The specific mission of the single-cycle Master’s Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery (Degree Programme or CLMMC), established within the Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences (DSCS) with the contribution of all the departments affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, is to train doctors who, in addition to the basic knowledge required to practise medicine, possess an inter- and multi-disciplinary, integrated understanding of the most common health and disease issues. This approach encompasses a particular focus on the community and the local area – including in relation to living and working environments – an understanding of the international healthcare context, disease prevention and health promotion, and a humanistic culture in its aspects relevant to medicine, with due regard for bioethical considerations.

The ultimate aim is to acquire sufficient skills and experience, combined with the ability to self-assess, to address and resolve priority health issues responsibly from a preventive, diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative perspective. Furthermore, graduates of this specialist programme must have developed an integrated approach to at-risk individuals and patients, critically assessing the clinical, relational, educational, social and ethical aspects involved in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, as well as in rehabilitation and the restoration of the highest possible level of physical and mental wellbeing.

The six-year degree programme is organised into 36 modules delivered over 12 semesters, interspersed with examination periods. In order to achieve the aforementioned educational objectives, the degree programme comprises a total of 360 CFU, of which at least 60 must be earned through learning activities aimed at developing specific professional skills.

Information regarding the organisation of the degree programme is set out in the Programme’s Academic Regulations.

The Master’s Degree programme is designed to provide the scientific foundations and the theoretical and practical training necessary for the practice of medicine; it also provides the methodological and cultural foundations for lifelong learning and the methodological principles of experimental clinical practice.
Throughout the course of study, students must therefore acquire a level of professional, decision-making and operational autonomy sufficient to enable them to undertake subsequent postgraduate training in a responsible and productive manner.
It is also important that graduates in Medicine and Surgery understand the ethical values of medicine, are able to communicate clearly and compassionately with patients and their families, collaborate with various healthcare professionals in clinical and team-based activities, and are able to identify community health issues.

Graduates of the Medicine and Surgery degree programme possess the scientific foundations, theoretical and practical training, and professional skills required to practise as a doctor and surgeon, and are able to carry out their duties in positions of responsibility across various roles and professional fields within clinical, healthcare and biomedical sectors. The Master’s degree in Medicine and Surgery is also a prerequisite for admission to medical postgraduate training programmes.

Career opportunities:
Public healthcare facilities affiliated with the National Health Service, private healthcare facilities (both affiliated and non-affiliated with the National Health Service), and Local Health Authorities.

The single-cycle Master’s degree programme in Medicine and Surgery (Class of Medicine and Surgery degrees, LM-41, annexed to Ministerial Decree No. 1649 of 19 December 2023) aims to train ‘expert doctors’, equipped with the scientific foundations, theoretical and practical training, and professional skills necessary for practising as a medical surgeon, enabling them to carry out their duties in positions of responsibility across various professional roles and fields.

Medical training of this nature is viewed as the first stage of an education that must continue over time, and with this in mind, the knowledge that students must acquire at this stage has been tailored, placing emphasis on self-directed learning, interactivity, practical experience and epidemiology, with a view to developing clinical reasoning and a culture of prevention.

Graduates of the Master’s degree programmes within this class, bearing in mind international standards for medical education and the requirements set out in the core learning outcomes for the Class of Medicine and Surgery degrees, must be able to:
- possess good interpersonal skills (communication skills) and provide high-quality, safe care, in collaboration with the patient and in accordance with the fundamental values of the profession, whilst being able to correctly apply medical knowledge, clinical skills and competences independently;
- demonstrate the ability to engage in self-directed learning and self-assessment (continuing education);
- make clinical decisions and carry out preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions within their scope of practice, whilst being aware of the limits of their competence, and being able to collect, interpret and critically evaluate information and data relating to an individual’s state of health and illness, including in relation to the characteristics of the environment in which they live;
- to develop sound decision-making processes, taking into account individual variability, whilst being able to assess the specific circumstances and preferences of the patient, in relation to the availability of resources, and in accordance with best practice derived from evidence-based medicine and, where appropriate, precision medicine;
- to make informed and up-to-date use of scientific evidence and innovative technologies, integrating them for the benefit of the patient within the complex processes of prevention, diagnosis and treatment;
- to practise contemporary, ethical and efficient clinical care, conducted in accordance with the principles of teamwork and in collaboration with patients and their families, other healthcare professionals and the community;
- to plan and undertake their own continuing professional development, ensuring that their expertise remains aligned with the latest scientific research, whilst critically evaluating its findings;
- to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, adhering fully to the ethical principles of the profession and observing the rules of the Code of Ethics, whilst being fully aware of the behaviours and attitudes inherent in the ‘art of being’ a doctor;
- understand the global health and equity needs of the community and the population (Global Health, One Health, eHealth), knowing how to mobilise the resources necessary for change and contribute, through one’s own experience and work, to improving the health of the community and the population, ensuring equitable access to healthcare of an appropriate standard.

In order to practise their profession with a full understanding of their role, graduates of the degree programme in Medicine and Surgery must have acquired:
1) essential knowledge and competence in the basic sciences, with particular emphasis on their subsequent professional application, including an understanding of scientific methods, the principles relating to the measurement of biological functions, the evaluation of scientific evidence and data analysis;
2) knowledge and competence in research methodology within the biomedical, biotechnological and clinical-specialist fields, with particular emphasis on translational medical research, being able to conduct research on specific topics, possessing the right mindset for the critical interpretation of scientific data, and having a good understanding of digital technologies applied to medicine;
3) competence in collecting and critically evaluating data relating to an individual’s state of well-being, health and illness from a clinical perspective, within a holistic view of the person that extends to gender, socio-cultural and environmental dimensions, and the ability to interpret data in relation to scientific evidence, pathophysiology and pathologies at the organ, system, cellular and molecular levels;
4) the skills to address and resolve, responsibly and independently, a person’s main health problems from the perspectives of health promotion, prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and rehabilitation, drawing on in-depth clinical and surgical knowledge, combined with skills, experience and the ability to self-assess, whilst also applying the principles of health economics in these decision-making processes;
5) the ability to listen to patients and their families, combined with the capacity to build relationships and communicate with them clearly, compassionately and empathetically, whilst being able to manage an effective, patient-centred therapeutic relationship and foster patient engagement through a genuine partnership with the patient and their families. Graduates will also be able to manage communication effectively in difficult situations and to carry out effective counselling, health education and the promotion of the patient’s health and psychological and physical wellbeing (communication as part of care);
6) the ability to collaborate effectively with various professionals in different team-based healthcare activities, through the informed use of the practices characteristic of ‘communities of practice’, with the aim of making the patient’s ‘care process’ as effective and comprehensive as possible;
7) the ability to identify community health issues, with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, whilst being able to intervene competently, applying the principles of ‘advocacy’ for health, healthcare and social justice, and understanding the principles of ‘Global Health/One Health/eHealth’ and those relating to ‘disaster preparedness’ in the face of catastrophic events;
8) the ability to practise one’s profession, having developed reflective thinking skills, including a command of and knowledge of the historical, epistemological, sociological, psychological and ethical dimensions of medicine and all aspects falling within the scope of the ‘medical humanities’;
9) the ability to exercise critical judgement regarding the ethical aspects of clinical decisions and research.

Description of the Training Programme
In accordance with current European Directives, the duration of the programme leading to a Master’s degree in Medicine and Surgery is 6 years, comprising at least 5,500 hours of theoretical and practical teaching carried out at or under the supervision of the University.
The single-cycle Master’s degree programme in Medicine and Surgery comprises a total of 360 University Credit Points (CFU), spread over six years of study. Of these, at least 60 must be earned through practical training activities aimed at developing specific professional skills (professionalisation credits).
The programme is organised into 12 semesters and no more than 36 integrated courses; CFU are allocated to these within specific scientific and disciplinary sectors in accordance with the University’s teaching regulations, in compliance with the provisions of the ministerial table of essential educational activities (Ministerial Decree No. 1649 of 19 December 2023 – allegato.pdf (mur.gov.it).
Of the ECTS credits to be earned throughout the entire programme of study and allocated to the vocational training activity described above, 15 ECTS credits must be allocated to the completion of the three-month practical and assessment-based placement within the degree programme, as referred to in Article 3 of the Decree of the Minister of Education, Universities and Research of 9 May 2018, No. 58, as amended, aimed at obtaining professional qualification (https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2018/06/01/18G00082/sg).
The aforementioned placement comprises a number of hours corresponding to at least 5 CFU per month and is divided into the following periods, which need not be consecutive: one month in the Surgical Department; one month in the Medical Department during the fifth and/or sixth year of the degree programme; one month, to be undertaken no earlier than the sixth year, in General Practice. The months of attendance must not overlap. For each CFU allocated to the practical-assessment placement, there must be at least 20 hours of professional training and no more than 5 hours of independent study.
Pursuant to Article 102(1) of Decree-Law No. 18/2020 (https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/ 2020/03/17/20G00034/sg), the final examination of the single-cycle Master’s Degree programme in Medicine and Surgery counts as the state examination qualifying the holder to practise as a medical surgeon, subject to the successful completion of the practical assessment placement.
Each credit (CFU) from the core, core-related, related and supplementary modules, as well as the student’s elective modules, must correspond to a student workload of 25 hours, of which, as a rule, up to 12 hours consist of teaching activities undertaken in person or under the supervision of a lecturer (lectures, small-group sessions, supervised self-assessment, discussion of clinical cases and other teaching methods, in person and within the teaching facility). Their structure will be defined in the teaching regulations and set out in the course descriptions.
Given that the following activities are highly experimental and practical in nature, each individual credit (CFU) of professional training must correspond to 25 hours of professional training under the guidance of a lecturer in small groups, either within the educational institution and/or in the local community; each individual credit (CFU) for the preparation of the degree thesis must correspond to 25 hours of activity within the educational institution; for every single credit (CFU) of the assessed practical placement, there must be at least 20 hours of professional training and no more than 5 hours of independent study.
Pursuant to paragraph 6 of Article 3 of Ministerial Decree No. 1649 of 19 December 2023, the programme ensures students full access to the educational activities referred to in Article 10, paragraph 5, of Ministerial Decree No. 270 of 22 October 2004, allocating a total of no fewer than 30 credits to the activities specified therein, of which no fewer than 8 shall be allocated to the activities referred to in point (a) and no fewer than 12 to the activities referred to in point (b).
Furthermore, subject to the requirement that students must complete at least 8 credits’ worth of activities of their own choosing, the Master’s degree programme allows students to choose up to 8 CFU from the compulsory work placement credits stipulated by the programme for professional training activities. Undertaking these placements represents a key stage in students’ education, enabling them to gain a better understanding of their professional future and to make a well-informed and confident choice regarding their postgraduate path.
 

Entry requirements

Admission to the single-cycle Master’s degree programme in Medicine and Surgery is subject to the holder possessing a secondary school leaving certificate or a foreign qualification recognised as equivalent in accordance with current legislation.

The necessary prior knowledge is that covered in upper secondary school curricula relating to the subjects of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, as set out in the National Guidelines for General Upper Secondary Schools and the guidelines for Technical and Vocational Upper Secondary Schools.

The procedures for admission to the Master’s degree programme in Medicine and Surgery following an open semester are set out in a specific regulation issued by the Ministry of Universities and Research, in accordance with current legislation.
 

Modalità di ammissione

Incoming orientation

The degree programme takes part in incoming orientation initiatives organised at both the macro-area and University levels, which are detailed on the relevant page of the University portal; this page also provides access to the specific initiatives for each macro-area. These initiatives are coordinated by a working group comprising the Rector’s Representative for Orientation, the Departmental Representatives for Orientation and staff from a dedicated organisational unit. The planning and delivery of orientation activities are certified to the UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 standard.
Regular activities, news and the latest initiatives can be found on the dedicated Orientation page.

The degree programme is taking part in the MOOD guidance and tutoring project (Med Odonto Orienta Domain – MOOD), which has already been funded for the period 2023–25 by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR). This is a joint initiative of the Permanent Conferences of the Heads of Master’s Degree Programmes in Medicine and Surgery and the Heads of Degree Programmes in Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics; it involves 40 Italian institutions (including the University of Brescia) and aims to develop a standardised and consistent induction programme across Italy in order to (i) reduce disparities in preparatory courses for the entrance exams to the Master’s degree programmes in Medicine and Surgery (CLMMC) and Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics (CLMOPD) (socio-economic, geographical, digital, etc.) and (ii) strengthen school-university interaction. In collaboration with all participating universities, enrolment guidance activities for the CLMMC and CLMOPD programmes will be delivered in a uniform and equitable manner to all students involved. The project involves the organisation of elective training activities, delivered via a digital platform, using innovative methods designed to enable active participation by the students involved. In addition, experiential activities will be offered through simulation workshops and micro-placements, as well as immersive micro-workshop activities for upper secondary school pupils.

The degree programme also has a webpage where you can find essential information on admission procedures, academic calendars and syllabuses.
The guidance initiatives are designed to be fully accessible to all students, and there is a support service for students with disabilities.

Ongoing guidance

Tutoring initiatives are organised at University level in accordance with the annual tutoring plan, which is drawn up each year by the University Tutoring Committee and approved by the Academic Senate. The Tutoring Service contributes to ongoing academic guidance with the aim of ensuring students progress smoothly through their studies and identifying the critical issues that contribute to drop-out rates. The administrative management of the student tutoring service is certified to the UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 standard and is delivered as part of the services supporting the right to education by a dedicated organisational unit.


The degree programme is taking part in the MOOD guidance and tutoring project (Med Odonto Orienta Domain – MOOD), which has already been funded for the period 2023–25 by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR). This is a joint initiative of the Permanent Conferences of the Heads of Master’s Degree Programmes in Medicine and Surgery and the Heads of Degree Programmes in Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, involving 40 Italian institutions (including the University of Brescia) and aims to develop a uniform and consistent ongoing guidance and tutoring programme across Italy to facilitate progression through the course of study and reduce difficulties and drop-out rates through peer-to-peer tutoring, remedial support for failing students, career progression, and measures to combat the distress and isolation of university students, as well as experiential activities via simulation workshops and micro-placements. immersive micro-workshop activities for degree programme students, alongside self-assessment and remedial activities.


The degree programme provides for two roles: the Academic Advisor and the Tutor.
Academic Tutor: A lecturer to whom individual students turn for guidance and advice regarding their academic career. All lecturers and researchers on the degree programme are required to make themselves available to fulfil the duties of a tutor. In particular, the Programme Board appoints year and semester coordinators for each academic year, who meet during the sessions of the Technical and Pedagogical Committee.
Tutor: A lecturer or member of staff with recognised qualifications in the specific educational field, to whom a small number of students are assigned for the ‘departmental’ and ‘professional placement’ teaching activities provided for in the Study Plan. Tutors for professional training activities are appointed each academic year by the Degree Programme Council and are sent a letter of appointment.

The final examination for the award of the Master’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery consists of the defence, in Italian, before an examination board, of a thesis written in Italian or English, which the student has researched and drafted independently under the supervision of a lecturer, on a topic falling within one of the disciplines listed in the programme of study.

The thesis, the contents of which are presented during a public defence in which the student must demonstrate a command of methodology and the ability to tackle problems independently and critically, may take one of the following forms:
a) Research thesis
b) Compilation thesis

The thesis topic may be assigned, at the request of the student concerned, by a tenured lecturer or a researcher – including those on fixed-term contracts – who holds a teaching post within the Degree Programme in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Brescia, thereby assuming the role of supervisor. When assigning the thesis topic, the supervisor may also appoint as co-supervisors a lecturer or researcher from the degree programme, tenured lecturers from other degree programmes at this University and from other Italian or foreign universities, as well as qualified external experts who have been designated as subject specialists by the Degree Programme Committee for Medicine and Surgery.
To be admitted to the final examination, the student concerned must follow the online procedure set out on the University’s dedicated web page.
 

Conduct of the final examination

The final examination for the award of the Degree in Medicine and Surgery consists of the defence, before an examination board, of a thesis written in Italian or English, developed and drafted by the student in an original manner, under the supervision of a lecturer, and on a topic falling within one of the disciplines listed in the programme of study.
The degree thesis, the contents of which are presented during a public defence in which the student must demonstrate mastery of methodology and the ability to tackle problems independently and critically, may be a review, a research study or an experimental study.
The final degree mark, expressed out of one hundred tenths, is determined by the criteria set out in the Academic Regulations of the Degree Programme (CdS), to which additional marks are added, along with the possibility of receiving a commendation, as set out in Article 14 of the Academic Regulations of the Degree Programme in Medicine and Surgery.

Pursuant to Article 102(1) of Decree-Law No. 18/2020, the final examination for single-cycle master’s degree programmes falling within class LM-41 in Medicine and Surgery shall be deemed to be the state examination qualifying the holder to practise as a medical surgeon, subject to the successful completion of the practical assessment placement referred to below, as governed by Decree No. 58 of 9 May 2018 of the Minister of Education, Universities and Research.
Graduates of this class must attain the competences required by the specific professional profile.