Entrance to Medicine has not yet found its stability. The university system is still trying to digest the innovations desired by Minister Bernini such as the much discussed filter semester. The new decree of the Minister of University and Research continues to introduce innovations: the latest concerns the organization of places and selections.
Everything is needed to consolidate the filter semester and above all to distribute admissions to the study program between state and private universities. What will medicine be like in 2026-2027?
Increase in available places
Last August 7, Minister Anna Maria Bernini signed the decree that defines the places available for single-cycle master’s degree courses in Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics and Veterinary Medicine for the academic year 2026-2027.
Overall there are 30,225 places, of which 23,495 are allocated to state universities and 6,730 to non-state universities.
Of the 30,225 places:
- 27,001 are for Medicine (3,000 more than last year);
- 1,825 for Dentistry;
- 1,399 for Veterinary Medicine.
On the same date, the open semester model was confirmed, complete with changes compared to the first trial year.
The Medicine calendar 2026-2027
While it is now late to register (there was time until 3 August 2026), those who have already sent it and proceed to pay the flat rate contribution on the University portal will be able to start lessons from 1 September.
Lessons will continue until 10 days before the first exam session, set for December 10th. The results will be published on 23 December, while the second appeal will take place on 11 January 2027 and the publication of the results will take place on the following 20 January. The national ranking will finally be available starting from January 22, 2027 at 4:00 pm. Only from 16 February 2027 will the assignment of similar courses be carried out for those who have not entered the medical ranking.
The calendar in brief:
- 1 September 2026 start of lessons;
- 10 December 2026 first exam session;
- 23 December 2026 publication of the results of the first appeal;
- 11 January 2027 second exam session or recovery of tests;
- 20 January 2027 publication of results of the second appeal.
The news of the decree
The decree introduces not so much new features, but organizational adjustments. For example, filter semester classes move from two to three months, responding to student demand for more time to study complex subjects.
Furthermore, the second exam session will be held at the beginning of January 2027, giving more space to study and avoid the test.
How exam tests change
The exam subjects are the same as last year, namely Physics, Chemistry and preparatory Biochemistry and Biology. The test will focus on 31 questions, including 10 completion questions and 21 multiple choice questions.
Compared to last year, the time available to students increases, moving from 45 minute tests to 50 minute tests. At the end of each of the three tests there is a 30 minute break, while last year it was just 15.
How is the ranking formed?
The Medicine ranking will be made up of three sections:
- in the first, those who have passed three exams;
- in the second, those who have passed two exams;
- in the third, those who have passed only one exam.
They will therefore be listed below in order of score achieved. Compared to last year, the grade used for the ranking will automatically be considered the best result, which must be higher than 18/30.
Students who do not pass one or two exams, but who are in a good position in the ranking, will be able to obtain the training credits in time for enrollment in the second semester.
