Master of Medicine in Medicine

The six-year Medicine programme is divided into a Bachelor’s and a Master’s cycle, each taking up three years. An academic year consists of integrated modules (blocks) and (learning) pathways (lines). More information can be found on bachelorbrochure. The Master’s programme focuses on an increasing integration of theoretical knowledge on syndromes, their origin, diagnosis and therapy into practice
(by means of skills labs, patient contacts and internships and by learning to solve clinical problems in small groups).

The first and second Master’s year consists of weekly clinical classes. Based on a patient testimony (the patient being present in the lecturing hall), diagnostic approaches are discussed. The meaning of clinical findings, the patient’s psychosocial and a rational choice of research methods and treatment (i.e. evidence-based medicine) is given much focus. During those two years you will also work on a Master’s dissertation, which you will be asked to defend halfway through the second year. In addition, the programme consists of several internships. The clinic modules will acquaint you with patient care by means of junior internships (individual work shadowing) and structured internships (in small groups, during which patients with significant syndromes are questioned and examined under supervision of experienced physicians).
Senior internships take up most of the second term of the second year and the first term of the third year. These are basic internships in various disciplines: Internal Medicine, Accidents & Emergency, Surgery, Kinesiology, Paediatrics, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, General Practice, Psychiatry, ENT Surgery, Dermatology, etc… .
Internship objectives have been defined for each discipline. The second term of the third year includes in-depth orientation internships that will help you determine which advanced professional study programme you may take after graduating from the initial programme (i.e. general practitioner – hospital physician – social health care). In addition, reflection on clinical practice is an essential part of the study programme.
You take the ‘integrated clinical final exam’ during the June exam period of the third year. The third master year concludes with three weeks of in-depth clinical reasoning in which you will take the EBMA knowledge test. This test assesses every aspect of what a general practitioner must know. Passing the test results in an internationally recognized certificate.
International internships (within the EU) are possible through the Erasmus/Socrates programme. Non-EU internships are also an option in e.g. Cambodia, Bolivia, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Ecuador, etc…

In addition to the (domain) Master’s programme described above, you can also choose a Master’s Programme in Teaching (in Dutch: Educatieve Master). In doing so, you will not become a qualified medical practitioner, but instead you choose to apply your academic/scientific knowledge in a teaching position. For more information, go to www.ugent.be/educatievemaster.

The (initial) Master of Medicine in Medicine gives access to advanced professional training: you can either choose to become a (recognized) General Practitioner by taking the Master of Medicine in Family Medicine (a three-year advanced Master’s programme), or a specialist medical practitioner (Surgery, Paediatrics, …) by taking the Master of Medicine in Specialist Medicine. In that case, the duration of the study programme depends on your choice of specialization. The Specialist Medicine programme is practically oriented. During a period of a specific number of years, you are a fully salaried specialist medical practitioner in training (in Dutch: arts-specialist in opleiding – ASO). Alternatively, your degree can also give access to jobs in the humanitarian field, in research or industry, to preventive health care jobs like e.g. occupational medicine or youth health care, and many other sectors. In short, a (initial) Master of Medicine in Medicine degree opens doors to a whole range of career opportunities. It is, therefore, important to have a broad outlook.