University of Debrecen, Medical School

The history of higher education in Debrecen goes back to the 16th century when the College of the Reformed Church was established. The University Medical School of Debrecen has its roots in this spiritual heritage. It was
in the year of the millennium of the establishment of Hungary (1896) when the foundation of the present University was decided. The University of Debrecen was established in 1912, having four faculties initially (Faculties of Arts, Law, Medicine and Theology). The University was officially inaugurated by King Charles IV of
Hungary, on October 23, 1918.
The educational activity in the University started in 1924, although the construction of the whole University was only completed in 1932. In 1951, the Faculty of Medicine became a self-contained, independent Medical
University for training medical doctors.
Special training of dentists began in 1976. As a further development, the University Medical School established the Health College of Nyíregyháza in 1991. In 1993, as part of a nationwide program, the University was given
the rights to issue scientific qualifications, and new Ph.D. programs were also launched. Several new programs (e.g. training of molecular biologists, pharmacists, general practitioners) were commenced in the ’90s. The
Faculty of Public Health was established in 1999, while the Faculty of Dentistry was founded in the academic year of 2000/2001.