Does over 300 days of sunshine a year and a summer stretching from May to October, with a Mediterranean climate sound like your perfect study abroad destination? With its rich natural beauty, unique vegetation, golden beaches, and clear waters, Cyprus is ready to accompany you to make your educational and social life abroad a unique experience.
Does over 300 days of sunshine a year and a summer stretching from May to October, with a Mediterranean climate sound like your perfect study abroad destination? With its rich natural beauty, unique vegetation, golden beaches, and clear waters, Cyprus is ready to accompany you to make your educational and social life abroad a unique experience. Besides its beautiful landscape, Cyprus is also becoming a center of education in the region with the help of investments from large international organizations.
Cyprus is an island divided into northern and southern parts. The northern part is led by Turkey and it is called the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and Southern Cyprus is led by Greece and it is called the Republic of Cyprus. Cyprus is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, located in the south of Turkey. Northern Cyprus is located in the northeastern part of the island of Cyprus. Although the two countries of Northern and Southern Cyprus are on the same island and connected, their laws, culture, and even language are different from each other.
Studying in Cyprus, you will make friends from all over the world at whichever of the Cyprian universities you choose to attend. As Cyprus is located at the crossroad of Africa, Asia, and Europe it has experienced many different cultures through time. Be prepared for a diverse explosion of culture as you enter this beautiful Mediterranean island. Are you curious to learn more? Read through our Study Abroad in Cyprus Guide and learn whether this gorgeous country is the right fit for your international studies.
Cyprus – Quick facts & figures
| Capital | Nicosia |
| Language | Turkish, Greek, and English |
| Population | 1.212.770 million |
| Area Size | 9,251 km² |
| Students (International students) | 21,000 |
| Academic Year | September – June |
| Currency | Euro and Turkish Lira (TL) |
| Calling Code | +357 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 |
More about studying abroad in Cyprus
Studying in Cyprus may be interesting for many students, as in addition to the well-ranked universities in the country, the cost of studying in Cyprus is also very reasonable. Cyprus provides a great opportunity for students to study in different fields such as finance, art, music, and medical and paramedical fields. One of the most important things that make studying in Cyprus ideal for many students is the possibility of studying medicine entrance exam to be accepted in this field.
Higher education in Cyprus is provided in both public and private institutions. The Department of Higher Tertiary Education (DAAE) in Cyprus has taken big measures to increase funding, research, and interest for higher education. The DAAE also established a Council of Educational Evaluation-Accreditation which aims to keep a constant level of education in Cyprus and make sure that infrastructure and equipment live up to these standards. Since Cyprus became a member of the EU in 2004 the role of higher education in the country has grown even bigger and the Open University of Cyprus has opened its doors.
Students can choose from different institutions of higher education at which to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree. On average, a bachelor’s degree will take four years, while a master’s can be completed in one to two years. The length it takes to complete a doctorate degree varies widely, but on average, it can take anywhere from three to five years.
If that sounds at all interesting to you, join the over twenty thousand students for an adventure of a lifetime in Cyprus!
Education System in Cyprus
The education system in Cyprus offers three degrees: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. Cyprus offers a wide-range of degree programs in numerous fields and disciplines. As an international student, you are welcome to complete all or part of your education in Cyprus. Like other countries, there are both public and private universities.
The bachelor’s degree in Cyprus is four years. To study at the undergraduate level, it is necessary to have a diploma along with transcripts. Students must pass at least 250 credits in this course. To study in Cyprus for a bachelor’s degree, one must offer IELTS 5.5 or 6. Of course, studying in Cyprus is also possible without a language degree. In that case, the student’s English level will be determined, through a language test, and depending on their level, an English language course will be held for him/her in Cyprus.
The Master’s degree in Cyprus follows a two-year education system that consists of four semesters. People who want to study for a master’s degree must have a bachelor’s degree related to their field of study. To enter the universities of Cyprus as a postgraduate student you do not need to pass a special exam and admission is based on the student’s academic record. Master’s degree, as well as a doctorate degree in Cyprus, is in English, but an English language degree is not required. If you have an IELTS 6.5 degree or equivalent, you will not be required to take a language test. The list of master’s degree programs at the University of Cyprus is so extensive that all applicants can study in a field of interest that matches their educational background.
Studying for a doctorate in Cyprus is often done through research, and like the world standard system, it consists of eight courses and a dissertation. Therefore, it takes three to five years to complete a doctorate at a Cyprus university. In order to study for a doctorate, it is necessary for an applicant to provide the necessary documents, including a master’s degree.
Another reason to study in Cyprus, is to pursue business studies. An MBA in Cyprus is highly sought after, as Cyprus is a promising financial power in the Mediterranean region, with strong business bonds to the Arab World and the Far East.
Student Visas & Permits
EU/EEA/EFTA national EU nationals and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland don’t require a student visa. However, they will need a residence permit if their intended stay exceeds three months. Non-EU/EEA/EFTA national Who needs to apply for a visa to study in Cyprus?
EU/EEA/EFTA national
EU nationals and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland don’t require a student visa. However, they will need a residence permit if their intended stay exceeds three months.
Non-EU/EEA/EFTA national
Who needs to apply for a visa to study in Cyprus? You need a Cyprus student visa if you are not a citizen of EU/EEA/Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland (EFTA) or want to study in Cyprus for a period longer than 90 days.
Student Visa Procedure in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Keep in mind that all foreign students are required to obtain a student permit within 90 days of entry into TRC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). Upon arrival into TRNC, submit your university acceptance or invitation document to the migration officer to get a student entry visa that is valid for 90 days. After obtaining a student entry visa, you must complete your student registration process for the university. Once you have completed your university registration, you will need to start enrolling in the Online Immigration System at Northern Cyprus Immigration Office.
Student Visa Procedure in the Republic of Cyprus (Southern Cyprus)
Before leaving your home country, all foreign students must make sure to bring:
- A Cyprus entry visa application form fully completed and signed.
- Letter of acceptance from the Cyprus educational institution.
- Four (4) passport-size photographs, taken in front of a white background.
- Money in cash for the accommodation and living expenses.
- Certificate of police clearance from police authorities in your country.
- Travel health insurance.
- Your Passport, which must be valid for at least one (1) year from the day of entry into Cyprus.
- After you enter Cyprus, you are also required to undergo a medical examination.
The university at which you have been accepted should also provide guidance for international students trying to obtain a study permit. All documents should be in English. Otherwise, they will need to be translated by a certified translator. It is recommended that you double-check these procedures with the Embassy of Cyprus in your country before leaving to enter Cyprus. As the expected processing time for a study permit can vary depending on your country of origin, it’s recommended that you apply for a study permit well in advance. So, whatever you do, don’t leave it to the last minute!
Tuition Fees & Scholarships
Tuition fees in Cyprus vary by institution and province, but the cost is generally more affordable when compared to other countries around the world. The level of tuition fees depends on the type of study program and its duration.
Tuition fees in Cyprus vary by institution and province, but the cost is generally more affordable when compared to other countries around the world. The level of tuition fees depends on the type of study program and its duration. Therefore, it is important that you inquire directly with the higher education institution you are interested in for accurate information regarding tuition fees.
Tuition fees are determined by universities. The annual cost of studying at a university in Cyprus for undergraduate degree programs vary from a range of approximately 3,000 EUR to 13,000 EUR. If you want to study at the postgraduate level, the cost will vary from 5,000 EUR to 10,000 EUR. If you want to study Medicine and Dentistry, expect tuition fees to be reasonably higher, from 10,000 EUR to 22,000 EUR. Lastly, if you are interested in studying at the doctoral level in Cyprus, the cost will be approximately 7,000 EUR or higher.
Depending on your country of origin, this may sound expensive. The fact is, non-EU/EEA/EFTA (EU nationals and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) students are likely to pay more than those from the European Union/EEA/EFTA.
If you wish to apply for a scholarship, you must be aware that Cyprus offers several scholarships annually to international students. Scholarships in Cyprus are generally either from the government or the university. These scholarships are offered at various undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Scholarships are offered to a limited number of students each year. Receiving a scholarship in Cyprus requires applicants to meet the conditions announced by the university or the government, and these conditions and requirements vary depending on the field of study. To receive a scholarship in Cyprus, you can visit the websites of various universities in the country and submit your application for consideration, or find a supervisor in this country to have your application accepted, and send you a letter of acceptance.
If you’re still worried about money, you can also strategically plan where you will study in Cyprus, as the cost to study varies across provinces. For example, the cheapest province to study in is Northern Cyprus, as currency is the Turkish Lira (TL), so prices are approximately 30% cheaper than in Euro-zone (EUR) countries and southern Cyprus.