7.2.2 Short-cycle higher education

Branches of Study
Short-cycle programmes of study at the undergraduate level are offered by three public and twenty-five private, non-university level institutions in Cyprus. Each of the three public institutions comes under the remit of a ministry other than the Ministry of Education and Culture. Private institutions are registered with the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Branches of study at the public institutes aim to offer high-level education and training and to produce high-calibre professionals in each respective field according to the needs of labour market in Cyprus, as follows:
• The Higher Hotel Institute offers a two-year diploma course in Hotel and Catering Operations (course offered in both Greek and English); and, a three-year higher diploma course in Culinary Arts (course offered in both Greek and English);
• The Cyprus Forestry College offers a three-year diploma course in Forestry aiming to provide theoretical and practical training at the technical level in the general principles of Forestry and Forestry Practice. The College also offers two courses for qualified overseas students - a six-month post diploma course leading to the award of the Higher Diploma in Forestry, and a short training course leading to the award of the Certificate in Forestry;
• The Cyprus Police Academy offers a three-year programme aiming to provide theoretical and practical training to police constables, leading to the award of a Diploma.
Non-university level private institutions of higher education offer short-cycle vocational and academic programmes, either at the Certificate level (one-year duration), the Diploma level (two-year duration) and the Higher Diploma level (three-year duration). Fields of study cover Secretarial Studies, Business Administration, Banking, Accountancy, Hotel Management, Computers and Engineering.
The programs of study of the public institutions are approved by the Council of Ministers. The programs of study of private institutes are accredited by the Council for Educational Evaluation and Accreditation – SEKAP.

Admission Requirements
As provided in the governing law for tertiary education (Law N. 67(I)/1996), the number of students in each public institution is determined by a decision of the Council of Ministers, upon the recommendation of the responsible Minister. A school-leaving certificate from a secondary school in Cyprus or an equivalent qualification from abroad is a prerequisite for admission. In addition, all institutions running three-year diploma courses allocate potential students on the basis of the results obtained at the Pancyprian Examinations.
Private institutions set their own criteria for admission. A school leaving certificate of secondary education or equivalent qualification is a prerequisite. 
 

Curriculum
Programs of study of the public institutions are determined by the Council of Ministers based on the recommendation of the Minister responsible for the institution. Programmes of study of the private institutions are accredited by the Council for Educational Evaluation and Accreditation – SEKAP.

Teaching Methods
Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials and practical training. Deciding on the teaching methods to be followed is the responsibility of the teacher.
Progression of Students
Progression of students is based on the relevant regulations of each institution. Students are promoted on the precondition that they have obtained at least the minimum pass mark (usually 50 %) in all prescribed evaluations and have attended at least a minimum required percentage of the programme (ranging from 75 % to 100 % in the different institutions). If a student fails an examination, he/she is required to resit it. The number of times that a student is permitted to resit an examination differs from one institution to the other. If a student fails all resits, he/she is not permitted to continue his/her studies.
 

Employability
Careers Offices operating in higher education institutions provide information on employment and career prospects. Although no official responsibility is taken by the institutions for the employment of their graduates, the guidance and counselling that are on offer, very often lead to the placement of graduates in appropriate positions in their field in the public or private sectors. 

Student Assessment
Every institution of higher education has an organised system of student assessment. Students are assessed internally by the teaching staff of the institution. Additional examinations set by external bodies are conducted only in the Cyprus Forestry College.
Assessment methods include written and/or oral examinations at the mid-term or the end of a semester, continuous assessment focused on the student’s active participation, laboratory exercises, written or practical assignments, projects and dissertations. Written examinations are set by all the institutions.
 

Certification
Certification is the responsibility of each institution of higher education. Upon successful completion of the programme of studies the institution awards its own diploma. According to Law 68(I)/1996, the diplomas awarded by the public institutions are recognised by KYSATS. The degrees of private institutions are not recognised unless they have been accredited by SEKAP. 
 

Organisational Variations
There are no unusual variations or alternative structures in short-cycle higher education.

Data for Pancyprian Entrance Exams 2025

The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY) announces the statistics that have arisen based on the candidates' applications for participation in the Pancyprian Entrance Exams 2025.

Participation in the Pancyprian Entrance Exams 2025

The examinations service of the higher education directorate of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY) announces that the candidate cards for participation in the Pancyprian entrance exams 2025 are available at electronic platform https://ksa.schools.ac.cy. 
All candidates, if they have not already done so, are invited to print from the "receiving documents" section, the candidate's form, to present it at the respective examination center where they will be examined during the days of the exams. Together with the candidate's card, candidates should also present to the examination center the official document (id card or passport) of which the number appears on the candidate's form.
Also, the reply letters have been posted on the same electronic platform of the special committee for the provision of facilities. All candidate stakeholders are invited to print this letter and present it to the head of the examination center during the days of their examinations, to ensure the granting of the approved facilities.
All candidates are invited to carefully study the guidelines for candidates (ANNEX), which are also posted on the electronic platform (Useful links).
For more information and/or problems, interested parties can call the examination service at 22582933 and 22582934 phones or send an email to: panexams@schools.ac.cy.

Pancyprian Access Examinations 2025 - Table of Specifications

The Examinations Service of the Directorate of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth (MESY) announces that in accordance with paragraph 2 of the Article 12 of the Pancyprian examinations for access to higher education and higher education institutions of Cyprus and Greece laws of 2017 to 2022, has been posted on the website of the Pancyprian Access Examinations (https://panexams.moec.gov.cy) the table of specifications of each examinee
course of the Pancyprian Access Examinations 2025.
All information regarding the Pancyprian Access Examinations 2025 will be included in the Pancyprian Access Examinations Guide 2025, which is expected to be released by the end of January 2025.
 

Pancyprian Entrance Exams 2024

The Examination Service of the Directorate of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth announces that according to paragraph 2 of article 12 on the conduct of the Pan-Cypriot Entrance Examinations to Higher Education and Higher Educational Institutions of Cyprus and Greece laws of 2017 until 2022, the Table of Specifications of each examination essay of Pancyprian Entrance Examinations 2024, has been posted on the Pancyprian Entrance Examinations website. 
All information regarding the 2024 Pan-Cypriot Entrance Examinations will be included in the 2024 Pancyprian Access Exam Guide, which is expected to be released by the end of January 2024.