IMAT: Study Medicine in Italy in English

Didn’t Get into Medical School in Greece? There Is Another Path

For many students, studying Medicine is a goal they have worked towards for years. However, admission to Medical Schools in Greece through the Panhellenic Examinations is highly competitive, and the required scores remain extremely high every year.

So, what happens if a student does not manage to get into Medical School through the Panhellenic Examinations?

The answer is that the dream of studying Medicine does not have to end there.

One of the most important alternatives in Europe is Italy, where several leading public universities offer Medicine programmes taught in English. For English-taught programmes where this admission procedure applies, candidates can compete for a place through the IMAT – International Medical Admissions Test. The Italian Ministry of Universities and Research has also published the official admission regulations for the 2026/27 academic year for English-taught programmes in Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine.

As a result, studying Medicine in Italy can be a genuine alternative for students who want to study Medicine in Europe.

What is the IMAT?

The IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test) is the entrance examination used for admission to English-taught Medicine programmes in Italy, according to the admission procedure established by the Italian authorities for each academic year.

The examination is conducted in English, and candidates are ranked according to their performance in order to compete for one of the available places.

IMAT therefore represents a different route to Medical School from the Panhellenic Examinations in Greece.

Official information about the IMAT, admission procedures and relevant announcements is published through Universitaly and the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research.

Why Study Medicine in Italy?

Italy has become one of the most interesting options for students looking for Medical Studies abroad.

There are several reasons for this.

1. Excellent Universities

Italy has a large and highly developed university system, with institutions that have a long tradition in higher education, Medicine and research.

For a candidate looking for Medicine in Europe, Italy is not simply a solution in case they do not get into Medical School in Greece. It is a country with respected universities and an international academic environment.

At the same time, English-taught programmes allow international students to study Medicine without having to complete their entire degree in Italian.

2. Study Medicine in Italy in English

One of the biggest advantages is the opportunity to study in English-taught Medicine programmes.

This is particularly important for Greek students who want to study Medicine abroad but do not have sufficient knowledge of Italian to follow an entire university programme in the language.

Teaching is conducted in English, while knowledge of Italian can be particularly useful in everyday life and during clinical training.

3. Much More Affordable Tuition Fees Than in Many Other Countries

Cost is one of the most important factors when a family considers studying Medicine abroad.

Italy is particularly interesting because public universities can offer significantly more affordable tuition fees compared with many other countries where Medical programmes can be extremely expensive.

In addition, the Italian system provides various forms of financial support for students. The official Universitaly platform refers to a wide range of scholarships and student benefits through which many students may benefit from reduced tuition fees or exemptions.

Therefore, studying Medicine in Italy can be one of the most attractive options for families looking for high-quality studies in Europe without the very high costs found in some other countries.

4. An Additional Opportunity After the Panhellenic Examinations

This is perhaps the most important advantage for a Greek candidate.

A student may have made a very serious effort in the Panhellenic Examinations and still not achieve the score required for admission to Medical School in Greece.

This does not mean that they have to give up on their goal.

Italy gives students the opportunity to enter through a different admission procedure, the IMAT, and compete for a place in an English-taught Medicine programme just a few months after taking the Panhellenic Examinations. This means that, after being admitted to an Italian university, the candidate can proceed directly to their studies without losing an additional academic year.

For a student who has already prepared for the Panhellenic Examinations, preparing for the IMAT can therefore provide an additional option without losing valuable time.

IMAT or Panhellenic Examinations? Which Exam Is More Difficult?

This is one of the first questions students and parents ask:

“Is the IMAT easier than the Panhellenic Examinations?”

The answer cannot simply be “yes” or “no”, because these are two different examinations.

The IMAT is a demanding and competitive examination, but its preparation is more targeted compared with the extensive preparation required for the Panhellenic Examinations for Medical School.

IMAT vs Panhellenic Examinations

Therefore, the IMAT should not be considered an easy examination.

However, for a student who has already prepared for the Panhellenic Examinations, preparing for the IMAT can be more manageable because it is a different type of examination with a more targeted focus.

This makes the IMAT particularly interesting for students who:

• did not get into Medical School in Greece,
• want to explore a second option,
• have already prepared in subjects relevant to the examination,
• wish to study Medicine in English.

What Do I Need to Study Medicine in Italy?

The process requires careful planning and involves much more than simply taking the examination.

Candidates should find out about:

• universities offering English-taught Medicine programmes,
• available places,
• admission requirements,
• the IMAT and its examination format,
• registration deadlines,
• the Universitaly application process,
• required documents,
• tuition fees,
• scholarship and financial support opportunities,
• and the enrolment procedure after admission.

The exact rules and number of available places should not be taken for granted based on previous years, as they are determined by the official decisions issued for each academic year. For 2026/27, the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research published a specific decree covering English-taught programmes and available places.

Which Students Should Consider the IMAT?

The IMAT may be particularly relevant for:

Students preparing for the Panhellenic Examinations, so that they are aware from an early stage that an alternative option is available.

Students who did not get into Medical School, but still want to pursue a career in Medicine.

Students who want to study Medicine abroad from the beginning, in an English-taught programme.

Students looking for a more affordable option compared with studying Medicine in some other countries abroad.

I Didn’t Get into Medical School in Greece. What Can I Do?

Not being admitted to Medical School in Greece does not mean that you have to give up on your goal.

There are several options for studying Medicine in Europe, and Italy is certainly one of the options worth considering seriously.

With the right information and planning, candidates can explore English-taught Medicine programmes, learn about the IMAT and organise their preparation in good time.

For a student who has already gone through the Panhellenic Examination process, this can provide a second opportunity to pursue the Medical School they want.

Why Is Italy One of the Best Alternatives for Studying Medicine?

Studying Medicine in Italy combines many of the features that students and families are looking for today:

• Excellent universities
• English-taught Medicine programmes
• A European academic environment
• More affordable tuition fees compared with many other countries
• Scholarship and financial support opportunities
• A different admission process from the Panhellenic Examinations
• The opportunity to continue pursuing Medicine even if a student was not admitted in Greece

For these reasons, Italy is one of the options that every student considering Medical Studies abroad should be aware of.

IMAT Preparation: The Right Start Makes a Difference

The IMAT is a competitive examination, and proper preparation is important.

Preparation is not only about covering the syllabus. Candidates need to become familiar with the examination format, time management, question types and the strategy required for an international admission test.

For a student who has already prepared for the Panhellenic Examinations, the knowledge and experience gained through that preparation can provide a valuable foundation for IMAT preparation.

The key is to start early, with proper planning and expert guidance. At Koutsodontis Prep Center, we offer comprehensive IMAT preparation, helping candidates effectively cover the required content, become familiar with the examination format and develop the strategy they need to aim for a high score.

IMAT and Medicine in Italy: An Alternative Worth Knowing About

Not getting into Medical School through the Panhellenic Examinations does not mean that the journey is over.

Italy offers an interesting alternative for students who want to study Medicine in English, in a European university environment, with excellent universities and opportunities for financial support.

The IMAT is demanding, but its preparation is more targeted than the extensive preparation required for the Panhellenic Examinations. For a candidate who has already worked systematically towards the Panhellenic Examinations, it can therefore provide a different and particularly interesting route towards Medical School.

If studying Medicine is your dream, it is worth knowing all the available options before deciding that there is no other path.

Italy may be that path.