University of Bicocca Medicine English (SMS)
The University of Bicocca Medicine English course (School of Medicine and Surgery) is a radical departure from tradition. Based in Bergamo rather than Milan, it bridges the gap between medicine and biomedical engineering.
The Academic Philosophy
Traditional Italian medical schools separate "Basic Science" from "Clinicals." This Bicocca English Medicine program disrupts this model with two key pedagogical shifts:
Integrated Systems
You do not study anatomy in isolation. You study by Organ System.
Example: In the Locomotor module, you study the anatomy, physiology, pathology, and radiology of the bones simultaneously. This connects basic science to clinical application from day one.
Problem-Based Learning
Starting in Year 2, students work in small groups to solve specific clinical cases.
The Goal: Not just guessing the diagnosis, but understanding the logical steps and tests required to reach it. This teaches critical thinking before you reach the wards.
The "Tri-City" Logistics
A major point of confusion for applicants looking for University of Bicocca Medicine English. While the university is "Bicocca," the program is geographically dynamic. You will interact with three cities:
Your home base.
Most lectures, clinical activities, and the main teaching hospital (Papa Giovanni XXIII) are here.
The "Wet Labs."
You travel here (mostly Years 1-2) for practicals in Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Microscopic Anatomy.
The Engineering Labs.
Partnership with UniBergamo. You study human biomechanical modeling and motion capture technology here.
Admissions for Bicocca Medicine English
The IMAT Exam
The International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT) is a standardized entrance exam used by Italian universities for admission to English-taught medicine programs like the one at Bicocca SMS.
The exam includes 60 multiple-choice questions covering:
- Logical reasoning (5)
- General knowledge (4)
- Biology (23)
- Chemistry (15)
- Physics & mathematics (13)
Historical Data (2022-2025)
Below are the available seats and the minimum entry scores (thresholds) for the **Bicocca Medicine English** stream for the past 4 years.
| SEATS | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU | 26 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Non-EU | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Minimum Entry Thresholds (Score / 90)
Cost of Living (Bergamo)
Bergamo is significantly cheaper than Milan.
Canteen Benefit: Students have access to the hospital canteen. Meals are income-subsidized, costing as little as €1.00 - €3.00 for a complete meal.
Important Warnings
Especially in Years 1 & 2, you must be prepared to commute between Bergamo and Monza/Dalmine for specific lab days.
The University of Bicocca Medicine English course is 100% English, but Italian is mandatory for clinical years to talk to patients. The university provides courses.
Clinical Training Roadmap
The program allocates 60 ECTS specifically to professional internships.
Year 2: The Foundation
Starts with mannequins and peer practice. You then move to the bedside for history taking. Includes a 120-hour GP Clerkship to understand family medicine.
Year 3+: Vertical Tracks
Rotations align with your study modules. E.g., while studying the Locomotor system, you rotate in Orthopedics, Rheumatology, and Rehab.
Lab Rotations
Unique to this course: You rotate through diagnostic labs (Microbiology, Pathology) to understand the "behind the scenes" of diagnosis.
Starter Pack
The perfect starting point. Get essential breakdown sheets and past papers to build your Biology & Chemistry foundation.
IMAT Courses
Streamline your success. We remove unnecessary topics and focus on pure mastery through extensive practice.
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