Medicine

Program Description

Study Medicine at WBU – Where Global Standards, Clinical Excellence, and Innovation Shape the Doctors of Tomorrow!

Why Choose the Study Program in Medicine at WBU?

· Offers a transformative academic journey rooted in international standards, innovation, and excellence.

· WBU is a fourth-generation university with a progressive approach combining technology, interdisciplinary learning, and global partnerships.

· Prepares medical professionals for the challenges of 21st-century healthcare.

· Features a modern, needs-driven curriculum aligned with evolving societal and healthcare demands.

· Developed in collaboration with the Cambridge University Medical Education Group (CUMEG).

· Curriculum is exclusively designed for WBU, reflecting the Bologna Charter and EU directives.

· Ensures strong foundations for professional mobility, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice internationally.

What Does WBU Offer?

At WBU, students benefit from an educational ecosystem that prioritizes academic rigor, mentorship, and innovation. Over 90% of the academic staff hold scientific degrees or titles, ensuring that students are mentored by nationally and internationally experienced faculty. The teaching strategy emphasizes an inclusive, student-centered approach, with small-group instruction, case-based learning, and clinical simulation integrated from the first year of study.

Merit-Based Scholarships. WBU offers a variety of scholarships for outstanding students, including the Excellence Scholarship, Institutional Scholarship, Partner Institutions Scholarship with tuition reductions up to 100%.

State-of-the-Art Laboratories and Skills Labs. Students train in cutting-edge facilities equipped with modern tools for anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, pathology, microbiology, and simulation-based clinical training. These laboratories are designed to prepare students for accurate diagnostics, safe procedures, and evidence-based care from the earliest stages of their education.

Professional Practice in Leading HospitalsClinical training is a core part of the curriculum. Students gain hands-on experience in leading hospitals, health centers, and laboratories across Albania, including partnerships with the American Hospital, International Hospital (Hygeia), public health institutions. Starting as early as the first year, clinical placements provide real-world exposure in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, gynecology, psychiatry, and emergency medicine etc.

English-Language Study Program. The Medicine program is delivered in English, supporting students in mastering international medical terminology and preparing them for careers in diverse healthcare environments worldwide.

Innovation and Medical Research. WBU encourages student engagement in scientific research from early on. Medical students participate in conferences, scientific projects, workshops, and community health initiatives, promoting innovation and critical thinking in clinical medicine and public health.

Support for Licensing and Global Careers. Throughout the program, students receive guidance for national licensing exams and international certifications. Career counseling, support with postgraduate applications, and access to professional development workshops help graduates transition smoothly into local and global medical careers.

Students are immersed in a curriculum that emphasizes both biomedical foundations and socio-humanistic competencies. Courses focus on medical ethics, patient safety, communication, and interprofessional teamwork. WBU also ensures continuous academic guidance through personalized mentorship systems, fostering not only medical expertise but professional values such as compassion, integrity, and resilience.

As a fourth-generation university, WBU is also committed to global connectivity. Through Erasmus+ mobility, strategic institutional partnerships, and ongoing curriculum enhancement via international peer-review, students are empowered to expand their learning across European and global academic networks.

Furthermore, WBU's Medicine program integrates digital health, evidence-based research skills, and critical technology use. From electronic medical records to artificial intelligence tools for diagnostics, the program encourages fluency in technological solutions to enhance clinical reasoning and decision-making.

What Will You Study from Year 1 to Year 6?

The Medicine program at Western Balkans University is structured across six academic years and follows a progressive, integrated model that builds clinical competence alongside foundational biomedical knowledge. Each academic year is designed to foster both theoretical understanding and practical application, ensuring students develop as competent, ethical, and globally aware medical professionals.

Year 1

Lays the groundwork with the Core Foundations of Medical Practice, introducing students to medicine, healthcare systems, and professional learning. Modules include Core Sciences for Medicine, Cell, Tissues and Organs, and integrated teaching on the Respiratory and Cardiovascular Systems. Emphasis is placed on developing academic skills, critical thinking, and early exposure to clinical reasoning.

Year 2

Continues the organ-system-based approach with deeper dives into modules such as the Gastrointestinal, Renal, Endocrine, Reproductive, and Musculoskeletal Systems. It also includes training in Research Methodology, Professional Values, and Clinical Communication Skills, ensuring students acquire competencies in evidence-based practice and ethical conduct.

Year 3

Transitions students into more complex biomedical and clinical topics. Key modules include Hematology and Immunology, Neurosciences, Psychiatry, and Clinical Skills Development. A dedicated Family and Community Medicine module reinforces the importance of population health and primary care settings. Students also undertake modules in Health Promotion and Clinical Pharmacology.

Year 4

Is heavily clinically oriented, with full-time clinical rotations in core disciplines including Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Emergency Medicine. Simultaneously, academic modules in Clinical Reasoning, Medical Ethics, and Diagnostic Imaging further students’ ability to make sound clinical decisions.

Year 5

Expands clinical exposure through specialized modules such as Neurology, Oncology, Dermatology, ENT, Ophthalmology, and Rehabilitation Medicine. Students refine their clinical acumen through integrated practice in hospital and outpatient settings, while also studying Health System Management and Medical Law and Professionalism.

Year 6

Serves as the Integrated Internship Year, consolidating prior learning through intensive rotations in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, gynecology, and emergency care. This capstone year includes a final academic module in Clinical Integration and Exam Preparation, ensuring readiness for licensing examinations and professional practice.

Throughout the six years, the curriculum is continuously reinforced with skills labs, simulation-based learning, interdisciplinary case discussions, and community health initiatives. The structured vertical integration between basic sciences, clinical disciplines, and professional competencies positions WBU graduates as highly prepared for local and international medical careers.

Mission, Vision & Objectives

Mission

Vision

Objectives

Career Opportunities

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AFTER GRADUATION

Graduates of the Medicine program at Western Balkans University (WBU) earn the academic title of Medical Doctor (MD), recognized in accordance with European Union directives. The program equips students with the knowledge, clinical skills, and ethical grounding necessary to pursue postgraduate specialization and medical licensing both in Albania and internationally, including in the EU, United Kingdom, and North America.

Thanks to its internationally oriented curriculum—developed in collaboration with global partners—and a strong emphasis on professional ethics, lifelong learning, and patient-centered care, WBU prepares its medical graduates for diverse career paths in:

· Clinical practice in hospitals and outpatient clinics,

· Academic research and medical innovation,

· Health system management and public health strategy,

· International health policy and global healthcare development.

Students also benefit from robust training in research methodology, data analysis, and evidence-based medicine, positioning them to contribute meaningfully to clinical trials, health technology assessment, and scientific advancement.

WBU’s integrated and comprehensive curriculum gives graduates a strong foundation applicable across all levels of healthcare delivery, enabling them to work effectively in:

Urban and regional outpatient clinics,
Emergency services and trauma care units,
Primary healthcare centers in both rural and urban areas,
Small-town and regional hospitals,
Public health authorities engaged in planning and implementation of health policies,
Private hospitals and specialist clinics,
Independent medical practices and group healthcare networks.

With ongoing support in licensing preparation, international certifications, and career counseling, WBU ensures that its alumni are not only ready for the job market but also empowered to lead, innovate, and transform the future of medicine—locally and globally.

Semester 1

No.	Code	Subject	ECTS
1	MED 101	Anatomy I	2
2	MED 103	History of Medicine and Deontology	2
3	MED 105	Scientific Research	3
4	MED 107	Biophysics	3
5	MED 109	Organic Chemistry	2
6	MED 111	Biochemistry I	4
7	MED 113	Medical Biology	3
8	MED 115	Sociopsychology	3
9	MED 117	Basic Medical Skills I	2
10	MED 119	Pharmacology I	1
11	MED 121	Pathology I	1
12	MED 123/125/127/129/131	Foreign Language I (English, German, Italian, Latin, Albanian)	4

Semester 2

No.	Code	Subject	ECTS
1	MED 102	Anatomy II	6
2	MED 104	Physiology I	4
3	MED 106	Histology	2
4	MED 108	Microbiology I	2
5	MED 110	Biochemistry II	3
6	MED 112	Medical Genetics	3
7	MED 114	Basic Medical Skills II	4
8	MED 116	Pharmacology II	1
9	MED 118	Pathology II	1
10	MED 124/126/128/130/132	Foreign Language II (English, German, Italian, Latin, Albanian)	4

Semester 1

No.	Code	Subject	ECTS
1	MED 201	Anatomy III	5
2	MED 203	Physiology II	5
3	MED 205	Microbiology II	5
4	MED 207	Biochemistry III	4
5	MED 209	Histology and Embryology I	5
6	MED 211	Immunology and Allergology	2
7	MED 213	Basic Medical Skills III	2
8	MED 215	Pharmacology III	1
9	MED 217	Pathology III	1

Semester 2

No.	Code	Subject	ECTS
1	MED 202	Anatomy IV	8
2	MED 204	Physiology III	5
3	MED 206	Microbiology III	3
4	MED 208	Biochemistry IV	6
5	MED 210	Histology and Embryology II	4
6	MED 212	Basic Medical Skills IV	2
7	MED 214	Pharmacology IV	1
8	MED 216	Pathology IV	1

Semester 1

No.	Code	Subject	ECTS
1	MED 301	General Medicine I	8
2	MED 303	General Surgery I	2
3	MED 305	Epidemiology	2
4	MED 307	Microbiology IV	4
5	MED 309	Pharmacology V	5
6	MED 311	Pathology V	7
7	MED 313	Basic Clinical Skills I	2

Semester 2

No.	Code	Subject	ECTS
1	MED 302	General Medicine II	8
2	MED 304	General Surgery II	4
3	MED 306	Public Health and Medical Ethics	8
4	MED 308	Microbiology V	2
5	MED 310	Pharmacology VI	3
6	MED 312	Pathology VI	3
7	MED 314	Basic Clinical Skills II	2

Semester I-II

No.	Code	Subject	ECTS
1	MED 401	Internal Diseases	12
2	MED 402	Cardiology	3
3	MED 403	Pediatrics	15
4	MED 404	Obstetric and Gynecology	9
5	MED 405	Radiology	3
6	MED 406	Anesthesiology	3
7	MED 407	General Surgery	9
8	MED 408	Pediatric Surgery	3
9	MED 409	Plastic Surgery	3

Semester I-II

No.	Code	Subject	ECTS
1	MED 501	Otorhinolaryngology	6
2	MED 502	Ophthalmology	4
3	MED 503	Orthopedics	4
4	MED 504	Occupational Diseases	3
5	MED 505	Forensic Medicine	3
6	MED 506	Neurology	6
7	MED 507	Psychiatry	4
8	MED 508	Pulmonology	4
9	MED 509	Nuclear Medicine	3
10	MED 510	Dermatology	3
11	MED 511	Urology	5
12	MED 512	Neurosurgery	5
13	MED 513	Cardiovascular Surgery	3
14	MED 514	Pharmacology	3
15	MED 515/516/517	Oncology, Endocrinology, Palliative care	4

Semester I-II

No.	Code	Subject	ECTS
1	MED 601	Internal Medicine	8
2	MED 602	Pediatrics	8
3	MED 603	Public Health	4
4	MED 604	Primary Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology	5
5	MED 605	Emergency Medicine	8
6	MED 606	Obstetrics and Gynecology	4
7	MED 607	General Surgery	4
8	MED 608	Psychiatry	4
9	MED 609/610/611	Medical Communication Theory/Nephrology/Toxicology	4
10	MED 650	Diploma Thesis (SEM II)	11