Best 5 Medical Schools in Cyprus

Cyprus is home to some of the leading medical schools in Europe with a global recognition for programs like Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine. Profiles of each of these medical schools are exposed in this article to help you make a choice.

Growing up, I have always wanted to be a doctor. It is the first profession that jumps out of my mouth the moment my parents, a random adult, or my teacher asks us “what do you want to be when you grow up?”.

Well, I am no doctor now and no longer considering it, you wouldn’t blame me, would you? I mean, I was a kid and we really don’t know what we wanted and besides almost every kid wanted to be a doctor, lawyer, or a pilot when they grow up, don’t they?

I grew up and realized how hard it is to be a physician. Takes about 6-8 years in total to complete medical education and get your MD degree. It is supposed to take that long, I mean, you are dealing with human or animal lives after all and that is something really serious.

This also, is why it is incredibly hard to get into medical school anywhere in the world which is a common knowledge.

But in my last article on the best medical colleges in California I laid out some strategies and helpful tips that makes applying to any medical school anywhere in the world easier. You can also apply them when applying for any of the medical schools in Cyprus detailed in this post.

About Cyprus

The Republic of Cyprus is one of the largest and most populated island countries in the eastern Mediterranean. It is renowned for its exquisite beauty, mineral wealth, and superb wines and produce. It is in the Middle East but part of the European Union which makes it a European country. The official languages are Greek and Turkish.

They take education very seriously here with the overall literacy rate at 98.68% according to UNESCO. Cyprus is gradually becoming a popular destination hub among international students and houses some of the leading universities on the globe offering varieties of programs covering a wide range of disciplines at all study levels.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings placed the country at the 84th position in the Top 200 World Universities under 50 years old category. Its’ practically-oriented curriculum, accessible study programs, high graduate rates, and high living standards are part of the reasons why many people are considering the country. This would make more sense to international students who want to study in Cyprus.

Study Medicine in Cyprus

If you are considering to pursue a medical program in Cyprus, be rest assured in the fact that the medical schools in the country have a world class reputation that is growing in popularity. Med students will take up rotations at its healthcare facilities to be equipped with necessary skills to become efficient future physicians.

With fully equipped healthcare facilities and medical professionals, the healthcare system in Cyprus is on par with those of developed countries and med students will make use of these facilities for their development as physicians. What is more attractive about getting a medical education in Cyprus is the affordability of tuition and the availability of programs in the English language.

As a citizen or permanent resident, tuition will be much cheaper for you and since the country is part of the EU this presents further opportunities for you to study abroad in Europe paying little to no tuition fees. Yes, those from EU/EEA regions can study in other European countries at tuition free. You can even get a scholarship for masters in Europe if you want to pursue a master’s degree.

The computer science universities in Europe, the law schools in Europe, the business schools in Europe, and many other universities in Europe are mostly free for EU students which includes those from Cyprus.

Cost of Medical Schools in Cyprus

The cost of studying in Cyprus is cheap compared to other prestigious study destinations in Europe and this is because the country spends more than 7% of its GDP on education. The cost of undergraduate degree program can vary between €3,000 to €13,000 while at the postgraduate level, the cost varies from €5,000 to €10,000.

Of course, this cost varies from school to school, student residency status, and degree program. But then, when it comes to medical education, the cost is on a whole different scale but compared to other countries like Canada and the US, medical schools in Cyprus are relatively cheaper.

For example, at the University of Nicosia Medical School in Cyprus, the annual tuition is €18,000 for the first 3 years and €22,000 for the final 3 years. And if this is unaffordable for you or you want to compare costs with other medical schools or want more options of cheap medical schools, we have published posts that can help you.

You can read through our post on the cheap medical schools in Australia if the country is among your list and if you still want to remain in Europe, then you should look into the medical programs offered at the cheap universities in Germany.

How To Get Into Medical Schools in Cyprus

Getting into any medical school is hard and Cyprus is no exception but if you follow appropriate strategies and tips, just as I have recommended earlier, then it shouldn’t be too difficult for you. Entry into medical schools are hard because of the nature of the profession, therefore, the bar is raised so high that only the best of the best are selected.

In order to get into medical schools in Cyprus there are specific requirements you need to meet, which includes the kind of grades you need to get, in order to be considered for admission. Let’s get into them:

·       High School Diploma

You must have completed high school and earned your high school leaving certificate with an overall score of 90% or GCE A-levels with grades ABB, or IB with 32 overall and a combined score of 16 at Higher Level or its equivalent to include Biology along with either chemistry, physics, or math. You will also submit high school transcripts.

·       English Language Proficiency

  1. Overall scores of 6.5 and 213 are required respectively for the IELTS and TOEFL computer-based, or
  2. Grade 5 in the GCSE, or
  • A score of 5 in English in the International Baccalaureate Standard Level (SL), or
  1. A score of 70% in English in the European Baccalaureate.

·       Bachelor’s Degree

You must have completed a bachelor’s degree program, specifically in the sciences or a field related to medicine to boost your chances, with a minimum of 2nd class honors or its equivalent or a higher degree like an MSc, MPhil, or PhD in any discipline.

·       Experience

In order to increase your chances of acceptance, you must have some professional experience in the healthcare field. You can be part of a volunteer organization or have worked in a clinic.

·       Entrance Tests

Applicants are required to take the Graduate Australian Medical School Admission Test (GAMSAT) or the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and get satisfactory score.

·       Recommendation Letters

Get to know science professors so that you can get strong recommendation letters from them as it is required during application into medical colleges in Cyprus. You can also get recommendation letters from previous employers especially if you worked in a healthcare facility or part of a volunteer organization.

·       Personal Statement

A personal statement is one of the requirements to apply for the medical programs in Cyprus. The statement must be written in English and should include the applicant’s motivation to become a doctor and what experience they have in the field.

·       Interview

A personal interview either in person or by Skype.

·       Other Helpful Tips

  1. Get excellent recommendation letters that you can
  2. Get to know science professors early on
  3. Gain quality research experience
  4. Exposure to underserved communities
  5. Take up a leadership role
  6. Do well in the application process

These are the processes and requirements to apply for a medical program in Cyprus. Next, chose from the medical schools below to start sending your applications.

medical schools in Cyprus

Best Medical Schools in Cyprus

According to EduRank and from our own findings, below are the best medical universities in Cyprus.

  • The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics (CING)
  • The University of Nicosia Medical School
  • European University Cyprus School of Medicine
  • Near East University, Faculty of Medicine
  • The University of Cyprus Medical School

1.     The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics (CING)

CING is a private, non-profit, bi-communal, medical, research, and academic center founded in 1990 dedicated to promoting health in the nation through patient care, research, and educational programs.

The institute is organized into 13 departments and other facilities that includes clinics and labs where academic teachings and research in neuroscience, forensic genetics, neuropathology, etc. takes place.

CING also houses the Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine (CSMM) where postgraduate research and teachings takes place. Seven programs are offered at CSMM leading to MSc and PhD degrees in the fields of molecular medicine, medical genetics, neuroscience, and biomedical research.

2.     The University of Nicosia Medical School

The University of Nicosia is unarguably one of the leading universities in Cyprus and in the globe. It is recognized by Times Higher Education Rankings for 36th globally in quality education in 2022 and 47th in the world for international outlook. Its medical school also shares from this glory, putting it on the map among the leading medical schools in Europe.

The medical school offers varieties of medical programs like the Graduate Entry – Doctor of Medicine (GEMD), MSc in Family Medicine, Master of Public Health, MSc in Health Services Administration, and PhD in Medical Sciences. But its most attractive medical program is the 6-year Undergraduate Entry – Doctor of Medicine (MD).

The University of Nicosia Medical School is committed to the provision of innovative student-centered and high-quality education with the objective to achieve excellence in teaching, research, community service, and patient care.

3.     European University Cyprus School of Medicine

With 5 QS Stars from the QS Top Universities Rankings in the areas of teaching, employability, internationalization, online learning, and inclusiveness, the EUC School of Medicine is a leading medical school in Cyprus. The university is also ranked among the world’s top 201+ universities by THE Impact Ranking in 2022.

The school offers a 6-year MD and a 5-yeasr Dental Surgery degrees in undergraduate levels. A distance learning Medical Education and Public Health degrees at master’s level, as well as, Cancer Biology and Clinical Oncology, Medical Sciences, and Public Health leading to doctorate degrees.

4.     Near East University, Faculty of Medicine

Near East University is a private higher institution in North Cyprus. It has a faculty of medicine that offers an English-taught 6-year MD program. Its aim is to offer medical education in premed, postgraduate, and continuing-education levels. It is a new university established in 2008, so the curriculum is new and the facilities.

Aside from the Faculty of Medicine, the university also operate a Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Faculty of Veterinary.

5.     The University of Cyprus Medical School

The University of Cyprus Medical School is one of the best medical schools in Cyprus and the only medical school in Cyprus aimed at offering world class medical education to international students. It also has other objectives that includes the provision of modern medical education to undergraduate and postgraduate students.

So, if you are from another country and want to pursue a medical degree in Cyprus, this institution should be at the top of your list. Its programs are offered both in Greek and English languages.

These are the universities in Cyprus offering medical programs and they are not many because the country itself is just an island with only 10 universities, so, only a handful offer medical programs.

Medical Schools in Cyprus – FAQs

[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”How long is medical school in Cyprus?” answer-0=” The duration of medical schools in Cyprus is 6 years for MD and 4 years for MSc programs.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”Can I study medicine in English in Cyprus?” answer-1=” Yes, there are English-taught medical programs in Cyprus” image-1=”” headline-2=”h3″ question-2=”Can international students go to medical schools in Cyprus?” answer-2=” Yes, international students are accepted at the medical schools in Cyprus but one that is more open to accepting international students is the University of Cyprus Medical School.” image-2=”” count=”3″ html=”true” css_class=””]

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