Zurich Expands Medical Education: UZH Launches Med500+ to Train the Next Generation of Doctors

OUS Academy in Switzerland
2 days ago
4 min read

In a groundbreaking move set to transform the future of healthcare and higher education in Switzerland, the University of Zurich (UZH) has officially launched its ambitious Med500+ project. This initiative will increase the number of medical student places at UZH from 430 to 700 annually by the year 2030, making it the largest medical education program in Switzerland.

This bold expansion is designed to tackle the country’s growing shortage of medical professionals, ensure top-quality training for future physicians, and position Zurich as a leading hub for healthcare innovation and academic excellence.

Why This Expansion Matters for Switzerland

Switzerland currently faces a projected shortage of thousands of doctors in the coming decades. By 2040, estimates suggest that the country may lack between 5,500 and 8,700 physicians if no major interventions occur.

Historically, Switzerland has relied heavily on physicians trained abroad — nearly 40% of doctors practicing in the country today completed their education in other nations. While this international collaboration has served Switzerland well, growing demand and global competition for healthcare workers highlight the importance of training more doctors at home.

The Med500+ initiative directly addresses this challenge by boosting the capacity of Switzerland’s largest university, ensuring that more young people have the opportunity to study medicine domestically.

A Look Back: UZH’s Legacy and Scale

To appreciate the significance of this initiative, it is essential to understand the history and scope of the University of Zurich.

Founded in 1833: UZH was established on 29 April 1833, when existing colleges of theology, law, and medicine were merged with a new faculty of philosophy. It became the first university in Europe founded by a democratic state rather than a monarch or church authority.
Switzerland’s Largest University: Today, UZH serves over 25,700 students across seven faculties, including Medicine, Law, Economics, Theology, Veterinary Medicine, Mathematics & Natural Sciences, and Arts.
Global Research Reputation: UZH is home to numerous research institutes, Nobel Prize winners, and innovations in medicine, life sciences, and technology.

With the launch of Med500+, UZH continues its nearly two-century tradition of academic excellence, now with a clear focus on preparing Switzerland for the healthcare needs of the 21st century.

Med500+: Details of the Project

The Med500+ project is not simply about admitting more students. It represents a comprehensive reform of medical education at UZH.

1. Increased Student Capacity

Annual intake will rise from 430 to 700 students by 2030.
Total medical student enrollment across all six years will grow from around 2,600 to over 4,200.
This expansion makes UZH the largest medical training institution in Switzerland.

2. Curriculum Modernization

UZH will introduce a competency-based curriculum, focusing on:

Earlier exposure to clinical training.
Integration of digital health, artificial intelligence, and data science into medical studies.
Greater flexibility for students to specialize in fields such as general practice, psychiatry, pediatrics, or surgery earlier in their academic journey.

A mandatory four-week clinical internship during the Bachelor’s phase will also ensure students gain real-world experience early in their studies.

3. Expansion of Teaching Staff and Facilities

The university plans to create:

10 new professorships in medicine and related disciplines.
Around 140 new academic and administrative positions to support teaching, research, and student services.
Modernized simulation centers and expanded partnerships with hospitals to accommodate the increased number of clinical training placements.

4. Timeline for Implementation

2030: First expanded intake of medical students begins studies.
2036: First class of graduates under the Med500+ expansion completes their degree.

Financial and Governmental Support

The Canton of Zurich has already approved the initial phase of Med500+ and is working closely with the university to secure parliamentary funding for the full project. This collaboration ensures that the expansion will be sustainable, financially viable, and fully aligned with Switzerland’s healthcare strategy.

Safeguarding Educational Quality

Expanding capacity on this scale can create risks, such as reduced teaching quality or limited access to clinical placements. UZH has therefore committed to:

Maintaining small group teaching wherever possible.
Building new simulation centers to complement real clinical training.
Collaborating with hospitals across Zurich and beyond to ensure adequate internship and residency opportunities.
Setting up continuous evaluation systems for curriculum quality, teaching methods, and student satisfaction.

Impact on Zurich and Switzerland

The Med500+ project will have far-reaching effects on multiple levels:

Healthcare System StrengtheningBy training more doctors domestically, Switzerland will reduce reliance on foreign healthcare workers and ensure long-term stability in its medical workforce.
Boost to Zurich’s EconomyMore students mean increased demand for housing, services, jobs in education and healthcare, and infrastructure development — all contributing to Zurich’s economic growth.
Academic InnovationIntegration of digital health, artificial intelligence, and data science into medical education will produce future-ready physicians who can work at the intersection of medicine and technology.
International ReputationZurich already ranks among Europe’s most dynamic academic centers. With Med500+, UZH strengthens its position as a leader in medical education and research innovation.

Voices from UZH Leadership

Professor Michael Schaepman, President of the University of Zurich, emphasized:

“With Med500+, we are building the future of healthcare in Switzerland. We will educate more doctors while ensuring top-quality training and cutting-edge medical research.”

Similarly, Professor Beatrice Beck Schimmer, Director of University Medicine Zurich, noted:

“The project will create 10 new professorships, more than 140 staff positions, and modern clinical training facilities. Our students will graduate with the skills needed to meet tomorrow’s healthcare challenges.”

The Future of Medical Education in Zurich

By 2030, Zurich will not only host Switzerland’s largest medical school but also one of its most innovative. The combination of expanded capacity, curriculum reform, and digital integration will ensure that graduates are prepared for modern medical practice.

From telemedicine to artificial intelligence in diagnostics, tomorrow’s doctors will face challenges unimaginable a generation ago. Med500+ guarantees that Zurich remains at the forefront of this transformation.

Conclusion

The University of Zurich’s Med500+ project marks a turning point in Swiss higher education and healthcare planning. With its expansion of medical training capacity, curriculum modernization, and investment in teaching infrastructure, Zurich is preparing the next generation of physicians for a rapidly changing world.

This initiative reflects Zurich’s long-standing tradition of academic excellence, social responsibility, and forward-thinking innovation. By the mid-2030s, thousands of new doctors trained under Med500+ will serve communities across Switzerland, ensuring high-quality healthcare for decades to come.