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PhD in Medical Sciences
Earn a PhD in Medical Sciences
The University of Nicosia Medical School offers a PhD in Medical Sciences to students who successfully complete an independent research programme that breaks new ground in the chosen field of study. The PhD in Medical Sciences enables students to become independent researchers, thus advancing innovation and development. Following the completion of their PhD, graduates will develop capabilities that will allow them to carry out and lead independent research, to innovate and to push forward the frontiers of science and medicine.
Programme’s purpose and objectives
The PhD programme aims to provide:
- In-depth study of a specific topic.
- The ability to express creativity in research.
- The opportunity to develop skills that allow students to critically examine the existing literature in their specific research area.
- Development of skills in developing and testing hypotheses.
- Development of new theories.
- Development of the skills to plan and conduct experiments.
- Development of communication skills such as oral presentation skills by participating in conferences and writing up skills by submitting papers to peer reviewed journals.
- Development of professionalism and networking skills.
Intended learning outcomes
Doctoral degrees are awarded for the generation and interpretation of results/knowledge, which enhances and/or extends existing knowledge in a discipline, usually through original research and critical thinking. Students undertaking doctorates will be able to form hypotheses and seek answers by designing and performing appropriate experiments in order to generate significant new knowledge and/or understanding.
Furthermore, holders of doctorates will have been furnished with the qualities needed for employment that requires the ability to make informed judgments on complex issues in specialist fields, and be in a position to tackle and solve problems.
More specifically and according to the Bologna Process and the Framework for Qualifications for the European Higher Education Area students awarded doctorates should:
- Have demonstrated a systematic understanding of a field of study and mastery of the skills and methods of research associated with that field.
- Have demonstrated the ability to conceive, design, implement and adapt a substantial process of research with scholarly integrity.
- Have made a contribution through original research that extends the frontier of knowledge by developing a substantial body of work, some of which merits national or international refereed publication.
- Be capable of critical analysis, evaluation and construction of new and complex ideas.
- Be capable to communicate with their peers, the larger scholarly community and with society in general about their areas of expertise.
- Be able to promote, within academic and professional contexts, technological, social or cultural advancement in a knowledge based society.
Additionally, according to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and more specifically Level 8 of EQF, the Doctoral Degree’s Learning Outcomes must be as follows:
Knowledge: knowledge at the most advanced frontier of a field of work or study and at the interface between fields.
Skills: the most advanced and specialised skills and techniques, including construction and evaluation, required to solve critical problems in research and/or innovation and to extend and redefine existing knowledge or professional practice.
Competence: demonstrate substantial authority, innovation, autonomy, scholarly and professional integrity and sustained commitment to the development of new ideas or processes at the forefront of work or study contexts including research.”
Career Outcomes
Prospects of employment will include positions in clinical medicine (hospitals or private practice), biomedical research institutes, pharmaceutical industry, academia, government agencies, and national and international legislative bodies.
Structure and Assessment
Academic Path
| COURSES | ECTS |
| THESIS | 180 |
| TOTAL | 180 |
Doctoral Degree Requirements
The award of a Doctoral Degree requires:
- The conduct of Research work by the student under the guidance of the Supervisory Team
- Writing up of the Thesis
- Successful Defence of the Thesis before the Examinations Committee
Research Areas
Main Research Areas
Neuroscience, Cancer Epidemiology, Public Health, Medical Imaging, Medical Education.
Additional Research Areas
Cancer Biology, Molecular Virology, Pharmacology, Genetics, Primary Care, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Respiratory Medicine, Geriatrics, Nephrology, Rheumatology, Surgery, Clinical communication, Health Psychology and Medical Sociology.
PhD Supervisors
PhD Supervisory Team
The Supervisory Team is a three-member Committee. The Main Supervisor and at least one other member of the Committee must be faculty members of the Medical School. The other member of the Committee may be a faculty member from another Department of the University of Nicosia or another University/Research Institute. Students must select their Main Supervisor so they can develop their Research Proposal, which must be submitted as part of their application.
If you need any help in finding a PhD Supervisor at the Medical School please contact: Dr Nicoletta Nicolaou | PhD Programme Director | [email protected]
Admission Criteria
Eligible Candidates should hold (or hold by the time that the Programme is expected to commence) a recognised degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent allowing entry to a Master’s Degree plus a Master’s degree or a Doctor of Medicine degree (e.g., MBBS or MD degree). An applicant may be admitted to the Programme subject to completing selected courses offered by the Department, if so decided by the Department Postgraduate Programmes Committee (DPPC). Under exceptional cases, a PhD applicant who does not hold a Masters’ Degree may be considered for admission to the PhD Programme.
Start your Application
In order to start an application, please complete your details in the form at the top of this page and click submit.
The application will be reviewed by the Admissions Department who will follow up with you to provide you with additional information and request the following additional documents:
- Copies of the applicant’s Bachelor and/or Masters or MBBS or MD or equivalent qualification(s)/degree(s) – the application can be assessed with scanned copies, but a certified true copy must be provided prior to enrolment.
- Copies of the applicant’s transcript(s) – the application can be assessed with scanned copies, but a certified true copy must be provided prior to enrolment.
- Proof of English language proficiency such as IELTS with a score of 7 overall and with a minimum score of 7 in writing or TOEFL iBT with a score of 94 overall and a minimum score of 27 in Writing. Other internationally recognized English language qualifications might be considered upon review. Students from the UK, Ireland USA, Canada (from English speaking provinces), Australia and New Zealand are exempted from the English language requirement.
- Two reference letters, of which at least one should be from an academic.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A Research Proposal outlining the research problem, presenting the literature review and explaining the research methodology to be followed. The Admissions Office can provide the relevant PhD Proposal Template. The Research Proposal should be signed by the Main Supervisor which must be a faculty member of the Medical School and should be a maximum of 4-5 pages.
For any questions, you can contact Admissions at [email protected]
Tuition Costs
The tuition fees for the PhD programme are €13,500 in total for 3 years. For each additional academic year, tuition is €1,500 per year.