What is the Pre-Med major at EUC?
The Pre-Med major at Erasmus University College is one of the 12 majors at EUC. If you choose the Pre-Med major, you will be prepared for further medical training.
To complete this major, you need to earn 90 credits within the Pre-Med track, with the other 90 credits coming from elective courses. These can come from the Life Sciences department, but also from Humanities, Economics & Business, or Social & Behavioural Sciences.
This is where Pre-Med stands out from traditional Bachelor’s degree in medicine: you can build your own curriculum and develop a broad foundation of skills and knowledge.
What can I do after the Pre-Med major?
The Pre-Med major gives you a solid foundation in Life and Medical Sciences so that you can choose three different paths after graduation.
- Erasmus MC Premaster program (in Dutch)
- Doctor of Medicine at a partner university (in English)
- Other Biomedical Master programmes: Our graduates have pursued Master’s degrees such as Brain and Mind Sciences at UC, Engineering & Policy Analysis at TU Delft or Bioinformatics & Systems Biology at VU Amsterdam.
Pre-Med graduates can apply to the one-year Premaster programme at Erasmus Medical Centre (EMC) in Rotterdam, followed by the three-year Medical Master (MMSc). Each year, 36 places are available to EUC graduates.
Following this path takes a total of seven years. After graduating with your MMSc degree, you can continue postgraduate training in the Netherlands or Europe to become a GP, medical specialist, or public health physician (e.g. youth doctor or donor physician).
- Availability (36 places per year).
- Dutch language proficiency at B2 level or higher (via NT-2 exam or VWO Dutch pass).
- GPA of Pre-Med courses.
- Extracurricular activities completed during your Bachelor’s degree.
- Results of EMC Premaster entry tests (taken in your final semester at EUC).
Pre-Med graduates can choose an international pathway thanks to EUC’s partnerships with three medical schools in the Global University Systems (GUS) network, which follow the U.S. medical education model:
- Saba University School of Medicine (SABA)
- Medical University of the Americas (MUA)
- St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine (SMU)
These programmes prepare you for U.S. medical licensing and careers in the U.S., Canada, and internationally.
Following this path takes a total of seven years. Graduates are prepared for careers as physicians and healthcare leaders worldwide.
For more detailed information about this pathway, please refer to the FAQ at the bottom of this page.
- Minimum of GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (lower GPAs may be considered).
- Official transcripts, two academic references, and a personal statement.
- Interview with the medical school.
- For U.S. citizens/permanent residents: MCAT required.
- No English test needed if you complete Pre-Med fully in English at EUC.
- Eligibility for international scholarships.
- Conditional acceptance secures your place early, giving you peace of mind.
Pre-Med curriculum overview
In the Pre-Med major, you will gain fundamental knowledge in Life Sciences and Medical Sciences. The fields of study include:
- Fundamental biology, including biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, micro- and immuniobiology, human anatomy and physiology.
- Selected health and disease issues.
- The medical process and the scientific basis of medicine.
- Epidemiology and research methodology.
- Medical statistics.
- General clinical skills, including anamnesis, physical examination, clinical reasoning, and therapeutic skills.
- (Medical) professional behaviour.
The major requires completing 70 EC in mandatory courses and a capstone (15 EC). Check below for the full list of courses.
- Biochemistry
- Molecular & Cellular Biology
- Clinical Psychology
- Human Physiology
- Embryology & Development Biology
- Human Anatomy
- Micro- & Immunobiology
- Follow the Doctor (pass/fail, 0 EC)
- Pathology & Pathogenesis I - Cardiology
- Pathology & Pathogenesis II - Pulmonology
- Pathology & Pathogenesis III - Nephrology
- Pathology & Pathogenesis IV - Nutritional and Gastrointestinal Diseases
- Pathology & Pathogenesis V - Metabolism and Hormonal T Regulation
- Epidemiology & Global Health
- Clinical Reasoning & Consultation (Quad 1-4, in Dutch)*
- Health Psychology: Understanding Health Behaviours
* The course Clinical Reasoning & Consultation is mandatory for students who wish to enter the Premaster programme (see above); students who are not proficient in the Dutch language and/or do not wish to enrol in the Premaster programme do not need to follow this course.
Entry requirements for the EUC Pre-Med major
To follow the Pre-Med major, you need to be admitted into EUC. Please find admission requirements here.
Once you are admitted to EUC, you need to do the following to enrol in the Pre-Med major:
- Pass the EUC course ACC112 Basics of Life in the first year
- Take and pass the course LSC218 Life Support
- Take and Pass the course LSC216 Medical Ethics (this course may also be taken during the second year, i.e. during the Pre-Med major)
Partnership with Erasmus MC
Upon completing the Pre-Med Major and passing a selection procedure, you can pursue a 1-year Premaster programme in Dutch at Erasmus MC. Successful completion of this Premaster program will grant you admission to the Medical Master programme at Erasmus MC (taught in Dutch). Note that mastering the Dutch language is essential for some Pre-Med courses in the 3rd year at EUC, while the rest of the programme is in English. EUC cooperates with the Language and Training Center (LTC) to offer optional Dutch language courses, which can be reimbursed as part of the programme.
If you have any specific questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to contact us at euc@eur.nl.
Over the course of 3 years, my fellow Pre-Med peers and I gained a deep insight into the field of medicine through courses like Human Anatomy, Life Support, and Clinical Consultation & Reasoning. Unlike a regular medicine programme, Pre-Med allows you to take courses that you wouldn't normally take, like (computer) coding, sustainability, entrepreneurship, philosophy. This gives you a better insight into the world around you and helps us become better world citizens.
FAQs: Pre-Med major
If you choose the Pre-Med major at EUC you will gain a foundation in Life Sciences and Medical Sciences, including:
- Biology (anatomy and physiology)
- Health and disease
- Medical process and scientific basis of medicine
- Epidemiology and research methods
- Medical statistics
- Clinical skills (anamnesis, physical examination, reasoning, therapeutic skills)
- Professional behaviour in medical practice
For the exact courses you will follow each year, please refer to the EUC course catalogue.
FAQs: Premaster programme
- Dutch at B2 level (via NT-2 exam or VWO diploma)
- Strong GPA in Pre-Med courses
- Extracurricular activities during your Bachelor
- Positive results on EMC premaster entry tests
Every year 36 places are available for EUC graduates. Admission is competitive and depends on your:
- Dutch proficiency
- GPA
- Extracurricular activities
- Premaster entry tests
You start the three-year Medical Master (MMSc) at Erasmus MC. Afterwards, you can continue into postgraduate training in the Netherlands or Europe to become a:
- GP
- Medical specialist
- Public health physician (e.g. youth doctor, donor physician)
You can choose the international MD option (taught in English) through EUC’s partner universities in the Global University Systems (GUS) network. These follow the U.S. medical educational model and prepare you for U.S. licensing and careers in the U.S., Canada, and internationally.
You can also look at biomedical Master's degrees. Many graduates pursue master’s programs in biomedical sciences, healthcare, and related fields, often in the Netherlands, UK, or Ireland. Proactivity and research are encouraged to explore international master’s options.
Here are examples of master's our graduates have followed:
- Master Cardiovascular Research (VU Amsterdam)
- MSc, Health Management and Data Intelligence (Emlyon Business School)
- MSc, Biomedical Sciences (Maastricht University)
- Research Master Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Behavioural Neuroscience (University of Amsterdam)
- MSc, Bioinformatics & Systems Biology (VU Amsterdam)
- MSc, Engineering & Policy Analysis (EPA) (TU Delft)
- Master Health/Health Care Administration/Management (EUR)
- MSc, Digital Health (University of Bristol)
- MSc, Brain and Mind Sciences (UCL)
- Master Public Health and Epidemiology (NIHES)
- MSc, Neuroscience (EUR)
- MSc, Health Economics, Policy and Law (EUR)
- MSc Health and Medical Psychology (Leiden University)
- Master Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in Health and Life Sciences (MPA)
(VU Amsterdam)
FAQs: international MD pathway
EUC partners with three English-language medical schools in the Global University Systems (GUS) network:
- Saba University School of Medicine (SABA)
- Medical University of the Americas (MUA)
- St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine (SMU)
These universities follow the U.S. medical education model. They prepare you for the U.S. licensing exams and careers in the U.S., Canada, and internationally.
- At least GPA 3.0 (lower GPAs may be considered if places are available)
- Official transcripts, two academic references, and a personal statement
- Interview with the medical school
- U.S. citizens/permanent residents require MCAT
- No English test required if your EUC Pre-Med was taught entirely in English
Depending on the partner university and individual performance and program requirements, graduates have a pathway to practicing medicine in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and various European countries.
- U.S.: if you graduate from our partner universities you are eligible to take the USMLE exams and apply for ECFMG certification. This is the primary pathway for international medical graduates to enter U.S. residency programmes and obtain licensure in the United States.
- Canada: if you graduate from our partner universities you can pursue residency and licensure through CaRMS. In addition to the USMLE pathway, you also need to complete the MCCQE and meet the competitiveness standards set by Canadian residency programmes.
- Medical University of the Americas and St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine hold ACCM accreditation, which is recognised by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) which supports graduates who wish to practice in the UK and other countries that follow WFME standards.
- Saba University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands & Flanders (NVAO), which provides recognition in parts of Europe. However, licensure remains country-specific and additional requirements may apply depending on the nation.
- Graduates who obtain U.S. medical licensure often have the option to return to their home countries to practice. The options and requirements (e.g. additional exams, language proficiency requirements) vary per nation.
- 3 years for the Liberal Arts & Sciences Bachelor at EUC (Pre-Med major)
- 4 years for the MD programme at the partner university
This comes to 7 years total before residency.
- Conditional acceptance gives you an early spot while final requirements are completed.
- There are scholarship opportunities for eligible students.
- This pathway prepares you for a career as a physician or healthcare leader a variety of countries.
Yes! Qualified students can apply for international student scholarships at the partner universities.
Here is what you need to do after graduating from one of our partner universities in order to practice medicine in your desired country.
- Complete all MD programme requirements (Basic Sciences + Clinical Rotations).
- Pass USMLE Step 1 and Step 2, and obtain ECFMG certification (you need this to be eligible for a U.S. residency).
- Apply for and complete a residency programme via ERAS/NRMP Match. The partner universities can support you in this process.
- After completing your residency and USMLE Step 3, you can apply for full medical licensure in your preferred state.
- Pass the MCCQE and meet the CaRMS eligibility requirements.
- Apply for and complete a residency position through the CaRMS match process. (Many students apply to both the U.S. Match and CaRMS in the same cycle.)
- After completing your residency and meeting provincial medical regulatory requirements, you can apply for licensure through the appropriate College of Physicians and Surgeons.
If you want to practice medicine in another country, you will need to follow each country’s licensing rules. This may include:
- Verifying your credentials
- National or regional medical licensing exams
- Language proficiency tests
- Supervised practice requirements
Our partner universities offer a strong alternative pathway. Although the Basic Sciences part of the programme is delivered outside the U.S., students complete their clinical rotations at accredited teaching hospitals in the U.S. and Canada, ensuring alignment with U.S. and Canadian medical standards and letting students build North American clinical experience.
The partner universities’ programmes closely mirror U.S. MD education. Unlike international medical schools in Europe or Asia, their curriculum, assessments and clinical training are deliberately focused on U.S. and Canadian licensing pathways.