Study in Cyprus

Higher Education Structure in Cyprus

Study In Cyprus

Cyprus is a small island country in Southeastern Europe with a population of approximately 1.2 million people. Its capital is Nicosia. Its location in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea ensures that it is an important shipping destination, with Greek and Turkish as its official languages. Its temperate climate and scenic beaches ensure that it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Cyprus is an advanced economy with a high Human Development Index, and is a member of the European Union.

Cyprus spends a very high proportion of its GDP on tertiary education. In addition to having renowned Universities within its territory, several Cypriot students take advantage of intra-European Union mobility to acquire degrees abroad. Almost half of young Cypriots have a higher education degree. There is an almost even split of domestic and international students among the 50,000+ students enrolled in tertiary education institutions in Cyprus.

The Perks of Studying in Cyprus

Cyprus is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

  • The country is ranked #31 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP).
  • The country is ranked #54 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report.
  • The country is ranked #67 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by the World Population Review.

Higher Education Framework in Cyprus

There are four types of Institutions within the higher education system in Cyprus:

1. Public Universities: They are funded primarily by the Government of Cyprus but are still autonomous in their functioning. They offer Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees, and conduct academic and research activities in a wide range of disciplines. They are made up of Faculties and Departments, with most courses being taught in either Greek or Turkish. They also teach several continuing education courses for the benefit of first-time adult learners.

2. Private Universities: They are similar to public universities in their function, but they receive no funding from the Government. Therefore, their tuition fees are much higher, on average. Most private universities in Cyprus are local branches of well-known foreign institutions of higher education.

3. Non-university level public institutions are each under a separate Ministry and work to provide training to professionals in different fields. For example, the Military College conducts several education programs for officers to enhance their skills in strategy, planning, and leadership. Their degree of autonomy is much less than that of Public Universities, given that their intake and curriculum are closely defined by the Government department which oversees their functioning.

4. Non-university level private institutions primarily offer vocational training programs leading to one-year certificates, two and three-year Diplomas, and Vocational Bachelor's programs (which last four years on average). In some cases, they may also offer Master's degrees. They have a strong connection with the relevant industry, and students usually join the workforce immediately after their graduation.

Certificate Programs

There are two kinds of certificate courses offered in Cyprus: short-term, where students sign up for a single course over a 2 or 3-month period and achieve a certificate. This is ideal for busy executives and tourists. 

Private non-university institutions offer one-year certificate programs, designed for professionals who wish to enhance their skills but who cannot afford a long-term diploma, or cannot spend multiple years as students. Examples of popular one-year certificate programs are Secretarial Studies, Business Administration, Banking, Hotel Management, and Information Technology.

Undergraduate Programs

Both public and private Universities in Cyprus offer Bachelor’s degrees, with non-university level private institutions offering vocational Bachelor’s programs. A unique feature of Cypriot Bachelor’s degrees is that they normally last four years (240 ECTS credits), as compared to three years in most of the rest of Europe (180 ECTS credits). Medical Bachelor’s programs last six years. Bachelor’s programs in Cyprus involve fundamental studies in a broad field of study, with no specialization until the third year. 

Bachelor’s programs are offered in many different disciplines, including Engineering, Medicine, Humanities & Social Sciences, Economics, Financial Management, Life Sciences, Law, and Fine Arts.

Postgraduate Programs

Master’s programs in Cyprus are offered by public / private universities, as well as non-university level private institutions. They typically last four semesters, though part time postgraduate degrees can last as long as four years. They are offered in the same fields of study as undergraduate degrees; however, each field usually has several fields of specialization. For example, the same Department may offer a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and several Master’s programs in Microelectronics, Power Electronics, and Image Processing. Admissions are highly competitive, and Career Offices work with Master’s students to ensure the best possible placements in industry.

Doctoral Programs

Public Universities in Cyprus offer PhD degrees within all their Faculties and Departments, with private universities offering a small number of doctoral programs. The expected duration of PhD degree programs in Cyprus is three years, with the main part spent on original research under the guidance of a member of the faculty. Students work within a research group to prepare a dissertation by the end of their six semesters. This must be defended before a panel of distinguished professors and external examiners. Most PhD students in Cyprus are able to finance their studies through research contracts, which mandate that they assist their professors in the laboratory and classroom.

Popular Disciplines Available in Cyprus

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Cyprus are-

Clinical PsychologyEnergy Systems EngineeringHealthcare Management
Interior DesignHotel ManagementCivil Engineering
Social WorkSocial Media MarketingPetroleum Engineering
Management Information SystemsInternational FinanceMedieval History
Plant SciencesArchitecture and DesignShipping Law

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Cyprus

Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Cyprus.

The Name of the City No. of Universities 
Nicosia13
Kyrenia4
Limassol3
Famagusta3
Larnaca2
Paphos1
Lefka1

Average Monthly Expenses in Cyprus for International Students

Tuition fees for Bachelor's programs in Cyprus vary for students from the European Economic Area and other international candidates. Domestic undergraduate students have tuition fees of approximately 3,400 Euros per year, but this is entirely paid by the Government of Cyprus. However, international students are liable to pay Bachelor's program tuition fees of 6,800 Euros per year, and this amount cannot be reduced except through scholarships. Master's tuition fees for international students are much higher, with an average of 10,000 Euros per year for students who are not from the European Economic Area.

PhD students have their tuition fees subsidized by research assistant duties. In addition to receiving a tuition fee waiver, their contract usually entitles them to a living stipend and sometimes accommodation on the University campus.

Accommodation in University dormitories is low cost, with rents of 200 to 300 Euros per month. Private housing is available at approximately twice the price of the dormitories. Utility and internet bills add up to 100 Euros per month, on average. Food costs are lower than in many other EU countries, at approximately 200 Euros per month. Overall, international students in Cyprus can expect to spend between 500 and 600 Euros per month on living costs.

Students' Visa Requirements

Any international student (from outside the European Union) who has received an offer of full time enrolment from a University in Cyprus needs a long term student visa to enter the country.

After these documents are submitted to the Embassy, the authorities contact the candidate with an interview date. After the visa is issued, students must present themselves at the University office immediately after arriving so that they can begin the process of applying for their Residence Permits.

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Cyprus.
  • Visa Application Form: Completed and signed.
  • Valid Passport: With at least six months' validity beyond your intended stay.
  • Passport-size Photos: Usually two recent photos.
  • Letter of Acceptance: From a recognized Cypriot educational institution.
  • Proof of Sufficient Funds: To cover tuition fees and living expenses.
  • Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for your stay in Cyprus.
  • Proof of Accommodation: Such as a housing contract or university accommodation confirmation.
  • Travel Itinerary: Round-trip flight reservation or transportation details.
  • Academic Certificates: Transcripts and diplomas from previous educational institutions.
  • Police Clearance Certificate: Demonstrating a clean criminal record.
  • Visa Fee Payment: Proof of payment for the visa application fee.
  • Cover Letter: Explaining your study plans and intentions in Cyprus.
  • Proof of Language Proficiency: If required by your chosen program.
  • Medical Certificate: Confirming your good health.
  • Parental Consent: For minors traveling to Cyprus.
  • Travel Insurance: Covering medical emergencies and repatriation.
  • Proof of Financial Resources: Bank statements, sponsorship letters, or scholarship documents.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A long term student visa application to Cyprus costs 60 Euros, and a Residence Permit costs an additional amount of 70 Euros. These payments are not refundable; in case the application is rejected and the candidate wishes to apply again, the visa fee will need to be paid in full during the second attempt. This amount should ideally be paid online before the appointment date at the Embassy.

Four photographs must be submitted during the Cyprus visa application process. These photographs must be recent (taken within the last 6 months), and show the candidate’s face from the front, with a neutral expression, and the face occupying 75% to 80% of the frame. No head covering is permitted, except in the case of religious headwear. The background must be a single light color; white and gray are ideal.

An application for a long term Cyprus student visa may be rejected if there are missing documents, if the documents are deliberately falsified, or if the applicant’s record poses a security threat. If the error is minor, students should rectify their mistakes and make a new submission, after paying the visa application fees again. They can also choose to appeal the decision by sending a letter to the Embassy.

The economy of Cyprus is growing at more than 5% per year, and has a particularly strong Services Sector. Therefore, qualified graduates can easily obtain jobs in the country. In addition, Cyprus is a member of the European Union, and many alumni of its Universities end up working in neighboring countries like Greece or even in Western Europe. Degrees of Cypriot Institutions of Higher Education are accepted across the world and offer their holders several opportunities in both the labor market and research groups.

Universities in Cyprus are part of the European Higher Education Area. As such, they follow the Bologna Process while awarding degrees and allocating credits to courses according to the ECTS system. This allows all students of Cypriot Universities to achieve credits counting towards their degree (180 total ECTS credits for Bachelor’s programs; 120 for Master’s). If they obtain an offer from any other European University, they can transfer with ease, and the credits already obtained will count towards their total. Credit transfer to Universities in other countries is decided on a case by case basis.

International students (from outside the European Economic Area) in Cyprus are not allowed to work for the first six months of their stay in the country. After this period, they may apply to the Migration Department for permission to take up part time jobs for a total duration of 20 hours per week; depending on the success of this application, they can start searching for temporary employment. This restriction does not apply to summer internships, during which students can work full time in Cyprus or elsewhere if they have an official internship contract co-signed by their Universities. However, international students who are enrolled in vocational programs, where practical experience is a key component of the course, may take up part time jobs from the beginning of their arrival in the country.