Policy objectives and relevant legislation provide for a quality assurance system for Higher Education in Cyprus within which educational Institutions will be driven to enhance quality and establish an internal quality culture. Quality assurance is considered as a key issue for the Bologna Process and the EU Modernisation Agenda for Higher Education. It is also considered important towards the fulfilment of the government’s aim to establish Cyprus as a regional education centre for Higher Education.
The relevant legislation consists of the following laws. These laws are amended according to needs and changes that arise:

• The private universities (establishment, operation and control) Laws of 2005- 2011 
• The institutions of Tertiary Education Laws οf 1996-2019
• The University of Cyprus Laws of 1989-2025
• Cyprus University of Technology Laws of 2003-2025
• The Open University of Cyprus Laws of 2002-2019
• Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education and the Establishment and Operation of an Agency on Related Matters Laws of 2015 - 2024
• The Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications and the Provision of Information Laws of 1996-2016

Internal Evaluation of the Institutions of Higher Education

Internal evaluation takes place in the form of self-evaluation carried out by institutions of Higher Education, according to relevant legislation.

External Evaluation of the Institutions οf Higher Education

The following bodies or authorities are responsible for external quality assurance in Higher Education in Cyprus:
I. The Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth
The Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth supervises and controls, through various means, the implementation of relevant legislation by the Institutions οf Higher Education.
II. The Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA)
The CYQAA was established in 2015, and it has, among others, the following competencies:
Institutional, departmental and programmatic evaluation and accreditation of the institutions of Higher Education.
Quality assurance in Higher Education based on the European Standards.
The evaluation and accreditation of cross-border forms of education offered by local institutions of Higher Education in member states or third countries.
Assessment of the conditions for the provision of cross-border education from foreign institutions in Cyprus.
Assessment of inter-institutional cooperation of Higher Education Institutions.
The provision of information regarding quality assurance in Higher Education.
III. The Cyprus Council for the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications
(KYSATS)
KYSATS was established in 1996. It is the competent authority of the Republic of Cyprus for the recognition of Higher Education qualifications, awarded by institutions of Higher Education. It also acts as the Education National Information Centre. It is an independent body, funded and administratively supported by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth. KYSATS recognises qualifications, such as degrees, diplomas or certificates which are issued by Higher Education Institutions.