Practical Biomedical Laboratory Skills Summer School 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who is this Summer School for?
The Summer School is designed for current BSc and MSc students, recent graduates, PhD students, early-career researchers, medical trainees, and junior professionals in biomedical, biological, medical, pharmaceutical, health-science, biotechnology, molecular biology, laboratory science, or related disciplines. It is intended for participants who want supervised practical exposure to biomedical laboratory techniques and experimental workflows.
2. Do I need previous laboratory experience?
No, previous laboratory experience is not required for all applicants. Participants with limited or no practical experience may be advised to attend the Foundation add-on before the Core Programme. Applicants with previous wet-lab experience may be placed directly in the Core Programme or, where appropriate, may also attend the Advanced add-on.
3. Can I apply if I am not a University of Cyprus student?
Yes. The Summer School is open to eligible applicants from the University of Cyprus, other universities, recent graduates, international/Erasmus students, and early-career professionals, provided they have a relevant academic or professional background.
4. How many places are available?
There are only 12 places available. Places are limited to ensure safety, close supervision, and meaningful practical access to laboratory activities. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis among eligible applicants, but a place is confirmed only after payment has been completed and verified.
5. Does submitting the application form guarantee a place?
No. Submitting the application form does not guarantee a place. Applications are reviewed for eligibility, suitability, pathway matching, and availability of places. Eligible applicants will receive an offer of place and payment instructions. The place is confirmed only after payment is completed and the payment receipt is received and verified.
6. What are the programme dates?The current schedule is:
Foundation add-on: 23 August 2026, 09:00–13:00
Core Programme: 24–29 August 2026, 09:00–13:00
Advanced add-on: 30 August 2026, 09:00–13:00
All sessions are planned to take place at the New Medical School Building, University of Cyprus Campus, Aglantzia, Nicosia.
7. Can I attend only some days of the Core Programme?
The Core Programme is designed as an integrated 6-day training sequence. Participants are expected to attend all Core Programme days in order to receive the certificate of completion. Partial attendance will affect your eligibility for receiving your certificate. Also, there are no refunds in case you choose not to attend part of the programme.
8. Can I attend only the Advanced add-on?
The Advanced add-on is not offered as a standalone course. It is intended for participants who either complete the Core Programme or have sufficient previous laboratory experience, as assessed by the organisers.
9. What is included in the fee?
The fee includes supervised practical training, use of laboratory equipment during the scheduled sessions, relevant consumables for training activities, electronic course material, and the certificate of completion for eligible participants.
The fee does not include travel, accommodation, personal expenses, or meals unless otherwise stated by the organisers.
10. What are the fees?
The Core Programme fees are:
Current UCY students: €250
Non-UCY students: €300
Recent graduates: €300
Professionals: €450
Optional add-ons:
Foundation add-on: +€50
Advanced add-on: +€100
The final fee category is confirmed by the organisers after reviewing the application.
11. How do I pay?
Eligible applicants who are offered a place will receive payment instructions by email. Payment must be made to the specified University of Cyprus bank account. Upon payment, applicants must send a copy of the payment receipt to the organisers. The place is confirmed only after the payment receipt has been received and payment has been verified.
12. Are refunds available?
No. Fees are non-refundable after payment has been completed. If a participant is unable to attend after payment, they should inform the organisers as soon as possible. However, payment does not automatically transfer to another person or future course unless explicitly approved by the organisers.
13. What certificate will I receive?
Eligible participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Cyprus Medical School / Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory. The certificate confirms participation in supervised practical training in biomedical laboratory methods, experimental workflows, and data interpretation. It does not constitute professional licensing, formal accreditation, or certification of independent competence in regulated laboratory procedures.
14. What are the certificate requirements?
To receive the certificate, participants must attend the required sessions and participate satisfactorily in the supervised practical activities. The organisers may use attendance records and internal trainer checklists to confirm participation.
15. What language will the Summer School be taught in?
The language of instruction is English. Bilingual support may be provided where appropriate, depending on the participant group and trainer availability.
16. What should I bring?
Participants should bring:
17. Will I need to bring my own lab coat or PPE?
Detailed PPE instructions will be provided before the course. Where laboratory coats, gloves, or other protective equipment are required for specific activities, the organisers will provide guidance on what will be available and what participants may need to bring.
18. Will I perform animal experiments myself?
No participant will perform unsupervised animal procedures. The zebrafish/in vivo component is designed as a supervised educational module focusing on animal welfare, the 3Rs, zebrafish handling concepts, stereoscope imaging, toxicology/behavioural assay principles, phenotypic review, and interpretation of in vivo experimental workflows. All animal-related activities will follow applicable ethical, safety, and trainer-supervised procedures.
19. Is the Summer School suitable for complete beginners?
Yes, provided the applicant has a relevant scientific or biomedical background. Complete beginners in practical laboratory work may be advised to attend the Foundation add-on before the Core Programme.
The programme is not intended for the general public without relevant scientific background.
20. Can I use the certificate in MSc, PhD, internship, or job applications?
Yes. The certificate may be included in CVs, postgraduate applications, internship applications, and entry-level research or laboratory job applications as evidence of participation in supervised practical biomedical laboratory training.
It should be described accurately as a certificate of completion, not as professional accreditation or licensing.
21. When will I receive pre-course information?
Confirmed participants will receive pre-course material before the start of the programme. This will include the timetable, arrival instructions, location details, safety expectations, conduct rules, and any short preparation material.
22. Who should I contact if I have questions?
For questions about eligibility, payment, participation, accessibility needs, or course logistics, please contact the School's Director, Dr Nikolas Dietis ([email protected]).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who is this Summer School for?
The Summer School is designed for current BSc and MSc students, recent graduates, PhD students, early-career researchers, medical trainees, and junior professionals in biomedical, biological, medical, pharmaceutical, health-science, biotechnology, molecular biology, laboratory science, or related disciplines. It is intended for participants who want supervised practical exposure to biomedical laboratory techniques and experimental workflows.
2. Do I need previous laboratory experience?
No, previous laboratory experience is not required for all applicants. Participants with limited or no practical experience may be advised to attend the Foundation add-on before the Core Programme. Applicants with previous wet-lab experience may be placed directly in the Core Programme or, where appropriate, may also attend the Advanced add-on.
3. Can I apply if I am not a University of Cyprus student?
Yes. The Summer School is open to eligible applicants from the University of Cyprus, other universities, recent graduates, international/Erasmus students, and early-career professionals, provided they have a relevant academic or professional background.
4. How many places are available?
There are only 12 places available. Places are limited to ensure safety, close supervision, and meaningful practical access to laboratory activities. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis among eligible applicants, but a place is confirmed only after payment has been completed and verified.
5. Does submitting the application form guarantee a place?
No. Submitting the application form does not guarantee a place. Applications are reviewed for eligibility, suitability, pathway matching, and availability of places. Eligible applicants will receive an offer of place and payment instructions. The place is confirmed only after payment is completed and the payment receipt is received and verified.
6. What are the programme dates?The current schedule is:
Foundation add-on: 23 August 2026, 09:00–13:00
Core Programme: 24–29 August 2026, 09:00–13:00
Advanced add-on: 30 August 2026, 09:00–13:00
All sessions are planned to take place at the New Medical School Building, University of Cyprus Campus, Aglantzia, Nicosia.
7. Can I attend only some days of the Core Programme?
The Core Programme is designed as an integrated 6-day training sequence. Participants are expected to attend all Core Programme days in order to receive the certificate of completion. Partial attendance will affect your eligibility for receiving your certificate. Also, there are no refunds in case you choose not to attend part of the programme.
8. Can I attend only the Advanced add-on?
The Advanced add-on is not offered as a standalone course. It is intended for participants who either complete the Core Programme or have sufficient previous laboratory experience, as assessed by the organisers.
9. What is included in the fee?
The fee includes supervised practical training, use of laboratory equipment during the scheduled sessions, relevant consumables for training activities, electronic course material, and the certificate of completion for eligible participants.
The fee does not include travel, accommodation, personal expenses, or meals unless otherwise stated by the organisers.
10. What are the fees?
The Core Programme fees are:
Current UCY students: €250
Non-UCY students: €300
Recent graduates: €300
Professionals: €450
Optional add-ons:
Foundation add-on: +€50
Advanced add-on: +€100
The final fee category is confirmed by the organisers after reviewing the application.
11. How do I pay?
Eligible applicants who are offered a place will receive payment instructions by email. Payment must be made to the specified University of Cyprus bank account. Upon payment, applicants must send a copy of the payment receipt to the organisers. The place is confirmed only after the payment receipt has been received and payment has been verified.
12. Are refunds available?
No. Fees are non-refundable after payment has been completed. If a participant is unable to attend after payment, they should inform the organisers as soon as possible. However, payment does not automatically transfer to another person or future course unless explicitly approved by the organisers.
13. What certificate will I receive?
Eligible participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Cyprus Medical School / Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory. The certificate confirms participation in supervised practical training in biomedical laboratory methods, experimental workflows, and data interpretation. It does not constitute professional licensing, formal accreditation, or certification of independent competence in regulated laboratory procedures.
14. What are the certificate requirements?
To receive the certificate, participants must attend the required sessions and participate satisfactorily in the supervised practical activities. The organisers may use attendance records and internal trainer checklists to confirm participation.
15. What language will the Summer School be taught in?
The language of instruction is English. Bilingual support may be provided where appropriate, depending on the participant group and trainer availability.
16. What should I bring?
Participants should bring:
- Avalid ID or student ID,
- Comfortable clothing suitable for a laboratory environment - closed shoes.
- A notebook or laptop/tablet if desired,
- Any information requested by the organisers before the course.
17. Will I need to bring my own lab coat or PPE?
Detailed PPE instructions will be provided before the course. Where laboratory coats, gloves, or other protective equipment are required for specific activities, the organisers will provide guidance on what will be available and what participants may need to bring.
18. Will I perform animal experiments myself?
No participant will perform unsupervised animal procedures. The zebrafish/in vivo component is designed as a supervised educational module focusing on animal welfare, the 3Rs, zebrafish handling concepts, stereoscope imaging, toxicology/behavioural assay principles, phenotypic review, and interpretation of in vivo experimental workflows. All animal-related activities will follow applicable ethical, safety, and trainer-supervised procedures.
19. Is the Summer School suitable for complete beginners?
Yes, provided the applicant has a relevant scientific or biomedical background. Complete beginners in practical laboratory work may be advised to attend the Foundation add-on before the Core Programme.
The programme is not intended for the general public without relevant scientific background.
20. Can I use the certificate in MSc, PhD, internship, or job applications?
Yes. The certificate may be included in CVs, postgraduate applications, internship applications, and entry-level research or laboratory job applications as evidence of participation in supervised practical biomedical laboratory training.
It should be described accurately as a certificate of completion, not as professional accreditation or licensing.
21. When will I receive pre-course information?
Confirmed participants will receive pre-course material before the start of the programme. This will include the timetable, arrival instructions, location details, safety expectations, conduct rules, and any short preparation material.
22. Who should I contact if I have questions?
For questions about eligibility, payment, participation, accessibility needs, or course logistics, please contact the School's Director, Dr Nikolas Dietis ([email protected]).