Lately, there seem to be a lot of students on the forum asking about studying medicine. Since I’m currently a student at the University of Granada’s Faculty of Medicine, I thought I’d start a post to share my personal experience. Hopefully, this can help future students. This is purely my personal perspective, so feel free to discuss and add your own insights if I’ve missed anything!
UGR’s Faculty of Medicine has a very long and distinguished history, renowned both within Spain and across Europe. Its main building is located in the city’s Health Sciences Technology Park (PTS), boasting modern facilities and a top-notch environment for classes and lab work. The academic atmosphere is intense; you’ll always find the library and study rooms filled with students engrossed in their books. After all, medicine is a demanding field that requires immense dedication, no matter where you study.
When it comes to applications, the biggest concern for everyone is undoubtedly the entry scores. Public university medical schools in Spain are known for their incredibly high cut-off grades, and UGR is no exception. The required score from the university entrance exam is consistently very high, typically above 13.2 (out of 14). Therefore, to get in, you need to have top-tier high school grades and an exceptional score on the Spanish university entrance exam. The competition is fierce.
Regarding the curriculum, the first two to three years are dedicated to basic medical sciences. The content is vast and the study pressure is immense—don’t expect an easy ride to graduation. In the later years, you’ll move on to clinical courses and begin practical training at the university’s affiliated hospitals. For those wondering about other options, here is a list of Universities in Spain with Medical Schools. To give you an idea, here are some core courses from the first two years:
| Academic Year | Sample Core Courses |
|---|
| First Year | Biochemistry, Human Anatomy, Cell Biology & Histology |
| Second Year | Physiology, Microbiology, Genetics |
Campus Life & Advice
Overall, studying medicine in Granada is a journey filled with both challenges and rewards. Granada itself is a beautiful and historic city, with a cost of living significantly lower than in Madrid or Barcelona. In your free time, you can wander through the Albaicín quarter or soak in the history at the Alhambra Palace. My advice for future students is this: you absolutely must build a strong foundation in Spanish. If your language skills aren’t up to par, you’ll struggle to understand lectures and exams, which is incredibly tough. Also, be prepared to dedicate a significant amount of your time to your studies. The path of medicine is never easy, no matter where you are. Good luck!
