Study in Cyprus: A Complete Guide

Cyprus is a small island country with several public and private universities. These universities offer a number of programs, as well as dual degree programs, accredited by UK and US partner universities. Some of the top universities in Cyprus are as follows - 

Public universities - 

• University of Cyprus
• Open University of Cyprus
• Cyprus University of Technology 

Private universities - 

• European University Cyprus 
• Frederick University 
• Neapolis University
• University of Central Lancashire Cyprus (UCLan Cyprus) 
• University of Nicosia 
• Philips University 

The universities in Cyprus offer a variety of courses in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. You can study courses in Cyprus in the field of information technology, business management, hospitality, computer science, medical programs, etc. The most popular courses in Cyprus are Business Administration and Hospitality. The duration of the course can be between one year to four years depending on the course load and level. The courses offered are multilingual, with most courses offered in English. 

The admission requirements for each university will vary. Though most universities do not ask for English language proficiency test scores, private universities generally ask for the same. Consequently, you can also take the university’s English proficiency test on campus. In some exceptions, post-graduate courses offered by public universities might also ask for TOEFL/IELTS scores. 

As an example, we have mentioned the admission requirements to a graduate program at the University of Cyprus (public university). 

Admission requirements - 

• University degree from a recognized institution in the home country. 
• Online application through the application system of the university. 
• Two signed Letters of Recommendation in sealed envelopes. Some graduate programs might require three reference letters. Before submitting, refer to the department website for the number of letters to be submitted. 
• Copies of the university degree. 
• Transcripts of the degree. 
• CV
• Statement of Purpose or a short statement of a maximum of two pages describing research goals and interests. 
• For admission to select postgraduate courses, English proficiency is required. Students can submit a TOEFL (iBT) minimum score of 92 or IELTS with a minimum average score of 6.5. 

Admission requirements of a private university might include a few more documents and additional steps. For example, admission requirements for Cyprus International University include -

• Scanned copies of international birth certificate/passport
• After submitting the application online, students are offered a conditional admission letter. 
• An initial payment of 1,500 Euros is required, after which an Unconditional Offer Letter will be issued via email. 

The admission requirements should be cross-checked with the department website. 

Education in Cyprus is affordable and cheap with only a few thousand Euros a year. A Bachelor's student can expect a tuition fee of 3500 Euros a year. A student in the domain of business and computer can expect a tuition fee of 3540 Euros, approximately. Masters degrees can cost anywhere between 2500 Euros to 8000 Euros a year.  

→  The cost of living will depend more on your spending habits. Living in Cyprus is comparatively cheaper. To give you an idea, the basic cost of a few amenities is listed below - 

• Rent in a shared flat - 332 Euros per month
• Utilities - 44 Euros per month
• Internet Subscription - 39 Euros per month
• Transportation - 40 Euros per month

In all, you can expect to spend 400 Euros to 650 Euros per month on living expenses. 

Financing your education in Cyprus won’t be a painful affair as the cost is very affordable. Scholarships are a good source of funding as they can cover up to 40% of the tuition fees. Banks may or may not give education loans to study in Cyprus. Therefore, you should apply for scholarships offered by the universities, as well as external organizations. 

What is the Student visa process for Cyprus? 

International students need to apply for a student visa to study in Cyprus. They should be enrolled full-time in a course with at least 12 credits per semester. Student visas can be issued either by an Embassy/High Commission/ Consulate of the Republic of Cyprus in the candidate’s home country or by the Migration Department in Cyprus. 
Some of the documents required for the visa application are as follows - 

• Fully completed application form
• Application Fee (15-30 Cyprus Pounds) 
• Passport size photographs -Four
• Attested academic records
• Valid passport - it should be valid for at least one year, starting from the date of arrival in Cyprus. 

Apart from the above-mentioned documents, students will be asked to showcase a Certificate of good conduct, documents pertaining to financial guarantee for one academic year (tuition fee and living expenses), at the time of their visa interview. Apply for the student visa at least 2 - 3 months before your course start date as the processing will take at least a month. 

In a recent directive, international students are now allowed to engage in paid economical work for up to 20 hours per week, in specific sectors of economic activities. Students should make sure they fulfill the eligibility requirements for the same and are not in violation of any of the provisions. The work hours should not clash with the study hours. 

GyanDhan has partnered with the best counselors to help you optimize your profile. The experts will help you shortlist the universities as per your needs, apply to various universities, as well as optimize your Statement of Purpose for the best chances of admission. 

GyanDhan works tirelessly to make your abroad education experience smooth by offering guidance at every step. Contact us today to start your abroad education journey the right way.