Università Cattolica Rome
UCSC School of Medicine • Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli
Train at Italy's #1 ranked hospital—Policlinico Gemelli in Rome. Featuring an English-taught 6-year MD degree, an exclusive US dual-degree track with Thomas Jefferson University, USMLE-aligned NBME testing, and world-class clinical clerkships.
#1 Hospital in Italy (Newsweek)
Policlinico A. Gemelli
Rome, Italy · 1,500+ Beds · 50+ Operating Theaters
Annual Capacity
70 Non-EU / 40 EU
Exam Format
65 Qs (65 Mins CBT)
Dual Degree
Thomas Jefferson (USA)
Annual Tuition
€18,000 / year (4 parts)
Campus gallery
See where you will study
Real campus, teaching and clinical environments from the university and credited editorial sources.
Gemelli medical faculty
The Rome medical campus linked to Policlinico Gemelli.
Medical students
An international cohort learning on the Rome campus.
Gemelli library
A focused study environment for medical students.
Degree
Medicine & Surgery (MD)
Hospital
Policlinico Gemelli
Exam
65 Qs Computer-Based
Duration
6 Years (360 ECTS)
US Track
Thomas Jefferson TJU
Campus
Rome, Italy
World-Class Clinical Training at Policlinico Gemelli
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore is Europe largest private university, with its Faculty of Medicine and Surgery situated on a sprawling hilltop campus in northwest Rome. Directly interconnected with the university is the world-renowned Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS.
Ranked as the #1 Best Hospital in Italy for four consecutive years by Newsweek World Best Hospitals ranking.
Over 1,500 patient beds, handling 80,000+ inpatient admissions and 1.5 million outpatient visits annually.
Home to specialized oncology, robotic surgery, advanced cardiovascular hybrid suites, and the Gemelli Curvy center for pediatric scoliosis.
Preclinical students transition directly into hospital wards from Year 3, ensuring unmatched clinical confidence before graduation.
Key Hospital Metrics & Accreditations
1,500+
Patient Beds
Largest hospital complex in Italy
54 Suites
Operating Theaters
Equipped with Da Vinci Xi robotic surgery
1,500,000+
Annual Outpatients
Massive clinical diversity & case pathology
Top 40 World
Global Recognition
Newsweek World Best Specialized Hospitals
Admission Test Specifications
65 Questions in 65 Minutes
The Cattolica entrance test is a rigorous, speed-intensive computer-based examination. Candidates have exactly 60 seconds per question to solve high-difficulty science, logic, and ethics problems.
+1.0
Correct
-0.25
Incorrect
0
Blank
Ethical & Religious Section (5 Qs)
Unlike public IMAT, Cattolica tests bioethics and moral theology. Questions cover topics like informed consent, therapeutic obstinacy, assisted procreation bioethics, and papal encyclicals.
CBT Exam Subject Breakdown
Deductive reasoning, analytical problem solving, data interpretation, pattern recognition, and textual critical analysis.
Cellular biology, bioenergetics, DNA replication, molecular genetics, Mendelian inheritance, human organ systems, histology foundations.
Atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, gas laws, thermodynamics, acid-base equilibria, organic functional groups, biomolecules.
Catholic moral theology, bioethical dilemmas, dignity of the person (Dignitas Personae), medical deontology, Laudato Si.
Algebraic manipulation, quadratic functions, logarithms, geometry, trigonometry, probability and introductory statistics.
Kinematics, Newton laws, work and energy, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electrostatics, basic DC circuits, wave optics.
Major contemporary historical milestones, global health organizations (WHO, UN), international institutions, Nobel laureates in physiology.
Full 6-Year Medical Degree Syllabus
Accredited under European Union Directive 2005/36/EC. The Cattolica curriculum seamlessly integrates preclinical basic sciences, pathology, and intensive clinical clerkships at Policlinico Gemelli.
Year 1: Molecular & Morphological Foundations
Preclinical Biomedical Science & Human Anatomy
Medical Physics, Informatics & Bioengineering
Biomedical instrumentation, radiation physics, medical imaging principles, biomechanics, computational data processing.
Chemistry & Principles of Medical Biochemistry
Thermodynamics, metabolic pathways, enzyme kinetics, bioenergetics, lipid and protein biochemistry, molecular structural analysis.
Cellular & Molecular Biology
Cell membrane transport, organelle dynamics, intracellular signaling cascades, gene expression, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis.
Histology, Cytology & Human Embryology
Microscopic structural analysis of primary tissues, gametogenesis, fertilization, early embryonic germ layer development, organogenesis.
Human Gross Anatomy I (Locomotor & Thoracic)
Osteology, arthrology, myology, cardiovascular anatomy, heart and mediastinum, respiratory tree, clinical radiological correlates.
Medical Humanities, History of Medicine & Bioethics
Evolution of medical epistemology, ethical decision making in medical practice, physician-patient relationship, dignity of life.
First Aid, BLS-D & Basic Nursing Immersion
Hands-on basic life support with defibrillator, patient positioning, vital signs monitoring, aseptic technique, simulation lab.
Clinical Clerkship Focus: Hands-on Clinical Skills Simulation Center & Nursing Shadowing at Policlinico Gemelli.
Year 2: Physiology, Pathophysiology & Mechanisms of Disease
Integrative Physiology, Immunology & Diagnostic Methodology
Human Gross Anatomy II (Neuroanatomy & Viscera)
Central and peripheral nervous systems, cranial nerves, digestive, urinary, reproductive and endocrine organ morphology.
Human Physiology I (Cardiovascular, Renal & Respiratory)
Hemodynamics, cardiac electrophysiology, pulmonary ventilation, gas exchange, renal nephron physiology, acid-base regulation.
Human Physiology II (Gastrointestinal, Endocrine & Neuro)
Digestive secretomotor functions, hypothalamic-pituitary axes, metabolic hormonal homeostasis, sensory and motor neurophysiology.
General Pathology & Pathophysiology
Cellular injury, necrosis, inflammation, wound healing, vascular disorders, thrombosis, fever, hemodynamic shock, oncogenesis.
Immunology & Immunopathology
Innate and adaptive immunity, antigen processing, B/T cell biology, hypersensitivity reactions, autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiencies.
Medical Microbiology & Virology
Bacterial morphology, pathogenesis, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, DNA/RNA viral replication, medical mycology and parasitology.
Medical Genetics & Genomic Medicine
Chromosomal aberrations, monogenic and polygenic inheritance, oncogenomics, genetic counseling, next-generation sequencing.
Clinical Clerkship Focus: Physical Semeiotics, Patient Bedside Interviewing & Clinical Examination Workshops at Gemelli.
Year 3: Pathology, Pharmacology & Core Clinical Rotations
Systemic Pathology, Clinical Pharmacology & Inpatient Rotations
Systemic Anatomic Pathology
Histopathological diagnosis of cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, endocrine, and skin diseases; biopsy interpretation.
General & Clinical Pharmacology
Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, autonomic drugs, cardiovascular agents, antibiotics, chemotherapy, drug-drug interactions, toxicology.
Medical & Surgical Semeiotics (Methodology)
Systematic physical examination, clinical reasoning, chest auscultation, abdominal palpation, differential diagnostic algorithms.
Laboratory Medicine & Clinical Biochemistry
Hematological diagnostics, coagulopathies, liver function tests, urinalysis, point-of-care testing, biomarkers of disease.
Cardiovascular System Diseases
Ischemic heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, valvular pathologies, hypertension, interventional cardiology, cardiac surgery.
Respiratory System Diseases
COPD, bronchial asthma, interstitial lung disease, pneumonia, pleural effusion, lung neoplasia, mechanical ventilation basics.
Inpatient Bedside Clinical Clerkships
Daily ward rounds, taking patient histories, presenting clinical cases, bedside procedural assistance in General Medicine and Surgery.
Clinical Clerkship Focus: Daily bedside inpatient rotations in Policlinico Gemelli Internal Medicine and General Surgery wards.
Year 4: Specialized Medical & Surgical Disciplines
Organ-System Specialized Medicine & Interventional Techniques
Gastroenterology & Digestive Endoscopy
Peptic ulcer, IBD (Crohn, Ulcerative Colitis), cirrhosis, acute and chronic pancreatitis, diagnostic endoscopy, gastrointestinal oncology.
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders
Thyroid diseases, adrenal insufficiency, Cushing syndrome, type 1 and 2 diabetes management, lipid disorders, metabolic syndrome.
Nephrology & Urology
Acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, hemodialysis, urolithiasis, prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma.
Rheumatology & Autoimmune Disorders
Rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis, vasculitides, biological therapies.
Hematology & Transfusion Medicine
Anemias, leukemias, lymphomas, multiple myeloma, stem cell transplantation, hemostasis, blood product transfusion protocols.
Medical Oncology & Precision Oncology
Tumor biology, targeted molecular therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, multidisciplinary cancer management, palliative care.
Diagnostic Imaging, Radiotherapy & Nuclear Medicine
X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, PET-CT interpretation, radiation oncology protocols, interventional radiology.
Specialty Ward Clerkships & Outpatient Clinics
Supervised clinical clerkships across specialized inpatient departments, endoscopy suites, and oncology multidisciplinary tumor boards.
Clinical Clerkship Focus: Specialized Department Internships, Diagnostic Endoscopy Suites & Oncology Tumor Boards at Gemelli.
Year 5: Neuroscience, Sensory Organs & Maternal-Child Health
Clinical Neurosciences, Head & Neck, Musculoskeletal & Pediatrics
Neurology & Clinical Neurophysiology
Stroke management, epilepsy, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer disease, peripheral neuropathies, EEG/EMG.
Neurosurgery & Interventional Neuroradiology
Intracranial tumors, aneurysms, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord compression, minimally invasive neurosurgical approaches.
Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology & Psychopharmacology
Mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety and OCD, personality disorders, substance abuse, psychiatric emergency intervention.
Orthopedics, Traumatology & Physical Medicine
Bone fractures, joint replacements (hip, knee), sports medicine, spinal deformities, musculoskeletal rehabilitation protocols.
Ophthalmology & Visual System Disorders
Cataract surgery, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, corneal pathologies, neuro-ophthalmology.
Otorhinolaryngology & Audiology
Otitis, hearing loss, vertigo, chronic sinusitis, head and neck carcinomas, vocal cord lesions, airway emergencies.
Dermatology, Venereology & Plastic Surgery
Psoriasis, eczema, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, STIs, wound care, reconstructive burn surgery.
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine
Physiological pregnancy, labor management, high-risk obstetrics, gynecological oncology, endometriosis, assisted reproduction.
Pediatrics, Neonatology & Pediatric Surgery
Neonatal intensive care, growth and development, congenital malformations, pediatric infectious diseases, pediatric oncology.
Surgical & Maternal-Child Clinical Traineeships
Surgical scrub-in at operating theaters, labor and delivery room assistance, pediatric triage and inpatient clerkships.
Clinical Clerkship Focus: Operating Room Surgical Clerkships, Labor & Delivery Wards, and Pediatric Emergency Department.
Year 6: Critical Care, Evaluative Traineeship (TPV) & MD Thesis
Emergency Medicine, Official Licensing Internship & Degree Defense
Emergency Medicine & Acute Resuscitation
Trauma triage, advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), septic shock, acute coronary syndrome, toxicology emergencies, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS).
Intensive Care, Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine
Invasive hemodynamic monitoring, mechanical ventilation in ARDS, general and regional anesthesia, sedation, chronic pain protocols.
Clinical Toxicology & Poison Control
Drug overdoses, industrial toxins, snake and insect envenomation, specific antidotes, extracorporeal detoxification.
Forensic Medicine, Deontology & Medical Law
Autopsy pathology, thanatology, medical malpractice legislation, informed consent, clinical bioethics in end-of-life care.
Public Health, Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine
Epidemiological study design, health economics, vaccine policy, hospital hygiene, antimicrobial stewardship, global health systems.
Practical Evaluative Traineeship (TPV Internal Medicine)
Mandatory clinical internship evaluated for direct medical licensure in Internal Medicine inpatient wards.
Practical Evaluative Traineeship (TPV General Surgery)
Mandatory clinical internship evaluated for direct medical licensure in General Surgery operating and ward units.
Practical Evaluative Traineeship (TPV General Practice)
Mandatory primary care internship evaluated with accredited general practitioners (Medici di Medicina Generale).
Experimental Research MD Thesis Defense
Independent scientific laboratory or clinical research project presented and defended before the final university degree commission.
Clinical Clerkship Focus: Full-Time Intensive Sub-Internships in Emergency Department, Intensive Care Units & Primary Care Practices.
Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) Dual-Degree Track
Cattolica has established a flagship bilateral cooperation with the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, USA.
Dual MD Degree Track (UCSC Rome + Thomas Jefferson University)
An exclusive bilateral articulation agreement between Università Cattolica and Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, USA. Selected students complete preclinical coursework in Rome and clinical clerkships in Philadelphia, obtaining dual Italian and American medical credentials.
Direct USMLE Step 1 & Step 2 CK Integration
The curriculum at UCSC incorporates National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) modular examinations, directly mirroring the format, style, and question difficulty of the USMLE Step exams. Cattolica students achieve exceptional first-time pass rates on Step 1 and high competitiveness on Step 2 CK.
US Clinical Electives & Research Fellowships
Students have direct access to clinical clerkships and biomedical research rotations in top-tier American hospitals, securing high-impact Letters of Recommendation (LoRs) for the US National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
Tuition Schedule & Confirmation Deposit
Tuition for the English Medicine program is fixed at €18,000 per academic year, payable in 4 structured installments.
Advance Seat Confirmation Deposit
€2,000
📅 Within 7-10 days of merit list release
Mandatory non-refundable deposit to officially hold your place in the MD cohort.
First Tuition Installment
€6,000
📅 October / Academic Enrollment
Formal matriculation fee, laboratory and simulation center fee, university services.
Second Tuition Installment
€5,000
📅 January / Semester 1 Mid-Term
Covers semester 1 exam sessions, hospital credentialing and library databases.
Third Tuition Installment
€5,000
📅 April / Semester 2 Commencement
Covers clinical ward clerkships, hospital liability insurance, and summer rotations.
LazioDisco Regional Scholarships & Housing Grants
Students enrolled at UCSC Rome are eligible to apply for LazioDisco regional scholarships (awarded by the Lazio Regional Government based on family income ISEE-U). Winners receive 100% tuition reimbursement, free campus canteen meals, and annual living stipends of up to €7,000+.
8-Step Application & Visa Roadmap
Follow this timeline to secure admission and complete all international legalisation requirements without delays.
Verify Academic Eligibility & Secondary Education
Ensure you possess or will obtain a high school diploma after at least 12 years of formal education with coursework in science. Non-EU students must confirm they reside outside Italy without an Italian EU-equivalent residence permit.
Create Account on UCSC International Portal
Register on the official Università Cattolica portal (international.unicatt.it), enter personal data, passport details, and select Medicine and Surgery at the Rome campus.
Pay Test Registration Fee (€160)
Complete online payment of the non-refundable €160 examination fee before the application deadline to confirm your test slot reservation.
Sit the Computer-Based Admission Test
Take the 65-question computer-based entrance exam (65 minutes). The test is administered at designated global test centers or through certified online proctoring.
Merit Ranking Publication & Seat Confirmation
Rankings are published within 2 weeks. Admitted candidates must accept the offer and pay the €2,000 advance confirmation deposit within the strict deadline (typically 7-10 days).
Submit Universitaly Pre-Enrollment (Non-EU)
Non-EU students submit their visa pre-enrollment application on the official Universitaly portal, selecting UCSC Rome as the target institution.
Legalize Documents (CIMEA or DOV)
Obtain the CIMEA Statement of Comparability & Verification, or the Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore) from the Italian Embassy/Consulate in your home country.
Obtain Type D Student Visa & Arrive in Rome
Receive your Italian National Student Visa (Type D), travel to Rome, apply for the Permesso di Soggiorno (Residency Permit), and finalize on-campus matriculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Essential answers on Cattolica entrance testing, hospital life, and licensing.
How many total seats are available at Cattolica Rome for Medicine & Surgery?
Cattolica Rome allocates a total of 110 seats annually for the English-taught MD program: 70 seats strictly reserved for Non-EU applicants residing abroad and 40 seats for Italian and EU-equivalent applicants.
What makes Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli world-renowned?
Policlinico Gemelli is Italy largest hospital and consistently ranked as the #1 best hospital in Italy and among the top 40 worldwide by Newsweek. With over 1,500 beds, 50+ operating theaters, and top specialized oncology, cardiology, and surgical institutes, students receive unmatched clinical patient exposure.
How does the Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) dual-degree program work?
Selected Cattolica medical students can participate in an integrated pathway with Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. This track combines Italian and US curricula, facilitates US clinical clerkships, and provides a direct pipeline toward US medical licensure and American residency matches.
Is Italian language proficiency required to apply?
No Italian proficiency is required at the time of application or admission. The entrance test and all theoretical academic teaching are 100% in English. However, Cattolica provides comprehensive Italian language courses during Years 1 and 2 to ensure students achieve B1/B2 fluency before patient bedside rotations start in Year 3.
What is the format and scoring system of the Cattolica Entrance Test?
The test consists of 65 multiple-choice questions in 65 minutes: 20 Logic, 18 Biology, 12 Chemistry, 5 Religious/Ethical Culture, 4 Mathematics, 4 Physics, and 2 General Knowledge. Scoring is +1.0 for each correct answer, -0.25 for incorrect answers, and 0 for omitted answers. Total maximum score is 65.0 points.
What is the Religious and Ethical Culture section, and how should I prepare?
This 5-question section tests understanding of fundamental bioethics, human dignity in healthcare, medical ethics, and major encyclicals (such as Dignitas Personae and Laudato Si). Meditaliano provides focused study summaries and past question banks specifically covering this unique section.
What is the tuition fee structure, and are scholarships available?
Tuition is a flat €18,000 per academic year for the English MD program, payable in four installments (€2,000 deposit + €6,000 + €5,000 + €5,000). Students may apply for regional merit-and-income scholarships via LazioDisco (covering tuition reimbursements and living stipends) and UCSC international merit grants.
Is the Cattolica MD degree recognized worldwide?
Yes. The degree awarded is a single-cycle Master of Science in Medicine and Surgery (Laurea Magistrale a Ciclo Unico in Medicina e Chirurgia, LM-41), which is fully accredited across the European Union under Directive 2005/36/EC. It is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS), making graduates eligible for USMLE / ECFMG (USA), GMC (UK), and medical councils across Asia, Canada, and Australia.
Ready to Prepare for Università Cattolica Rome?
Get 1-on-1 coaching for the 65-question Cattolica test, past question simulations, ethics section mastery, and Universitaly document assistance with Meditaliano.