How to Get Into German Medical Schools with Lower Grades

Not having a perfect GPA doesn't have to be the end of your dream of becoming a doctor.

Germany has more routes into medicine than most students realise and several of them don't involve the Numerus Clausus at all. 

What are the typical German Medical School Entry Requirements?

In Germany, the traditional route to medical school runs through the Numerus Clausus (NC), a highly competitive GPA-based cutoff that can demand near-perfect secondary school grades. At public German universities, this has historically sat around 1.0~1.2 (on Germany's inverted grading scale), making it one of the most restrictive entry filters in Europe.

However, NC is not the only path to studying in Germany. Private and international-track universities in Germany set their own admission criteria, with their own entrance exams, and interviews to give applicants a real chance to demonstrate who they are beyond a number.

Are There Medical Schools in Germany Without Numerus Clausus?

Yes. 2 universities in Germany offer medicine in English that operate outside the NC system entirely.

The top ranking non-NC medical universities in Germany are The University of Targu Mures Medical Campus Hamburg and the European University of Cyprus Frankfurt Campus.

Want to learn more about these universities?

We offer free consultations with our academic advisors to help you choose the best fit for you. Sign up using the form below and set up a time and date that suits you:

What are the Alternative Pathways to Medicine in Germany?

If you want to avoid the Numerus Clauses you should go for private universities that have their own internal university entrance exams and/or interviews.

Some medical schools run independent science-based tests that supplement grade requirements. Others include structured admission interviews to assess your motivation, communication skills, and understanding of the medical profession and a strong performance here can outweigh a modest academic record.

You can also opt for a pre-med programme that is designed to prep students who need to strengthen their science background before beginning the full MD curriculum.

You can learn all about studying medicine in English through our monthly webinar. Use the form below to sign up for our next one, and ask your questions live. You can also watch all our old webinars on the Medlink Students YouTube channel.

Does Non-NC Admission Affect my Degree or Career Prospects?

This is an important distinction to understand upfront. Universities like UMCH and EUC Frankfurt Campus are campuses based in Germany, but they are legally affiliated with their parent universities abroad. This means graduates receive an internationally recognised medical degree, which is not a German Dr. med.

However, all this means is that upon graduation you will need to just take an extra step if you wish to stay in Germany and practise medicine. Graduates will need to go through a degree recognition process with the relevant German state authority to obtain Approbation (full medical licensure).

You can learn more about this in our blog: From Graduation to Residency: Working as a Doctor in Germany After Studying in English

What Should I Focus on if My Grades Aren't Top-Tier?

A lower GPA is simply a hurdle, not a wall. The right programme and the right preparation can get you there.

You just need to make sure you prepare properly for entrance exams and interviews.

At Medlink Students, we work directly with UMCH and EUC Frankfurt, so we know exactly what their admissions processes are like. We provide students with exam and interview preparation materials designed specifically for each university, so you know what to expect and how to be fully prepared. Book a free consultation with 1 of our academic advisors to check whether you qualify and to find out which option is the best fit for you.