International Medical School, University of Milan

Last updated
International Medical School (IMS)
TypeState university
Established2014
Parent institution
University of Milan (UNIMI)
Location,
Italy
CampusLaboratorio Interdisciplinare Tecnologie Avanzate (LITA) (administrative headquarters and classrooms), Segrate; Niguarda Hospital (clerkship for 3rd-6th years; classroom for 3rd year)
LanguageEnglish (lectures), Italian (clerkships)
Programme CoordinatorProf. Anna Marozzi
Nickname IMS UNIMI
Website ims.cdl.unimi.it/en www.unimi.it/en/education/single-cycle-master/international-medical-school-ims
LITA Building, 2021 LITA Building, 2021.jpg
LITA Building, 2021

The International Medical School (IMS) of the faculty of medicine of the University of Milan is a public English-language medical school located primarily in Milan and neighboring Segrate, Italy, with other teaching clinics in the Milan metropolitan area. [1] [2] The school is officially recognized on the United Nations World Directory of Medical Schools. [3]

Contents

It is consistently ranked as one of the top 100 medical schools in the world. [4] [5] According to the global rankings of the USNWR in 2025, the University of Milan ranked 15th in the world in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, [5] 43rd in Oncology, [5] 53rd in Surgery, Pharmacology and Toxicology, [5] 54th in Clinical medicine, [5] 64th in Radiology, Nuclear medicine and Medical imaging, [5] 68th in Cardiology and Cardiovascular systems, [5] 77th in Infectious diseases, [5] 78th in Endocrinology and Metabolism, [5] 80th in Neuroscience and Behavioural sciences, [5] and 98th in Immunology. [5] In 2025 the University of Milan ranked 1st in Italy and 80th in the world in the field of Medicine according to the QS World University Rankings. [4]

The school's mission is to "provide graduates with both a solid, up-to-date scientific understanding of medicine, and a deep appreciation of the human and social complexities associated with health and disease.” [6]

History

The course was founded in 2010 as "MiMed" in Humanitas Hospital, as a combined effort of the University of Milan and the hospital. In 2014 the hospital opened its own private course, thus the university renamed the course as "International Medical School" and relocated it in L.I.T.A. (Laboratorio Interdisciplinare Tecnologie Avanzate) building in Segrate.

Admissions

Admission to the school is dependent on a high score on the International Medical Admissions Test. Only the top 2% of test takers are admitted into the program. One-third of seats are reserved for students who are not citizens of the European Union, nor certain affiliated states, such as Switzerland and Norway. Among the incoming class of 2015, less than half the students were Italian citizens. [7] The minimum International Medical Admissions Test score for first-round entry among EU-applicants was 50.1, representing approximately the top 2% of test-takers. [8] Tuition ranges from about €800 to €4060 per year. [9]

Curriculum

The school has a six-year program. The curriculum is block/module based rather than course based, following a similar format as American and Canadian Medical Schools. The first two years are dedicated to pre-clinical studies, focusing on anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and microbiology. [10] The following four years are clinical, with frequent rotations in different medical and surgical departments in hospitals. The school emphasizes problem-based learning, interdisciplinarity, and translational medicine. Students have the opportunity to do part of their education abroad via the Erasmus Programme. All teaching is in English. Students are required to learn Italian, [1] and, in order to be graduated, must, in English, write and defend a final thesis. [11] The degree granted is a Dottore magistrale, styled in English as a Doctor of Medicine. [12] [13]

Activities

The first two years are mostly held in L.I.T.A, being considered "preclinical". Besides lectures, activities (e.g. Problem-Based Learning, classes with anatomical models, spirometry tests etc.) are provided to improve knowledge of critical topics. From the third year onwards the students alternate between lectures and practical clinical learning in hospitals.

Affiliate hospitals

Ospedale Niguarda Ca' Granda in Milan, Italy Veduta aerea Niguarda.jpg
Ospedale Niguarda Ca' Granda in Milan, Italy

Among the school's teaching hospitals, there are:

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Programmes at Università degli Studi di Milano".
  2. https://www.unimi.it/en/education/single-cycle-master/international-medical-school-ims
  3. "School Detail". search.wdoms.org. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  4. 1 2 "QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Medicine". QS Top Universities. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "University of Milan". usnews.com. U.S. News. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  6. "International Medical School - Università degli Studi di Milano Statale".
  7. "International Medical School".
  8. "Best International Medical Schools in Italy (2019 comparison) – Medical Schools in English in Italy". www.medschool.it.
  9. "Fees - current academic year".
  10. "International Medical School".
  11. "International Medical School".
  12. "IMS Educational Plan".
  13. "International Medical School Programme Description".