Pre Medical Track at McDaniel College Budapest
Do you want to be a doctor or veterinarian?
We can help you! Since 1990 Pre-University programs have been organized to help students who require additional instruction or review in the required subjects and in English language to prepare them to take the entrance examinations for the regular Degree Programs of medical universities. We have more than 30 years of experience in preparing students for university programs (e.g.: Semmelweis University Budapest, University of Szeged, University of Pécs and the University of Veterinary Medicine). Almost 90% of our students gain admission to the desired University programs in Hungary or elsewhere.
Educational programs
Two-semester Pre Medical Track:
The program is given between 2 September 2024 and mid-May 2025.
Primarily designed for those who have not studied the required subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), or who have not studied the required subjects in English.
  • Registration and Orientation period: 2 - 15 September 2024
  • First Day of Regular Classes: 16 September 2024
Admission Starts: mid-March 2024
Application Deadline
  • for students who do not need a student visa: 15 August 2024
  • for students who need a student visa: 15 July 2024

    (For students who need a student visa: The visa process may take a long time. Therefore, applying for the visa is highly recommended as soon as possible to have a better chance of obtaining it.)

Extended Pre Medical Track:
The program starts in June 2024 to September 2024.
The general aim is to focus on improving the English language competency and on developing the study skills of students who wish to continue their education at our Pre-Medical Track or other medical schools.
Admission Starts: mid-March 2024
Application Deadline
  • for students who do not need a student visa: 1 June 2024
  • for students who need a student visa: 1 May 2024

    (For students who need a student visa: The visa process may take a long time. Therefore, applying for the visa is highly recommended as soon as possible to have a better chance of obtaining it.)

One-semester intensive Pre Medical Track:
The program starts January 2025 to mid-May 2025.
Primarily designed for those who need to refresh previous studies and have a good command of English.
Admission Starts: September 2024
Application Deadline
  • for students who do not need a student visa: 15 December, 2024
  • for students who need a student visa: 1 November, 2024
    (late application can be considered in case of vacancies)


Why McDaniel College?
About our programs
  • Program contents based on the topics of university entrance examinations
  • Regular written and oral tests provide experience in taking examinations
  • Education in small groups
  • Fully accepted and monitored by the above university programs
  • Affordable: compared to programs of the same prestige in Western Europe or the United States, Hungary offers everything that those programs do, but at a more reasonable price
  • After finishing the Pre Medical Track, help is provided in the application procedure to Medical Universities (Semmelweis University Budapest, University of Szeged, University of Pécs and the University of Veterinary Medicine or in other countries).
Our reputation
  • High success rate – upon completing our program, almost 90% of students gain admission to the desired program
  • 30 years of experience in preparing students for university studies
  • More than 10000 students have completed the program since 1990
About Safety
  • Of the world's top 20 safest countries, 14 are in Europe and Hungary is one of them.
  • EU is generally considered the safest region in the world.
  • As an EU member state, Hungary has a high level of food safety.
  • Friendly staff help you find accommodation and get used to your new way of life
Freedom of movement in Europe
  • As a student in Hungary you can enjoy the freedom of movement in the whole European Union

Subjects taught

  • BIO 1118 Human Biology +
    The aim of the course is to build the basic academic knowledge in several fields of biology and prepare you for the requirements of the university entrance exams. During the course you will learn about the chemical basis of the life, the structure and functions of the cell, the properties of the genetic material and the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Classes consist of both standard lectures and interactive activities, such as class discussions, debates, etc. To develop your academic knowledge you have to learn how to convey successfully scientific information in written and oral forms.

    Topics
    • Chemical basis of life
    • Organic molecules of living organisms
    • Cellular organization, cell organelles and other structures
    • Metabolic pathways of the cell
    • Cell cycle, cell division
    • Genetics
    • Viruses and Bacteria
    • Histology
    • Nervous system
    • Endocrine system
    • Reproduction
    • Locomotion
    • Internal transport, Respiratory system
    • Digestive system
    • Excretory system, Immune system
    • Sense organs
    • Review

    Books and auxiliary materials
    • Solomon-Berg-Martin: Biology (Thomson Learning)
    • Study guide (test bank based on the book mentioned above)
    • Keyword list
    • Handouts and tests prepared by the teachers
  • CHE 1122 Essentials of Chemistry +
    We assume the students taking the course have little or no chemistry background, therefore we introduce the basic concepts slowly at the beginning, the pace and the level increase as we go on. Since most of our students are not native English speakers, another aim of the course is to teach the special language of chemistry in English. The course also provides help for the improvement in problem solving skills through chemical calculations. The course is organized into three different sections – general, organic and bioorganic chemistry – in agreement with the first year’s chemistry curriculum at the universities. Our intentions are not only to provide adequate knowledge for the entrance examination but to help students to adapt to first year’s university studies.

    Chemistry Program
    • Units; Elements; Compounds; Chemical equations
    • Electronic structure Periodic table
    • Chemical bonds
    • The mole
    • States of matter
    • Solutions; Concentration units; Calculations
    • Colligative properties
    • Reaction kinetics; Chemical equilibrium
    • Acids, bases and salts
    • pH; Buffers
    • Redox reactions; Electrochemistry
    • Organic chemistry: Reaction types and mechanisms
    • Alkanes; Alkenes; Alkynes
    • Alkyl halides; Alcohols; Ethers; Thio compounds
    • Aldehydes and ketones; Carboxylic acids; Amines
    • Optical isomerism; Carbohydrates
    • Lipids; Amino acids; Proteins; Nucleic acids

    Textbooks
    • Stoker: General, Organic and Biological Chemistry
    • Study Guide (Compiled material provided by instructor)

    Other textbooks that may be used
    • Hein: Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry
    • Holum: Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biological Chemistry
    • Bettelheim, Brown, Campbell, Farrell: General, Organic, and Biochemistry
  • PHY 1010/1011 Physics for Pre-Med I.-II. +
    The aim of the course is to build the basic academic knowledge in several fields of physics and prepare you for the requirements of the university. During the course you will learn about the fundamental phenomena in physics, you need to know in medical science. Classes consist of both standard lectures and interactive activities, such as class discussions, debates, etc. To develop your academic knowledge you have to learn how to convey successfully scientific information in written and oral forms.

    Topics
    • Kinematics
    • Dynamics
    • Work and Energy
    • Hydrostatics
    • Flow of Fluids
    • Waves and Sound
    • Thermal Physics
    • Ideal Gas
    • Geometrical Optics
    • Optical Instruments
    • Electric field and forces
    • Electric currents
    • Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction
    Books and auxiliary materials
    • Giambattista-Richardson-Richardson: College Physics (GRR book)
    • Study guide (math test bank, lists of “Examples to study”, “Problems to solve”, “Conceptual questions” and “Applications” based on GRR book)
    • Handouts and tests prepared by the teachers

  • ESL 1004/1005 Introduction to Medical English I.-II. +
    The aim of this Language for Specific Purposes course is to help students to acquire academic skills necessary for college studies and later at university courses. After a basic introduction to the general principles of terminology building the classes are devoted to the development of both oral/listening, speaking/ and writing skills/reading, writing/tailored to the needs of the program. The course provides confidence in finding, extracting information,understanding articles,lectures in medicine-related fields. Note that this course does not aim to teach medicine: its purpose is to teach English for medicine.

    Topics Language
    Shapes and Properties Descriptive statements,connectives
    Location Anatomical terms for position
    Structure Verbs/stative, passive w.struct.s/
    Function/process/ Simple present, certainty,uncertainty
    Function/sequence/ Time c., phrases,connectors
    Measurement Units, symbols, comparing quantities, ratio, roport
    The structure of the body Reading for info, definitions,vocab
    Preparation for reading about the body’s systems Word building /prefix,suffix, word root, comb. forms/
    The Muscular-Skeletal Systems Describing anatomical shapes
    Digestive System Academic v.:severe suppression, Word formation Summarizing
    Circulatory-Lymphatic Systems
    Respiratory System Note-taking /extract info/
    Endocrine System Critical reading /paragraph building/
    Blood Reorganizing info
    Integumentary System Reading for details
    Nervous System – Sense organs How to write an abstract
  • ESL 1001/1003 Fundamentals of Composition/Critical reading +
    The aim of the course is to strengthen basic skills in sentence and paragraph-building. It involves a thorough revision of grammar, including spelling and pronunciation, punctuation, verb tenses and sequence of tenses. The elements of writing to be stressed this semester include gramatically correct sentences, concise phrasing, paragraphing and note-taking. The class helps students get accustomed to the regular use of English mono-lingual dictionaries.

    Program of the first semester
    STRUCTURE/TOPIC SKILLS
    Introduction To get acquainted with each other and with the aims of the course
    parts of speech, prefixes, suffixes,
    Note-taking
    Biology text
    using mono-lingual dictionaries
    skimming, scanning, reading for gist
    memorising new words, giving definitions; note-taking
    Biology text
    Connectors
    Note-taking
    Identifying sentence structure: Purpose (to, in order to, for, so that Contrast (but, although, however, yet) Addition (and, moreover)
    Tenses: present (Simple and continuous form and meaning Frequency adverbs; Present cont with future meaning; State verbs; Contrasting Pr Perf, Pr Perf Cont and Past Simple) Identifying synthetic functions
    Tenses: future; To express(premeditated) intention; Predicting Writing skills: recognising and writing topic sentenses
    Passive To describe processes
    The paragraph
    Reader
    Passive
    unity and coherence (elaborating a paragraph) connectors: reason and result, and more complex connectors
    The paragraph
    Reader
    Relative Clauses
    Complex and compound sentences: subordinate clauses

    Program of the second semester

    STRUCTURE/TOPIC SKILLS
    Writing Compositions composition and a paragraph
    Organizing information by time, by order of importance, by space
    Organizing ideas – supporting ideas
    Expressing an opinion, Comparing and
    contrasting, Writing about causes and effect
    Grammar Structures:
    Conditionals: true, real ad unreal
    Conditionals: impossible past, wishes
    Simplifying the meaning of sentences
    Modals: ability – obligation (present/future, past) Inserting sentences into the passage
    Modals: certainty – possibility – uncertainty (present/future, past) Finding factual information Understanding negative facts
    Modals: request, offer, permission, suggestion, advice Making inferences
  • ESL 1002/1006 Oral Communication Skills I.-II. +
    Goals
    • Communicate well and effectively in academic environment
    • Live safe
    • Develop firm study skills
    • To prepare for the entrance examinations by developing oral and written communication skills – to express yourself freely in written and spoken English
    • To build cultural awareness – to become familiar with ways and meanings of acceptable behaviour in different countries
    • To develop and acquire the diverse and necessary study skills (listening, writing, reading, presentation, discussion, etc.)
    • To build a community
    • To develop a sense of achievement


    CURRICULUM / SCHEDULE
    • What is communication; getting acquainted, introductions
    • How to write formal e-mails
    • Getting acquainted with the college
    • Where we come from (hometowns and homelands), describing places
    • Adapting to living abroad – being a foreigner, being safe; what is expected of a future university student
    • Hungary – asking questions, comparing (similarities, differences – judgement vs. observation, facts, opinions)
    • Laws/rules/patterns we live by and follow (exams, traffic, games, sports, manners, holidays, etc.)
    • Managing your time
    • Learning/studying styles and methods, (making notes, making answer plans, mind-mapping
    • Writing CVs
    • Approaching tasks (housework, paperwork, homework, etc.)
    • Coping with stress
    • Being/becoming a good/better listener and observer
    • Basics of essay writing – purpose, structure, language and thought material Writing Motivation Letters
    • Writing Motivation Letters;
    • How to prepare and give a presentation and take an oral exam
  • HUN 1101/1102 Elementary Hungarian I.-II. +
    Course Objectives:
    • command of basic vocabulary
    • understanding and conducting everyday conversations
    • reading a variety of short Hungarian texts


    Material to be covered:
    • pronunciation and spelling rules
    • suffixes to nouns
    • verb conjugations
    • basic patterns of speech
    • introduction to basic syntax


    • The Hungarian alphabet, minimal exchanges in Hungarian
    • Numerals, dates, courtesies in Hungarian
    • What is this hotel like?
    • Demonstrative pronouns
    • What language do you speak?
    • Verb conjugation (Only indefinite conjugation)
    • What would you like?
    • Place endings of nouns. Direct object ending of nouns.
    • How much does it cost?
    • We are looking for a flat.
    • Irregular verbs
    • Do you like the flat?
    • Plural endings of nouns. Place endings of nouns.


    Topic list for the second semester:
    • Nice to meet you
    • Place endings of nouns
    • Where are we going?
    • Prefixes to verbs showing directions
    • Indirect Object ending of nouns
    • Get better
    • Expressing possession in hungarian
    • At the doctor
    • Conditional
    • Communication exercises

After finishing the program, students may continue their studies in the following institutions in Hungary:

Interview with Zsuzsa Wollner Program Director of the Pre Medical Track of McDaniel College, Budapest about online education and future plans