Cyprus Higher Education
Egypt, December 2010
Department of Higher and Tertiary Education
Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture
About Cyprus
•
Cyprus is a beautiful island in the
eastern Mediterranean Sea, at the
crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa,
with a population of approximately
700,000
•
Throughout the centuries, Cyprus has
been a meeting place of civilizations
and cultures.
About Cyprus
•
The island has superb mountain
scenery, forests, fascinating coastlines
and beaches, and a rich historical and
archaeological heritage
•
Cyprus is a member state of the EU
since May 2004
•
Cyprus enjoys a wonderful
Mediterranean climate with long dry
summers from mid May to mid October
and abundant sunshine throughout the
year.
About Cyprus - Language
•
The official languages of Cyprus are Greek
and Turkish, but English is widely spoken.
•
English is also the language of instruction in
the Private Institutions of Tertiary Education
for the vast majority of their programmes of
studies.
Cyprus Higher Education
• Government policy aims:
– to fulfill the local needs for HE and
– to establish Cyprus as a regional and
international center for high quality education and research
• The HE system in Cyprus is shaped by the
European Higher Education Area as outlined by the Bologna Process.
• HE in Cyprus consists of the public universities and public and private institutions of tertiary
Cyprus Higher Education
(Public Universities)
• All public universities are overseen and financed by the state
• They all operate under their own Laws and
Regulations, which cover their establishment and operation
• They are autonomous and self-governed.
• The equivalence of their titles is ab- initio recognised by the state
Cyprus Higher Education
(Public Universities)
• University of Cyprus
– Offers programmes of studies in all three cycles of university education (B.Sc/A, M.Sc/A, Ph.D)
• Open University of Cyprus
– Received its first students in September 2006
– Offers two programmes of studies in the second cycle (M.Sc/A)
• Cyprus University of Technology
– Received its first students in September 2007
University of Cyprus
www.ucy.ac.cy
• Number of students (2009-2010): 6067
(including 871 at Masters and 348 Doctoral degrees).
• The programme structure:
– 4 years for bachelors degree
– 1,5 years for the Masters degree
– Further 3 years of study and research for PhD degree
University of Cyprus
www.ucy.ac.cy
Faculties
•
Faculty of Humanities
•
Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences
•
Faculty of Social Sciences and Education
•
Faculty of Economics and Management
•
Faculty of Engineering
•
Faculty of Letters
•
Faculty of Medicine (starts its operation in
2013)
Open University of Cyprus
www.ouc.ac.cy
Operation of the University in January 2006
• Faculties:
– Humanities and Social Sciences
– Economics and Management
– Pure and Applied Sciences
• Current programmes:
– Bachelor
– Master
– Phd
Cyprus University of Technology
www.cut.ac.cy
•
Received its first students in
September 2007
•
Among the aims of CUT is the
provision of courses to graduates of
the public HE institutions to upgrade
their qualifications
•
Offers ten programmes of studies in
the first cycle (B.Sc/A), as well as
programmes in the second (Master)
and third cycle (PhD)
Cyprus University of Technology
www.cut.ac.cy
Faculties
•
Faculty of Applied Arts and Communications
•
Faculty of Health Sciences
•
Faculty of Economics and Management
•
Faculty of Geotechnical Science
and Environmental Management
Cyprus Higher Education
(Private Universities)
• The Council of Ministers, with a decision taken on the 12th of September, 2007, after the relevant recommendations of ECPU,
permitted the establishment of the following three private Universities:
– Frederick University – Cyprus
– European University – Cyprus
– University of Nicosia
• The private universities offer 4-year
undergraduate courses that lead to the award of Bachelors qualifications (i.e. BA, BSc) and 1-year to 2-year postgraduate programmes of study that lead to the award of Masters
FREDERICK UNIVERSITY
www.frederick.ac.cy
FACULTIES
• Architecture, Fine and Applied Arts
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Economics and Administration
• Health Sciences
• Engineering and Applied Sciences
• Education
EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY – CYPRUS
www.euc.ac.cy
FACULTIES
•
Arts and Education Sciences
•
Humanities and Social Sciences
•
Business Administration
UNIVERSITY OF NICOSIA
www.unic.ac.cy
FACULTIES
•
Humanities, Social Sciences and Law
•
Business Administration
•
Sciences
Cyprus Higher Education
(Public HE Institutions)
1. Higher Technical Institute
2. Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus
3. Mediterranean Institute of Management 4. School of Nursing
5. Public Health Inspectors School 6. Cyprus Forestry College
7. Cyprus Police Academy 8. Tourist Guides School
• The equivalence of their titles is ab- initio recognised by the state
• They offer programmes of studies leading to Certificates or Higher Diplomas
• Currently, 31 Private Institutions of Tertiary Education (PITE) are registered with the Ministry of Education and Culture
• They offer a wide range of academic as well as vocational
programmes of studies leading to Certificate, Diploma, Higher Diploma, Bachelor and Masters Degrees in various fields such as:
– Business Studies, – Engineering,
– Social Sciences, – Languages,
– Education,
Hotel and Tourism, – Administration, – Management, – Graphic Design,
Cyprus Higher Education
(Private Institutions)
Cyprus Higher Education
(Private Institutions)
•
The
titles
awarded
from
accredited
programmes of studies are recognised by
the state for equivalence.
•
The language of instruction at the PITE is
English for 95% of the programmes of
studies offered, thus attracting scholars
and students from all over the world in a
multicultural learning environment.
Quality Assurance in Cyprus
The Council of Educational Evaluation-Accreditation (C.E.E.A.)
• The competent authority responsible for the educational evaluation-accreditation of programmes of studies offered by PITE is the Council of Educational Evaluation – Accreditation - SEKAP (C.E.E.A.)
• Established in 1996
• Independent body and member of: – ENQA
– INQAAHE
– EUA
Quality Assurance in Cyprus
The Council of Educational Evaluation-Accreditation
(C.E.E.A.)
•
The purpose of evaluation:
– To built confidence and trust among local and international students concerning the quality of the offered programmes
– To establish the minimum possible criteria to be fulfilled for the equivalence of a degree
awarded through an accredited programme
– To provide a basis of comparison with degree titles granted from foreign
Quality Assurance in Cyprus
Evaluation Committee of Private Universities
(E.C.P.U.)
• Established in 2005 for the evaluation of the applications for the establishment of Private Universities
• Independent body
• Consists of seven prominent university
professors from five different countries (Cyprus, Greece, UK, Germany, USA)
• Appoints specialized Committees to evaluate the various aspects of the applications
Quality Assurance in Cyprus
The Cyprus Council of the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications (Ky.S.A.T.S.)
•
The competent authority for the
recognition of Higher Education
qualifications obtained home and abroad
•
Established in 1997
•
Independent body
•
Member of:
– ENIC
Quality Assurance in Cyprus
National Quality Assurance and Accreditation
Agency
•
Complying with the Bologna Process, a
N
ational
Q
uality
A
ssurance and
A
ccreditation
A
gency is in the process
of being established
•
It will carry educational evaluation for
both State and Private Institutions of
Tertiary Education
Quality Assurance in Cyprus
•
The academic qualifications awarded by the
universities and HE public institutions and
those awarded from accredited programmes
of studies by PITE are recognized by
European Union member states as well as
other countries.
•
Therefore they become powerful assets
when pursuing a career anywhere in the
world.
Cyprus Higher Education
: Cypriot and foreign students in Cyprus and
Cypriot students studying abroad
5000 10000 15000 20000 25000
Cypriot students abroad Cypriot students in Cyprus Foreign students in Cyprus
Cyprus Higher Education
Number of Foreign Students by Country of
Citizenship
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
2007/2008 2008/2009
Cyprus Higher Education
International Students
•
The international dimension of education is
important in Cyprus
•
International students enrich the educational
experience of our own students and bring an
international dimension to our culture.
•
Lifelong friendships and networks are formed
between Cypriot and overseas students
which later enhance the cultural and trade
relationships between our countries.
Reasons for studying
in Cyprus
•
Quality education
•
Highly qualified academic and research staff
who acquired their degrees and experience
from various HE systems (Cyprus, Greece,
UK, USA, Canada, Australia, etc)
•
English mainly as the language of
instruction
•
Affordable cost
Reasons for studying
in Cyprus
•
Students can develop independence,
maturity, an understanding of other
cultures
•
Preparation of students to work in
today’s global marketplace
•
Location at the crossroad of Europe,
Asia and Africa
Admission
•
Access to the programmes offered by public
universities and public HE institutions is
granted via the leaving certificate from a
secondary education school or equivalent
qualification, and national entrance
(pancyprian) examinations.
•
The Private Universities and PITE require a
school leaving certificate awarded by a
six-year secondary school and a good
Issuing of Visas
• Candidates from a country, which is not a member of the European Union, need entry clearance issued by a Cyprus Diplomatic Mission in the country of their nationality, or the country in which they are living, before travelling to Cyprus.
• Candidates should check with the Cyprus Diplomatic Mission in their own country to find out which entry clearance they require and obtain it before they
travel. Without the appropriate entry clearance, they may be refused entry into Cyprus.
• Contact details concerning the diplomatic missions of Cyprus abroad can be found at the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus:
Issuing of Visas
On arrival in Cyprus
The following documents are necessary:
• Original Bank Certificate for the payment of the academic fees and receipt from the HE institution against the fees paid
• Original Academic Certificates
• Original Passport. Passport should be valid for at least one year from the day of entry into Cyprus
• Visa or entry clearance
• Money in cash for the accommodation and living expenses
Work Whilst Studying
Health Insurance
• International students are allowed to work part-time in specific sectors of the economy after obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Labour & Social
Insurance.
• They are permitted to work 20 hours per week during the academic period of their studies and 38 hours
per week during the vacation period.
• The health insurance is compulsory. Students
should make sure that the HE institution has made arrangements for health insurance
Contact Information
•
Address:
Department of Higher and Tertiary Education
Ministry of Education and Culture
Kimonos and Thoukydides Corner
1434 Nicosia, CYPRUS
•
e-mail:
•
Tel.: 00357 22800616/617
•
Fax: 00357 22427560
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Stelios Christophides Senior Education Officer
Department of Higher and Tertiary Education
Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture
