Search
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Cattolica International

Course details

You are viewing

Explore key information about the Medicine and Surgery degree programme in Bolzano campus
 

For the academic year 2025/2026, the programme had 60 seats in total, divided as follows:  
 
  • 50 seats for:  
    • Italian and EU citizens living anywhere.
    • Non-EU citizens living in Italy with a permit of stay (permesso di soggiorno).  
  • 10 seats for:  
    • Non-EU citizens living abroad.  

 

The number of seats may change based on decisions by the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) under Law no. 264, August 2, 1999.  

 

Not sure which group you belong to? Check the application guidelines.

YEAR 1

  • Basic sciences (14 ECTS)
  • Functional architecture of the human body 1 (msk/heart/vascular system) (12 ECTS)
  • Gene regulation and cell metabolism (11 ECTS)
  • German language 1* (3 ECTS)
  • Italian language 1* (3 ECTS)
  • Life of cells, tissues and microbes (10 ECTS)
  • Scientific English (2 ECTS)
  • Theology 1*: introduction to christology and scriptures

YEAR 2

  • Cellular and molecular pathology (8 ECTS)
  • Epidemiology and biostatistics (6 ECTS)
  • Functional architecture of the human body 2 (respiratory/digestive/urinary/reproductive) (15 ECTS)
  • Functional architecture of the human body 3 (endocrine/nervous system) (12 ECTS)
  • History of medicine and antropology (2 ECTS)
  • German language 2* (3 ECTS)
  • German language 3* (3 ECTS)
  • Italian language 2* (2 ECTS)
  • Italian language 3* (2 ECTS)
  • Microbe - host interaction (10 ECTS)
  • Theology 2*: introduction to theological anthropology and ecclesiology

YEAR 3

  • Approach to diagnosis and treatment (11 ECTS)
  • Hematology (8 ECTS)
  • Infectious diseases (9 ECTS)
  • Introduction to clinical medicine
    (13 ECTS)
  • German language 4* (3 ECTS)
  • Italian language 4* (3 ECTS)
  • Mechanisms and manifestations of diseases (13 ECTS)
  • Theology 3: introduction to ethics and Christian ethics

YEAR 4

  • Endocrinology (6 ECTS)
  • Gastroenterology (12 ECTS)
  • Gynecology (10 ECTS)
  • Liver and biliary tract (6 ECTS)
  • Materno-fetal medicine and obstetrics (5 ECTS)
  • Metabolism and clinical nutrition (6 ECTS)
  • Neurosciences (14 ECTS)
  • Theology* (seminarial course)

YEAR 5

  • Cardiac diseases (9 ECTS)
  • Dermatology and rheumatology (9 ECTS)
  • Emergency and intensive care (9 ECTS)
  • Geriatrics and palliative medicine (7 ECTS)
  • Kidney and urinary system (8 ECTS)
  • Pediatrics (9 ECTS)
  • Respiratory diseases (8 ECTS)
  • Vascular Diseases (6 ECTS)

YEAR 6

  • Being a physician (14 ECTS)
  • Bones and joints (8 ECTS)
  • Eye, ear, nose and throat (10 ECTS)
  • Practical-evaluation training general medicine (5 ECTS)
  • Public health, occupational medicine and forensic sciences (7 ECTS)
  • Thesis dissertation (18 ECTS)

*Students whose native language is Italian must attend German language courses. Students whose native language is German must attend Italian language courses. Students of other native languages must attend both Italian and German language courses.

*Theology Seminar

Theology courses are seminars in religious studies that explore religious and ethical topics from an academic and cultural viewpoint, promoting thoughtful discussion across diverse traditions.
This is a 6-year Single-Cycle degree made up of integrated courses. Each course combines different subjects to help you understand the human body, disease, and healthcare from many angles. 

 

Key features of the programme: 

 

  • Integrated learning across subjects 
    Courses mix biology, chemistry, anatomy, and more—connected across all years. 
     
  • Problem-based learning (PBL) 
    You will solve real medical problems in class, preparing you for clinical thinking. 
  • Early contact with patients 
    You’ll begin learning from real-world medical situations early in the programme. 
     
  • Strong focus on clinical and communication skills 
    You’ll learn how to care for patients and work in teams of healthcare professionals. 

The teaching approach is flexible and updated regularly, so you’re always learning current, relevant medical knowledge. 

When you finish the degree, complete your internship, pass the State Exam, and register with the Medical Association, you are fully qualified to work as a doctor in Italy. 

 

Career options include: 
 

  • General practitioner (family doctor) 
    This is the main focus of the programme. 

  • Surgeon or specialist 
    You can apply to specialty training schools or enter a 3-year general medicine programme in Italy. 
     
  • International medical careers 
    If you study in English, you can take the USMLE Steps 1 and 2 to apply for medical residencies in the USA, or similar programmes in Europe and other English-speaking countries. 
     
  • Work in clinical, health, or biomedical fields 
    You’ll be ready for work in hospitals, clinics, research labs, or health organisations. 

 

If you are an international student, you can take Italian language courses to help you: 
  • Communicate better with patients 
  • Prepare for postgraduate programmes in Italy 
  • Integrate into Italian society 
  • Classes start: September 2026 
  • The academic calendar for 2026/27 will be online in July 2026 (visit this page).