Medicine MECCA: Palacky University

If you thought Russia and China were the best options for studying medicine outside the UK and the US, think again. Even though it might sound a little obscure as an educational destination, the Czech Republic is fast emerging as a popular centre for medicine. It has top-rung universities offering courses recognised all over the world. And Indian students are queuing up to join them.

Three of the leading Czech medical schools now have more than 150 Indian students per batch. The number is rising, thanks to students who are switching over from other East European countries where the standard of teaching is often suspect.

Unlike most Russian or Chinese colleges, the admission norms in the Czech Republic are stricter. At least for leading universities like Charles, Palacky and Marasyck. You need the mandatory Medical Council of India (MCI) clearance and a 50 per cent in physics, chemistry and biology to be eligible. Generally, the courses are of five years? duration, including internship. You can enrol as an undergraduate student and finish with a doctorate. Most students, however, opt for undergraduate courses.

?Unlike its East European neighbours, Czech medical courses are very old and they are reputed. You have teachers from West Europe, who give their courses an edge. And like the best medicine courses anywhere in the world, they are technologically very advanced,? says S. Niyogi, education consultant, Education Unlimited.

Take the Charles University in Prague. It was set up in 1348 and produces 42,000 graduates every year in medicine, law, management, sciences, theology and a host of other subjects. Even though lectures and examinations are conducted in English, learning the local language is mandatory for medical students for the first three years.

Proficiency in Czech is required for communicating with patients and medical staff in the wards. Charles is also renowned for applied informatics and information management and financial management.

At Palacky University, founded in 1573, the curriculum is divided into three parts. The first one gives information of a more general nature with a biological orientation. The details, structure and functions of the human body are also taught here. The second part represents an introduction to diseases, their structural and functional aspects, causes of diseases, and the basis of their medical treatment. Students also learn how to take medical histories and examine patients. The third part is composed mostly of clinical subjects. The final year ends with four final state exams and you get the degree of Medical Doctor (MUDr) at a graduation ceremony.

At present, Palacky University is home to about 12,000 students in seven faculties. Located in Olomouc, three hours from Prague, it supports the international exchange of knowledge through numerous programmes. ?So far, these courses were hardly known in India, but the Republic has started promoting them,? says an education agent.

It?s not very cheap, though, to study medicine in the Czech Republic. Annual tuition fees would be around 8,500 euros and living costs would amount to 3,000 euros per month. To qualify, you must take the TOEFL. Sessions begin in February and October.