Gynaecology-Obstetrics and Paediatrics

The international semester Gynaecology-Obstetrics and Paediatrics offers you a unique opportunity to gain knowledge of important symptoms, diseases and causes of death from birth to death mainly within the fields of gynaecology- obstetrics and paediatrics.

You will be studying at our beautiful campus and joining the clinical training at one of the hospitals in the region. As a medical student you will experience a vibrant student environment with outstanding facilities such as the student house for medical students, the health science library and many student clubs and associations, which will enable you to network and make new friends.

From class-room teaching to clinical practice

The objective of this semester is to give students knowledge of important symptoms, diseases and causes of death from birth to death mainly within the fields of gynaecology-obstetrics and paediatrics.

The semester includes both clinical training and class-room teaching in gynaecology-obstetrics, paediatrics, clinical genetics, and cross-curricular symposiums. 

Course content

From the Spring 2021 the course is a 30 ECTS course. 

The 19-week course includes:

1 weeks of introductory classes
8 weeks of class-room teaching 
4 weeks of clinical training at a gynaecological-obstetrical department
4 weeks of clinical training at a paediatrics department
2 weeks for examination.

Please find the course described in detail in our course catalogue:
Gynacology-Obstetrics and Pediatrics (including Clinical Genetics) (30 ECTS)

The main subjects of the course are gynaecology-obstetrics, paediatrics, and clinical genetics.

Students will be provided with knowledge of pathophysiology, epidemiology, prevention, risk assessment, diagnostics, treatment methods, and prognosis in relation to major diseases within the specialities. You will also gain knowledge of clinical pharmacology, diagnostic radiology, clinical immunology, pathology, and clinical chemistry in relation to the main specialities.

Two 4-week rotations of clinical practice in both gynaecology-obstetrics and paediatrics introduce you to all activities of the departments. Most of the time international students will be paired with a student buddy. In the departments there will be a clinical advisor offering mentoring and guidance. 

Methods of teaching: Lectures, clinical practice, symposia, TBL, and visits to departments

Examination: Individual OSCE-examination (2.5 hours) and written MCQ-examination (105 min) (graded)

Facts and requirements

  • LEVEL: Master level
  • COURSE CONTENT: Gynaecology-obstetrics, paediatrics, and clinical genetics.
  • LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION: English (please read our specific language requirements carefully)
  • METHOD OF TEACHING: Lectures, class-room teaching, symposia, TBL, and clinical practice
  • WORK LOAD: 30 ECTS (19 weeks)
  • SEMESTER DATES: Late August – Mid January / Late January – Late June
  • EXAMINATION DATES: January / June
  • APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1 / October 1 – check your home university for local deadlines and nomination procedures for exchange studies abroad.
  • APPLICATION RESPONSE: June / December
  • ELIGIBILITYStudents from partner universities with an exchange agreement with  Aarhus University and/or Faculty of Health, who holds a Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent (having completed at least three years of study), in Medicine at the time of application.

  • SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
    • In addition to the general admission requirements, applicants need to meet the following criteria:
    • Have spent time in a clinic prior to enrollment
    • Ability to take medical history and to perform a physical examination of a patient


Language requirements

Exchange students for the International Semester at the Faculty of Health are not required to document English language proficiency.

You are expected to to have English language qualifications comparable to the English B level from the Danish upper secondary school (gymnasium).
International qualifications comparable to this level are:

  • TOEFL test results of at least 560 (paper based test) or 83 (internet based test)
  • IELTS test with a minimum score of 6.5 points
  • C1 level obtained by examination from a CEFR-validated English language course. 

Academic Calendar

The official academic year is divided into two semesters: Autumn semester (September to January) and Spring semester (February to June).   

However the semester in Medicine will start in August and January due to Intro Days and Introductory Weeks.

Autumn semester: Mid-August - January 
(exams in the middle of January)

Spring semester: Mid-January - June 
(exams in the middle of June)

Exam

When you are enrolled in the international semester, you are at the same time registered for the exams at the end of the semester. We expect you to participate in the exams.

There will be 2 different types of examination within the semester. 

  • OSCE – Examination Objective Structured Clinical Examination An OSCE comprises a circuit of short stations, in which each candidate is examined on a one-to-one basis with one or two impartial examiner(s) and patients. Each station has a different examiner. Candidates rotate through the stations, completing all the stations on their circuit.
  • Written MCQ-examination Multiple Choice Questionnaire

Disclaimer

It is important for us to underline that all international students are required to attend the exam a the end of their semester at Aarhus University. We are aware that some of our partner universities do not require their students to attend exams at their host university. However due to the funding system of the Danish universities, this is mandatory if you wish to attend the semester at Aarhus. If a student fail to attend the exam or deliberately fail the exam, we will take measures to terminate the agreement with your home university.  

Transcript of records

When you pass the exams at the end of your semester at Aarhus University, you will receive a ”Transcript of records”. This paper is your official documentation from Aarhus University and it shows the course you took and the grades. You will receive it via mail. Upon inquiry we can send the original to your home address too. 

Please be aware that no individual grading for specific subjects is provided.

Documentation for clinical rotations

Several of our international students need to have specific documents signed to document clinical placements spent during an exchange. You are welcome to bring your documents with you and have them signed during your clinical placements at the assigned hospital.

Please note that we do expect you to do the exam in Aarhus too. 

Nomination and application deadlines

Students from universities with a partnership agreement with the Faculty of Health or a bilateral agreement with Aarhus University can apply for the international semester and will, if accepted, not pay tuition fees. Accommodation, study materials, travels and other expenses are not covered. Applicants will have to have finished their bachelor degree in medicine to be eligible to apply for the international semester. 

Nomination deadlines
Nominations must be submitted by the home university via our online nomination tool no later than 
March 15th (Autumn semester) 
September 15th (Spring semesters)

Application deadlines:
For enrollment in the fall semester (September-January): April 1
For enrollment in the spring semester (February-June): October 1st

Due to limited availabilites in the clinics we urge that all partners contact us well before nominating students to discuss if the exchange is possible. 

Selection of students

Aarhus University has a limited number of spot in the clinic based on how many Danish students go on an exchange.

In the case where we are not able to accept all nominated students for our international semester we will give priority to students from partners that we are sending to.  

Hospitals

All exchange students following the course Gynaecology, Obestetrics and Paediatrics are assigned Aarhus University Hospital for their clinical placements.

The University Hospital is less than 5 km from the city center and can be reached by bike and public transportation.

Mandatory documents

Upon enrollment all students will be asked to to hand in the following mandatory documentation:

  • Declaration of Confidentiality
  • Criminal record/Statement of previous convictions in respect of children
  • MRSA test (Except students from the Nordic countries)

Medical education in Denmark

The Danish medical education is divided into a bachelor  degree programme (3 years) and a master degree programme (3 years). The medical graduate acquires general medical skills during 12 months of basic clinical work and an additional 12 months of employment in an introductory position. Further specialisation takes 4-6 years depending on the area of specialisation.

The medical degree from Aarhus University, Faculty of Heath is approved by the Danish Health and Medicines Authority and The Danish Accreditation Institution and is internationally acknowledged.

Student life

As a medical exchange student at Aarhus University, you become part of a community of more than 2000 medical students. The unique facilities for medical students include our student house – a place for social and academic network, world class research facilities at Aarhus University Hospital – awarded best hospital in Denmark for several years in a row, and access to a comprehensive health science library. Aarhus has a population of 300,000 and is Denmark’s second largest city. It has all the advantages and resources of a big city; and yet everything is within walking or biking distance.

The large student population gives the city a young and exciting vibrancy and along the canal in the city centre the students visit the many cafés and restaurants. The city is located on the waterfront and you are never far from beautiful beaches or tranquil forests.

Partner Institutions and Collaboration

The Faculty of Health at Aarhus University works with several renowned universities in Europe and Australia. They include Nordplus partners in the Nordic countries, Erasmus+ partners in Europe and bilateral partnerships with institutions overseas.

We are continually working on developing new and existing partnerships to the benefits of students from both Aarhus University and our partner universities.

If your university would like to know more about the possibilities of becoming a partner of Faculty of Health at Aarhus University, please don't hesitate to contact our International Team at health.studyabroad@au.dk