Higher education in Cyprus is provided at university and non-university level, in public and private institutions of higher education. In the academic year 2012/13, there are three state and five private universities in operation, while at the non-university level there are five public and twenty-five private institutions in operation. Overall responsibility for the higher education sector lies with the Ministry of Education and Culture, except for the public non-university level institutions which come under the remit of other ministries. 

Public universities include the University of Cyprus, established in 1989 by Law 144/1989; the Open University of Cyprus, established in 2002 by Law 234(I)/2002; and, the Cyprus University of Technology, established in 2003 by Law 198(I)/2003. The official languages of the universities are Greek and Turkish, the official languages of the Republic of Cyprus. Public universities offer programmes at Batchelor, Master and Doctoral level. The Open University offers short courses in the lifelong learning sector as well.   

Plans for the creation of the School of Marine Science and Technology of the University of Cyprus in Larnaca    

On July 16,2020 the Minister of Education, Culture, Athletics and Youth informed the Parliamentary Committee of Education, Sport and Youth (MESY) on the willingness of the Ministry to continue with the plans of the creation of the School of Marine Science and Technology of the University of Cyprus in Larnaca. The project will be included in the budget of 2022 since the cost is considerably high (€120 million) and cannot be included in the budget of the coming year 2021.

Private universities include the 109(I)/2005 which is the governing legislation for private universities, providing for their establishment, operation and control. Private universities offer programs at Bachelor, Master and, from 2010, Ph.D. level. The language of instruction is Greek or English.

Non-university level public institutions include the Forestry College, the Mediterranean Institute of Management, the Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus, the Tourist Guides School and the Police Academy. They are operating under different ministries, which are fully responsible for the organization and the regulation of each institution. The general aim of each institution is to train professionals in their respective fields, in order to satisfy the needs of the local industry in Cyprus. The language of instruction is Greek or English.

Non-university level private institutions are registered with the Ministry of Education and Culture which is responsible for their supervision. The establishment, operation, and control of private institutions is governed by Law 67(I)/1996. Private institutions offer vocational and academic programs at various levels of study, such as the Certificate level (one-year duration), the Diploma level (two-year duration), the Higher Diploma level (three-year duration), the Bachelor level (four-year duration) and the Master level (one-year or two-year duration). Fields of study cover Secretarial Studies, Business Administration, Banking, Accountancy, Hotel Management, Computers, and Engineering. The language of instruction is Greek or English.

The organization of the academic year for each institution of higher education is provided in the respective governing Law. In the case of public universities, it is decided by the University Council. The schedule of classes of the programs of study of each public non-university level institution is determined by the Minister responsible, based on the recommendation of the Council of the institution. As for private institutions, either of a university or non-university level, the organization of the academic year is governed by internal regulations set by the Council of the institution. In most of the cases, the academic year begins on 1st September and ends on 15th July. It is normally structured in two semesters, the first starting in September and ending with exams in January, and the second starting in January/February with exams in May. 

Higher education policy objectives, as expressed in official documents of the Ministry of Education and Culture are mainly two: To fulfill the local needs for higher education and to establish Cyprus as a regional center for education and research.  The Government’s research expenditure target, as expressed in the Strategic Development Plan 2007-2013, was to reach 1% of GDP by 2010 with the ultimate goal of achieving the Lisbon Strategy goal of 3% at a later stage with the contribution of the private sector.  

The higher education system in Cyprus is shaped by the European Higher Education Area as outlined by the Bologna Process. In line with the Bologna main objectives, the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and the Diploma Supplement are used by all public universities and most of the other institutions. Two independent bodies are responsible for quality assurance – the Council for Educational Evaluation and Accreditation (SEKAP), which is responsible for the evaluation and accreditation of programs of study of non-university level private institutions in Cyprus, and the Cyprus Council for the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications (KYSATS), which is responsible for the recognition of qualifications awarded by institutions of higher education in Cyprus and abroad.

Student enrollment

From the CYSTAT table “Cypriot Students Studying Abroad by Country of Study”, the total number of Cypriot tertiary students abroad in 2022/23 is: 

Approximately 20,000 Cypriot students abroad

Mobile Higher Education Students from Abroad by Country of Origin (EU/Third Countries), Level and Gender, Annual

This figure comes from summing all countries in the CYSTAT table for the academic year 2022/23. The largest destinations remain:

• Greece
• United Kingdom
• Other EU countries
• USA & third countries

This aligns with long‑term patterns where Cyprus has one of the highest outbound student mobility rates in Europe.

Using the same CYSTAT dataset:

• Total tertiary students (Cyprus + abroad): approximately 54,000
• Cypriot students abroad:  approximately 20,000
• Cypriot students in Cyprus:  approximately 34,000
• So roughly 37% of Cypriot tertiary students study abroad and 63% study in Cyprus

This matches the pattern reported in EU and UNESCO datasets.

Examinations in Distance Learning Programs 

The Council of the Quality Assurance and Certification Body of Higher Education (Φορέας Διασφάλισης και Πιστοποίησης της Ποιότητας της Ανώτερης Εκπαίδευσης - Δι.Π.Α.Ε.) at its 32nd Session, held on July 2 and 3, 2018, decided and informed the higher education institutions offering distance learning programs that all courses in a distance program should have a final examination which students have to take at certified training centers in Cyprus or abroad. 

Core National Objectives for Higher Education in Cyprus

The government’s strategic plan identifies several overarching goals that guide all higher education reforms.
Quality Enhancement of Higher Education
Cyprus aims to strengthen academic standards across public and private universities.
This includes:

• Improving internal and external quality assurance mechanisms
• Updating legislation on quality assurance (e.g., 2015 Quality Assurance Law)
• Ensuring programs meet international accreditation standards
• Internationalization of the Higher Education System
• Internationalization is described as a main pillar of the national strategy.
   

Key actions include:

• Expanding English language undergraduate programs in public universities
• Attracting international students
• Strengthening Cyprus as a regional education hub
• Alignment with Labor Market and Economic Development Needs
• The strategic plan emphasizes linking higher education with Cyprus’ economic priorities.

This involves:

• Designing programs that match labor market skills needs
• Promoting research and innovation that support national development
• Encouraging university–industry collaboration
• Governance and Funding Modernization
   

The government seeks to improve the efficiency and sustainability of higher education institutions through:

• Rationalization of public university budgets
• Inter ministerial coordination on funding
• Modernization of the Private Universities Law (2005)
• Expanding Access and Student Support

The Ministry’s broader mission includes ensuring:

• Equal access to higher education 
• Inclusive policies for all learners
• Support for lifelong learning
  
  The above objectives Fit Together since Cyprus is positioning itself as a regional higher education center, combining:
   
• high academic quality,
• strong international presence,
• modern governance, and

• alignment with economic development.

  
  The 2024–2025 reforms (especially the introduction of foreign language undergraduate programs in public universities) are considered historic steps in this direction.
   

The prospects of Higher education in Cyprus

The Minister of Education in an article dated July 31st, 2023, refers to the Higher Education planning in Cyprus, which has developed extremely rapidly in the last fifteen years, and has become an international regional center of university education, in recent years, since both foreign and Cypriot investors have chosen to invest in Higher Education in Cyprus, with 12 Universities registered in the Register of Private Universities and more than 40 Schools of Higher Education.
According to the latest data of its Mapping Field of Higher Education of Cyprus, conducted by the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (YPAN), the total number of students in Cyprus, during the academic year 2021-22, is over 60,000.
The main priority of the Ministry of Education is the interconnection of Higher Education with the labor market. It is worth noting, in this context, that for the first time the scientifically documented interconnection of the offered Study Programs of the Higher Education Institutions of Cyprus with the labor market is being attempted.
Another goal that the Ministry has set, is the Internationalization of Higher Education in Cyprus with the aim of attracting foreign students as well as young researchers. For this purpose, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organizes information days in target countries and participates in International Educational Reports to promote Cyprus as an ideal study destination.
Ensuring and improving the quality of Higher Education in Cyprus is another key priority. The establishment and operation of the Agency (DIPAE) is very important, because now both Public and Private Universities, as well as Schools of Higher Education, submit all their study programs for evaluation and certification of their quality, which is done by International Committees of experts of known prestige on the basis of quality criteria that are harmonized with the criteria of International Organizations for the Certification of the Quality of Higher Education.
Another important parameter, which has been included in the Ministry's priorities, is the modernization of the legal framework governing Higher Education in Cyprus, where deemed necessary, so that the country's institutions operate on the basis of modern, simple, flexible and decentralized procedures and at the same time, to ensure their quality and accountability.
The minister concludes that Higher Education in Cyprus is a dynamic area that is constantly transforming, evolving and seeking to keep up with modern social, economic and technological data. On the basis of the strategic planning of the Ministry, and in cooperation with all the agencies involved, the development course of Higher Education in Cyprus will continue and the country will be a center of academic excellence, research and innovation.