Cyprus University

The law stipulating the establishment of the University of Cyprus was passed by the House of Representatives in 1989. The University admitted its first students in 1992. Today it offers programs of study at the first (Ptychio), second (Masters) and third (Doctorate) cycle level. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is applied to all programs. The University of Cyprus issues the Diploma Supplement since 2004. A first cycle program consists of 4 academic years of full time study (240 ECTS) and leads to the award of a Ptychio. Each academic year consists of two semesters. In parallel to attending a first cycle program, a student may enroll in a minor program consisting of 60 ECTS. A minor program may be completed within the normal duration of the first cycle programme (4 academic years) provided that the student will be in a position to undertake a heavier workload than normally and given that some courses could count both towards the minor and the major programme of studies.

The Apolyterion (School Leaving Certificate) or equivalent qualification is a prerequisite for access to a first cycle programme. The competitive entrance examinations, the Pancyprian Examinations, rank the candidates for admission to a particular programme. Admission of special categories of students, over and above the quota for standard entry, is done through special University procedures on the basis of social, economic and other criteria. Admission to a minor programme is done through internal procedures of the Departments offering the programmes.

A second cycle programme (Masters programme) consists of three to four semesters of full time study (90-120 ECTS credits), and leads to the award of a Magister Artium Degree or Magister Scientae Degree. A thesis is not an obligatory component of second cycle programmes. In case there is a thesis, the workload corresponding to it cannot be more than half of the overall workload of the programme. The minimal qualification for admission to a second cycle (Masters programme) is a Ptychio or equivalent qualification.

A third cycle programme (Doctorate programme) has a duration of 3 to 8 academic years and leads to the award of a Didactoriko (Doctor of Philosophy Degree). A Doctorate programme consists of postgraduate courses corresponding to at least 60 ECTS credits, a comprehensive examination, presentation of a research proposal to a three-member Committee, and the defense of an original research Thesis in front of a five-member Examination Committee, comprising at least one external member. The minimum qualification for admission to a third cycle degree is a Ptychio or equivalent qualification. A doctorate student that has a Magister or equivalent degree may be partially or fully exempted from the required courses.