Mandatory internships for medical students in Austria: clinical electives & KPJ at a glance

☝️ Mandatory internships in Austria:

Clinical rotations: 12 weeks in total

• 4 weeks internal medicine
• 4 weeks primary care (e.g., general medicine)
• 4 weeks freely selectable
• At least 8 weeks before the third stage of study, the rest before the start of the KPJ 

Clinical practical year (KPJ):

• In the 6th year of study (11th to 12th semester)
• 48 weeks, divided into 3 tertials of 16 weeks each
• Subjects: Internal medicine, surgical-perioperative subjects, elective
• Possible at university hospitals, teaching hospitals, or abroad

Practical experience is indispensable in medical studies. In Austria, clinical internships and the Clinical Practical Year (KPJ) are among the most important compulsory internships. They ensure that students not only acquire theoretical knowledge, but also learn about clinical procedures at an early stage and train their medical skills.

Duration & Structure

During the course of study, a total of 12 weeks of clinical training must be completed. These are clearly structured:

• 4 weeks of internal medicine
• 4 weeks of primary care (e.g., general medicine)
• 4 weeks freely selectable

Time requirements

• At least 8 weeks (including 4 weeks of internal medicine) must be completed before entering the third stage of study.
• The remaining 4 weeks must be completed before the start of the KPJ at the latest.
• Minimum duration per institution: 2 weeks.
• Absences of up to 20% are accepted.

Recognition abroad

• Clinical placements in the EU/EEA area and Switzerland are recognized.
• Outside these countries, credit is generally not possible.
• One week corresponds to 1 ECTS (25–30 hours).

Duration & structure of the CPY

The clinical practical year is the central practical component of the sixth year of study and comprises a total of 48 weeks.

It is divided into three 16-week tertials:

• Tertial A: Internal medicine
• Tertial B: Surgical and perioperative subjects
• Tertial C: Elective

Contents & learning objectives

The KPJ is designed to enable students to

• confidently apply clinical practical skills,
• make medical decisions,
• work in a scientifically sound manner,
• and act in an evidence-based manner.

KPJ abroad

• The KPJ can also be completed abroad – provided that the clinic or hospital is recognized by the medical university.
• Approval must be obtained from the home university before starting.
• This offers the opportunity to gain international experience and insights into foreign healthcare systems.

You can study human medicine in Austria at the following universities:

1. Medical University of Vienna

2. Medical University of Graz

3. Medical University of Innsbruck

4. Paracelsus Medical Private University (PMU) Salzburg

All four locations implement the same rules for clinical electives and KPJ, but differ in terms of organization and teaching hospitals.

• Germany (PJ): 48 weeks of practical training in the sixth year of study, divided into three tertials. Additionally, four months of clinical traineeship and a 90-day nursing internship.

• Austria (KPJ): 48 weeks of clinical practical training in the sixth year of study. Additionally, 12 weeks of clinical internship, but no nursing internship.

• Conclusion: Austrian students save on the nursing internship, but have similar structures in the KPJ.

The mandatory internships in medical studies in Austria consist of a 12-week clinical internship and a 48-week clinical practical year. While the clinical internships offer initial practical insights into everyday medical practice, the clinical practical year is the highlight of clinical training and crucial for starting a career.

Whether in Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, or Salzburg, these internships are milestones on the path to becoming a doctor and offer the opportunity to combine knowledge, skills, and international experience.