Studying Medicine in Italy: A Practical Guide for IB Students

If you’re in the IB Diploma Programme and dream of becoming a doctor in Italy, this is the right moment to get clarity. In recent years, the admissions system has changed several times: the national entrance test has been abolished and replaced by the so-called “filter semester” for public universities in Italian, while public courses in English still use the IMAT, and private universities each run their own entrance exams.

For IB students, this can feel like a maze of acronyms, deadlines, and regulations. Don’t worry: this guide gives you a clear and up-to-date overview of:

• the differences between public and private universities,

• the current rules and what’s expected in the coming years,

• the most important entrance tests (IMAT, HUMAT, MEDTEC, San Raffaele, Cattolica, UniCamillus),

• and the subjects that really matter for passing.

Whether you’re a student or a parent, the goal here is to give you a simple map to navigate a system that, as we all know, has never been so in flux.

Summary of Changes and Outlook for Medicine Admissions (Academic Year 2026/27)

Rules for entering Medicine in Italy are changing rapidly, and it’s not always easy to keep track. Here’s a clear summary of what has happened and what’s expected over the next few years, distinguishing between public universities in Italian, public universities in English, and private ones.

Type	2024/25 (Class of 2024)	2025/26 (Class of 2025)	2026/27 (Class of 2026)
Public Universitiy Programmes taught in Italian	TOLC-MED (CISIA-run test) introduced by Ministerial Decree 1107/2022, replacing the old national quiz.	TOLC-MED abolished. The filter semester begins (Decree 62/2024, Bernini reform). Everyone enrols in the first semester; a national ranking based on exam results decides who continues. Those who don’t qualify switch to their “affine course” (backup choice), but need at least 18/30 in each exam.	Filter semester confirmed under the same law (Decree 62/2024). Practical details (credit requirements, thresholds, timing) still to be set.
Public Universitiy Programmes taught in English	IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test), a national test in English run by the Ministry of Universities with Cambridge Assessment.	IMAT confirmed by MUR Decree (7 Aug 2025): unchanged structure (logic, sciences, English). Places allocated per university. Not part of the filter semester.	⚠️ Unclear: no decree yet. For now IMAT is expected to continue, but reforms can’t be ruled out.
Private (San Raffaele, Cattolica, UniCamillus, Humanitas/HUMAT, MEDTEC)	Each university runs its own test (logic, sciences, English).	Same: independent of state reforms.	No announced changes: internal tests remain the rule.

Public Universities

Medicine in English (IMAT)

If you want to study Medicine in English at an Italian public university, your reference point is the IMAT – International Medical Admissions Test. It is a national exam organised by the UK's Ministry of Universities together with Cambridge Assessment.

• Legal basis: MUR Decree no. 599, 7 August 2025

• 2025 date: 17 September

• Structure: multiple-choice questions on logic, critical reasoning, biology, chemistry, physics, and maths

• Registration: via the Universitaly portal, within the deadlines set by the decree

• Places 2025/26: 558 for EU students and equivalents, plus 262 for non-EU non-residents

⚠️ Looking ahead: There is no decree yet for 2026/27. IMAT is confirmed for 2025, but it could be revised or integrated into broader reforms later.

Universities offering Medicine in English via IMAT: Bari, Bologna, Cagliari, Catania, Messina, Milan (IMS), Milan-Bicocca, Naples Federico II, Naples Vanvitelli, Padua, Parma, Pavia, Rome Sapienza, Rome Tor Vergata, Turin.

Medicine in Italian: how the filter semester works

From 2025, the major change medical students in Italian public universities will take affect: the filter semester. Students no longer need to sit admissions test: everyone can start, but only those who show they have the right foundations can continue. This is the Bernini Reform, made official by Decree 418/2025.

Step by step:

1. Enrolment open to all – through Universitaly (in 2025: 23 June – 25 July). When registering, you indicate:

   • your degree class of interest (Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary),

   • your semester location,

   • at least 10 preferences for the second semester,

   • and an affine course (Plan B), like Biotechnology or Biology, to activate if you don’t continue in Medicine.

2. The semester itself – identical national syllabi in three subjects:

   • Chemistry & Introductory Biochemistry (6 credits),

   • Biology (6 credits),

   • Physics (6 credits).

3. Exams (national, written) – at the end of the semester:

   • 31 questions (15 multiple-choice + 16 short answer),

   • 45 minutes per subject,

   • taken simultaneously nationwide.

   • You need at least 18/30 in each exam to enter the ranking.

4. National ranking – scores form a single national list. Depending on your result and preferences, you may access Medicine, Dentistry, or Veterinary within available places.

If you can't continue with Medicine: if you don’t get into Medicine, your alternative course will recognise the credits you’ve already earned, so you can keep going without wasting time.

Private Medicine Universities in Italy

Alongside the public system, Italy has several prestigious private universities attracting students worldwide. They offer modern courses, often in English, and admission processes independent of state reforms. The main institutions are: Humanitas University, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, San Raffaele, and UniCamillus.

Humanitas University (Hunimed)

Two programmes:

• the classic Medicine & Surgery course, and

• the innovative Medtec School (Medicine + Biomedical Engineering with Politecnico di Milano).

Admission requires:

• HUMAT (for Medicine),

• a separate written test (for Medtec).

Both tests are online, home-based with remote proctoring. Held in the final year of high school: February for HUMAT, March/April for Medtec.

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Rome)

• Two Medicine programmes:

  • in Italian (~480 places in Rome),

  • international English-taught Medicine and Surgery (40 EU places, 70 non-EU).

Admission requires:

• in-person exam at the Rome campus (Policlinico Gemelli).

• Test fee: ~€200.

• Tuition fees vary by family income (ISEE), generally mid-to-high.

Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele (Milan)

Offers Medicine in Italian and an English MD programme.

Entrance test: online, 60 questions (logic, reading comprehension, sciences).

• Very large intake (750 places for Italian-taught Medicine).

• Tuition: among the highest in Italy (~€20,000 per year).

  
  

UniCamillus (Rome)

Private university fully dedicated to health sciences, strongly international.

• Offers Medicine & Surgery in both Italian and English.

• Over 400 places for EU applicants.

• Admission: multiple-choice test (online or in specific venues).

• Tuition set annually, in line with other private universities.

Comparative Table – Private Universities (2025/26)

University	Main Courses	Admission Test	2025/26 Dates	Notes
Humanitas University	Medicine; Medtec (Medicine + Biomedical Eng.)	HUMAT (Medicine, online, home-based); Medtec test (online, home-based)	HUMAT: 5 & 26 Feb 2025; Medtec: 21 Mar & 11 Apr 2025	Early selection (late winter/spring). Medtec entirely in English.
Cattolica (Rome)	Medicine (Italian); Medicine & Surgery (English, 40 EU + 70 non-EU)	In-person test (Rome, Gemelli Hospital)	28 Feb – 1 Mar 2025; 11–12 Apr 2025	Test fee ~€200. Tuition based on income.
San Raffaele (Milan)	Medicine (Italian); MD Program (English)	Online test (home-based), 60 Qs (logic, comprehension, sciences)	21–22 Mar 2025; 15–16 Apr 2025	Very large intake (750 Italian places). Tuition ~€20,000/year.
UniCamillus (Rome)	Medicine (Italian & English)	Online test (some physical venues)	English (Rome): 6 Mar 2025; Italian (Venice, Cefalù): 7 Mar 2025; Extra session: 3 Jul 2025	Strong international profile. 400+ EU places in English.

Comparative Table – Subjects Tested in Admission Test

Test	Logic / Problem-Solving	Reading Comprehension	Maths	Physics	Chemistry	Biology	English	Humanities/Ethics
MEDTEC	✅	✅	✅ (20 Qs)	✅	✅	✅ (10 Qs)	✅ (entirely in English)	❌
HUMAT	✅	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅ (partly/fully in English)	❌
San Raffaele	✅ (36 Qs logic/PS)	✅ (within 36)	✅ (within 24 science)	✅	✅	✅	✅ (~10% in English)	❌
Cattolica	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅ (for international course)	❌
UniCamillus	✅ (15 Qs)	✅ (within 15)	✅ (5 Qs)	✅ (10 Qs)	✅ (10 Qs)	✅ (10 Qs)	✅ (if English course)	✅ (10 Qs)
IMAT	✅ (problem solving, critical thinking)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅ (entirely in English)	❌