The Single-Cycle Master’s Degree Programme in Medicine and Surgery is structured over 12 semesters, for a total of 360 university educational credits (ECTS), distributed across 29 exams.
Teaching activities make extensive use of multidisciplinary and interactive methodologies designed to promote active learning and the development of critical thinking. These are delivered through group-based activities coordinated by specifically trained academic tutors.
The adopted approaches include:
- Case Methods
- Concept Maps
- Portfolios
Study Plan A.Y. 2021/2022
The following study plan is valid for newly enrolled students in the 2021/2022 academic year only.
In the a.y. 2025/26, the active years are 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th
Study Plan A.Y. 2020/2021
In the a.y. 2025/26, the active year is the 6th
Teaching and Assessment
There are several types of learning activities including core courses, vocational training, elective courses and training activities for the preparation of the thesis.
For each learning activity, students gain a certain number of university credits and a mark awarded on a 30-point scale or pass/fail exam. The minimum passing mark is 18/30. Any attribution of honor, in addition to the maximum mark of 30, is subject to the unanimous assessment of the Commission.
The assessment is performed through written and oral exams and where pertinent, through the student’s portfolio. The clinical skills are assessed through OSCE (Objective Structure Clinical Examination).
All exams are taken during specific exam periods.
The entire programme is strongly oriented toward professional practice, thanks to the progressive integration of theory and practice, which enables the development of clinical skills, independent reasoning, and decision-making abilities, fostering students’ gradual progression toward full professional autonomy.
A university credit (CFU) is the unit of measure of learning work that a student needs for the completion of each course. 1 CFU consists of 25 coursework and workload hours, including at least 50% of study. Each CFU may correspond to:
- 12 hours of frontal lessons or equivalent teaching activities and the remaining 13 hours of study
- 16 hours of laboratories and practical activities, including clerkship and 9 hours of study
- 25 hours dedicated to theoretical-practical teaching with teacher’s guide for professionalising activities
- 25 hours of laboratory or clinical internship (elective activities)
- 20 hours of theoretical and practical training for the preparation for the final test
Core Courses – Integrated teaching
Core courses are held by one or more professors, depending on the specific objectives assigned to each course. For each course, a Coordinator is appointed annually by the Academic Board. The specific objectives of each course are outlined in the syllabuses provided annually by the professors.
Integrated courses are those that include different modules, held by more than one professor. Students can thus gain a complete insight into all the aspects related to each subject. For example, in the “Head and Neck” integrated course students will learn the anatomy and physiology of the head and neck, as well as the related diseases (otorhinolarynogological, odontostomatological and ophtalmological). Continuous assessment may be prescribed for such courses. The marks of continuous assessment converge into one final mark.
Vocational training
This form of tutorial teaching involves performing practical clinical activities under the supervision of a tutor, but with a considerable degree of autonomy, to simulate the activity performed at a professional level. Students are required to acquire practical skills in several fields of medical practice, for a total of 60 credits. The skills acquired during the vocational training are tested through OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination). Vocational training activities may include laboratories for the acquisition of practical and relational skills, briefing and debriefing, formative feedback and portfolio.
Elective courses
Elective activities are learning activities freely chosen by students within a range of proposals offered annually by the teaching body, according to the established methods, procedures and limits of the degree programme. These activities give the student the opportunity to analyse specific or innovative subjects.
Students are also encouraged to attend internal seminars and conferences, participate in research activities and experiences abroad through the Erasmus programme or other international mobility options.
Final examination
To be admitted to the final examination, students must develop an original thesis under the supervision of a professor or tutor. This activity is known as internato di laurea or degree internship.
Eligibility to take the degree exam is subject to successful completion of all the exams required by the study plan for a total of 342 credits.
The final degree mark (out of 110) is determined by:
- final weighted average (out of 110)
- up to 10 points allocated by the Degree Commission
Any award of honors is subject to having achieved a weighted average of at least 102 and depends on the unanimous assessment of the Commission.
18 credits are assigned to thesis preparation.
To calculate your weighted average, consult the Academic Regulations.
Students can attend elective activities throughout the entire course of study, and must gain 8 credits in the context of elective courses before graduating.
Pathways to Excellence
For students seeking additional challenges and opportunities, Humanitas University offers specialized programs that go beyond the standard curriculum.
The aim of the Honors Track is to help students understand their aptitude for a specific area of specialization, guiding them toward a more informed choice of Medical Residency School.
To find out more, visit the dedicated page.
The Virgilio Program is a project funded by Fondazione Cariplo and coordinated by the University of Milano-Bicocca, in collaboration with Humanitas University and the University of Milan.
The program is aimed at a select group of students enrolled in the third year of the Medicine and Surgery degree, with the goal of training future physician-researchers capable of integrating patient care with biomedical research, fostering a solid understanding of the connection between basic and clinical research.
Throughout the program, students will be supported by a team of tutors and mentors who will guide them in completing the training activities, preparing their experimental thesis, and integrating into research laboratories.
- Language: English
- Duration: 3 years (from the 3rd to the 6th year)
- Training activities: interdisciplinary seminars, dedicated courses, and practical and laboratory work
- Academic credits: up to 60 additional ECTS
- Flexibility: the opportunity to conduct research at any of the three partner universities
Throughout the program, students will be supported by a team of tutors and mentors who will guide them in selecting research projects, developing their experimental thesis, and integrating into the research group that best aligns with their interests. The Virgilio Program prepares students both to gain a deep understanding of the connection between basic research and clinical application, and to translate laboratory discoveries into therapies that can change patients’ lives.
Call for Applications a.y. 2026/2027
Annex A
For further information, visit the Virgilio Program website.
