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EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice
Organisational Variations and Alternative Structures

Cyprus

6.Secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education

6.13Organisational Variations and Alternative Structures

Last update: 27 November 2023

Athletic Gymnasiums

Currently 5 Athletic Gymnasiums (http://www.schools.ac.cy/athlitika_scholeia.html)

are operating in Cyprus in the major cities of the island with 403 students registered in 19 sports.

They all follow the program of the regular Gymnasiums, with the only exception that they have a few hours per week to practice.

During his/her study the student should satisfy the following criteria:

  1. A 15/20 grade point average
  2. Excellent behavior.
  3. Participation in competitions and championships of schools and federations.
  4. Participation in the afternoon training of his team.
  5. Individual Sports: 1st - 3rd place in the Pancyprian Championships of school and other games.
  6. Team Sports: 1st - 3rd place in the Cyprus Championships with at least 50% participation in all competitions of the year he/she enrolls or two national team competitions.

Athletic Lyceums

Currently 5 Athletic Lyceums (http://www.schools.ac.cy/athlitika_scholeia.html) are operating in Cyprus in the major cities of the island with 476 students enrolled in 19 sports.

They all follow the program of the regular Lyceums, with the only exception that they have a few hours per week to practice.

The students need to satisfy the following prerequisites in order to be enrolled in the athletic schools:

  1. Individual Sports: 1st - 3rd place in the Pancyprian Championships of school and other games.
  2. Team Sports: 1st - 3rd place in the Cyprus Championships with at least 50% participation in all competitions of the year he/she enrolls or two national team competitions.
  3. Participation in an Olympic sport
  4. Participation in clubs subject to sports federations.

During his/her study the student should satisfy the following criteria:

  1. A 15/20 grade point average
  2. Excellent behavior.
  3. Participation in competitions and championships of schools and federations.
  4. Participation in the afternoon training of his team.
  5. Individual Sports: 1st - 3rd place in the Pancyprian Championships of school and other games.
  6. Team Sports: 1st - 3rd place in the Cyprus Championships with at least 50% participation in all competitions of the year he/she enrolls or two national team competitions.

Musical Gymnasiums

The Musical Gymnasiums (http://archeia.moec.gov.cy/sm/408/2016_mousika_scholeia_booklet.pdf)

operate in the 5 free cities of Cyprus in order to bring our country closer to the cultural and musical events of Europe. The quality and remarkable work and the multifaceted contribution of the Musical schools enables their students, as tomorrow's citizens, to contribute to the music and cultural development of our country, while at the same time placing it in a dignified place that will leave it its stigma in the wider world culture.

The Musical Gymnasiums are designed within the existing educational system in the form of an All-Day School. With the expansion of the institution into the Gymnasium cycle, the goal to make six-grade Music Schools has been achieved. Students attend the morning lesson program, with the music class being enhanced in all classes and the remainder of the afternoon specials.

For the operation of the Musical Gymnasiums, the Ministry of Education has provided the necessary laboratory infrastructure in the Gymnasiums and High Schools where the Music Schools are hosted, in particular the Pancyprian Gymnasium and the Acropolis Gymnasium in Nicosia, Lanitio Gymnasium and Lyecum in Limassol, St. George Lyecum and and Drosia Gymnasium in Larnaca, Kokkinochoria Lyceum and Gymnasium in Frenaros(Famagusta), and the Secondary School of Makarios III and Nicolaidio Gymnasium in Paphos.

The Entrance Exams and Hearings for Gymnasium Musical schools are held in the middle of April (time frame varies depending on Easter holiday).

Musical Lyceums

The Musical Lyceums (http://archeia.moec.gov.cy/sm/408/2016_mousika_scholeia_booklet.pdf)

operate in the 5 free cities of Cyprus in order to bring our country closer to the cultural and musical events of Europe. The quality and remarkable work and the multifaceted contribution of the Music Schools enables their students, as tomorrow's citizens, to contribute to the music and cultural development of our country, while at the same time placing it in a dignified place that will leave it its stigma in the wider world culture.

The Musical Lyceums are designed within the existing educational system in the form of an All-Day School. With the expansion of the institution into the Gymnasium cycle, the goal to make six-grade Musical schools has been achieved. Students attend the morning lesson program, with the music class being enhanced in all classes and the remainder of the afternoon specials.

For the operation of the Musical Lyceums, the Ministry of Education has provided the necessary laboratory infrastructure in the Gymnasiums and Lyceums where the Musical schools are hosted, in particular the Pancyprian Gymnasium and the Acropolis Gymnasium in Nicosia, Lanitio Gymnasium and Lyecum in Limassol, St. George Lyecum and andDrosia Gymnasium in Larnaca, Kokkinochoria Lyceum and Gymnasium in Frenaros(Famagusta), and the Secondary School of Makarios III and Nicolaidio Gymnasium in Paphos.

The Entrance Exams and Hearings for Musical Lyceums are held in the middle of April (time frame varies depending on Easter holiday).

The exams for the first grade of the Lyceuminclude a series of musical activities, especially child-friendly, aimed at diagnosing of their musical abilities and prospects. Pre-existing musical knowledge and skills in performing a musical instrument are not prerequisites for admission.

Entrance exams in all Musical Lyceums take place in May - June and include:

  • Written exams on theory including all the material of the theory up to the chapter of the concerts (sample essays are provided on the websites of the Music Schools).
  • Musical instrument examinations (Candidates present to the Evaluation Committee at least two musical plays at the musical instrument level that they are engaged).
  • Melodic and rhythmic perception

All Musical Lyceums offer candidate preparation courses prior to the exam period.