Semmelweis University

History

A portrait of Maria Theresa, the Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary displayed in the Assembly Hall of the University, commemorates the founding of the Medical Faculty in 1769, almost 250 years ago. The University was named after Ignác Semmelweis, (1818-1865), the obstetrician who discovered the cause and prevention of puerperal fever in the 1840s, a former professor of Medicine between 1855 and 1865.

It became an independent medical school after the Second World War and developed into a university teaching medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, health sciences, and health management, as well as physical education and sport sciences.

In 1983, Semmelweis University started to offer medical courses taught in German, and English programs started in 1987. Nowadays, the university enrolls more than 200 new international students each year.

Since 1 September 2014, the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences has been separated from Semmelweis and operates independently as University of Physical Education.

Faculties

The university has five faculties, which offer courses from undergraduate to doctorate level in Hungarian, English, and German.:

There is also a School of Ph.D. Studies.

Research

Semmelweis University has one of the biggest and best-furnished medical-biological collections in Hungary, including a quarter of a million of books, and produces the greatest number of publications among the Hungarian universities. Semmelweis is noted for its pioneering research and innovation among the medical community around the globe.

Medical curriculum

The program leading to the Doctor of Medicine degree consists of six years: two years of general medical studies, three years of clinical studies, and one year of a rotating internship. Semmelweis University seeks motivated candidates for the program with a solid background in biology and chemistry. In addition, students must pass an entrance exam in English. The application deadline is in April and the course starts in September. Entrance exams are arranged at several locations in Europe, Israel, North America, Asia, and Africa.

The first two years are pre-clinical and the last four years are based in the Semmelweis Clinics. The curriculum of the pre-clinical years consists of the core subjects like Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Medical Chemistry and Biophysics. Elective subjects include an introduction to clinical medicine and medical profession at Semmelweis Hospitals.

Exams are organised in most subjects with 'Midterms', two in each subject, each semester. From mid December to the end of January and again from mid May to the start of July, this is a period called 'Exam Period' in which to complete Semi-Finals and Finals; One is at liberty to choose exam dates and schedules.

The university adheres to high levels of integrity and a traditional policy of mutual respect.

Accreditation, Ranking

The General Medicine program is listed by the WHO and it is recognized in EU nationals by all European Union countries without any licensing examinations. Semmelweis University is listed in the IMED / FAIMER directory and it is also recognised by the Medical Board of California, considered the gold standard for recognition in the USA.In 2015, it was ranked in the 101-150 Medical Category in QS World University Rankings, is considered the best in Hungary and one of the best in Europe.

International students

The university has around 10,000 students from 60 nations over five continents. Foreign students account for about 18% of the total community. The majority of the international student body are from Germany, although numbers from Israel, Scandinavia, Ireland and Cyprus have consistently grown in recent years. International students enrolled in the English program are mostly from the EU, Norway, Ireland, Israel, Cyprus, Iran, Japan, Nigeria, Canada, South Korea, Sweden, Turkey, Germany, Spain and the USA. Many nationalities have their own student organisations and associations, such as British and Irish Students Association, the Norwegian SA and the North American SA. The vast majority of foreign students live in apartments on the 'Pest' side of the city, with easy connections to the four Metro Lines and close to amenities. Students in the first and second year take part in Hungarian language classes, making many students proficient in basic colloquial conversation by the end of the first semester.

Dormitories

The Semmelweis University has ample room for accommodation in its dormitories. The Faculty of Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Health and Public Service have four dormitories. The Faculty of Health Sciences – which joined the University in 2000 – has its own two dormitories. The dormitories provide accommodation for students in rooms with 2 or 3 beds at a reasonable price (30 to 50 €/month) and they are also close to the University departments.

Balassa János Dormitory

This is the biggest dormitory of the University, a 9 storey building in the Tömő utca close 500 meters away from the Klinikák metro station, which can accommodate around 500 students in its mostly 3-bed-rooms. All rooms are equipped with a fridge and a sink. Each story has a shared use kitchen, toilets, showers, and learning rooms. The dormitory also has a library, a laundry and a gym. In spring the traditional Balassa-days are organized.

Markusovszky Lajos Dormitory

This dormitory is on the Rezső square, just a few hundred meters away from the NET (Theoretical Sciences Block) building of the University and it has 3 stories where it accommodates around 400 students in 3-bed-rooms, which are equipped with frigdes. Each level shares a toilet and shower block as well as kitchens. The dormitory also has several learning rooms, a library, a gym, and a music studio.

Selye János Dormitory

This smaller dormitory is on the Üllői street close to the mean building of the University which accommodates about 60 students in 2- or 3-bed-rooms equipped with fridges.

Korányi Frigyes Professional Dormitory

This special dormitory in the Hársfa street provides accommodation for the best students of the University. The dormitory is one of several professional dormitories of Hungarian universities for outstanding students. Special entrance exam needs to be passed to get accepted; a minimum average grade of 4.0 (see Academic grading in Hungary for details) is required from students in each semester and to take part in the undergraduate scientific program (TDK) from the third academic year. Rooms have two beds and two rooms share a kitchen and a bathroom. First year students get lots of help from senior students in the form of organized consultations.

Health care

Semmelweis University is the largest health care institution in Hungary, with over 9,000 employees covering about 6% of the health care needs of the country’s population. The university is deeply involved in the patient care of the Greater Budapest region. Of its 3000 clinical beds, 75% take part in the regional medical care and some special outpatients' departments supply the teaching hospitals with patients needed for training.

Location

Budapest is voted as one of the best cities in Central Europe to live in, with relatively low costs of living and an excellent social and nightlife scene. Semmelweis University does not have a campus and although some hospitals are clustered, most of its buildings are scattered across Budapest, mostly on the Pest side along line 3 of the Budapest metro: