Poznan University of Medical Sciences

The Poznan University of Medical Sciences (PUMS) is one of the best and largest medical universities in Poland, with over 95 years of sound academic experience and a great growth potential. Our University is a leading medical school in Poland and is currently recognized as the largest educational, research, and clinical center in Poland (according rankings of “Perspektywy,” “Rzeczpospolita,” and “Wprost”). It offers the highest number of specialties for students to choose from, and the research and clinical teaching is conducted here in close partnership with six clinical hospitals. In the academic year 2014-2015, there are over 8,000 students enrolled in the University, including nearly 1,000 international students. Its academic personnel is comprised of over 1,000 faculty members and teaching staff employed in Medical Faculty I, Medical Faculty II, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Health Sciences, all of which are affiliated with the English program. Most of them are medical practitioners and doctors of medicine; around a hundred represent different scientific disciplines; and nearly a hundred are doctors of dentistry.

One of the top priorities for the continued growth of the University is the expansion of the various forms of collaboration in the areas of teaching and research. The Poznan University of Medical Sciences maintains and develops various forms of cooperation with foreign research centers and universities worldwide through: joint research, participation in international programs and research projects; joint publications and participation in scientific conferences; as well as through numerous student and faculty exchanges. To this date, the University has entered into more than 30 long-term partnership agreements with medical universities and research centers worldwide.

Over the years, members of the PUMS faculty and research staff have been receiving prestigious awards and wide recognition for the excellent quality of their work, research and teaching, and some have been sought after by the world’s advanced medical centers. For example, in 2008 Dr. Maria Siemionow, a PUMS graduate and professor of surgery, has been responsible for leading the landmark face transplantation surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in the U.S.A.

The history of Poznan University of Medical Sciences started in 1919 when a pharmaceutical department was created at the University of Poznań. A year later (in 1920) the Faculty of Medicine was founded within it (in fact, this faculty existed since 1919 as a part of Poznań Society of Friends of Arts and Sciences). The chair of Dentistry was created in 1929. The first rector of Poznan University was Heliodor Święcicki and first dean of the Faculty of Medicine was Professor Adam Wrzosek.

In the late autumn of 1939, the University of Poznań was closed by German occupation authorities, but many of its professors continued to teach. In 1940 an underground University of Western Poland was formed in Warsaw which comprised the faculties of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry. In 1941, the Polish School of Medicine at the University of Edinburgh was founded, where the first dean was surgeon Antoni Jurasz from the University of Poznań. In the last months of the war, during the battle of Poznań, preparations for reopening of the university were begun. The university officially reopened in April 1945, before the end of the war.

According to a plan of reform in 1950, the Medical Faculty, with the Department of Dentistry and the Faculty of Pharmacy of University of Poznań, were detached to form an independent school named the University of Medical Sciences. In 1975 a new Faculty of Nursing was founded, and in 1979 a Department of Medical Analytics was opened. In 1984, the Sejm (the Polish national parliament) named the school after Karol Marcinkowski, a distinguished Polish physician and patriot of the first half of the 19th century who had lived in Poznań, and who was a symbol of the highest professional and ethical values in medicine. In 1992 the Faculty of Medicine was divided into Faculty of Medicine I, responsible for the six-year Polish M.D. program, and Faculty of Medicine II, comprising the divisions of Dentistry, Post Graduate Medical Education and Medicine and Dentistry with English as the teaching language.

In 1991, the university introduced programs in English, starting in 1993 with the four-year M.D. program based entirely on the American curriculum and the requirements of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) system. A six-year M.D. program in English based on the European model followed a year later. Both programs have instituted National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) subject examinations and compulsory completion on USMLE licensing examinations as a requirement for students. Subsequently, PUMS reached the last of its planned English-language based projects with the introduction of a five-year Dentistry program in 2000, and five-year M.Sc. Pharmacy program in 2004, which was replaced by the six-year Pharm. D. program in 2009, and three-year B.Sc. Physiotherapy program in 2009. These programs meet the European requirements. The students of the english programs are represented by the English Programs' Student Union (EPSU).

On 27 February 2007 the Polish name of school was changed from Akademia Medyczna im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu to Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu.

Admission requirements at Poznan University of Medical Sciences include the completion of secondary education or an equivalent qualification. Applicants must submit a valid secondary school leaving certificate or an equivalent diploma recognized in Poland. For international students, proof of language proficiency in English or Polish may be required, depending on the language of instruction of the chosen program. Typically, proof of proficiency such as TOEFL, IELTS, or a certified language certificate is necessary if the applicant's previous education was not conducted in the language of instruction. Additionally, candidates are generally required to pass an entrance examination or interview, which assesses their knowledge in relevant subjects such as biology and chemistry, to ensure they meet the academic standards necessary for university-level studies. Applicants are also required to complete and submit an application form through the university's online admission system within the specified application period. Some faculties may have additional requirements, such as a motivation letter or letters of recommendation. For programs conducted in Polish, knowledge of the Polish language is essential, and proof of language proficiency may be necessary. International students are encouraged to check the specific requirements for their country and program on the university's official website. The university may also require candidates to undergo health checks or present medical certificates to ensure fitness for study. Admission procedures typically include the evaluation of academic documents, language proficiency, and performance in the entrance exam or interview. The selection process aims to identify candidates with the academic potential and motivation to succeed in medical studies. Applicants must adhere to all deadlines and submission guidelines outlined by the university. It is recommended that prospective students consult the official university website regularly for updates on admission requirements and procedures, as these may change from year to year.

Poznan University of Medical Sciences is accredited by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education as a state higher education institution. Its programs are accredited by the Polish Accreditation Committee, ensuring the quality and standards of education meet national requirements. The university's medical programs, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing, hold the necessary accreditation for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Additionally, Poznan University of Medical Sciences participates in European higher education quality assurance networks such as the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), which promotes continuous improvement in academic standards and institutional quality. The university’s international cooperation and compliance with European Union regulations further support its accreditation status. Its facilities, academic staff, and curricula undergo regular evaluations to maintain accreditation standards. Students and graduates benefit from this rigorous accreditation process, which guarantees recognition of qualifications across Poland and the European Union, facilitating mobility and employment opportunities for graduates. The university also actively pursues quality assurance through internal audits, feedback mechanisms, and ongoing curriculum development to adapt to evolving medical standards and technological advancements. All accreditation and quality assurance processes ensure that Poznan University of Medical Sciences continues to provide high-quality education, research, and healthcare services in accordance with national and European regulations.

University student life at Poznan University of Medical Sciences offers a vibrant and dynamic experience for students pursuing medical and health sciences. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, modern laboratories, and extensive clinical practice opportunities within affiliated hospitals. The university emphasizes practical skills, critical thinking, and research, encouraging students to participate in scientific projects and conferences. Student organizations and sports clubs provide additional avenues for social engagement and personal development. Various cultural events, seminars, and workshops are organized throughout the year to enrich student life and foster an international community, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds. The campus provides comfortable dormitories and recreational areas, promoting a balanced lifestyle. Support services such as psychological counseling, career guidance, and academic assistance are available to help students succeed. The university also collaborates with numerous international institutions, offering exchange programs and joint research initiatives. Overall, student life at Poznan University of Medical Sciences is characterized by academic excellence, active social involvement, and a supportive environment that prepares students for successful careers in healthcare.

While advanced research at the university is carried out in virtually every field of modern medicine, its contribution is most widely recognized in such disciplines as immunology, endocrinology, oncology, nuclear medicine, anaesthesiology, surgery, nephrology, gynaecology and obstetrics (especially perinatology), ecology, parasitic and tropical diseases, AIDS, viral hepatitis, hematology, child oncology, cytophysiology and cytopathology, development of the central nervous system, immunology of skin diseases, clinical pharmacology, genetics, audiology, phoniatrics and optometry.

The major research topics in the Faculty of Pharmacy are the stability of drugs, pharmacokinetics and biochemistry, the synthesis and analysis of new therapeutic agents, phytochemistry, toxicology and pharmacology. The fields of research activity of the Faculty of Health Sciences are health promotion, nursing processes and standards in nursing activity. The investigations conducted at the university are presented in several hundred research papers published yearly in professional journals.

The university hosts between 5 and 10 major international congresses a year and visits of foreign researchers are a daily routine. The university co-operates regularly with universities in Rennes and Rouen (France), Turku (Finland), Berlin, Göttingen, Halle, Kiel, Magdeburg, Mainz, Munchen Regensburg (Germany), Linköping (Sweden), Oslo University College (Norway), Perugia (Italy), University of Illinois at Chicago (USA).

Many university staff members serve on the boards of international professional and scientific associations or are invited to act as advisers by the WHO and IAEA. Lekarsz and Doktor (stopień naukowy) degrees awarded at the university enjoy wide national recognition. In some countries, e.g. Germany, they are accepted with no further confirmation requirements. They are routinely accepted in Sweden, Britain, the United States and Canada. At present more than 1200 graduates of the university practice or research abroad. Many of them are clinical specialists and heads of hospital departments in Europe, North America, South Africa and elsewhere.

Scientific research constitutes a significant part of Medical University activity. The scope of scientific research conducted by the university ranges in solving problems of basic medical and clinical studies. There are also research studies to find and discover new pharmaceutical agents. 

The University continually develops and upgrades its teaching methods investing in highly specialized equipment and facilities in order to reflect the current advances in medical technology. For example, in 2010 it opened the first-in-Poland Center for Medical Simulation, followed by a state-of-the-art Conference and Teaching Center and the modernized Main Medical Library, and it is currently building a Center for Scientific Medical Information. PUMS is also one of the co-founders of the Interdisciplinary Center for NanoBioMedical Research.

Students enrolled at PUMS may choose from the following five fields of study in English:

• 4-year M.D. program (since 1993)
• 6-year M.D. program (since 1995)
• 5-year D.D.S. program (since 2001)
• 6-year Pharm. D. program (since 2004 as a 5-year program, in 2009 replaced by a 6-year program)
• 3-year BSc in Physiotherapy program (since 2009)

These activities demonstrate the dynamic growth of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences into the strong and lively academic center that it is today. We invite you to come and see for yourself!