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Guide to faculty of Medicine and Surgery in Milan

The International Medical School in Milan, IMS, offers a degree in Medicine and Surgery entirely taught in English, active since 2010. The IMS is part of the University of Milan, known both by the acronym UNIMI and as “La Statale”.

La Statale of Milano is a public university founded in 1923, with its main campus located in the Ca’ Granda, a Renaissance building situated between Via Sforza, Via Laghetto, and Via Festa del Perdono.

UNIMI is a relatively young institution, established in 1924. La Statale has always been distinguished by its multidisciplinary teaching approach, focusing on innovation and the practical application of research outcomes in the economic-productive sector.

Below, you will find a brief but comprehensive guide to the International Medical School and the IMAT Milan at IMS, including how to apply, costs, study opportunities, and useful information for living in this town.

Tables of contents

University of Milan: overview

La Statale University of Milan is the 5th largest university in Italy. In the 2023/2024 academic year, there were over 12,500 new enrollments, 48,382 undergraduate and single-cycle degree students, 12,257 master’s students, and 11,768 graduates (source: https://www.unimi.it/it/ricerca/facts-figures).

UNIMI offers a wide range of degree programs organized into Faculties and Schools.

UNIMI Faculties:

  • Law
  • Medicine and Surgery
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Agricultural and Food Sciences
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Political, Economic and Social Sciences
  • Science and Technology
  • Humanities

UNIMI Schools:

  • Language Mediation and Intercultural Communication
  • Exercise and Sport Sciences

University of Milan: ranking

What is the ranking of Milan International Medical School? Every year, several rankings are published to measure the quality of universities. Here’s where UNIMI stands in the most important international and national rankings:

  • QS – Rankings by Subject. The University of Milan is first in Italy in five disciplines: Medicine, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Veterinary Science, Dentistry, and Sports-related subjects. For Medicine, it is ranked 80th in the world;
  • ARWU – the Academic Ranking of World Universities, one of the three most well-known rankings in the world. In 2022, UNIMI was ranked 179th in the world and 4th in Italy;
  • Censis. In the Italian Censis ranking, the University of Milan is ranked 5th among the largest Italian universities. In the medical-health field, it is 4th with 95.5 points.

The International Medical School in Milan, Italy

The IMS curriculum lasts 6 years, is entirely in English, and combines basic science with clinical activities. The main objective of this single-cycle degree course in Medicine and Surgery is to train excellent clinicians and researchers capable of contributing to the overall improvement of health conditions. Additionally, at IMS, the aim is to promote individual interests and value each person’s strengths.

The unique features of the University of Milan Faculty of Medicine and Surgery curriculum include:

  • international profile. Classes are taught in English by Italian professors, supplemented by visiting professors from leading European and North American universities;
  • cutting-edge teaching methods. Problem-based learning through structured training, small groups, and discussions of clinical cases;
  • classes divided into blocks from the first year and specially designed programs with integrated content for a limited number of students;
  • exchange programs with foreign universities.

The learning activities include:

  • lectures and seminars;
  • interactive teaching activities organized in small groups of students and coordinated by a tutor;
  • distance learning (FAD) using audio-visual technologies;
  • elective courses tailored to basic research in the first two years and translational research in the following years, such as seminar-type courses, internships, conferences, and congresses.

Finally, the University of Milan is among the top Italian universities for research investment. The university encourages its students to engage in research from an early stage in research laboratories. In 2022, there were 191 Horizon projects won, over 6,000 publications, with 10% published in top journals, totaling 1,336 articles (source: https://www.unimi.it/it/ricerca).

IMS: hospitals and campus

During the first two years of the Medicine and Surgery degree course, the campus for preclinical activities is the LITA-Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Advanced Technologies in Segrate. From the 3rd to the 6th year, the theoretical classes continue to take place at LITA, while the clinical training is conducted at ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda. Niguarda is the IMS reference hospital. However, there are other medical centers affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Milan, where evaluation internships are held during the 5th and 6th years of the program.

Among the school’s teaching hospitals are:

  • Ospedale Niguarda Ca’ Granda, Piazza dell’Ospedale Maggiore 3, Milan;
  • Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, Milan;
  • IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Via R. Galeazzi 4, Milan;
  • IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Via Morandi 30, San Donato Milanese;
  • IRCCS Centro Cardiologico Monzino, Via C. Parea 4, Milan;
  • IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via G. Venezian 1, Milan;
  • ASST Centro Specialistico Ortopedico Traumatologico Gaetano Pini-CTO, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari, Milan.

Medicine and Surgery at the University of Milan: available places

The places are limited. Their number is decided each year by the Ministry of Education in agreement with the Regions and the National Health Service. In 2024, the available places are:

  • 55 places for Italian, EU, and equivalent non-EU citizens;
  • 15 places for non-EU citizens residing abroad.

Medicine and Surgery in Milan: course Programme

The degree course requires the acquisition of 360 credits over 6 years, of which at least 60 must be acquired through training aimed at developing specific professional abilities.

Regarding course attendance, students are required to attend all teaching activities, with a tolerance of no more than 1/3 of the hours, according to the regulations. Students must sign in for each learning activity. If the number of absences exceeds 1/3, the Teaching Committee will take the necessary measures.

The study plan of the International Medical School in Milan for the first year includes the following exams:

Compulsory

Cells, Molecules and Genes – 6 ECTS

  • Biology – 2
  • Molecular biology – 4

Fundamentals of Basic Sciences – 12 ECTS

  • Chemistry and introductory biochemistry – 7
  • Medical physic – 5

Histology

Anatomy – 12 ECTS

Biochemistry – 6 ECTS

Fundamentals of Biomedical Imaging – 3 ECTS

  • Medical Physics – 2
  • Radiology and radiotherapy – 1

Admissions to the International Medical School in Milan

As stated in the call for admission, candidates must hold a secondary school diploma or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad to participate in the selection process. Foreign qualifications are valid if they were obtained after 12 years of schooling and if they allow admission to university in the country where they were earned.

All details regarding qualifications and the admission of international students to Italian universities are published on the Studiare in Italia website. The university evaluates the eligibility of foreign qualifications in any case.

Additionally, student knowledge and skills are assessed upon admission to the degree program through an admission test called IMAT.

Regarding language knowledge and skills, English proficiency at the required level is assessed during the admission test. While English language qualifications are not mandatory, candidates who possess one can use it in case of a tie in their IMAT score.

Candidates should be aware that, although knowledge of the Italian language is not a prerequisite for matriculation to IMS, a B1 level or higher of Italian proficiency is required to access clinical activities starting in the third year of the program. To this end, Italian courses will be organized for non-Italian-speaking IMS students.

For the exact procedure to register for the IMAT test, read the call for admissions published on the university’s website.

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IMAT: University of Milan

The IMAT test is the entrance exam for studying medicine in English in Italy. The test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions with 5 answer options, only one of which is correct. The duration of the IMAT test is 100 minutes.

The IMAT quizzes are divided as follows:

  • 4 questions on reading skills and general knowledge
  • 5 questions on logical reasoning and problem-solving
  • 23 questions on biology
  • 15 questions on chemistry
  • 13 questions on physics and mathematics

The IMAT scoring is calculated as follows:

  • +1.5 points for each correct answer
  • -0.4 points for each incorrect answer
  • 0 points for each omitted answer

The maximum score is 90 points. The minimum score to be eligible for ranking is 20 points for EU and equivalent non-EU candidates. Non-EU candidates must achieve a score greater than 0.

EU and equivalent non-EU candidates are included in the national ranking. Non-EU candidates are included in the local university rankings.

The official merit ranking list is published about 3 weeks after the test.

How hard is the IMAT? The IMAT is a difficult exam to pass because every year, there are many more candidates than available places. Additionally, the syllabus is extensive. Finally, to pass the IMS Milan IMAT, it is not enough to know the theory; one must also practice solving exercises and problems.

For complete information about the test, go to the section dedicated to IMAT FAQs.

Tuition fee amounts

How much is the International Medical School in Milan? The tuition fees are divided into two installments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:

  1. the amount of the first installment is the same for all students. The first installment is €156 (€140 regional tax for the right to education plus €16 stamp duty). Students must pay this at the end of the enrollment procedure within the deadline indicated in the call for admission;
  2. the amount of the second installment is calculated based on several variables: the financial condition of the student’s household, as confirmed by the ISEE University certificate; the fee area for the degree program; and the student’s status (on track, off track for one year, or off track for more than one year).

However, for students with foreign citizenship and households that earn income and own assets abroad, the second installment is not calculated based on the ISEE, but is a fixed amount determined by the country of origin’s group.

Additionally, for students with Italian citizenship but who reside abroad and earn income and own assets abroad, the fees are calculated based on the country of residence.

A no-tax area is set for students on track with exams and those off track for one year with an ISEE certification up to €30,000.

The University also provides a range of financial benefits and scholarships to students meeting special requirements:

  • concessions for students meeting high merit requirements;
  • diversified tuition fees according to the student’s home country for international students with assets/income abroad;
  • concessions for international students with refugee status.

For complete and up-to-date information, visit the university’s website.

Services for international students

The University of Milan offers numerous activities for its students. Here are some highlights.

The sports offering is truly extensive, with over 100 courses across more than 10 sports facilities. Thanks to the CUS, University Sports Center, students can practice various sports at discounted rates and conditions.

Additionally, the University has agreements with various cultural organizations and associations, not only in Milan. Students can attend performances and cultural events at advantageous prices.

Unimi promotes student mobility. In particular, the International Medical School has established an “Erasmus Desk” dedicated to students interested in both incoming and outgoing international mobility programs, both within the Erasmus+ projects and other non-European mobility programs, or other internships abroad.

How to contact the International Medical School

Unimi has introduced a new service to support international students, the “International Welcome Desk”.

The service provides assistance with visas, study programs, lessons, accommodation or scholarships, and offers guidance on cultural adaptation.

The International Welcome Desk team is available every day from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

The Welcome Desk is located at Via S. Sofia, near the main campus on Via Festa del Perdono.

To access it, you need to schedule an appointment. Register on the “Informastudenti” portal, select “First-year international students,” and choose a day and time for your appointment.

On Via Santa Sofia, you will find desks for all students. The desks are open, by mandatory appointment, either online or in person. Here are the hours:

  • Tuesday, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, by appointment, online;
  • Wednesday, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, by appointment, online;
  • Thursday, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, by appointment, in person.

What is student life like for international students in Milan

Milan is a vibrant city that strikes a balance between being not too small and not overwhelmingly large, making it easily navigable by foot, bike, or public transportation like the metro and buses. It’s strategically located for travel to other cities, which adds to its appeal.

Milan is a melting pot of cultures, evident in its diverse population and reflected in the variety of venues and clubs where students can enjoy nightlife. Whether you’re into mainstream clubs or niche music scenes, Milan offers something for everyone. Many places host themed nights that are popular among students, some even offering discounts for Erasmus students.

Beyond partying, students can connect through organized excursions and events, exploring the city and its surroundings while meeting new people. Milan’s dynamic social scene ensures there’s always something to do, catering to diverse interests and tastes.

However, living in Milan comes at a price. Rental costs for apartments typically range from €800 to €1200 per month, depending on location within the city. On top of that, students should budget between €700 and €1.000 monthly for personal expenses, food, transportation, and other necessities.

Credits
Francesco Ungaro: https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-leafed-trees-near-concrete-buildings-409127/

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