Cyprus
International graduate students receive a high quality education in a safe, friendly environment at an affordable cost in Cyprus. International students enrich the educational experience of Cyprian students and bring an international dimension to Cyprian culture. Cyprus' pleasant Mediterranean climate and location as the crossroad of Europe, Asia and Africa make Cyprus an ideal study destination.
At present, all universities in Cyprus are state universities. These are the University of Cyprus, the Open University of Cyprus and the Cyprus University of Technology.
University of Cyprus
The University of Cyprus offers courses at the three different cycle levels:
- First Cycle: Ptychio (Bachelor's)
- Second Cycle: Masters ECTS
- Third Cycle: Didactoriko (Doctorate)
To foster international mobility and recognition of overseas qualifications, the University of Cyprus applies The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to all programmes. A Master's program leads to the award of a Magister Artium Degree (Master of Arts) or Magister Scientae Degree (Master of Science). A thesis is not an obligatory component of second cycle programs. For courses requiring a thesis, the workload of a thesis must not be more than half of the overall workload of the Master's course. A Masters course takes one and a half to two years to complete and is worth 90-120 ECTS. The minimal qualification for admission to a Masters program is a Ptychio (Bachelor's degree).
A Doctorate takes three to eight academic years to complete and leads to the award of a PhD degree (Doctor of Philosophy). A Doctorate program consists of a comprehensive examination, presentation of a research proposal to a three-member Committee, and the defence of an original research thesis in front of a five-member Examination Committee, comprising at least one external member. The minimum qualification for admission to a Doctorate degree is a Ptychio (Bachelor's degree). A doctorate student that has a Magister or Masters degree may be partially or fully exempted from some of the required courses that comprise the doctorate degree.
The Open University of Cyprus
The graduate programs that the Open University of Cyprus offers are Education Studies and Management of Health Units. These courses are completed by distance learning.
The Cyprus University of Technology
The Cyprus University of Technology is a new university accepting its first students in the academic year of 2007. The Cyprus University of Technology will offer programs of the types and overall requirements as those offered by the University of Cyprus.
Private Institutions
Private Institutions of Higher Education in Cyprus do not have university status. Currently, there are 24 Private Institutions of Higher Education. These are registered with the Ministry of Education and Culture and offer programs of study at undergraduate and graduate levels offering academic as well as vocational programs of study.
The body for quality assurance and accreditation of the programs offered by Private Institutions is the Council for Educational Evaluation-Accreditation (Symvoulio Ekpedeftikis Axiologisis Pistopiisis, SEKAP), which is a member of ENQA. Second cycle programs, whose duration is one to two academic years of full-time study lead to the award of a Masters Degree.
The prerequisite for admission to these courses is the Ptychio or Bachelor's degree. Private Institutions are due to enforce the application of ECTS.
Life in Cyprus
Cyprus enjoys a Mediterranean climate with long dry summers from mid May to mid October and abundant sunshine throughout the year.
Cyprus is an island situated in the northeastern basin of the Mediterranean Sea. Throughout the centuries, Cyprus has been a meeting place of civilizations and cultures.
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean with a population of approximately 700,000. The island has superb mountain scenery, forests, fascinating coastlines and beaches, and a rich historical and archaeological heritage bearing witness to its long and diverse history.
Economy: Cyprus' economy is booming and over the last few years, Cyprus has emerged as one of the leading business and financial centres in the region. Various sectors of the economy like tourism, banking, insurance and telecommunications provide the economy with a leading edge. In January 2008, Cyprus will join the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and hence the Euro will be the monetary unit in use.
Language: The official languages of the Constitution of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish, but English is widely spoken. Increasingly, graduate programs are being offered with English as the language of instruction.
