MSc in Family Medicine

Profile of the Programme

Today’s healthcare challenges, whether strengthening health systems, improving the quality of our patient care, or enhancing access to healthcare, require strong primary care.

Strong primary care in turn requires competent family doctors who are forward-thinking and keen to develop new relationships with patients and other health professionals in primary and secondary care.

To address these global population health challenges, the University of Nicosia Medical School offers a Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Family Medicine delivered online.

It is a structured continuing professional development programme for physicians working as Family Doctors or in the community with a specialist role in internal medicine, paediatrics, or gynaecology.

The minimum full-time duration of the MSc programme in Family Medicine is 18 months (three semesters), with a flexible part-time option of up to four academic years. The first two semesters consist of eight core clinically focused modules. Semester three is primarily research-oriented, offering an opportunity for students to develop their research skills.

The programme is completed online, with each module delivered over 3 learning weeks through an electronic platform. This platform enables access to video-recorded presentations, written material and lecture notes whilst allowing for active learning through interactive seminars, case-based discussions in forums, online quizzes, and workshops.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine has received educational accreditation from the UK Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). Furthermore, the University of Nicosia Medical School has been accredited by the RCGP to deliver the MRCGP International exam in Cyprus.  Students successfully completing the first two semesters and meeting the RCGP’s clinical experience eligibility criteria will be entitled to sit the examination in Cyprus to qualify as an International Member of the RCGP.

This exam consists of three components: a written applied knowledge examination, a workplace-based assessment portfolio and a clinical skills examination. The first two components are shared with the assessments for the PG, so only the clinical skills examination is an additional requirement for the MRCGP[INT] in Cyprus.

Because the content of the course is aligned with the RCGP curriculum, students are well prepared to take this exam at another RCGP International site.

E-Learning Excellence

The University of Nicosia (UNIC) is a regional leader in distance learning education at the Bachelor and Master level. We use the most up-to-date technologies and state-of-theart learning design theories to deliver our courses and we are the first university in Europe to have received a triple recognition (5 QS Stars, EADTU, EFQUEL) for excellence in online education.

As a testament to the quality of our online programmes, our University has been awarded the highest accolades for e-learning and distance learning education excellence.

UNIC continues to strive for excellence globally. The 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings, ranked the University of Nicosia (UNIC) as the number 42 university in the world in the core area of Quality Education, and among the top 301-400 universities globally in terms of its overall social and economic impact.

Admission Requirements

1. A medical degree granted by an institution recognised in the country where it is offered,
2. Evidence of current registration with the relevant medical council,
3. You must be involved in clinical practice throughout the duration of your enrolment in the programme,
4. Two (2) professional reference letters,
5. An interview either in person or through video conference, which assesses your professional ability and commitment, empathy, initiative and resilience, communication skills, organisational and problem-solving skills, and teamwork.

*If English is not your first language and you have not undertaken a previous degree taught in English you need:

6.5 overall in the IELTS (with 6.5 in writing and a minimum of 6.0 in all other elements)

Or: 213 overall in the computer-based TOEFL (550 paper based, 79 internet based)

Or: grade Β in the IGCSE

Or: a score of 5 in English in the International Baccalaureate Standard Level (SL)

Or: a score of 70% in English in the European Baccalaureate.

The duration of the programme is 18 months (three semesters) with a flexible part-time option of up to four academic years.
The course consists of 12 modules and its curriculum has been mapped against the core competences of a Family Medicine practitioner as defined by the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations(WONCA) of Family Medicine.

The first two semesters are clinically focused, encompassing modules on Communication and Consultation Skills in Primary Care, Evidence-Based Practice in Family Medicine, Managing Adults’ Common Diseases and Multi-Morbidity in Primary Care, Mental Health in Primary Care, Acute Serious Illnesses and Traumatic Conditions in Primary Care, Common Musculoskeletal Conditions in Primary Care, Paediatrics and Child Health Surveillance and Women’s Health.

The third semester is research-oriented and includes a research methodology module and a primary care research project. Moreover, during the third semester students can select two out of the following six offered electives: Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care; Implementing Change in Primary Care; Informatics for Primary and Community Health Care; Learning and Teaching in Healthcare; Medical Leadership and Innovation in Healthcare; and Prevention, Epidemiology and Health Promotion.*

Course assessment for the MSc in Family Medicine is based on four pillars: a written applied knowledge examination; a workplace-based assessment portfolio; the design, implementation, completion and write-up of a research project; and assignments for two elective modules.

Students who do not wish to continue with the third semester will receive a Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine following the successful completion of the first two semesters.

FIRST SEMESTER (30 ECTS, all courses required)

• Evidence-based Practice in Family Medicine
• Managing Adults’ Common Diseases and Multi-Morbidity in Primary Care
• Common Musculoskeletal Conditions in Primary Care

SECOND SEMESTER (30 ECTS, all courses required – PG in Family Medicine for those students who do not wish to continue with the MScFM)

Mental Health in Primary Care
Acute Serious Illnesses and Traumatic Conditions in Primary Care
Women’s Health
Paediatrics and Child Health Surveillance

THIRD SEMESTER (30 ECTS, two required courses + two electives)

• Research Methodology in Family Medicine (Required)
• Primary Care Research Project (Required)

2 elective courses are chosen from the following:

• Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care
• Medical Leadership and Innovation in Healthcare
• Learning and Teaching in Healthcare
• Epidemiology, Prevention and Health Promotion
• Informatics for Primary and Community Health Care
• Implementing Change in Primary Care

*The above structure is based on current delivery in 2019-20. The programme is subject to continuous evaluation and improvement, in consultation with students and lecturers, and in accordance with the regulations and guidelines of the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education, and therefore may be subject to change for future cohorts.