Cross-border European medical studies possible in Groningen and Oldenburg

The German Council of Science and Humanities, the most important science policy advisory body of the federal and state governments, today (12 November 2010) approved the joint German-Dutch project of the European Medical School Oldenburg-Groningen. This means that for the first time in Germany, a cross-border medical training programme with Bachelor's and Master's degrees in the Netherlands (Groningen) and medical State Examination in Germany (Oldenburg) can be offered.

Minister President David McAllister commented on today's decision by the German Council of Science and Humanities: "Lower Saxony is breaking new ground in medical education. This degree programme is unique in Germany and Europe. It has taken university co-operation with the Netherlands to a new level. This is a success for the University of Oldenburg and the region. The aim is to provide additional high-quality medical training. This is an active precaution against a shortage of doctors and a forward-looking investment in our future healthcare provision."

The state of Lower Saxony had submitted the concept for the planned establishment of the European Medical School to the German Council of Science and Humanities for review. "The idea of trialling a new structural approach to the training of doctors did not fall on fertile ground from the outset. Education and commitment were necessary. Today it is clear that it was worth it. The way has been paved for further medical training at university level," said Lower Saxony's Minister for Science and Culture, Professor Dr Johanna Wanka.

The University of Oldenburg will establish the European Medical School in Germany. "I am delighted that we were able to convince people with the concept of the European Medical School Oldenburg-Groningen. Today, the go-ahead has been given to establish a University Medicine Oldenburg. This is a historic opportunity for the university and the region. I am now confident that, together with the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, we will lead the trial phase of this cross-border concept, which is unique in Europe, to success," said Oldenburg University President Professor Dr Babette Simon.

President Prof. Dr. Sibrand Poppema of the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen in the Netherlands explained: "The European Medical School offers us the opportunity to further strengthen the co-operation between the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen and the University of Oldenburg, which has lasted for around 30 years, and to promote the internationalisation of our universities. We have already set a milestone with the Hanse Law School, the legal training programme with a European focus. With the planned European Medical School, we are continuing along this path."

The universities in Oldenburg and Groningen want to establish the European Medical School as a joint German-Dutch project. The binational project will create 40 new medical study places in Oldenburg. One third of the degree programme will be completed in Oldenburg and one third in Groningen, so that students will also learn the language and culture of the other home country. The Bachelor's degree in Groningen after six semesters qualifies students for all areas of healthcare outside the medical profession. Applicants who have already completed the pre-clinical part of the human medicine degree programme at another university can enter the final year of the Bachelor's degree programme via a "bridge year". After the subsequent three-year Master's programme in Human Medicine, graduates obtain a Dutch Master's degree in Geneeskunde or complete their studies with the German State Examination. These degrees give them a licence to practise medicine in Germany or the corresponding qualification in the Netherlands.

The European Medical School also includes the founding of a Medical School in Oldenburg and the establishment of university clinics. These are to be developed jointly by three Oldenburg hospitals.