Frederick University has proudly announced a landmark licencing agreement with The University of Manchester, to develop the first Medical School in Limassol, marking a historic milestone for higher education in Cyprus. The Medical School is scheduled to launch in 2028. 

The School will offer an innovative medical programme grounded in the well-established Manchester model. This collaboration ensures that the structure, learning outcomes, and educational philosophy of the Manchester curriculum—renowned for its integration of clinical experience, research-informed teaching, and patient-centred learning—form the foundation of the new Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB degree).

The announcement was made by the President of the Council of the University, Ms Natassa Frederickou, during the organisation’s 60-year anniversary event: “We are honoured to partner with The University of Manchester in this landmark collaboration. The establishment of the first Medical School in Limassol reflects the shared long-term vision of Frederick University and The University of Manchester to advance medical education and research in the region. This partnership is grounded in a common commitment to academic excellence, social responsibility, and global impact. By adopting The University of Manchester’s innovative educational standards, practices, and teaching methods, Frederick University’s Medical School will ensure a high-quality education while enhancing its academic credibility and international standing. Together, we aim to educate future doctors who combine scientific expertise with compassion, while strengthening healthcare systems and advancing medical research for the benefit of society. This partnership is built on shared values and we are proud to take this significant step forward together.”

Professor Allan Pacey MBE, Deputy Dean and Deputy Vice President of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at The University of Manchester, and Professor Margaret Kingston, Director of Undergraduate Medical and Dental Studies, were present at the event.

Speaking at the event, Professor Pacey mentioned: “It is a real pleasure and a privilege to be here and to mark this important moment in the association between the University of Manchester and Frederick University. On behalf of the University of Manchester, I want to say how delighted we are for our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health to be working with the new Frederick School of Medicine to deliver this new medical degree in Cyprus. From our earliest conversations with Frederick University, it was evident that we share core values: a commitment to academic excellence, to student-centred learning, to research-informed teaching, and above all to social responsibility. At Manchester, social responsibility is not an add-on; it is one of our three core goals, alongside research and teaching. We believe that universities - and medical schools in particular - have a duty to address health inequalities, to work with underserved communities, and to prepare doctors who understand not only disease, but the social and environmental contexts in which it arises. In Frederick University, we have found a partner that shares this vision for Cyprus and the wider region. This new medical degree represents more than an association between two institutions. It represents a shared investment in the future of healthcare. Together, we will work so that Frederick School of Medicine educates doctors who are scientifically grounded, clinically skilled, compassionate in practice, and conscious of their responsibility to society. We will create opportunities for students to learn in diverse clinical settings, to engage with research that addresses real-world challenges, and to develop the professional values that define excellent medical practice”.

The University of Manchester will license its renowned medical teaching programme and will also provide training to support staff at Frederick University. The programme will be thoughtfully adapted to reflect the healthcare priorities, regulatory framework, and cultural context of Cyprus, ensuring that graduates are prepared to meet local and regional medical needs while benefiting from an internationally respected academic framework. Once finalised it will subsequently be submitted for accreditation to the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education. The University of Manchester’s Division of Medical Education will provide ongoing training to support the updating and continuous enhancement of the programme.

Agreements have also been signed with leading hospitals in Limassol - Mediterranean Hospital of Cyprus and Ygia Polyclinic Private Hospital - for the delivery of clinical placements for medical students, meeting the rigorous requirements of the medical curriculum of The University of Manchester. By the time the programme is launched, the network of affiliated hospitals is expected to be further expanded. In addition, formal associations with general practitioners will be established to support and enhance students’ clinical education.

The programme will be delivered in a newly developed building at Frederick University’s Limassol Campus. The new building will fully integrate the requirements advised by The University of Manchester School of Medical Sciences for delivering medical curriculum, focusing on team-based learning facilities, state-of-the-art laboratories, and modern learning spaces.

The University of Manchester is ranked 6th in the UK for Medicine (QS World University Rankings 2025) and enjoys an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Its School of Medical Sciences within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health is the largest medical school in the UK, with more than 2,200 undergraduate medical students, and is the leading provider of healthcare graduates to the NHS in North West England. Its graduates are highly sought after by both public and private sector employers around the world.

Frederick University is among the leading private universities in Cyprus and is widely recognized for its academic excellence and strong research output. It has played a significant role in advancing education and research in the fields of Life and Health Sciences in Cyprus. Through its School of Health Sciences, the University offers Cyprus’ first accredited Pharmacy programme, along with innovative programmes in Nursing, Physiotherapy, Physical Education and Sports Science, and Applied Biomedical Sciences, while conducting research with measurable impact across related scientific disciplines. The establishment of the Medical School represents the culmination of the University’s major strategic investment in Limassol, where it has operated its second campus for decades.

Frederick University and The University of Manchester share common values rooted in academic excellence, innovation, and social contribution. Both institutions place strong emphasis on linking education with research and the practical application of knowledge, while fostering the creation of new knowledge with meaningful and lasting societal impact.

In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, The University of Manchester is ranked 1st in the UK and Europe and 2nd globally, among more than 2,300 universities assessed on their contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Similarly, Frederick University has consistently been ranked first among Cypriot universities in the same rankings, further reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development.

More information about the agreement, the programme, and the expected timeframe is available at https://frederick.ac.cy/medical/.