In the first year of study, students gain an insight into research and academic work. Within the context of a clearly defined research project and under the guidance of a tutor, students work in small groups on a narrowly defined academic research question. They learn to address this question using appropriate research methods and to present and discuss their findings at a poster symposium.

This is accompanied by a lecture.

Lecture topics include: 

• The necessity of research as the starting point for medical progress
• Good scientific practice
• Use of Office and reference management software
• Introduction to literature research
• Scientific writing
• Presentation of research findings and creation of a scientific poster

As part of LFC 2, students gain in-depth insights into a field of medical research through a research placement or a group project. Students choose the placement or project independently, based on their interests. The aim is for them to familiarise themselves with research topics and methods. 

A block week is set aside in the timetable for this purpose. Many opportunities are also available throughout the semester.

The ‘Advanced Academic Work’ module is designed to build on the skills students have acquired in the ‘Introduction to Academic Work’ module, whilst at the same time preparing them for the ‘academic dissertation’ in Year 5. 

The aim of the so-called ‘Read and Write’ modules is to develop students’ academic research, reading and writing skills and to bring them up to a common level of understanding regarding academic work. Writing an introduction at the end of the seminar is intended to serve as an initial practical writing exercise and to provide an opportunity to practise the key elements of an academic thesis in a practical way.

In the fifth year of study, students work independently on a research project in the field of medical or medical-related research over a block of 12–16 weeks (depending on the applicable examination regulations), with the aim of producing an academic paper. The topic may be chosen freely. During the project, particular emphasis is placed on formulating a research question and establishing testable hypotheses, the critical evaluation of information sources and assessment of their relevance to the research question, a methodologically sound experimental design, a clear presentation and coherent interpretation of the results, conclusions that are factually correct, and the contextualisation of one’s own work within the relevant field of research. Students who intend to pursue a PhD following their degree may choose a topic that builds upon their research paper.

Students can find topics for research projects via the topic exchange on Stud.IP (please log in beforehand). It is also possible to contact clinics, departments or individual lecturers directly.

Registration for the research project (Study Regulations 2023 and earlier) is carried out using the registration form on the Academic Examinations Office’s website. Registration for the academic thesis (Study Regulations 2025) is carried out using the registration form in Stud.IP.

Within the degree programme in Medicine, there are numerous modules designed to help you develop academic skills. The university’s central departments also offer a wide range of courses that will be useful to you when writing your research thesis:

• Degree programme in Medicine
  • Year 5 PE Workshops (Research and Science pillar)
  • Writing group for medical students
• ZSKB Learning Workshop
• Library

The University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG) and the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Groningen (RUG) offer a broad research landscape, thereby providing students with the opportunity to gain in-depth insight into medical and medical-related research. Research at the UMCG is characterised by a close integration of basic research and patient-oriented clinical research.

Students on the model degree programme in Medicine can also carry out their scientific or research work in Groningen or in collaboration with a Groningen research group. 

An overview of courses on scientific training offered as part of the Junior Scientific Masterclass (JSM) can be viewed via this link. 

If you are interested in undertaking scientific work in Groningen, you can find out at wiss.karrierefoerderung.fk6@uol.de or contact the coordinator in Groningen directly (

The Erasmus+ programme offers financial support for a study-related stay in Groningen.

Teaching in the field of epidemiology and biometrics (EuB) is the responsibility of the Division of Epidemiology and Biometrics (Department of Human Medicine): https://uol.de/eub/lehre-und-qualifikationsarbeiten/lehre-im-curriculum-humanmedizin. 

Students can seek epidemiological and biometric advice on research projects. Provided they have a good basic understanding (having successfully completed the DAP course), they can book a consultation for straightforward queries even without a supervisor. For more complex questions or research questions that have not yet been fully developed, it is recommended that you discuss the consultation with your supervisor or, if necessary, attend the first appointment together. Please register via the BAMBIE portal.  

As part of the LFC, we welcome support from committed teaching staff in the following areas:

• For LFC 1, we are seeking research projects that are clearly defined and can be undertaken within a single semester as part of small groups. The plan is to run a course running throughout the semester (integrated into modules 1.3 and 1.4) comprising three hours per week. LFC Year 1 begins in mid-March and ends in mid-July with a final symposium. As part of the symposium, students will present their research findings via a poster and a presentation.
• For LFC 2, we are seeking work placement opportunities (job shadowing) and project opportunities (structured practical small-group teaching with a research focus) that offer students the chance to gain an insight into a research area or research methodology. The projects can either be offered during the placement weeks provided for in the curriculum, or alternative formats can be developed (e.g. alongside the semester or as a weekend/block module). A short placement report (e.g. a brief essay or description of the research area and/or logs) is to be written about the placement.

The block week is scheduled for the following period:

Winter Semester 2026/27

: – LFC 2: 12–16 October 2026

• Registration forms for LFC 1 and 2 can be sent directly to . The deadline for registrations is 15 May and 15 November respectively for the following semester.
• For the module ‘Advanced Academic Writing’, we are seeking lecturers to deliver ‘Read and Write’ seminars comprising 10 sessions of 90 minutes each, with the aim of promoting students’ academic research, reading and writing skills and thus prepare them for academic work.
• For academic work/research projects, we are seeking projects that students can undertake independently, but with close supervision, within 12–16 weeks. Ideally, the projects should be structured and prepared in such a way that students can engage with the topic straight away. Lecturers can submit topics themselves via the topic exchange on Stud.IP (please have your Stud.IP login details to hand).
• We are constantly looking for new workshop proposals for the ‘Research and Academic Work’ supplementary curriculum as part of the Year 5 Professional Development pathway. Further information can be found here.

If you are interested in getting involved in teaching or supervising academic work as part of the LFC, please feel free to contact us by email at: .