The Working Group on Postgraduate Training established a survey regarding "obtaining up to date information about the actual training times of each specialty/subspecialty training in each section of UEMS, in each member country of UEMS".
To add any additional information to this table, please contact Ms. Artemis Giotitsa (artemisgiotitsa@yahoo.gr).
National Societies' EECC Boards
| Country | Duration of training (minimum/maximum) State if there is a difference between state, university, private hospitals etc | Prerequisite/entry requirements (national exam, local exam, portfolio, interview, waiting period etc) | Notes Please include specifically what you would like to add regarding your country |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED KINGDOM | 6 years | Candidates must have passed MRCP to take up a training post. Applications are made by submission of a structured application form then a 3-station interview covering commitment to Cardiology, clinical ability and communication skills | First year is general medical training, then 5 years of Cardiology training. All trainees will be expected to accredit in Internal Medicine as well as Cardiology |
| DENMARK | 6 years | Interview | |
| SWITZERLAND | 6 years (2 years internal medicine, 4 years cardiology) | Interview Portfolio Curriculum | |
| SLOVENIA | 6 years | The applicants should apply first for training in Internal Medicine and after 2 years they can apply for their training in Cardiology. There is a list for each training center (4 in Slovenia) | Training in Cardiology is consisted by 2 years in Internal Medicine (common Trunk) and 4 years in Cardiology |
| FINLAND | Learning based training minimum of 5 years (in real life minimum of 6 years) | Applicants can apply for training positions twice a year. Each applicant can only apply and be in the list of one training center. Entry requirements: Certified physician in Finland, Interview and test period of 6 months. The number of trainees in each training center is agreed on national level | Training in Cardiology consists of service:
|
| NORWAY | 5 years* | Some hospitals demand Common Trunk before training in Cardiology. Skills in Norwegian language is prerequisite | Includes a minimum of 3 years in Common Trunk in Internal Medicine and a minimum of 2 years in Cardiology. For logistic reasons a minimum of 6 years is more realistic |
| GREECE | 6 years | There is a list for each training center. Each applicant can only apply and be in the list of one training center. The applicants should apply first for training in Internal Medicine and as soon as they start this, then they can apply for their training in Cardiology. | Training in Cardiology is consisted by 1 year in Internal Medicine (Common Trunk) and 5 years in Cardiology |
| PORTUGAL | 2 years of general training in Internal Medicine and 4 years of Cardiology training. Subspecialty training (e.g. interventional cardiology or pacing/electrophysiology) take typically 2 extra years | ||
| SPAIN | Cardiology training in Spain is 5 years of which the first year is dedicated to rotation in Internal Medicine (6 months), Respiratory Medicine (2 months), Endocrinology (2 months) and Nephrology (1 month). The other 4 years are in Cardiology exclusively. If you need a more detailed plan let me know | ||
| FRANCE | Training in Cardio is totally independant from general medicine. So it's 5 years now specific of Cardio | ||
| ROMANIA | In Romania, General Medicine is 6 years (3 years theoretically and 3 practically). Speciality in Cardiology is 6 years. Above that there is Interventional Cardiology 2 years, or EP 1 year | ||
| HUNGARY | In Hungary the undergraduate medical education is 6 years up to the MD degree. The length of postgraduate training depends on the chosen specialty. In case of Internal Medicine, the training lasts for 60 months - 26 months core training (residency), and 34 months special training. For some years the case has been the same for Cardiology as well (26+34 months). Previously (like for me) Cardiology was a sub-specialty qualification , required a degree of Internal Medicine specialization (60 months) followed by a 24 month special Cardiology training | ||
| SERBIA | 6 years - 5 years General Medicine + 1 year Cardiology | ||
| MONTENEGRO | 6 years - 5 years General Medicine + 1 year Cardiology | ||
| CROATIA | 5 years - 3 years General Medicine + 2 years Cardiology (new program) | ||
| NORTH MACEDONIA | 6 years - 2 years General Medicine + 4 years Cardiology (new program) | ||
| GERMANY | Internal Medicine 2 years + Cardiology 4 years. OR Cardiology 6 years with regular on-call duties/activities also in Internal Medicine Departments | ||
| SWEDEN | It will take 7.5 years to become a double specialist in Cardiology and Internal Medicine. That is 5 years for Cardiology, and 2.5 years for the subspeciality. If you do a PhD during training 6 months will be deducted. However, in University hospitals most doctors choose only doing the Cardilogy part |
The Working Group on Postgraduate Training established a survey regarding "obtaining up to date information about the actual training times of each specialty/subspecialty training in each section of UEMS, in each member country of UEMS".
To add any additional information to this table, please contact Ms. Artemis Giotitsa (artemisgiotitsa@yahoo.gr).
UK
Duration
6 Years
Entry Reqs
Candidates must have passed MRCP to take up a training post. Applications are made by submission of a structured application form then a 3-station interview covering commitment to Cardiology, clinical ability and communication skills
Notes
First year is general medical training, then 5 years of Cardiology training. All trainees will be expected to accredit in Internal Medicine as well as Cardiology
DENMARK
Duration
6 Years
Entry Reqs
Interview
Notes
SWITZERLAND
Duration
6 years (2 years internal medicine, 4 years cardiology)
Entry Reqs
Interview | Portfolio | Curriculum
Notes
FINLAND
Duration
Learning based training minimum of 5 years (in real life minimum of 6 years)
Entry Reqs
Applicants can apply for training positions twice a year. Each applicant can only apply and be in the list of one training center.
Entry requirements: Certified physician in Finland, Interview and test period of 6 months. The number of trainees in each training center is agreed on national level
Notes
Training in Cardiology consists of service:
- 9 months in Health Center (general practitioner)
- 18-24 months in Internal Medicine (Common Trunk) and a minimum of 39 months in Cardiology
- Exam mandatory: Either national or EEGC, also 6 months training in clinical physiology, anesthesia, intensive care etc can be included in the Common Trunk.
- In addition: 100 hours of theoretical training (Cardiology and Internal Medicine) and 54 hours training in radiation saferty. EPAs and 2360 appraisal in progress
NORWAY
Duration
5 years
Entry Reqs
Some hospitals demand Common Trunk before training in Cardiology. Skills in Norwegian language is prerequisite
Notes
Includes a minimum of 3 years in Common Trunk in Internal Medicine and a minimum of 2 years in Cardiology. For logistic reasons a minimum of 6 years is more realistic
GREECE
Duration
6 years
Entry Reqs
There is a list for each training center. Each applicant can only apply and be in the list of one training center. The applicants should apply first for training in Internal Medicine and as soon as they start this, then they can apply for their training in Cardiology
Notes
Training in Cardiology is consisted by 1 year in Internal Medicine (Common Trunk) and 5 years in Cardiology
PORTUGAL
Duration
2 years of general training in Internal Medicine and 4 years of Cardiology training. Subspecialty training (e.g. interventional cardiology or pacing/electrophysiology) take typically 2 extra years
Entry Reqs
Notes
SPAIN
Duration
Cardiology training in Spain is 5 years of which the first year is dedicated to rotation in Internal Medicine (6 months), Respiratory Medicine (2 months), Endocrinology (2 months) and Nephrology (1 month). The other 4 years are in Cardiology exclusively. If you need a more detailed plan let me know
Entry Reqs
Notes
FRANCE
Duration
Training in Cardio is totally independant from general medicine. So it's 5 years now specific of Cardio
Entry Reqs
Notes
ROMANIA
Duration
In Romania, General Medicine is 6 years (3 years theoretically and 3 practically). Speciality in Cardiology is 6 years. Above that there is Interventional Cardiology 2 years, or EP 1 year
Entry Reqs
Notes
HUNGARY
Duration
In Hungary the undergraduate medical education is 6 years up to the MD degree. The length of postgraduate training depends on the chosen specialty. In case of Internal Medicine, the training lasts for 60 months - 26 months core training (residency), and 34 months special training. For some years the case has been the same for Cardiology as well (26+34 months). Previously (like for me) Cardiology was a sub-specialty qualification , required a degree of Internal Medicine specialization (60 months) followed by a 24 month special Cardiology training
Entry Reqs
Notes
SERBIA
Duration
6 years - 5 years General Medicine + 1 year Cardiology
Entry Reqs
Notes
MONTENEGRO
Duration
6 years - 5 years General Medicine + 1 year Cardiology
Entry Reqs
Notes
CROATIA
Duration
5 years - 3 years General Medicine + 2 years Cardiology (new program)
Entry Reqs
Notes
NORTH MACEDONIA
Duration
6 years - 2 years General Medicine + 4 years Cardiology (new program)
Entry Reqs
Notes
GERMANY
Duration
Internal Medicine 2 years + Cardiology 4 years.
OR
Cardiology 6 years with regular on-call duties/activities also in Internal Medicine Departments
Entry Reqs
Notes
SWEDEN
Duration
It will take 7.5 years to become a double specialist in Cardiology and Internal Medicine. That is 5 years for Cardiology, and 2.5 years for the subspeciality. If you do a PhD during training 6 months will be deducted. However, in University hospitals most doctors choose only doing the Cardilogy part
Entry Reqs
Notes