San Raffaele Milan
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (UniSR) • International MD Program
Train inside IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele—Europe premier hospital for gene therapy, robotic surgery, and advanced medical research. Featuring an English-taught 6-year MD degree, high-yield clinical exposure, and strong international residency pathways.
Gene Therapy & Research Pioneer
IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele
Milan, Italy · 1,350+ Beds · World-Class IRCCS
Annual Capacity
64 Non-EU / 86 EU
Exam Blueprint
60 Qs (60% Logic / 40% Science)
Cutoff Benchmark
38.75 / 60 Points
Annual Tuition
€20,000 / year (4 parts)
Campus gallery
See where you will study
Real campus, teaching and clinical environments from the university and credited editorial sources.
Degree
Medicine & Surgery (MD)
Hospital
IRCCS San Raffaele
Exam
60 Qs (60% Logic Weight)
Duration
6 Years (360 ECTS)
Deposit
€1,500 (3-5 day window)
Campus
Milan, Italy
World-Renowned Biomedical Research & Clinical Excellence
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University is intimately integrated with IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, an internationally acclaimed biomedical research hospital and scientific institute.
Global pioneer in translational medicine, cellular therapy, and gene therapy (San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy - SR-TIGET).
Over 1,350 beds and 50+ specialized clinical departments, handling complex multi-organ surgeries and rare disease referrals.
Active clinical trial portfolio with direct student involvement in cutting-edge molecular oncology, cardiovascular research, and neurosciences.
High faculty-to-student ratio ensuring intensive bedside mentoring throughout 6 years of medical studies.
Key Hospital Metrics & Infrastructure
1,350+ Beds
Hospital Capacity
One of largest research hospitals in Europe
40+ Theaters
Operating Suites
Robotic, hybrid vascular & neurosurgery
1,000,000+
Annual Patients
Broad clinical diversity & rare diseases
Top Tier
Scientific Impact
Pioneered world first approved gene therapies
Examination Blueprint
60 Questions in 60 Minutes
The San Raffaele test is distinctive for placing 60% of total score weight on Logic, Problem Solving, and Critical Reading, giving candidates with strong analytical skills a massive competitive edge.
+1.0
Correct
-0.25
Incorrect
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7 Reserve Calibration Questions
The exam includes 7 additional unscored questions used by the testing committee for psychometric calibration. Candidates answer all 67 questions within the allotted time.
Section Breakdown & Weighting
Critical reasoning, textual comprehension, analytical problem solving, data sufficiency, numerical patterns, and logical syllogisms. This section carries 60% of total score weight.
Core natural sciences: Biology (cellular biology, genetics, physiology), Chemistry (organic, stoichiometry, solutions), Mathematics (algebra, functions, geometry), and Physics (mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity).
Full 6-Year Medical Degree Syllabus
Accredited under European Union Directive 2005/36/EC. Preclinical foundations and intensive clinical rotations in IRCCS San Raffaele hospital wards.
Year 1: Foundations of Medicine, Molecules & Morphological Sciences
Cellular Systems, Biochemistry, Gross Anatomy & Medical Biophysics
Medical Physics, Biophysics & Computer Science
Radiation physics, bioelectricity, optical diagnostics, fluid mechanics, biomedical data analysis.
Chemistry & Foundations of Medical Biochemistry
Chemical equilibria, thermodynamics, enzyme kinetics, metabolic bioenergetics, structural lipidomics, and proteomics.
Cellular & Molecular Biology
Membrane transport mechanisms, organellar trafficking, signaling cascades, epigenetic control, apoptosis.
Histology, Cytology & Human Embryology
Microscopic tissue architecture, stem cell biology, early embryonic germ layer specialization, organogenesis.
Human Gross Anatomy I (Locomotor & Thoracic)
Musculoskeletal biomechanics, cardiovascular morphology, mediastinal anatomy, respiratory system, clinical radiological correlates.
Medical Humanities, Bioethics & Philosophy of Science
Doctor-patient communication, deontological ethics, clinical empathy, history of medical thought, and patient autonomy.
Basic Life Support (BLS-D) & Patient Care Simulation
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation, first aid skills, simulation lab training at IRCCS San Raffaele.
Clinical Clerkship Focus: Clinical Skills Simulation Lab & Basic Nursing Immersion at IRCCS San Raffaele.
Year 2: Neuroanatomy, Human Physiology & Mechanisms of Disease
Integrative Physiology, Immunology, Microbiology & Genetics
Human Gross Anatomy II (Neuroanatomy & Viscera)
Cranial nerves, central and peripheral neural pathways, digestive, urogenital, and endocrine structural morphology.
Human Physiology I & II
Cardiac electrophysiology, pulmonary mechanics, renal clearance and acid-base regulation, digestive secretomotor activity, endocrine axes.
General Pathology & Pathophysiology
Cellular injury and adaptation, acute/chronic inflammation, tissue repair, hemodynamic disorders, thrombosis, molecular oncology.
Immunology & Immunopathology
Innate and adaptive immunity, lymphocyte activation, hypersensitivity, autoimmune pathologies, primary/secondary immunodeficiencies.
Medical Microbiology & Virology
Bacterial virulence factors, antimicrobial resistance, viral replication strategies, mycoses, and clinical parasitology.
Medical Genetics & Genomic Medicine
Mendelian and complex inheritance, genomic sequencing analysis, oncogenomics, targeted genetic therapies, and clinical counseling.
Introductory Physical Semeiotics Workshop
Hands-on physical examination techniques, vital signs, chest auscultation, abdominal palpation, and medical history taking.
Clinical Clerkship Focus: Physical Semeiotics & Basic Nursing Clerkship in San Raffaele Inpatient Units.
Year 3: Pathology, Pharmacology & Core Clinical Rotations
Systemic Pathology, Clinical Pharmacology & Inpatient Wards
Systemic Anatomic Pathology
Histopathological diagnosis of cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, endocrine, and skin diseases; biopsy interpretation.
General & Clinical Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, autonomic pharmacology, cardiovascular agents, chemotherapy, toxicology, personalized medicine.
Medical & Surgical Semeiotics (Methodology)
Clinical diagnostic reasoning, differential diagnosis formulation, symptom analysis, and bedside presentation.
Laboratory Medicine & Molecular Diagnostics
Clinical hematology, biochemical biomarkers, coagulation profiling, urinalysis, and point-of-care testing technologies.
Cardiovascular System Diseases
Coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, valvular disorders, hypertension, interventional catheterization.
Respiratory System Diseases
COPD, asthma, interstitial lung diseases, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, thoracic oncology, and non-invasive ventilation.
Inpatient Bedside Clinical Clerkships
Daily ward rounds in Internal Medicine and General Surgery, patient case management, and morning clinical meetings.
Clinical Clerkship Focus: Daily Bedside Clinical Clerkships at IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele (Medicine & Surgery Wards).
Year 4: Specialized Medical & Surgical Disciplines
Organ-System Subspecialties & Multidisciplinary Oncology
Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Endoscopy
GI bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, diagnostic and interventional endoscopy.
Endocrinology, Diabetology & Metabolism
Thyroid pathology, pituitary disorders, adrenal insufficiency, diabetes management, metabolic bone diseases.
Nephrology, Dialysis & Urology
Acute and chronic renal failure, glomerulonephritis, hemodialysis and transplantation, urological cancers, and lithiasis.
Rheumatology & Autoimmune Disorders
Rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, systemic sclerosis, spondyloarthropathies, vasculitides, and biological targeted therapies.
Hematology & Transfusion Medicine
Leukemias, lymphomas, myeloma, hemolytic anemias, bone marrow transplantation, and hemotherapy protocols.
Medical Oncology & Cancer Immunotherapy
Oncogenesis, molecular tumor profiling, immune checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy regimens, palliative care.
Diagnostic Imaging & Interventional Radiology
X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, PET-CT protocols, interventional vascular and oncological radiological procedures.
Subspecialty Outpatient & Inpatient Rotations
Rotations across specialized clinical units, endoscopy suites, and multidisciplinary tumor boards.
Clinical Clerkship Focus: Subspecialty Outpatient Clinics, Endoscopy Suites & Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards at San Raffaele.
Year 5: Neuroscience, Sensory Organs & Maternal-Child Health
Clinical Neurosciences, Head & Neck, Musculoskeletal & Pediatrics
Neurology & Clinical Neurophysiology
Stroke units, epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathies, neurocritical care.
Neurosurgery & Minimally Invasive Approaches
Intracranial neoplasms, aneurysms, neurotrauma, spine surgery, robotic and endoscopic neurosurgery.
Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
Depressive and bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, psychopharmacology, emergency psychiatry.
Orthopedics, Traumatology & Sports Medicine
Fracture management, joint reconstruction (hip, knee), spine surgery, arthroscopy, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
Refractive surgery, cataract, glaucoma, retinal diseases, ocular emergencies, and neuro-ophthalmology.
Otorhinolaryngology & Head-Neck Surgery
ENT oncology, otology, audiology, rhinology, airway management, and reconstructive head and neck surgery.
Dermatology, Venereology & Plastic Surgery
Inflammatory skin disorders, melanoma, cutaneous surgery, aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine
High-risk pregnancy, labor management, gynecological oncology, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, IVF.
Pediatrics, Neonatology & Pediatric Specialties
Neonatal intensive care, growth disorders, pediatric infections, pediatric emergency triage, congenital diseases.
Surgical Theater & Maternity Traineeships
Scrubbed-in surgical training, labor ward assistance, and pediatric emergency 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 Trauma Care
Shock management, mass casualty triage, ACLS protocols, trauma resuscitation, emergency point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS).
Intensive Care, Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine
Invasive monitoring, ventilator management, perioperative care, regional/general anesthesia, palliative analgesia.
Clinical Toxicology & Poisoning Emergencies
Acute drug intoxications, biological toxins, industrial poisonings, antidotal treatments, and dialysis detoxification.
Forensic Medicine, Deontology & Healthcare Law
Medical liability, ethics in intensive care, patient consent, autopsy findings, and professional jurisprudence.
Public Health, Hygiene & Global Health Systems
Hospital infection control, epidemiology, health economics, preventative medicine, and global health policy.
Practical Evaluative Traineeship (TPV Internal Medicine)
Official licensing clinical rotation in Internal Medicine inpatient units.
Practical Evaluative Traineeship (TPV General Surgery)
Official licensing clinical rotation in General Surgery operating and ward units.
Practical Evaluative Traineeship (TPV General Practice)
Official licensing clinical rotation with accredited primary care physicians.
Experimental Research MD Thesis Defense
Independent scientific thesis based on laboratory or clinical investigation defended before the university degree commission.
Clinical Clerkship Focus: Full-Time Practical Sub-Internships in Emergency Department, Intensive Care Units & Primary Care.
Tuition Fees & Confirmation Deposit
Tuition for the International MD Program is €20,000 per academic year, payable in 4 structured installments.
Advance Seat Confirmation Deposit
€1,500
📅 Within 3-5 working days of merit ranking
Mandatory non-refundable deposit to officially reserve your seat allocation.
First Tuition Installment
€8,500
📅 October / Academic Enrollment
Covers formal registration, clinical simulation center fees, library database access.
Second Tuition Installment
€5,000
📅 January / Semester 1 Mid-Term
Covers semester 1 exam sessions and laboratory credentials.
Third Tuition Installment
€5,000
📅 April / Semester 2 Commencement
Covers hospital clinical clerkships, liability insurance, and summer rotations.
8-Step Application & Visa Roadmap
Step-by-step roadmap from exam registration to arriving on campus in Milan.
Verify 12-Year Secondary Education
Confirm you hold or will complete a high school diploma earned after at least 12 years of formal education with strong scientific coursework.
Register on the UniSR Online Portal
Create your personal credentials on the official UniSR portal (unisr.it), upload your passport, and select the International MD Program.
Pay Test Registration Fee (€200)
Complete online payment of the €200 test registration fee before the booking deadline to confirm your examination slot.
Sit the San Raffaele Admission Test
Complete the 60-question computer-based exam in 60 minutes (+7 reserve questions). Available at global test centers and via certified online proctoring.
Merit Ranking & Advance Deposit (€1,500)
Rankings are released within 7-10 days. Admitted candidates must confirm their place and pay the €1,500 deposit within 3-5 working days.
Submit Universitaly Pre-Enrollment (Non-EU)
Non-EU students submit their visa pre-enrollment application on Universitaly, selecting Vita-Salute San Raffaele University.
Obtain Document Legalization (CIMEA or DOV)
Secure the CIMEA Statement of Comparability & Verification or the consular Declaration of Value for your secondary school diploma.
Receive Student Visa & Matriculate in Milan
Obtain your Italian Type D National Student Visa, arrive in Milan, apply for your residency permit (Permesso di Soggiorno), and begin classes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key questions on San Raffaele admissions, testing, and hospital life.
How are the questions distributed on the San Raffaele Test?
The exam consists of 60 scored questions in 60 minutes, heavily weighted toward Logic and Problem Solving (36 questions / 60%) alongside Natural Sciences (24 questions / 40%: Biology, Chemistry, Math, and Physics). In addition, 7 unscored reserve questions are included for test calibration.
What was the historical admission cutoff for Non-EU and EU applicants?
The historical first-round cutoff for Non-EU applicants typically sits around 38.75 to 42.0 out of 60 points. EU cutoffs generally range slightly higher (43.0 to 47.0 points). Through waitlist scrolling (scorrimenti), final cutoffs often drop by several points.
What makes IRCCS San Raffaele a pioneer in medical research?
IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele is internationally celebrated for groundbreaking biomedical research, having pioneered the world first stem-cell gene therapies (Strimvelis). With over 1,350 beds and 50+ specialized clinical departments, students learn directly from world-leading clinical researchers.
What is the tuition fee structure at San Raffaele?
Tuition for the International MD Program is a flat €20,000 per academic year, payable in an advance deposit of €1,500 followed by three installments (€8,500 + €5,000 + €5,000).
Are Italian language classes provided for international students?
Yes. All coursework is in English, but students are required to achieve B1/B2 Italian proficiency before starting clinical hospital rotations in Year 3. UniSR provides comprehensive, credit-bearing Italian language courses throughout Years 1 and 2.
Can San Raffaele graduates enter US or UK residency programs?
Yes. The MD degree is fully accredited across the EU (Directive 2005/36/EC), listed in WDOMS, and recognized by the US ECFMG / USMLE and UK General Medical Council (GMC). Many UniSR alumni secure residency matches in the US, UK, Switzerland, and Germany.
Does San Raffaele provide student accommodation on campus?
Yes. The Cascina Melghera student residence is located directly on the university campus, providing private single rooms, study lounges, laundry facilities, and dining options within steps of the hospital.
How does waitlist scrolling (scorrimento) work at San Raffaele?
Because top-scoring students frequently receive simultaneous offers from Cattolica, Humanitas, and public IMAT universities, seats that are not confirmed within the 3-5 day window are immediately offered to subsequent candidates on the merit list in successive weekly rounds.
Ready to Prepare for San Raffaele Milan?
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