Universities in Cyprus

Cyprus is an EU member state where much of higher education is taught in English. Study in Cyprus, the portal of the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency and the Ministry of Education, describes a sector of 3 public and 9 private universities and more than 40 other public and private higher education institutions. Greek is the official language, but English is widely spoken on the island.

SpainExchange currently lists four institutions in Cyprus. Two are private colleges in Nicosia, Cyprus College and American College. The other two, Eastern Mediterranean University in Famagusta and Cyprus International University near Nicosia, are in the north of the island, which has its own system; see the section on recognition below.

How higher education is organised

The Department of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth lists three public universities (the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus University of Technology and the Open University of Cyprus) and nine private universities, among them Frederick University, European University Cyprus and the University of Nicosia. Next to them are 41 registered private institutions of tertiary education, which offer academic and professional programmes as well as short programmes leading to a certificate (one year), a diploma (two years) or a higher diploma (three years).

Degrees follow the European three-cycle structure:

• Bachelor's degree (ptychio): 4 years, 240 ECTS
• Master's degree: 1 to 2 years, 90 to 120 ECTS
• Doctorate: 3 to 8 years, with a minimum residency of 3 years

Programmes of private institutions are evaluated and accredited by the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA), which also publishes lists of accredited institutions and programmes.

The colleges on SpainExchange

Cyprus College was founded in 1961 and describes itself as the oldest higher education institution in Cyprus. Its application for university status led to the founding of European University Cyprus in September 2007; the college operates on that university's campus in Nicosia and has also had a campus in Limassol since September 2010. It offers two-year and four-year programmes and prepares students for professional accounting exams such as ACCA. American College is one of the registered private institutions of tertiary education in Nicosia.

Admission, English and visas

The general requirement for undergraduate study is a secondary school leaving certificate or an equivalent qualification, plus any requirements of the programme. Students from outside the EU must show a minimum English level for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, according to a decision of the Council of Ministers of 19 July 2023: for example IELTS 5.5 or level B2 of the CEFR. Students below this level can take an accredited English Language Foundation Programme.

EU citizens can study and work freely in Cyprus. Students from other countries need a visa or entry permit from the Civil Registry and Migration Department, issued only to full-time students (at least 30 ECTS a semester), and must apply for a residence permit within 10 days of arrival. Part-time work is allowed with a permit: up to 20 hours a week during the semester and 38 hours during breaks.

Costs and funding

At public universities, Cypriot and EU students do not pay tuition fees for a first degree, except at the Open University of Cyprus. The Department of Higher Education gives the following fees for students from outside the EU (2020/21 figures): EUR 6,834 per academic year for a bachelor's degree and EUR 5,125 to EUR 10,250 per year for a master's. Private universities and colleges set their own fees, and the admissions office of each institution gives information on fees and scholarships.

The north of the island and recognition

Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) in Famagusta began in 1979 as an Institute of Higher Technology and became a state university in 1986. Cyprus International University (CIU) states that more than 14,000 students from 110 countries study on its campus. Both universities state that they are authorised by YÖDAK, the higher education council of the Turkish Cypriot administration, and recognised by YÖK, the Council of Higher Education of Turkey; EMU also cites UK ENIC.

The Republic of Cyprus takes a different view. Its Department of Higher Education states that universities operating in the north do not comply with the laws of the Republic of Cyprus and that the Republic does not recognise them or their qualifications, nor, it says, does any other country except Turkey. Students considering these universities should check how their own country, and any country where they want to work, treats the degree.

How to choose

• Recognition: check that the programme is accredited and how your home country recognises it
• Type of institution: public or private university, or a college offering diplomas and degrees
• Language of instruction and the English level required
• Total cost: tuition, housing and residence permit
• City: Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos or Famagusta

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Cyprus?

Yes. Many programmes are taught in English, and students from outside the EU need a minimum English level, such as IELTS 5.5 or CEFR B2, for admission.

How much are university fees in Cyprus?

EU students pay no tuition fees for a first degree at public universities (except the Open University). For students from outside the EU, the official figure is EUR 6,834 a year for a bachelor's degree at public universities (2020/21). Private institutions set their own fees.

Do I need a visa to study in Cyprus?

EU citizens do not. Other students need a student visa or entry permit and must apply for a residence permit within 10 days of arrival.

Are degrees from universities in northern Cyprus recognised?

The Republic of Cyprus does not recognise them; the universities state that they are recognised by Turkey's Council of Higher Education. Check recognition in the country where you plan to use the degree.