University of Pécs: Gateway to English-Language Education in Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy

The University of Pécs, one of Hungary’s long-established and prestigious higher education institutions, offers international students the opportunity to study in English in highly competitive fields such as Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy. However, to be admitted directly to these programs, students need both to have a certain level of academic competence and to prove their English language skills.

Requirements for Starting a Department Directly

To start directly in these sought-after programs of the University of Pécs, candidates are expected to hold a high school diploma and to have successfully completed Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics in every grade throughout their high school studies. This is an important criterion to ensure that students have a solid foundation in the basic sciences.

In addition to academic competence, advanced English knowledge is another prerequisite in order to follow lectures and clinical practice. Candidates are generally asked to document their English proficiency at B2 level with internationally recognized exams (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.).

Preparatory Programs: The Academic and Linguistic Bridge

For students whose English level or high school science background is not sufficient for direct admission, the University of Pécs offers comprehensive preparatory programs that allow them to close this gap. The university offers a three-stage preparatory structure designed according to students’ needs, each stage consisting of 400 class hours:

• Milestone (Basic Level): This program is designed for students whose English is below B1 (lower-intermediate) and who need to develop their language skills from the ground up. With communication-focused classes, the aim is to bring students’ listening, reading, writing and speaking skills up to intermediate level (B1).

• Upgrade (Development Level): The next step for students who have completed B1 or who already have English knowledge at this level. At this stage, language education is placed in a more academic context. Through compulsory and elective modules modeled on university seminars, students’ language skills are brought up to B2 (upper-intermediate) level.

• Gateway (Transition Level): Ideal for students whose English is at B2 level or above but who want to strengthen the subject knowledge and academic English terminology required for the Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy programs. In addition to intensive academic English classes, this program focuses on field-specific content (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) that prepares students directly for the entrance exams and courses of their target department.

Thanks to this structured preparatory education, students not only improve their language proficiency but also have the opportunity to adapt to university life and the education system in Hungary. Students who successfully complete the preparatory programs have the chance to start their academic careers by taking the entrance exams required to move on to the faculties of Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy. This process creates a solid foundation that significantly increases international students’ chances of success.