About the study program
The Integrated Academic Studies (IAS) program in Medicine, leading to the academic title of Doctor of Medicine (MD), is structured in accordance with accredited curricula of higher education institutions in Serbia and the European Higher Education Area.
The primary objective of the program is to educate medical doctors with a high level of professional competence and academic proficiency, enabling them to independently perform tasks across various domains of the medical profession—including healthcare, economics, legislation and regulatory bodies, education, and scientific research. In addition to acquiring essential knowledge and skills, students are encouraged to cultivate a mindset of lifelong learning and continuous professional development.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will have acquired the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for a competent and ethical approach to patient care, including disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The program emphasizes adherence to legal and ethical standards of modern medical practice, respect for patients and colleagues, and readiness for further professional and scientific advancement in line with the principles of good clinical and scientific practice.
The academic title of Doctor of Medicine (MD) awarded upon graduation is aligned with the official List of Titles established by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) of the Republic of Serbia.
Admission Requirements
Admission criteria are defined by the Faculty Statute and the Regulations on Entrance Examinations and Enrollment. Eligible candidates include graduates of gymnasiums, four-year secondary medical or veterinary schools, who have passed the entrance examination. Admission is based on overall high school performance and entrance exam results in Chemistry and Biology.
Program Structure and Curriculum
The IAS in Medicine spans six years (twelve semesters), comprising a total of 6,030 teaching hours, including:
- 5,130 hours of active instruction:
- 2,355 hours of theoretical teaching
- 2,700 hours of practical teaching
- 75 hours of research work for the graduation thesis
- 510 hours of professional practice
- 315 hours of clinical skills training
- 75 hours for thesis preparation and defense
The curriculum includes both one-semester and two-semester courses, delivered through lectures, practical sessions, seminars, case studies, clinical practice, and mentor-guided research.
Each course carries a specific ECTS credit value, in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System. The program follows a non-modular structure, with 60 ECTS credits allocated per academic year. Credits are awarded upon successful completion of course requirements and final examinations.
Curriculum Overview
- Year 1: Foundational knowledge in biological and preclinical sciences (e.g., Molecular and Human Genetics, Anatomy, Medical Physics), general academic subjects (e.g., Medicine and Society), and an introduction to clinical practice and ethics.
- Year 2: Further studies in biological and medical sciences (e.g., Cell Biology, Immunology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology), English for Medical Purposes, and First Aid.
- Year 3: Courses in basic medical sciences (e.g., Pathology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology with Toxicology) and introductory clinical subjects (e.g., Internal Propaedeutics, Clinical Anatomy).
- Years 4–6: Advanced clinical education in disciplines such as Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Psychiatry, Neurology, Radiology, Infectious Diseases, and more.
Practical Training and Electives
After the third, fourth, and fifth years, students complete summer professional practice (510 hours) in clinical subjects. Elective courses offered in the second through tenth semesters allow students to explore specific areas of interest within medicine.
Final Year and Graduation Thesis
In the twelfth semester, students undertake a clinical internship comprising:
- 150 hours of introductory exercises within study research work
- 300 hours of professional clinical practice
The program concludes with the preparation and defense of a graduation thesis, which includes:
- 75 hours of research (Graduation Thesis – Research)
- 75 hours for preparation and defense (Graduation Thesis – Preparation and Defense)
- Total: 150 hours and 18 ECTS credits
The thesis may be based on experimental research or a comprehensive literature review within the scope of the IAS – Medicine program.
Teaching Methods and Curriculum Implementation
The most important methods of instruction in the Integrated Academic Studies in Medicine include:
- Interactive communication in the teaching process
- Small group work
- Independent performance of laboratory and clinical skills
- Skill demonstrations
- Mentor-guided research work
All forms of active teaching are grounded in interactive instruction. This approach is characterized by open discussions on the topic of the teaching unit, the presentation of personal viewpoints supported by theoretical or experiential arguments, the identification of dilemmas, and their resolution. As a modern pedagogical method, interactive teaching enhances students’ understanding of course material, fosters the acquisition of innovative knowledge, encourages the development of independent opinions, and supports the adoption of established scientific doctrines.
Small group work (up to 80 students in lectures and 5–10 students in practical sessions) facilitates more effective communication between students and instructors, as well as between students and patients. This format promotes the integration of clinical knowledge and skills in patient care.
Laboratory and clinical skills are performed independently by students or demonstrated by instructors or teaching assistants. Each clinical skill is associated with a defined level of student competence:
- The student possesses only theoretical knowledge of the skill.
- The student observes the procedure but does not perform it independently.
- The student performs the procedure independently but not routinely.
- The student performs the procedure routinely.
Students are required to achieve the prescribed level of competence for each clinical skill as a prerequisite for taking the final exam or relevant colloquium.
Mentor-guided research work involves either experimental research or a literature review on a specific scientific topic, conducted in preparation for the diploma thesis.
The Course Catalogue (Book of Subjects) provides detailed information for each subject, including: subject title, ECTS credits, course status, prerequisites, objectives, learning outcomes and competencies, course content, student responsibilities (fulfilled through active participation and independent work), assessment methods, grading criteria, exam procedures, and required and supplementary literature.
Academic Calendar and ECTS Structure
The academic year typically begins on October 1 and spans 12 calendar months. It includes 42 working weeks, of which 30 are dedicated to teaching and 12 to consultations, exam preparation, and examinations. The academic year is divided into two semesters, each comprising 15 weeks of instruction and 6 weeks for consultations and exams.
The study program follows a teaching execution plan adopted annually by the Faculty’s Teaching and Scientific Council. Each course is assigned a specific number of ECTS credits, with the total workload for one academic year equaling 60 ECTS credits. This corresponds to an average student workload of 40 hours per week. One ECTS credit represents approximately 27 hours of student engagement.
Quality of Education
The program is supported by a modern curriculum and a highly qualified teaching staff with extensive clinical and pedagogical experience. Many faculty members are also involved in teaching within the integrated academic programs of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, as well as doctoral studies. This ensures a high standard of education and optimal preparation for the medical profession.
