The higher education system of Cyprus is represented by 25 universities with 780 study programs, and the country is ranked 46th in the World Education Ranking.
There are 14 universities located in the capital city Nicosia, while Famagusta and Limassol have 3 each.
Universities in Cyprus offer higher education with affordable fees and a warm climate in an EU member country. While Cyprus is known for its tourism sector, the country invests a considerable amount in its education system. Cyprus spends more than 7% of its GDP on education, the third-highest share in the European Union after Denmark and Sweden.
The most popular programmes offered by universities in Cyprus are Hospitality Business and Tourism, although the list of all available programs is by no means limited to these ones.
Although Cyprus is a member of the EU and the Bologna system, most schools and colleges are based on the American education system, which allows students to choose their academic load and vary their course schedules.
Affordable Costs
On average, tuition fees in Cyprus range between 3,400 and 8,000 Euros per year, or at around 314 Euros per module.
All major universities and colleges have their own dormitories, and the monthly accommodation cost amounts to 150 EUR. Renting apartments is also a viable option for many students, although it costs more than staying at a dormitory.
Attracting International Students
Around 25,000 students are studying at the universities in Cyprus, and international students make up at least 30% of them. Several international colleges and universities in Cyprus offer dual degree programs, fully accredited by the UK and USA partner universities.
Entry requirements of universities in Cyprus are the same as those of the European ones. Candidates must have a certificate of complete secondary education as well as a good level of English (proven by TOEFL or IELTS scores). In addition, colleges offer a wide range of language courses for those who could not get the required number of credits in English due to various reasons.
Cyprus Student Visa
International students from non-EU countries need a student visa for entry to Cyprus. Student visas are issued only to full-time international students. A full-time student is one who takes a minimum of 12 credits in a semester.
Usually, international students from non-EU countries are not allowed to work during their studies in Cyprus. Exceptions are made by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus for certain courses.
The international student has the right to invite his/her friends and relatives from abroad to Cyprus as guests under the condition he/she can secure a bank deposit of 300 Cyprus Pound for each invited person.
The Top 3 Universities in Cyprus
The top 3 Cyprus universities according to international rankings are Cyprus University of Technology, University of Cyprus and University of Nicosia.
University of Nicosia
Being the largest university in Cyprus, University of Nicosia was established in 1980 and there are more than 12,000 students. The university also has study centers in Athens, Bucharest and New York. In 2014, UNIC became the first university in the world to offer a Master of Science in Digital Currency and the first educational institution to accept Bitcoin for tuition payment. UNIC is the first university in the European Union to receive a 5-star rating for Online/Distance Learning.
Cyprus University of Technology
Established in 2004, in Limassol, Cyprus University of Technology consists of six faculties and a Language Learning Center. The university was ranked 57th in the top new universities in the world by Times Higher Education Young Universities in 2020 while the Department of Nursing of the university was ranked in top 150 among the best universities in the world.
University of Cyprus
Located in Nicosia, University of Cyprus was established in 1989 and has approximately 7000 students. There are eight faculties in the university. According to the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities the University of Cyprus ranks 304th in Europe.
