What our Students Say

James Gardiner
James GardinerClass of 2022, Australia

Leaving Australia to attend the University of Nicosia Medical School in Cyprus was a difficult decision to make yet one of the best.

Graduating with a GMC and Medical Board of Australia recognised qualification opens the doors for me to pursue either foundation training or residency at home, in the UK, Ireland and numerous other countries.

Yehonatan Marziano
Yehonatan MarzianoClass of 2023, Israel

The cost of living in Cyprus is very affordable.

I stay in one of the brand-new student residences of the University which is conveniently located close to campus and to all convenience stores. Plus, if you want to take a short break from your studies, you are only an hour away from the island’s beaches or mountains.

Jennifer Yau
Jennifer YauClass of 2019, UK

I studied both of my previous degrees in my hometown back in Scotland. With my medical degree I wanted to experience a new place and a new culture. Studying abroad whilst gaining a British qualification was the perfect option for me. I have spent my first two years in Nicosia and my last two in Limassol. Being able to study at the different sites across Cyprus has provided me with fantastic opportunities to learn medicine.

Throughout my studies I have been exposed to specialties in various clinics and hospitals, both in public and private medicine, consistently being taught by consultants at the top of their respective fields.

The fact that this is a young school allows us students to play a key role in the development of the programme. I have held the role of President and Student Welfare and Education Officer within the Medical School Student Society. Our committees have been able to work closely with the administration to develop policies and ensure that our students’ best interests are always kept at heart. We have also been able to cultivate the student life here by introducing Fresher’s week, medical families and the formation of Specialty Interest Societies. The students play a key role in the future of the medical school and programme.

Violeta Yammine
Violeta YammineClass of 2020, Lebanon

The Problem-Based Learning environment allows students to have an open discussion about the week’s case. This gives us the opportunity to apply our knowledge directly to a hypothetical clinical scenario. These cases are presented to us in an order that allows us to gradually build on our knowledge, linking medical concepts as we go along the academic year. Also, the cases are accompanied by ethical concepts and dilemmas, as well as social and psychological aspects of medicine, which can be overlooked even by practicing doctors but which are given the appropriate emphasis in our programme.

Through the real clinical placements we get from week 1 we can directly apply all those clinical and social concepts we learnt throughout the week and appreciate the importance of placing the patient at the centre of medical care.

Furthermore, the transition to Cyprus was made much easier by the Medical School’s Student Service Centre, which is comforting especially for students coming from faraway places. Life here in Cyprus is organised and calm.  The student body is composed of people from all over the world, so you will not only learn Medicine but also learn about different cultures and how the practice of Medicine can differ worldwide.

Karine De Souza
Karine De SouzaClass of 2019, USA

Leaving the United States to attend a medical school halfway across the world in Cyprus was one the scariest and most exciting decisions in my life, and probably one of the best. Learning about international health and healthcare systems outside of the US has always been of interest to me, and this program has afforded me with the opportunity to explore this interest through first-hand clinical experience.

During my first week, I began my near weekly interaction with patients through clinical and community visits. My professors are all clinicians who have trained and worked all over the world. And this program is international in all senses of the word as most of my classmates are from the UK, Canada, Australia, Israel, Lebanon, Italy, United States, and more. We all learn from each other about our home countries and native health systems. With these new friends I’m able to take quick, inexpensive trips anywhere in Europe after exams and on the weekend. Plus, Cyprus is a gorgeous island country and you truly get into the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle living here, which is perfect when so much stress comes from medical school.

Carlos Sader
Carlos SaderClass of 2019, Lebanon

Joining the St George’s, University of London medical programme in Nicosia hasopened up several doors of opportunity. As a medical school it offers a well developed and intriguing way of delivering medical education to students. We learn theory and actually apply it on the spot, which I find to be one of the best ways to deliver the material; it is essential in allowing us to emphasise what we learn.

Learning alongside physicians from week one and through Problem Based Learning groups is supplemented by the loving and caring environment created by the administrators, instructors and everyone associated with the school. Furthermore, being in Cyprus is an experience in itself. We are offered the unique chance to explore all the wonderful aspects of the island, from beaches to mountains to local treasures. This helps me gather energy through a change of scenery and refocus to move on with my journey as a medical student. Last but definitely not least, this Medical School has increased my understanding of the field and opened up many choices to pursue in a hopefully successful career as a practicing doctor.

Afreshdeep Sandhu
Afreshdeep SandhuClass of 2019, New Zealand

The chance to study medicine is a truly unique opportunity. The prestigious programme St George’s, University of London has to offer coupled with the picturesque country of Cyprus is an opportunity I couldn’t say no to. From the beginning I loved the programme as we are not only taught medicine, but also how to become good doctors. We learnt in a clinical setting from week 1, where we were able to perform examinations, take clinical histories and apply a variety of skills on real or simulated patients. This experience was beyond my expectations.

As University of Nicosia students, we are taught by professors and lecturers who are highly trained medical professionals with a vast range of experience and who are genuinely passionate about what they teach.

I was really nervous about the big move, especially since I have never lived away from home. However, the support available from the student services team made everything very easy and smooth. While studying here, we are able to explore what this beautiful country has to offer, which makes the experience all the sweeter!

Cylene Yang
Cylene Yang Class of 2019, France

After almost one year at the MBBS4 medical programme offered by St George’s, University of London in Nicosia, I am convinced that coming here was the second best academic decision I have made in my life. The best one was to not give up my dream of studying medicine and avidly participating in seminars presenting various opportunities, at one of which I was most fortunate to meet the Director of Admissions, who presented this programme in Hong Kong.

Most of our professors are UK graduates and practitioners, and they deliver a very high standard of education. They view us and teach us as future colleagues they would want to work with. In addition, this school creates a very enjoyable learning environment. Faculty members are always willing to help and are very supportive not only of our academic progression, but also of our career and any personal issues we might be facing.

Nicosia is a nice city, and is becoming more and more multicultural. I very much enjoy this international experience, living in an EU country bathed in the Mediterranean lifestyle.

Hugh Elliott
Hugh Elliott Class of 2018, Canada

The Problem Based Learning curriculum, weekly clinical skills sessions, and early patient contact in combination with great faculty and staff has set the stage for a fascinating medical school journey. Studying in the sunny Mediterranean with new colleagues and a completely new culture adds to the great experience and thrill of gaining knowledge. All the elements of the program are well structured. The campus and facilities fulfil all of the requirements and expectations of a well-rounded medical degree programme. All this is geared towards the success of the students, which I very much appreciate.

Living in Cyprus and adapting to the lifestyle was easy because everyone is extremely friendly and goes the extra mile to ensure that all things are taken care of. The island is very scenic with palm trees, great beaches, lot of sunshine and excellent mountain ranges. There is nothing but good things to say about Cyprus and this has confirmed that my decision to study medicine here was a great one!

Harry Bhalla
Harry BhallaClass of 2018, UK

The best thing about medical school in Cyprus is that life moves at the pace you want it to. You’re surrounded by people as motivated as you are on your course, you’re in a vibrant city full of relaxed, welcoming people and you can get to beautiful beaches with clear seas whenever you have a free weekend. Personally the thing I enjoy most is the cafe culture. Most places have free wifi so you can work wherever you want, and you’re not confined to the library allowing you to make the most of the sun.

Limor Marko
Limor MarkoClass of 2018, Israel

The fear of moving to a different country with a foreign language and different culture combined with an intensive medical programme disappear the moment you arrive in Cyprus.

It all starts with a great team at the Medical School that will do their best to make your relocation easy and fast. It goes on with an amazing programme – offering you skills and facilities that will help you achieve self-confidence before meeting with real patients. The programme sees the doctor as more than a physician; you are required to show strong communication skills and these are all taught throughout the programme too. The faculty will do everything so you fully understand the material and are very student orientated. Much depends on self-paced learning and this is the basis of being a good doctor in the future since in this profession we are required to study all the time.

Problem Based Learning is a unique method that challenges your thinking and allows you to develop the ability to analyse a case, from understanding the problem and underlying pathophysiology through to the solution. And besides studying, life in Cyprus is fun, easy and offers amazing places to explore.

Laamia Subha
Laamia SubhaClass of 2018, Canada

Life as a student at the Medical School is as intimidating as any anxious fresher would think. The material is extensive and complex. Classes are long and tiring. Walking between two campuses often involves acquiring a spectacular tan. Have I mentioned clinical visits involving real patients start from the first week? Well, I do not want to scare you away.

The life of a medical student is as rewarding as it is challenging. The material is demanding, but it is also absolutely fascinating. Weekly schedules and lectures can be rigorous, but that is more than made up for when resolution of cases later becomes effortless. The pressures of academics melt away during clinical visits when confronted with the reality of having to interact with a person who is possibly sick, tired, and scared. Experiencing the feeling of being a physician and applying learned knowledge is as humbling and heady as one can expect.

I am confident that for prospective students no elaboration is needed on the anticipation of becoming one of the best that the UK will have to offer. Clinical immersion starts upon arrival, and we are expected to approach the course with a physician’s mind-set. Problem-based learning, and its realistic progression of cases, is crucial in the development of this mentality and approach to medicine. But aside from the high quality of education, life in Cyprus is quite pleasant and picturesque. The country and her people are warm and welcoming.

Being a student here is a truly maturing and refining experience. The approach to independent learning, critical thinking, and clinical exposure will have a definite impact on your future career. I look forward to seeing brilliant individuals from diverse backgrounds as my future colleagues, and sincerely hope that the reader is inspired to be one of them.

Natasha Grace
Natasha GraceClass of 2018, UK

I saw the St George’s programme as an amazing opportunity to get to immerse myself in a different way of life alongside my studies, believing I would be much richer for the experience. Not only am I living somewhere that is very foreign to me, but I also get the chance to study alongside people from all over the world, all with different knowledge and perspectives that enables us all to have a more rounded character which will be invaluable when we graduate and are practicing medicine. I have already learned so much, both in terms of clinical science and skills but also in the social side of medicine from both lessons and the diverse cohort that I am in. The core learning process of PBL is incredibly conducive to success and the emphasis on self-directed learning introduces accountability to us early on.

There is a large amount of support readily available, from library resources, to health, to Greek language support. There are also many opportunities offered through the school to help make the most of our time here, whether it is directly associated with our medical studies, such as charity drives and the mobile clinic, or social activities like day trips around the island and the host family programme which gives us the opportunity to see and experience Cyprus organically.

Armin Benjamin Bassi
Armin Benjamin BassiClass of 2021, Australia

The idea of leaving home to study medicine in a foreign country was daunting at first, but looking back at it now, I consider it one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made. From the very beginning of our studies, we are routinely sent on placements to different clinics where we get to interact with  patients. This experience has allowed me to develop key clinical skills from a very early stage of my studies, a privilege that not a lot of other medical programmes offer.

Also, the PBL sessions are an excellent learning tool, where we not only supplement the knowledge we get from the lectures but also apply it to clinical cases, giving us a taste of how to approach real-life medical scenarios. Being able to study for a British medical degree in Cyprus is a wonderful experience. The Island itself is picturesque with fantastic sights to be discovered everywhere. The Medical School has a vibrant social scene with fun events being organised by students, for students. I’ve had the pleasure of being able to meet a diverse group of people from all across the world and make friendships that will last a lifetime.