Medicine & Surgery in English at the University of Parma

The University of Parma runs an English-taught, six-year Medicine and Surgery (MD) programme aimed squarely at international students. The course launched in 2021. A distinctive feature: while the degree is awarded by Parma, the English course is delivered at the university's campus in nearby Piacenza, on a hospital system dedicated to the new English-language degree rather than shared with the Italian-language course. A purpose-built Piacenza campus for the programme opened in 2026. The whole degree is taught in English, so you don't need Italian to start — though learning it during your studies is essential for clinical placements with patients.

Quick facts


City / campus	Parma (English MD taught in Piacenza)
Language	English (B2 certification expected)
Degree	Single-cycle MD, Medicine & Surgery
Length	6 years
Admission test	IMAT (merit ranking)

The city and why students like it

Parma sits in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy — a mid-sized, walkable university town famous for its food culture (yes, Parmesan and prosciutto), music, and relaxed pace. Piacenza, where the English course is based, is a smaller historic city in the same region with quick rail links toward Milan and Bologna; it's roughly a 45-minute train ride from Parma itself. Students tend to value the lower cost of living versus the big metros and the calmer, study-friendly atmosphere.

How competitive is it?

Admission is via the IMAT, a single English-language entrance exam, and places are filled by merit ranking — the highest scorers get in first. Parma is a popular choice, so demand is real, but cut-off scores move every year and even shift during the post-exam scrolling/assignment process. Don't trust any "fixed" threshold you see online; treat past cut-offs as rough context only. If you're new to the exam, start with our IMAT complete guide and read how scoring and ranking actually work.

EU vs non-EU applicants

Seats are split into an EU quota and a separate non-EU (international) quota, each with its own ranking. EU candidates compete in a single national merit list; non-EU candidates are ranked per university, against the non-EU seats at Parma specifically. Exact seat counts change each cycle, so always confirm current numbers on the university's official admissions page.

How to apply

Register on Universitaly and select the University of Parma for the English Medicine & Surgery course.
Pay the fee and sit the IMAT at your chosen test centre.
After results, follow the ranking/scrolling process and complete enrolment at Parma if you're offered a seat.

The single biggest lever on your ranking is your IMAT score. Pressure-test yourself with a free IMAT mini-mock, check your projected raw-to-scaled result with our IMAT score calculator, then build a full prep cycle with realistic IMAT practice. See pricing for plans.

FAQ

Is Medicine taught in English at the University of Parma?

Yes. Parma offers a six-year Medicine & Surgery (MD) degree taught entirely in English, delivered at its Piacenza campus. You should hold a B2-level English certificate.

How do I get into University of Parma Medicine?

Register on Universitaly, sit the IMAT, and earn a place through merit ranking. There are separate EU and non-EU quotas, so you're ranked against the relevant pool.

What IMAT score do I need for Parma?

There's no fixed number — the cut-off depends on that year's applicants and shifts during scrolling. Aim as high as you can; past thresholds are only loose guidance, not a target you can rely on.