Medical studies

TheState Doctor of Medicine degree qualifies oneto practice medicine in France. It is awarded after a minimum of nine years of study following high school graduation. This program requires solid scientific knowledge, strong analytical skills, and a keen ability to reason and synthesize information, as well as diligence and consistency in one’s work. Only the most motivated students will be able to succeed.

Overview of Medical Studies

The PASS (Specific Pathway to Healthcare)

With the elimination of PACES, thePASSthe“Health Sciences”track—has become one of two pathways to health sciences programs.

The PASS program is characterized by a two-part curriculum of unequal weight: ahealth major(so called because it accounts for the majority of the year’s ECTS credits: 50 out of 60 in total), comprising several course units (CUs) all in the health field (chemistry-biochemistry, physiology, cellular and molecular biology, physics, pharmacology, etc.) ; but also a mandatorydisciplinaryminor, worth 10 ECTS credits, comprising teaching units that are not in the health field. This disciplinary minor is selected during the Parcoursup application processin the subject of the student’s choice, from among the 12 options offered at the University of Montpellier. This minor facilitates, in the event of not being admitted to the MMOP program, the continuation of studies toward the LAS2 program and the possibility of a second application for health studies.

Bachelor's Degree in Medical Sciences (Undergraduate)

The DFGSM is a degree established in 2011 that is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree and marks the completion of the first phase of medical studies. It consists of six semesters (three years) of study, culminating in the award of 180 European credits (ECTS), including the two semesters and 60 ECTS credits from the first year of the PASS (or LAS) program.

The Advanced Diploma in Medical Sciences (Graduate Level)

The DFASM, established in 2013, marks the completion of the second cycle of medical studies; it consists of six semesters (three years) of training, culminating in the award of 120 European credits corresponding to the Master’s level. Its objective is to enable students to acquire the generic skills necessary to subsequently perform postgraduate functions in hospital or outpatient settings, as well as to develop the professional competencies required for the training they will undertake during their specialization. Students have the statusof hospital studentsor “externs”: they are on clinical rotations at the university hospital in the morning and attend classes in the afternoon.

The Diploma of Specialized Studies (postgraduate level) and the State Doctor of Medicine Degree

Based on their ranking in the National Ranking Exam taken at the end of the DFASM program, students choose their future specialty from among 44 options in surgical or medical disciplines. Each specialty corresponds to a Diploma of Specialized Studies (DES). This diploma takes a minimum of 3 to 5 years to complete, depending on the chosen specialty.

The state-awarded Doctor of Medicine degree is conferred following the completion of the Diploma of Specialized Studies and the defense, at the end of the residency, of a clinical thesis, during which the student takes the Hippocratic Oath.

Registration with the National Medical Association is then mandatory for all physicians practicing in France.