| 6 | Advanced Clinical Training (Final Year) | Rotations in: Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Emergency, Primary Care (exact structure varies by university) | Near-independent clinical functioning under supervision |
| Elective Rotations | Student-selected specialties (e.g., Oncology, Radiology, Neurosurgery, etc.) | Career exploration | |
| Thesis (Tesi di Laurea) | Experimental or clinical research project | Academic writing + defense |
🎓 Upon Completion
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Degree Awarded | Laurea Magistrale in Medicina e Chirurgia (MD equivalent) |
| National Licensing | Since 2020, licensing exam incorporated into final exam — qualification to practice |
| Postgraduate Training | Residency (Scuole di Specializzazione) 3–5 years, or GP training 3 years |
| EU Recognition | Degree recognized across the European Union under Directive 2005/36/EC |
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