ENQUIRE NOW
Located in: Slovakia
200+ graduates registered with the General Medical Council (GMC)
200 Medicine and 35 Dentistry places available each year, with 1st Year, Transfers and Graduate Entry options
High-quality clinical training at the Teaching Hospital network in Kosice, across 9 hospitals and 45+ departments
Pavol Jozef Safarik University (UPJS) is a public university located in Košsce, Slovakia. It was founded in 1959 as the 2nd classical university established in the country, and today it's home to more than 7,500 students across 5 faculties: Medicine, Science, Law, Public Administration, and Arts.
UPJS has built a strong reputation for training highly competent doctors and dentists, with over 200 graduates already registered with the UK General Medical Council (GMC). The Faculty of Medicine works in close partnership with the Teaching Hospital in Kosice, giving students hands-on clinical experience from an early stage of their studies.
Thanks to its accredited medicine and dentistry programmes with strong international recognition, UPJS has become a popular destination for students who want a genuinely world-class route to becoming a doctor or dentist.
Košice is Slovakia's 2nd-largest city, nicknamed the "metropolis of the East," and offers students a safe, culturally rich, and welcoming place to live and study.
Currently, the Pavol Jozef Safárik University ranking places it among the top educational and scientific establishments not just in Slovakia but in Europe too. It offers 2 programmes in English:
UPJS offers a General Medicine programme, which lasts 6 years and is worth 360 ECTS credits. It awards the Doctor of General Medicine (MUDr.) degree, which is internationally recognised and is automatically accepted across the EU.
UPJS offers a Dental Medicine programme, which lasts 5 years and is worth 300 ECTS credits. It awards the Doctor of Dental Medicine (MDDr.) degree, automatically recognised across the EU and accepted in many countries across the world.
The university accepts student transfers and also offers graduate entry into medicine. Graduate entry, also known as an accelerated MD, is a pathway designed for graduates who have a Bachelor’s Degree in a science-related field. The medicine programme at Pavol Jozef Safarik University is normally 6 years, but with this option, you can get placed directly into the 2nd or 3rd year of the course.
Pavol Jozef Safarik University, commonly known as UPJS, is located at Trieda SNP 1 040 11 in Košice, Slovakia.
The General Medicine programme at the University of Pavol Jozef Safarik has been taught in English for over 30 years, with more than 1,600 international students who have become successful doctors.
The programme lasts 6 years (12 terms) and includes theoretical, pre-clinical and hands-on clinical training. The Faculty of Medicine is closely connected with the Teaching Hospital in Košice, where practical education in clinical disciplines takes place, and the final years of the programme are dedicated to practical training in hospitals and healthcare institutions.
In the final year of the programme students sit state examinations before the Board of Faculty Experts after which they are awarded the title of Doctor of General Medicine (MUDr.), equivalent to an MD degree. This degree is internationally recognised and automatically allows graduates to practise not just across the European Union, but in many countries worldwide.
The Dental Medicine programme in English at UPJS lasts 5 years (10 terms), and follows the same structure as General Medicine: theoretical and pre-clinical subjects in the earlier years, moving into practical, hands-on clinical training later in the programme.
Just like with Medicine, the programme concludes with state examinations before the Board of Faculty Experts, and clinical training takes place through the Faculty's close connection with the Teaching Hospital in Kosice.
Graduates are awarded the academic title of Doctor of Dental Medicine (MDDr.), which is equivalent to a D.M.D. degree and recognised throughout the European Union and in the majority of other countries worldwide.
The University of Pavel Jozef Safarik spares no expense when it comes to providing engaging extracurricular activities. The campus library is home to thousands of books, which students browse digitally for convenience. A botanical garden showcases plants from various climates and regions and offers a packed calendar of events and activities.
The Pavol Jozef Safárik University in Košice Faculty of Medicine even boasts its own research team. The Excellent Team for Research into Atherosclerosis (EXTASY) is dedicated to studying this degenerative disease, with select students having the opportunity to contribute to the effort. Meanwhile, for sports, the campus is replete with top-notch facilities, including 3 outdoor and one indoor gymnasium, a swimming pool, and tennis courts.
The university is also part of the Erasmus+ programme, which enables students to travel and study abroad, while also providing grants for education, training, and sport.
Associations and clubs at Pavol Josef Safarik University include:
The Faculty of Medicine provides university studies in English for international students in two branches: general medicine (6-years) and dental medicine (5-years).
The Pavol Jozef Safarik University medicine tuition fees are from to and to per year for Dental Medicine.
The Faculty of Medicine accepts 200 new students for medicine and 35 for dentistry each year for English programmes.
We recommend that students apply as soon as possible, as an early application allows for more time to prepare a strong application file.
The Pavol Jozef University of Medicine accepts applications between June and August. Submit an application to one of our advisors, who can contact you with more information. Students must submit their documents to Medlink Students before September every year.
To secure a seat in the university, students must have good grades in their high school certificate, e.g. three A-levels, Baccalaureate, final leaving certificate, etc. If they meet those requirements, then they must sit an entrance exam.
There is a combined Biology and Chemistry exam, which is held at the Medical University and consists of multiple-choice questions. The exam lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Getting accepted for Pavol Jozef Safarik University's Medical Programme has become increasingly difficult due to the growing number of candidates each year. The competition is fierce and only the best candidates make it through. On top of that, the university has a long list of requirements and legal protocols that must be followed, which includes preparing documents that need to be translated, notarised, and legalised. Improperly submitting an application will lead to getting rejected, so it is essential that everything is done correctly. Don’t worry though. Our admissions specialists are among the finest in Europe and can manage the entire application process on your behalf, including all of the legal intricacies. Additionally, thanks to our collaboration with this excellent medical school, we possess an in-depth understanding of what they are looking for in an ideal candidate. By getting our support, you can be confident that you’ll submit an excellent application that will make you stand out from the competition. On top of that, we will provide you with excellent reading materials, that will help you prepare for the entrance exam. At Medlink Students, we can guarantee your acceptance to the Pavol Jozef Safarik University. With us, you can skip the confusing parts of applying abroad and focus on what’s most important - getting ready for the entry test.
Additionally, we will provide support throughout your entire education, and will help you start practising as a doctor in the UK as fast as possible.
Accredited in Slovakia by the country's higher education authority
Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS UPJS), the global database that includes only accredited universities and is jointly maintained by FAIMER and WFME.
Fulfils the requirements of the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK.
Over 200 UPJS graduates are already registered with the GMC and are practising medicine in the UK
Upon graduation, students receive an internationally recognised degree which is automatically recognised across the EU/EEA and accepted in many countries across the world.
Pavol Josef Safarik University is partnered with several exceptional hospitals, where students get comprehensive clinical training in over 45 departments across 9 hospitals, including:
The university is also partnered with 20+ specialised educational bases, as well as a dedicated research centre, including:
The university offers student housing for students in the Faculty of Medicine. There are single, double, and triple rooms available, all of which have Internet access (/month). There’s a shared kitchen on each floor, with 2 refrigerators, a cooker, an oven, and a microwave. On the first floor, you can also find a computer room, a laundry room, and a study room. Prices for each room type are:
Securing a dorm room is usually tricky for several reasons, the biggest of which is that demand is higher than supply. If you have trouble getting into the student hostel, consider renting an apartment in the city, as it’s also an affordable option.
A single-bedroom apartment in Kosice will cost you between – per month, depending on how close or far you are from the city centre. Other living expenses like utility bills, food, and free time activities can cost you anywhere between – , depending on your buying habits. So you expect to spend from – .
As a former European capital for culture, Kosice has a lot to offer in terms of day and night activities. For example, if you plan a city tour, you can see various historical museums and monuments, sculptures, cathedrals, theatres, and more. Kosice is not short of places to have a good meal and get a feel of Slovak cuisine. If you like nature, you can visit numerous parks and the city zoo. For clubbing enthusiasts, Kosice offers a lot of bars and clubs where you can have a refreshing drink and listen to live music.
While Kosice may be Slovakia's second-largest city, it competes fiercely with Bratislava for cultural richness and educational excellence. Here, visitors can explore a wealth of UNESCO sites, predominantly situated in the charming Old Town area. Kosice locals have loads of amazing things to see, like the Gothic towers of St. Elisabeth Cathedral or the sturdy walls of Executioner’s Bastion.
The city offers countless opportunities for recreation in the form of cafes, art galleries, theatres, and cinemas. There are plenty of places to have a good meal, and for clubbing enthusiasts, Kosice offers a lot of bars and clubs where you can have a refreshing drink and listen to live music.
You can stroll in the parks and the city zoo if you like nature. Yet, the highlight is the nearby ski slopes offering unrivalled outdoor pursuits during winter, where weekends can be filled with skiing or snowboarding.
Speaking of winters, the average temperature during the coldest season is -2 Celcius. Summers are relatively cool in Kosice, with average temperatures during the day around 21 Celcius. Aspiring medical professionals are advised to plan a balanced wardrobe but keep it safe on the warm side.
If you are just interested in hanging out with friends at the nearby shopping centre, pass by Kosice's OC Optima - it offers a perfect blend of fashion stores, everyday eateries and a supermarket.
The city of Kosice openly welcomes students from all ethnicities, religions, and cultures, creating an environment of understanding and mutual appreciation. Mosques, churches, and synagogues can be found throughout the city, serving as symbols of unity and offering spaces for students to practise their faith freely.
Food-wise, you will also find a wide variety of vegetarian, kosher, and halal restaurants. Slovak culture fosters a sense of safety and respect, ensuring the well-being of all students, including hijab women. The city of Kosice is among the safest cities in Europe.
The winter semester usually starts at the end of September and lasts until the end of the calendar year. After the Christmas and New Year holidays is the examination session, which ends in mid-February.
The second semester starts right after the examination period, meaning mid-February. It lasts for 14 weeks or until mid-to-late May. Immediately, a 6-week examination session begins and ends in early July.
Pavol Jozef Šafárik University is an outstanding option for students looking for an internationally recognised route into Medicine or Dentistry. The programmes here are taught entirely in English and offer exceptional hands-on clinical training from early on.
Apply for UPJS through Medlink Students to receive expert guidance at every stage of your application process. Our team has in-depth knowledge of UPJS's curriculum, entrance exam, and requirements, and we'll make sure you submit the strongest possible application to maximise your chances of getting accepted.
Book a free consultation with our academic advisors to find out if you meet the requirements.
The university is located in Kosice, Slovakia. The city is on the banks of the Hornad River, next to the Black Mountain. The university’s address is Trieda SNP 1 040 11 Kosice, Slovak Republic.
Yes. Transfers are possible for medical students.
Yes, you can study graduate entry medicine at Pavol Jozef Safarik University.
Tuition for medicine is starting from per year. Dentistry costs start from per year.
The university's medical graduates get international recognition of their degrees. The World Health Organisation recognises it through its World Directory of Medical Schools. In addition, the UK General Medical Council also recognises the university.
Yes. You can study medicine and dentistry in English.
Yes. The university has almost 200 graduates registered with the UK General Medical Council.
Yes. There is a multiple-choice test that covers Biology and Chemistry.
Students need a secondary education certificate with good grades. They also need to pass an entrance examination.
The Autumn semester starts at the end of September.
Pavol Jozef Safarik University provides student housing with various room options and facilities designed to accommodate the needs of its diverse student body. These housing options ensure that students have a comfortable and conducive living environment while studying at the university.
Pavol Jozef Safarik University offers career counselling, workshops on residency applications, and guidance on medical licensure. Students should inquire about these services to ensure they receive support in planning their medical careers post-graduation.
