Before you can consider yourself a medical doctor, you first have to complete the three-year Master’s in Medicine. Your study starts with the theory, then halfway through your first year you begin your internships.
Internships are a series of clinical work placements where you put into practice what you have learned in your theoretical studies. In the course of this programme you develop from a novice to an aspiring medical professional. You will put your medical knowledge, skills and professional conduct into practice in a clinical environment.
Waarom de master Geneeskunde in Leiden?
Fenna Jansen, co-assistant “You have the chance to look at all the different departments: cardiology and neonatology, for example. What actually goes on there?”
“After your fixed bachelor’s programme you’re finally able to leave the lecture rooms and put into practice the theoretical knowledge you have acquired. You become an individual rather than one of the masses, and the contact with doctors and assistant doctors is mostly on a one-to-one basis. This gives you some unique learning opportunities. You will also have a lot of contact with patients. After all, that’s what the medical profession is all about. Fortunately, it’s all fairly informal, and you’re not responsible on your own for patient care. At this stage, your work is always monitored by senior professionals. You can participate and think along with the senior doctors, and you will be considerably more independent. This is a completely safe and pleasant learning environment. You have easy access to all kinds of departments, which, I realise, is quite unique! Of course, there are also scary or unpleasant things, but you just have to learn to deal with them. It’s all part of working within the medical profession.
PhD
“After obtaining my medical degree I would like to do a PhD. I haven’t chosen the subject or area yet, but I hope to find that out during my elective period and clinical internships. At the moment, my preference is for gynaecology but that can still change. If I cannot find a position, I plan to work somewhere in a peripheral hospital as a Physician Assistant first. And afterwards, of course, I hope I will find a position in my chosen field. This can be difficult for some specialisations but I am sure that in the end I will find the right position where I can feel at home.A lifetime of learning
Students starting the master’s programme in medicine should realise that they have a long journey ahead. The master’s takes another three years and after that, you still haven’t finished studying even if you are earning money. But don’t be put off: the transition to the real clinical environment is intense, but very rewarding. You grow a lot as a person, and your knowledge and experience increase enormously. You will remember the things you see and do for ever. It’s a very special time!”
Follow LUMC’s PhD-program and become an independent researcher! At the end of this program you will write and defend your dissertation.