If you're looking for an excellent location to study medicine in English, Cyprus is the perfect place to pursue your education. The Mediterranean island is home to some of the most scenic sand beaches and crystal clear waters in the world.
Over the past few years, Cyprus has become an exotic and attractive destination for international students who wish to study medicine abroad.
The region’s oldest medical university is The European University Cyprus, founded in 1961, which is internationally recognised.
However, Cyprus’ medical practice dates from the ages before Christ. Apollonios of Kition used to be one of the most famous local physicians, and he had a great interest and knowledge in surgery and trauma.
Annually, Cyprus welcomes more than 10,000 new students from all around the world. With all the fascinating facts considered and the island’s medical history, it is not surprising that Cyprus is among the best regions to study medicine abroad.
Currently, Cyprus as an island is home to the Republic of Cyprus in the south, and in the north the de facto governed by the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Being a European Union member, the Republic of Cyprus gives an excellent chance for international students who seek a high-quality medical education. A medical degree received from a university located in the Republic of Cyprus will guarantee you the right to practise as a professional anywhere in the world.
If you are already enrolled in a medical course somewhere else, but you wish to discover the collaboration between the old world, modern technologies and the best possible education, Cyprus allows you to transfer from one medical institution to another.
Here's why you should choose to study at a medical university in Cyprus:
Check out our price breakdown of medical schools in Cyprus
The University of Nicosia was founded in 1980 in Cyprus' biggest city. Today, it has been chosen by over 12,000 students from over 70 countries, many of which participating in its esteemed medical programmes in English. International students who wish to study medicine in Europe do not need to pass an entrance exam.
Near East University was founded in 1988 Nicosia, the capital of North Cyprus. Despite being relatively new, the university has proven to be extremely popular with international student, with 26,000 students from over 100 countries. Their medicine, dentistry, veterinary and pharmacy programmes are available in English, and there is no entrance exam required.
European University in Cyprus was founded back in 1961, but its medical faculty is far more recent. Despite that, it has already won many awards thanks to its high-profile professors and state of the art technology. International students who wish to study medicine or dentistry in English can do so without an entrance exam.
There are three options for students who want to study medicine in English here. Two of the universities are located in North Cyprus and one is in Cyprus .
| North Cyprus | Cyprus |
| Near East University | European University Cyprus |
| University of Nicosia |
1. Near East University is a private university that offers courses in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary. It is located in North Nicosia and is the largest university in Northern Cyprus. It was established in 1988, starting with just 2 faculties. Nowadays, the university has grown to 20 faculties with more than 220 departments.
This medical university offers a 6-year course in medicine and a 5-year course in dentistry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. The tuition fees are per year for the M.D. programme. The D.M.D. course costs per year, and the pharmacy and veterinary courses are per year.
Near East University owns an impressive dormitory with rooms and apartments. All of them are perfectly equipped with all the furniture, electronics and high-speed internet.
What is more, the campus offers 24-hour security personnel, emergency services, laundry and clinic services, etc. Living in the dormitory will cost you around per month.
One of the best things about this university is that you need nothing more than just an English certificate to be admitted. After your graduation, you are free to practise worldwide.
2. European University Cyprus started its journey of educating students in 1961. Their faculty of medicine won 2 prizes for “Best Medical Installation” and “Best Education Solution”.
It is located in Nicosia, and it’s among the 101+ universities in the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking.
International students can apply for a 6-year medicine course or a 5-year dentistry course, both in English. Their courses’ tuition fees are per year. You can take advantage of a 5% discount by paying the whole amount before the programme’s commencement.
The European University Cyprus dormitory is well-equipped and very close to the university. With its fully furnished studios and 1-bedroom flats, you will have everything you need near at hand. Living in the dormitory will cost you between and per week.
Applying for this university does not require an entrance exam. You need to have A’ levels in Biology plus one of these subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics in your high school diploma and English language certificate. Being a graduate of EUC allows you to practise everywhere in the world.
3. University of Nicosia was founded in 1980, located in Nicosia. Nowadays, the university hosts more than 12,000 students coming from over 70 countries.
The M.D. course is taught in English and lasts 6 years. The first three years’ tuition fees are , and for the last 3 years.
The university’s dormitory is exactly what you imagine when you think of a five-star hotel. It is rated as one of the best in Europe.
All of their 853 studio apartments are fully furnished, with a fast internet connection. The campus also offers you a lot of entertainment options for your free time.
The university does not require an entrance exam. To apply, you need an English language certificate and A’ levels in your high school diploma in Biology and one of the following subjects: Maths, Chemistry or Physics.
Local universities set their own admission requirements, but there are a few standard necessities for all students. A secondary school diploma is one of them. Grades in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math have greater weight for admission than other subjects. The other standard necessity is an English proficiency certificate. Students can even take the English proficiency test on campus if they prefer.
The rest of the universities in Cyprus require an exam testing basic scientific knowledge in Biology and one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics. Also, you will need an English certificate.
As part of Medlink Students' comprehensive service, applicants receive relevant study materials for exams and important information during the whole admission process.
Tuition fees in Cyprus range from affordable to expensive, i.e. from to . Living costs in Cyprus are also in the midrange for Europe.
Tuition fees for the different medical schools in Cyprus can vary between and based on the university you choose to apply to. However, there are opportunities for financial aid and fee waivers awarded on a family income basis.
| Rent | Utilities | Transport | Food | Leisure |
| ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Living expenses in Nicosia are around per month (rent not being included). Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment costs between and , depending on the distance from the city centre. Dormitory rooms can further cut costs for students.
Cyprus is a Top 3 spender on education in Europe, and the region offers high-quality medical education to international students. Many local universities have worldwide recognition, and they provide access to the best hospitals and laboratories for clinical hours and research.
Local universities perform their clinical hours in the region’s national health care system, which has excellent coverage for doctors and outperforms the EU in dentists per capita. Thus, dental students can receive top-notch competitive education in Cyprus.
Last but not least, Cyprus is an exciting place to live in. The local international communities enjoy a vibrant lifestyle with lots of opportunities for recreational and leisure activities. The 340 days of sunshine in the year ensures positive vibes only.
Here are the main reasons that make Cyprus a great destination to study medicine:
In the ancient world, the island was famous as the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Cyprus has retained an undeniable romantic pull to the present day and remains a major tourist destination, abundant with recreational opportunities.
The island is an excellent destination for water sports, deep-sea fishing, and scuba diving. While these activities are available in the coastal cities, students from Nicosia can always plan an adventure during their visit to the Limassol Carnival.
The famous festival is a rival in originality to the carnivals in Venetia, Rio de Janeiro, and New Orleans. Locals and tourists dress up in costumes inspired by the Hellenistic legacy of the island and party for two weeks during springtime.
Finally, local cuisine is another recreation of sorts, and it has made its mark on European heritage since Medieval times. During the Crusades, the French kings of Cyprus exported many local recipes to Western Europe. Some of them even became part of the elite French cuisine. Notable entries for visitors are souvlaki (skewered meat), halloumi (goat and sheep cheese), and an abundance of seafood.
If you decide to study medicine in English in Cyprus, you can enrol in a 6-year course split into two parts – pre-clinical and clinical.
The M.D. programme is balanced between theory and practice and gives you the chance to learn from the best professionals and health-related institutions in this area.
For the applicants whose choice is to study dentistry in English in Cyprus, the course lasts five years, just like the pharmacy and the veterinary courses.
After passing all of your final medical examinations in Cyprus, you can start practising as a professional around the world.
All things considered, Cyprus is for sure one of the best places to study medicine abroad.
The University of Nicosia offers a Graduate Entry pathway into medicine.
If you chose the medicine programme, it will take you 6 years. However, if you prefer dentistry or pharmacy, it will be 5 years.
No, the living costs in Cyprus are between and per month.
Tuition fees in Cyprus range between and per year for medical programmes.
Cyprus medical education lasts for 6 years - two pre-clinical, three clinical, and an internship. This is the international standard for all doctors.
Yes, Cyprus medical schools provide a world-class education to their students. Institutes like the Near East University are internationally esteemed and recognised.
Near East University is considered to be the best medical university in Cyprus. However, European University of Cyprus and the University of Nicosia are also very esteemed.
Absolutely. Cyprus medical universities offer their medical programmes entirely in English to international students. This includes lectures, study materials and other supplements.
