Gain a prestigious medical qualification, launch a successful career
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), projections suggest a deficit of 10 million health professionals by 2030, primarily affecting low- and lower-middle-income countries. If this gap persists, the consequences could be dire — think strains on fragile healthcare systems, compromised patient care, and hindered progress in combating diseases and improving public health worldwide.
To address this need, aspiring healthcare professionals must pursue education of the highest calibre. That’s exactly what Raissa Guedes Pereira from Brazil found at the University of Szeged, Hungary (SZTE) — one of Hungary’s largest, most prestigious universities. “I already had a sister studying there, however I applied based on the premise of studying medicine in English whilst having a well-recognised European degree,” she says.
With a rich institutional legacy dating back to 1581, SZTE has been training doctors in English for nearly four decades. Its history is underscored by prolific individuals like Albert Szent-Györgyi, Nobel Laureate of 1937, renowned for isolating Vitamin C from Szeged paprika. More recently, Katalin Karikó, a research professor at the University of Szeged, received the Nobel Prize in 2023 for her pioneering work on mRNA — pivotal in the development of mRNA-based vaccines against COVID-19.
This explains how the university continuously ascends in global rankings. As of 2024-25, it stands at 570th place in the QS World University Rankings, marking a notable rise by 30 places. Its accreditation from the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) further ensures adherence to international standards and best practices in medical training.
This success would not have been possible without SZTE’s dedicated faculty. Pereira’s positive experience was significantly shaped by her relationships with academics here. “They definitely played a role in making me feel secure in my professional persona, guiding me to always challenge myself and learn new things,” says the Medical Programme (MD) graduate.
Pereira’s programme is one of five graduate health science programmes open to international students at SZTE. Offered in English, German and Hungarian, it equips students with a solid foundation of basic medical knowledge before they are expected to take part in regular practice in clinical departments and teaching hospitals.
Students in need of further preparation can pursue the eight-month Foundation Year first instead. It covers Biology, Chemistry including Chemical Calculations, Physics, Mathematics, Medical English and the Hungarian language — an effective pathway to the Medical course, furthermore to the rest of SZTE’s Health Science programmes – successful completion and outstanding grades could mean gaining automatic acceptance to the SZTE’s five-year Pharmacy Programme (DPharm), five-year Dental Medicine Programme (DMD), four-year Physiotherapist BSc (BScPhysio), and four-year Nurse BSc (BscN) programmes.
What all five graduate programmes have in common is their emphasis on a robust theoretical foundation coupled with extensive clinical training — both of which equip students with the knowledge and practical skills essential for professional success. Supported by modern facilities, mentoring programmes, and comprehensive service units, students are empowered to reach their full potential and step into the workforce as competent, compassionate healthcare professionals ready to address global health’s evolving challenges.
Pereira is currently taking a gap year, using this time to immerse herself in intensive German language courses in preparation for a Pathology programme. Source: University of Szeged, Hungary
That’s precisely what Pereira hopes to accomplish now that she’s graduated. “The academic skills I gained here shaped me into being assertive with my professional choices while still treating those around me with respect,” she says. “Essentially, yes, SZTE prepared me to be a doctor from an academic point of view, but it also prepared me to behave in a more understanding manner — as an empathetic doctor.”
Such transformations aren’t without their challenges. Health sciences are a notoriously competitive field of study, but SZTE provides comprehensive support throughout this journey. From the application process to obtaining the degree, it is dedicated to helping students succeed every step of the way — no matter where they’re from. One of the many ways the Medical School fosters a sense of community is through events like the recent International Cultural Evening — an opportunity for students to share their unique cultures, traditions, and experiences.
If this sounds like the medical education you’ve been looking for, apply to SZTE’s health science degree programmes for the academic year 2025/2026 from December 2024 or submit an application for the Foundation Year Programme by July 31, 2024.
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