5 Tips When Choosing an International Medical School

Questions to consider when deciding on a medical school abroad.

1. Think about the employment rate

When you're considering medical school, check the school's employment rate and where its graduates work! You will be investing a lot of money and several years of your life to study medicine. But it's not over when you secure your medical degree — after this you need to ensure you will have a place to complete your foundation or residency years and specialization.

The University of Nicosia Medical School is proud of the astonishing 99.4% employment rate of its graduates. This rate is comparable to the employment rates of top medical schools around the world! From year one, students meet with Career Advisors one-on-one to discuss their goals and country of choice for placement and career. These conversations provide a road map to the preferred pathway of practice, and these meetings allow students a full picture of the options and steps to reaching their goals.

You will be amazed to discover that their graduates are currently working in some of the top hospitals around the world! Check the list of their graduates' places of employment.

2. Think about the language barrier

Are the courses you are considering being taught in English? Is English widely spoken in that country? As a medical school student there is no doubt that you will face a lot of challenges — so you will find it a lot easier to adjust if you choose a course which is taught in English. This will save you from spending another year of your life to learn the language.

If English is widely spoken in the country you're considering, your day-to-day life will be simpler. Of course, you might still prefer to learn the local language, but you can do that at your own pace.

At the University of Nicosia Medical School, all courses are taught in English. Living in Cyprus does not require you to learn Greek as English is widely spoken on the island, so you will feel at home from day one. Students can even participate in the host family program to get a better feel for life on the island and enjoy a home away from home.

3. Attend open days

Once you have a short list of universities to study medicine abroad, make sure you visit each and every one of them. Get on a plane and attend their open days!

You will be spending several years of your life there, so you need to make sure that you love the university, you love the city, and you love its people!

Register now for one of the upcoming online Open Days at the University of Nicosia Medical School. These Open Days offer a fun and engaging way to discover more about their world-class programs, visit their state-of-the-art facilities and meet your future classmates and professors.

4. Does the university have a student-centric approach?

Are advisors available to ask technical questions about national licensing exams? Do they request student feedback once a course is completed or when something new is introduced in the curriculum? Do students participate in program committee meetings allowing them to raise their own concerns?

All of this is important for you as a student and you should look for an environment where your feedback is seriously considered. At the University of Nicosia Medical School, student feedback is embraced, and student support is paramount.

You will have a voice through your involvement in program committees, open discussion with year leads, and participation in student focus groups facilitated by the Course Directors. Moreover, you'll have a dedicated Associate Dean of Students who oversees the student experience across all levels, including welfare, the student academic experience, complaints, discipline and fitness to practice.

You will be matched with a personal tutor from day one and an additional tutor during your clinical placement years, so you'll have two dedicated professionals to engage for support throughout your challenging years of medical studies. You'll also meet regularly one-on-one with Career Advisors to plan your journey into residency and specialization. This devoted team of personal tutors, advisors, faculty and staff, are a truly unique support structure with student success at the forefront.

5. Make sure you speak to the admissions office

Get in touch with the school's Admissions Office and check out their responsiveness and their willingness to support you — be sure to ask as many questions as you can!

The Admissions Office reflects the medical school; if you like their approach, then most likely you will also like the university they represent.

The Admissions Office of the University of Nicosia Medical School loves to hear from you! Give them a call at their Toll Free Canada & US line at 1-877-298-8189 or drop them an email at admissions@med.unic.ac.cy.

Their Admissions Advisors will be with you throughout the entire application process. Answering all your questions, from course details to accommodation and visa requirements, these advisors will provide you with guidance throughout this important process.