Top 10 Free Medical Study Resources Every Student Should Use

1. AMBOSS Free Library Access (Limited Content)
While AMBOSS is typically a paid platform, it offers free access to selected parts of its medical library and study materials. This resource is an excellent foundation for any student looking to get concise, high-yield medical knowledge. The interactive interface and integrated question bank are extremely helpful for concept reinforcement. Especially valuable are the “Attending Tips” and “Key Info” boxes that summarize the essentials—ideal for students in clinical rotations or preparing for board exams.
What makes AMBOSS unique is its context-sensitive explanations and ability to link theory with practical application, an essential skill in modern medical education. Even the free access can significantly boost your clinical reasoning and factual recall.

2. Osmosis Prime (Free Videos and Notes Available)
Osmosis provides hundreds of high-quality, animated videos that cover preclinical and clinical medicine topics. While their full premium service comes with a fee, a substantial number of videos, concept explanations, and notes are accessible for free.
Their visual learning style is unmatched, with animations that simplify complicated pathways like RAAS, coagulation cascade, or neuroanatomy. For students who are visual learners, this can drastically improve retention, especially for hard-to-grasp subjects like pharmacology or biochemistry.

3. OnlineMedEd (OME) – Core Clinical Videos
OnlineMedEd offers a series of free clinical videos that are especially useful during rotations and for preparation for the USMLE Step 2 CK. The videos are structured logically, starting from foundational concepts and moving up to clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Its standout feature is the clear and concise delivery by Dr. Dustyn Williams, whose whiteboard-style teaching method mimics real classroom learning. The free version provides full access to video lectures for core rotations, including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, OB-GYN, and psychiatry.

4. Medscape and Medscape Education
Medscape is not just a medical news website—it’s a treasure trove for students looking to keep up with new developments, case discussions, drug information, and more. Their free CME (Continuing Medical Education) courses can be used as a great educational supplement.
Many students use Medscape’s Disease & Condition summaries for fast revision and clinical insight. It’s also a fantastic platform to explore real-world case scenarios and read commentaries from seasoned physicians.

5. Radiopaedia
If you are in radiology or have to interpret imaging during your rotations, Radiopaedia is one of the best (and completely free) radiology resources out there. With thousands of curated radiographic cases, annotated images, and detailed descriptions, this platform helps demystify radiological interpretation.
For students, the search filters based on pathology, imaging type, and body systems make it easy to find exactly what they need. It’s also a great way to practice reading CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays—skills that come in handy in emergency medicine, surgery, and internal medicine rotations.

6. University of Nottingham’s Free Clinical Skills Videos
Many universities offer open-access resources, but few do it as well as the University of Nottingham. Their clinical skills videos walk students through examinations like cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and musculoskeletal systems using real patients and OSCE scenarios.
These videos are invaluable for prepping for practical assessments and help reinforce your understanding of what to say and do during a clinical exam. They are also helpful for building confidence before clerkships and observed structured clinical exams.

7. Geeky Medics
A favorite among UK medical students but useful worldwide, Geeky Medics provides a wealth of free OSCE guides, flashcards, clinical examination videos, and quizzes. From cannulation techniques to cranial nerve exams, the platform breaks down each step of a clinical skill with helpful visuals and checklists.
The flashcard feature and interactive quizzes make it an excellent on-the-go resource for short study sessions. You can even use it to quiz friends or run mock OSCE stations in study groups.

8. Kenhub (Free Anatomy Resources)
Anatomy is a cornerstone of medicine, and Kenhub makes it engaging and digestible. While they do offer a premium version, there’s a substantial collection of free anatomy videos, quizzes, and articles covering all major systems.
Kenhub’s strength lies in its detailed illustrations and concise explanations. For students preparing for anatomy spotters or struggling with 3D anatomical relationships, Kenhub is a must-have.

9. PubMed and NCBI Bookshelf
Research literacy is essential for all medical students, and PubMed is the gateway to understanding medical literature. While not a traditional study tool, PubMed allows students to explore topics in-depth, find evidence-based answers, and stay updated with landmark studies.
The NCBI Bookshelf, a hidden gem, provides full free access to several medical textbooks, such as StatPearls, Anatomy & Physiology, and Essentials of Glycobiology. These can be used for in-depth study and referencing, especially for writing essays, theses, or research papers.

10. Anki and Pre-Made Medical Decks (Free via AnkiWeb)
Anki is the undisputed champion of spaced repetition learning, and it’s completely free. Thousands of medical students swear by it for long-term retention of key facts, especially for USMLE or other licensing exams.
Popular free shared decks like AnKing, Lolnotacop, and Zanki are available through AnkiWeb and cover nearly every medical topic imaginable. These decks are tagged, organized by subjects, and include high-yield pearls. Anki is especially useful for memorizing microbiology, pharmacology, anatomy, and diagnostic criteria.

Bonus Mentions (Also Free and Highly Recommended):

• BMJ Learning (Limited Free Access) – Offers modules, videos, and quizzes useful for medical students and junior doctors. Especially beneficial for clinical reasoning and ethical scenarios.
• YouTube Channels – High-yield free channels like Armando Hasudungan (pathophysiology drawings), Strong Medicine (internal medicine), and Khan Academy Medicine (for foundational topics) continue to be reliable study companions.
• UptoDate via Institutional Access – Though not free individually, many students can access UptoDate for free through their universities. If available, make the most of it for fast, reliable clinical answers and summaries.