Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Admission Criteria
For admission to the programme:

1. Demonstrated proficiency in English, as defined by the Cyprus Public Service Commission, such as

• G.C.E. O-Level in English Language with a grade of “C” or above.
• TOEFL iBT with a score of 92 or above, IELTS with a score of 6.5 or above.
• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) or Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) in English with a grade of C or above.
• Anglia Examinations – Proficiency (C1).

2. Applicants must have successfully completed secondary education and hold a secondary school leaving certificate or equivalent qualification (or a transcript of records if the applicant is still in the final year of secondary education) that grants them access to higher education in their country of origin.

3. International, Pancyprian, or other equivalent examinations (preferably taken in the last three years)

i. Admission criteria for international examinations include the following:

GCE/IGCSE exams
Applicants must have obtained three GCE A-Level subjects with a minimum grade of A, in any of the following subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics.

International Baccalaureate (IB):
Applicants must have obtained the International Baccalaureate Diploma with an overall score of at least 36, including a minimum grade of 6 in any three of the following Higher-Level subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics.

French Baccalaureate (FB)
Applicants must have obtained the French Baccalaureate with an overall average of at least in 15, in any three subjects at Higher Level in the following subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics.

European Baccalaureate (EB):
Applicants must have obtained the European Baccalaureate with a minimum grade of 8.75, in any three of the following subjects: Mathematics (5 periods), Physics (4 periods), Chemistry (4 periods), Biology (4 periods).

Advanced Placement (AP):
Applicants must have obtained three AP subjects from the following: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics.

ii. Pancyprian Examinations, Panhellenic Examinations, other national or equivalent examinations
Applicants must have achieved the minimum combined score in the subjects specified in the University of Cyprus Medical School admission framework. Applicants seeking admission through the Pancyprian Examinations must have achieved an admission score no lower than 80% of the last admitted student to the corresponding Greek-language programme in the respective examination year. In cases where admission is based on Pancyprian / Panhellenic Examination results, priority will be given to applicants with the highest scores.

For applicants seeking admission through other national or equivalent examinations, the required level of performance must be comparable to that specified in the admission criteria above.

Other qualifications
Additional qualifications that may be taken into consideration are:

• Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
• University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT).
• Other standardized tests (e.g. SAT).
• A degree in a medical sciences-related field from an accredited institution.
• Completion of a pre-medical programme (Pre-Med).

Note: The admission process may include an interview and/or supplementary entrance examinations administered by the Medical School.

Applicants must also submit:

• A motivation letter.
• A curriculum vitae (CV).
• References

General Remarks

• Applicants are encouraged to submit additional information that strengthens their application and demonstrates abilities, interests, or achievements beyond their academic performance. For example, such information may include athletic or artistic distinctions, participation and/or distinctions in national or international competitions and Olympiads, participation in research or technology programs, innovation or entrepreneurial activities, volunteering and community engagement, and participation in activities such as debating and others.
• All applicants are expected to achieve/have achieved high passing grades in their Apolytirion / national high school diploma.
• Applicants who expect to receive their examination results after the application deadline must submit official predicted grades/scores issued by their school.
• Reference letters that do not include the institution's letterhead, the referee's contact details, and the referee's signature will not be considered valid and will not be evaluated.
• Please note that the University of Cyprus reserves the right to contact the relevant school, college or university authorities to verify information submitted in support of an application, including reference letters.

Scholarships and Financial Aid
Scholarships may be awarded based on academic merit, talent, leadership, or other criteria established by the University. Financial aid programs are available to eligible students and may include grants, tuition fee reductions, or other forms of support.

The Medical Degree Programme is a six-year course of study designed to educate and train future doctors. Upon completion of the programme and the required preparatory year, graduates will be qualified to practise medicine within the Cyprus Healthcare System and internationally. The programme aims to cultivate critical thinking, lifelong learning, and excellence in patient-centred clinical practice. Its primary objective is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies required to practise medicine effectively in the 21st century. Through a modern curriculum founded on the academic excellence of the University of Cyprus, students receive comprehensive medical education that meets contemporary healthcare needs.

The curriculum is founded on the following principles:

• Development of the knowledge, clinical reasoning abilities, professional qualities, attitudes, and behaviours required of a competent physician.
• Promotion of contextual learning, whereby basic science concepts are introduced and understood within the framework of common health conditions and diseases.
• Integration of medical research methodology and evidence-based medical practice.
• Early clinical exposure, followed by extensive clinical training that reinforces biomedical, clinical, and psychosocial sciences, clinical skills, professionalism, humanism, and altruism.
• Creation of an educational environment in which students and faculty engage as mutually respectful partners in the learning process.
• Support for peer learning, independent study, and self-directed learning.
• Facilitation of student learning through effective, evidence-based educational approaches and innovative teaching methods.
• Flexibility to accommodate diverse learning styles, educational needs, and professional interests.
• Continuous support of curricular development through faculty development programmes.
• Implementation of a comprehensive programme evaluation process that supports ongoing quality improvement and curriculum enhancement.
• Integration of population health, patient safety, quality of care, and interprofessional collaboration in healthcare delivery.
• Promotion of leadership, the highest standards of professionalism, and a compassionate, humanistic approach to patient care.
• Responsiveness to the evolving needs of society and healthcare systems, including both local and global health challenges.
• Delivery of the curriculum in accordance with the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Preparation of students for lifelong learning and professional development.

Knowledge and Graduation Skills
Upon successful completion of the Doctor of Medicine programme, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of biomedical, clinical, behavioural, and population health sciences required for modern medical practice.
• Apply scientific knowledge and evidence-based medicine to the assessment, diagnosis, management and prevention of disease.
• Gather, interpret, and synthesise clinical information through effective history-taking, physical examination, and diagnostic reasoning.
• Communicate effectively and compassionately with patients, families, colleagues, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
• Demonstrate professionalism, ethical practice, integrity, and respect for diversity and inclusion in healthcare settings.
• Deliver patient-centred care while recognising the psychosocial, cultural, and environmental factors that influence health and wellbeing.
• Apply principles of patient safety, quality improvement, and collaborative healthcare delivery.
• Critically appraise medical literature and apply research findings to clinical decision-making.
• Demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and decision-making skills in diverse healthcare environments.
• Engage in reflective practice and lifelong learning to meet the evolving needs of patients, society, and healthcare systems.

Curriculum Structure
Programme Structure

• Phase I
  • 1 year
  • Preparatory studies focusing on basic exact and theoretical sciences.
• Phase II
  • 2 years
  • Interconnected studies in basic medical and clinical sciences, including the study and analysis of behaviour.
• Phase III
  • 3 years
  • Clinical studies.

The programme is divided into three phases, following well-established practices of medical training in Europe and beyond. The educational approach integrates the best elements of respected European and internatioanl medical programmes, adapted to the needs and context of Cyprus.

In addition to the core (compulsory) courses, students have the opportunity, through the Research Project, to select topics aligned with their personal interests from their personal interests from their first year of study. This enables them to collaborate with researchers from the University and the Cyprus Health System, while further developing their individual interests and skills. Furthermore, Phase I students may attend elective courses offered by other Schools within the University. These electives can be taken throughout the first-year semesters (Winter, Spring, Summer).

ECTS Credit Distribution by Academic Year
Academic Year - ECTS:

• Year 1 - 60
• Year 2 - 60
• Year 3 - 60
• Year 4 - 60
• Year 5 - 60
• Year 6 - 60
• TOTAL ECTS 360

Important Information

• Faculty: Medical School
• Mode of Study: Full time
• Medical School Dean (Acting): Professor Georgios Hadjigeorgiou
• Medical School Coordinator: Nicoleta Nicolaou Pissarides

Regulations
The University Regulations provide the framework that governs academic and student life, ensuring a fair, safe, and supportive learning environment for all members of the University community. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with and adhere to all applicable policies, procedures, and standards throughout their studies.

Rules of Study
Students must always comply with the University's Undergraduate Study Rules and the Medical School Rules of Study Specifically.

Assesment and Grading
The final grade of an undergraduate student, and consequently the grade of this Degree (Excellent with Distinction (9.5-10), Excellent (8.5-9.45), Very Good (6.5-8.49), Good (5.5-6.49) and Satisfactory (5-5.49) is calculated as the weighted average of all the courses that the student has successfully completed. The weighting is based on the hours of each course)

Future Prospects:
Graduates of the Doctor of Medicine programme are equipped with the knowledge, clinical skills, and professional competencies required to pursue careers across the healthcare sector in Cyprus and internationally. The programme prepares graduates for:

• Medical internship and postgraduate medical training.
• Specialisation in clinical disciplines such as Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, and other specialties.
• Employment within public and private healthcare organisations.
• Academic and clinical research careers in biomedical and health sciences.
• Public health, health policy, and healthcare management roles.
• International medical practice, subject to the licensing requirements of the respective country.
• Further postgraduate studies, including Master's and Doctoral (PhD) programmes.

Graduates develop the scientific, clinical, communication, and leadership skills required to contribute effectively to patient care, healthcare innovation, and the advancement of medicine in an increasingly global healthcare environment. The programme prepares future doctors who combine scientific excellence, clinical competence, professionalism, and compassion to meet the healthcare challenges of the 21st century.