Webinar: Pursuing MBBS in India Thu, November 5, 2026 | 8:30 PM IST FREE
Reserve free seatFree Webinar: MBBS in India
Thu, November 5, 2026 | 8:30 PM
Free Webinar: MBBS in India
Thu, November 5, 2026 | 8:30 PM
Hungary's oldest and top-ranked medical university, training doctors in the heart of Budapest since 1769.
5000+ Students trust us
Hungary
Country
Budapest
City
#1 in Hungary
Ranking
English
Medium of instruction
Introduction
The SEMMELWEIS lettering among plants outside the Basic Medical Science Centre, Budapest
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Recognition & Prestige
Semmelweis University is the oldest and highest-ranked medical university in Hungary and one of the best known in Central Europe, with a degree recognised across the European Union and by the National Medical Commission of India.
#1
medical university in Hungary
Top 200
QS World University Rankings by Subject: Medicine 2026
#251–300
THE World University Rankings 2026
The medical degree is recognised internationally. Semmelweis University is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS), its degree is recognised across the European Union, and it follows NMC rules for Indian students, so eligible graduates can sit the Indian screening examination (FMGE) for licensing.
NMC compliant
Follows NMC rules for Indian students: a course of at least 54 months, a 12-month internship at the university and teaching in English. Graduates sit the FMGE to practise in India.
WDOMS
Listed in WDOMS, the World Directory of Medical Schools.
WFME
Progressing through World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) programme accreditation.
European Union (EHEA)
As a Hungarian degree, the qualification is recognised across the EU and the European Higher Education Area (Bologna Process).
Complete Information About Semmelweis University
Get complete information about Semmelweis University, including tuition, living costs, the entrance exam and the licensing route for Indian students.
Success stories
Hear directly from students who are studying medicine in Europe with futureMBBS.
Academic Excellence
Semmelweis pairs the prestige of Hungary's oldest medical school with English-taught teaching, a strong EU-recognised degree and an affordable, safe life in one of Europe's most beautiful capital cities.
Read all about MBBS abroad in our free brochure
Know exactly what options exist for your MBBS-abroad success.
How to Apply
Admission to General Medicine at Semmelweis University is through the university's own entrance examination, made up of a written test and an interview. Indian students must also qualify NEET to obtain the NMC eligibility certificate required to study MBBS abroad, but admission to Semmelweis itself is decided by its entrance exam, not by NEET rank.
The online application window for the 2026/2027 academic year opens through the SEMAPHOR application system.
Final date to submit the completed application and pay the US$400 application procedure fee.
A written test in Medical Biology, Medical Chemistry, General English and Biomedical English, followed by a personal interview.
Accepted applicants are usually notified within about two weeks after the entrance exam and receive their offer.
Admitted students pay the US$2,000 deposit (deducted from first-semester tuition) and the US$230 enrolment fee, then complete visa and registration steps.
The academic year begins for the new intake in Budapest.
Applicants must have completed Class 12 (or equivalent secondary education) with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, and Indian students must have qualified NEET for NMC eligibility. Strong marks in Biology and Chemistry help in the entrance exam.
Subjects:
Candidates should be at least 17 years old in the year of admission, in line with standard MBBS-abroad and NMC requirements.
Applicants must clear Semmelweis University's entrance examination (written test plus interview). Applications are submitted through the SEMAPHOR system, directly or through an approved representative.
Entrance Exam
A written test in Medical Biology, Medical Chemistry, General English and Biomedical English, followed by an interview assessing motivation, English and science knowledge.
NEET (for Indian students)
Indian students must qualify NEET to obtain the NMC eligibility certificate required for studying MBBS abroad and for the screening examination on return.
Admission is based on Semmelweis's own entrance examination and interview, not on category-wise minimum marks.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Written test | Four sections (Medical Biology, Medical Chemistry, General English and Biomedical English) with 20 questions and 20 minutes each. |
| Personal interview | Assesses motivation, English communication and science knowledge; decisive for the final admission decision. |
To apply, students need to submit essential academic and identification documents:
Admission Guidance & Document Checklist
Get the complete document checklist or admission guidance from our experts.
Programme Structure
Students follow a structured six-year curriculum that balances medical theory with real clinical exposure, taught entirely in English and built around Semmelweis University's network of clinics in Budapest.
Total Duration:
6 Years
Degree:
General Medicine (dr. med.), equivalent to MBBS
Years 1–2
Basic medical sciences focused on the structure and function of the healthy human body, with early laboratory and skills work.
Years 3–4
Paraclinical sciences and the first structured patient contact in the university clinics, bridging laboratory science and bedside medicine.
Years 5–6
Clinical rotations across the specialties in Semmelweis's Budapest teaching hospitals, followed by a final practical year of rotations before the degree is awarded.
Clinical training takes place across Semmelweis University's network of teaching clinics and hospitals in Budapest, beginning with early patient contact and building to full clinical rotations and a final practical year.
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| Years 1–2 | Pre-clinical foundations and basic clinical skills. |
| Years 3–4 | Paraclinical sciences and first structured patient contact in the clinics. |
| Years 5–6 | Clinical rotations across the specialties and a final practical year in Budapest teaching hospitals. |
Get the full curriculum
Download a free brochure to see detailed subjects, the course structure and everything you need to plan your studies.
Global Exchange
As a university in the European Union, Semmelweis takes part in the Erasmus+ exchange programme, giving students the chance to spend a semester at partner medical schools across Europe.
| Country | Partner Universities |
|---|---|
| Albania | University of Medicine, Tirana |
| Austria | Universität Wien; Donau-Universität Krems; Open Medical Institute |
| Azerbaijan | Azerbaijan Medical University |
| Belgium | KU Leuven; University of Antwerp |
| Finland | Laurea University of Applied Sciences |
| France | Claude Bernard University Lyon 1; University of Nantes; Inalco University |
| Germany | Heidelberg University; University of Regensburg; Ulm University; University of Lübeck; Technical University of Munich; University of Cologne; University of Konstanz |
| Great Britain | University of Birmingham |
| Italy | University of Padua; University of Parma; University of Trieste; University of Pisa; University of Florence |
| Kosovo | UBT Higher Education Institution |
| Romania | Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj; Babeş-Bolyai University; Vasile Goldiș Western University of Arad; Partium Christian University |
| Russia | I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University; Pavlov First State Medical University, St. Petersburg; RUDN University; Ural State Medical University; Northern State Medical University; Voronezh State Medical University |
| Slovakia | Comenius University in Bratislava; J. Selye University |
| Spain | University of Lleida; University of Murcia; University of Santiago de Compostela |
| Sweden | Karolinska Institutet; Linnaeus University |
| Ukraine | Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian College; Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv |
Explore Your Erasmus+ Options
Erasmus+ lets students spend a semester at a partner university in Europe. Get the confirmed, current partner list and details from our experts.
Legacy
Semmelweis University and its predecessor, the medical faculty in Pest, have shaped some of the most influential figures in medicine, from the pioneer of antisepsis to a Nobel laureate.
The university's namesake, professor of obstetrics at the Pest medical faculty. He discovered that hand disinfection dramatically reduced deadly childbed fever, pioneering antiseptic practice in medicine, the saviour of mothers whose insight shaped modern infection control.
Entered the Budapest Medical School, now Semmelweis University, in 1911. He won the 1937 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering vitamin C and key steps of cellular respiration, becoming one of Hungary's most celebrated scientists.
Professor of surgery at the University of Pest from 1843, regarded as the founder of modern surgery in Hungary. A pioneer of plastic surgery and of early resuscitation techniques, he modernised surgical teaching and practice in the country.
Baron Frigyes Korányi earned his degree at Semmelweis's predecessor institution, led its internal medicine department and served as rector in 1886–87. He founded a modern Hungarian school of internal medicine and led the national fight against tuberculosis.
Received his medical diploma at the University of Pest in 1870 and taught there. He advanced the rabies vaccine, developing a dilution method still referenced today, and founded the Hungarian Pasteur Institute, becoming its first director.
Son of Frigyes, one of the most renowned internists of his era and a pioneer of functional pathology and modern nephrology. His work on kidney function and clinical physiology influenced internal medicine across Europe.
A Hungarian interventional and sports cardiologist, director of Semmelweis University's Heart and Vascular Centre and, since 2018, the rector of the university. He represents the modern clinical and research leadership of Semmelweis.
Semmelweis students are taught by a large faculty of physicians, surgeons and scientists across the university's Budapest clinics and research institutes. The combination of experienced clinical teachers and active biomedical researchers is central to the Semmelweis education.
Experienced physicians and surgeons
Faculty with international publications
Leading Hungarian biomedical researchers
Clinical teachers across many specialties
Regular academic interaction
Personal mentorship
Clinical supervision during rotations
A large, established international student community
About University
Buda Castle overlooking the Danube in Budapest
Fisherman's Bastion, a historic landmark in Budapest
Get all information about Semmelweis University in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying MBBS at Semmelweis University.
Role in medicine
The ceremonial hall of Semmelweis University with historic portraits
Get all information about Semmelweis University in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying MBBS at Semmelweis University.
Affordable education
Budapest offers world-class medical education at a comparatively low cost of living for Europe. Here is the approximate monthly breakdown for an international student, quoted in Indian rupees.
| Cost Component | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (dormitory or shared flat) | ₹24,000 – ₹42,000 |
| Food | ₹12,000 – ₹18,000 |
| Transportation (student pass) | ₹1,000 – ₹2,500 |
| Other Expenses (utilities, internet, leisure) | ₹6,000 – ₹12,000 |
Average monthly living cost
₹45,000 – ₹75,000
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge and Budapest lit up at night, seen from above
Housing
Semmelweis University offers student dormitories (kollégium) in Budapest, and many international students also rent private flats. Both options are affordable by European standards and keep students close to the university clinics.
Need accommodation details?
Get a full overview of housing options with our university guide, or reach out to an expert.
Food & Dining
Indian and vegetarian food is easily available in Budapest, which has a growing Indian community and a wide range of restaurants and grocery options.
Semmelweis campuses and central Budapest have canteens and cafes serving affordable daily meals near classes and clinics, with vegetarian options widely available.
Budapest has a good number of Indian restaurants serving dal, roti, sabzi, biryani and curries, with many offering clearly labelled vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Budapest has Indian and Asian grocery stores where students can buy everyday essentials such as rice, lentils, flour, spices and ready-mixes to cook at home.
Dormitories and rented flats have kitchens where students can cook their own meals, which is the most economical and reliable way to enjoy home-style Indian vegetarian food.
Budapest has reliable delivery services such as Wolt and Foodpanda, allowing students to order meals and groceries, including from Indian restaurants and stores, to their door.
Location
Üllői út 26, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
Nearest Airport
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Local Transport
Budapest's metro (including the M3 line), trams and buses connect the university's campuses and clinics across the city, with an affordable student pass.
Your Roadmap to Success
On completing the programme, graduates earn the Semmelweis General Medicine degree, equivalent to an MBBS, recognised across the European Union and by regulators in India and many other countries.
Graduates who wish to return home appear for the Indian screening examination, currently the FMGE and transitioning to the NExT, then complete an internship and register with the National Medical Commission.
Because the degree is recognised across the European Union under EU rules on professional qualifications, graduates can seek registration and practice in Hungary and other EU member states.
Graduates can also pursue international licensing examinations, including the USMLE for the United States and the PLAB route for the United Kingdom, opening careers around the world.
After the primary degree, graduates can pursue postgraduate specialisation and residency training in Hungary, elsewhere in the EU, in India or in other countries.
Graduates go on to work as clinicians across Europe and beyond, or move into medical research, building on Semmelweis's strong research tradition.
Understand the Medical Licensing Pathway
A clear overview of the exams and requirements after graduation.
Practising in India
To practise medicine in India after graduating from Semmelweis University, Indian students follow a clear pathway set by the National Medical Commission. NEET qualification is required from the start to obtain the NMC eligibility certificate.
Step 1
Graduates must clear the qualifying examination that licenses foreign medical graduates to practise in India. This is currently the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), which is transitioning to the National Exit Test (NExT).
Step 2
After qualifying, students complete a one-year Compulsory Rotatory Residential Internship (CRRI) in India, gaining supervised clinical experience across the major departments.
Step 3
The final step is registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the relevant State Medical Council, after which the graduate can practise as a doctor in India.
Student Life Style
Being an MBBS student at Semmelweis is a mix of intensive academics, cultural exposure and personal growth in one of Europe's most beautiful and affordable capital cities, alongside a large international community.
The Széchenyi thermal baths, a famous relaxation spot in Budapest
The Budapest skyline with the Hungarian Parliament along the Danube
Scholarship & Financial
Semmelweis students can explore a small number of government and university scholarship routes, though most international students self-fund the programme.
The Stipendium Hungaricum is the Hungarian government's flagship scholarship for international students, covering tuition and providing a monthly allowance and accommodation support for selected applicants from partner countries.
Semmelweis offers selected merit-based recognition and academic awards to high-performing students; availability and terms vary by year.
Students who take part in an Erasmus+ exchange during their studies may receive an Erasmus+ mobility grant to support a semester at a partner university in Europe.
Compare
Compare Semmelweis University with a leading Indian medical college.
Quick Comparison:
Semmelweis University vs CMC Vellore
| University | Semmelweis UniversityBudapest, Hungary | CMC VelloreTamil Nadu, India |
|---|---|---|
| University Type | Public | Private (minority) |
| Medium | English | English |
| Course Duration | 6 years (General Medicine, MBBS-equivalent) | 5.5 years (MBBS) |
| Tuition (per year) | ~₹20 lakh (€18,680) | ~₹3–4 lakh |
| Admission | Semmelweis entrance exam (NEET needed for NMC eligibility) | NEET-UG |
| Recognition | NMC compliant; EU-recognised; WDOMS-listed | NMC-recognised |
| Global Ranking | Top 200 for its subject (QS 2026) | Among India's leading medical colleges |
Compare Top MBBS Universities for Me
See key differences in fees, ranking, eligibility and recognition.
Our blog
Articles that turn complex MBBS-abroad rules into simple, practical steps for students and parents.
FAQ
Short answers to the questions students and parents ask most often about MBBS at Semmelweis University.
