Academic Year

The academic year begins on 1 September and ends on 31 August. At the University of Cyprus and the Public Schools of Tertiary Education, instruction is offered between September and May and it is divided in two semesters. At the Private Schools of Tertiary Education instruction is offered between October and June and is also divided in two semesters. Some Private Schools of Tertiary Education offer summer courses as well.

Entry Requirements

All students who hold a school leaving certificate from as six-year secondary institution or its equivalent are eligible for application, but the following have to be noted:

• For a position at the University of Cyprus, the Technical University of Cyprus or the Public Schools of Tertiary Education the selection of candidates is based on the applicants' success in the Entrance Examinations set by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus.
• For overseas students who wish to study at the University of Cyprus or at the Public Schools of Tertiary Education, usually G.C.E. or G.C.S.E. credentials are taken into consideration but it must be noted that it is required that the candidate is competent in the language the courses are taught in. Entrance criteria in the case of international students who want to apply may also be set by the department the student is interested in. The University of Cyprus may also set special examinations for overseas students.
• For entry in the Private Schools of Tertiary Education requirements vary according to the institution and usually include proof of good knowledge of English, since English is the language of instruction

Qualifications

Students are required to hold a school-leaving certificate to be eligible for entrance to both Public and Private Schools of Tertiary Education.

Languages

The official languages of the University of Cyprus and the Technical University of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish and overseas students who are candidates are required to have good knowledge of either of the two. Note that there are departments, like the English Studies Department in which the language of instruction is English.

In the case of Public Schools of Tertiary Education, three of them (The Higher Technical Institute, The Higher Hotel Institute and the Mediterranean Institute Management) are English speaking and require proof of competency in English (Toefl, GCE, GCSE etc).

All private Universities and other Institutions of Tertiary Education are English speaking, and require proof of competency in English (Toefl, GCE, GCSE etc). Many schools offer English Language Foundation Courses. There are some programs of study that use the Greek language, and in this case, competency in Greek is required.

Tuiton Fees

At the University of Cyprus and the Technical University of Cyprus fees total EUR 3500 per year for Cypriot undergraduate students and are paid by the State. For students who are admitted from EU member states the fees total EUR 3500. Fees for students coming from countries other than the EU member states, total EUR 8000 per year. Postgraduate fees have been defined as follows: EUR 200 per credit for the taught stage, EUR 750 per semester during the research stage, and CYP200 per semester during the dissertation stage.

As regards public school of tertiary education, the student tuition fees range from EUR 1700 - 3000 per year. Cypriot students receive a government grant for their tuition and therefore pay no fees. International students, however, pay tuition fees.

Tuition fees for private tertiary education institutions range from EUR 2500 to approximately EUR 7000 per academic year and these are paid by the students. For the Master's level, tuition and fees range from EUR 7500 to EUR 15000.

Academic Recognition

Cyprus recognizes the entry qualifications of other European countries under the European Convention and supplementary protocol on the equivalence of diplomas leading to admission to universities.

Recognition Final Qualifications

Information on the recognition of Cyprus higher-education qualifications in other EU countries can be obtained from the NARIC centers. KY. S.A.T.S (Council for the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications) is the competent authority responsible for the recognition of Titles (or Degrees). It serves the role of the National Recognition Information Center (NARIC) for Cyprus.

Final Qualifications

After successfully completing the studies required and depending on the institution and the length of studies the student may receive the following:

• Certificate (one year of study)
• Diploma (two years of study)
• Higher Diploma (three years of study)
• First Degree (Ptyhio) (four years of study)
• Master's Degree (one to two years of study and a Ptyhio are required)
• PhD (three years minimum and a Master's Degree are required)

Grants

The families of both undergraduate and postgraduate Cypriot students, in Public Schools of Tertiary Education, who pay fees, receive a EUR3000 grant from the State. Families of students who don't have to pay fees receive a EUR1700 grant from the state. An additional amount of EUR 850 is added to the grant if the student comes from a large family.

In private tertiary education, scholarships are offered to excellent local students entering such institutions. Grants are given by the institutions to students who excel academically or in sports in the course of their studies and to students facing serious financial difficulties. In certain cases the government supports students belonging to groups with special financial needs.

Exceptional students at the University of Cyprus and the Public Schools of Tertiary Education may also receive significant financial support by the Foundation of State Scholarships or other organisations. The scholarships are offered by the Foundation of State Scholarships for each academic year to those students who graduate from high school with a grade point average of 20/20 or 19/20 or to those who score the highest score, among those competing for a position in a particular program of study, at the university entrance examinations.

A number of bursaries are offered to foreign students in public and private higher education institutions.

Health Insurance

EU citizens can receive free outpatient or inpatient treatment in Cyprus with a European Health Insurance Card. However, this covers only essential treatment and not routine treatment.

Accommodation and Living

Accommodation and living expenses for students studying in Nicosia (the capital of Cyprus) and renting a flat (i.e., not living in student residence halls on campus) are about EUR 750, with about half of this amount allocated for rent and the remainder for food, entertainment, and incidental expenses. Expenses are considerably lower in the other towns of Cyprus (Larnaca and Limassol) where tertiary institutions operate, primarily due to lower rents.

All institutions operate student residence facilities on their campuses,. Prospective students are advised to inquire directly with the institutions in which they are interested on whether they provide residence facilities, and what the costs are.

Futher Information, Advice and Guidance on living and studying in Cyprus

Please contact Euroguidance Centre Cyprus at:

Euroguidance Centre Cyprus

Department of Labour

Klimentos 9,

1480 Nicosia

Cyprus

Phone: +357-22-400802 and +357-22-400820

Fax: +357-22-400809

E-mail: nrcg@dl.mlsi.gov.cy