The Department of Higher and Tertiary Education took a series of measures which aim at the expansion of Higher Education, especially at University-level. One of them is the legal framework for the establishment and operation of Private Universities.

The establishment and operation of Private Universities, either of a profit or non-profit character, is stipulated by the provisions of Law 109(1) of 2005 approved by the House of Parliament of the Republic in July 2005. According to this Law, private companies registered in the Republic of Cyprus can submit to the Ministry of Education and Culture applications for the establishment and operation of a Private University. Applications can also be submitted by the owners of existing Private Institutions of Tertiary Education (PITE), seeking the upgrade of their Institutions into university status.

Four private universities have been founded in the Republic of Cyprus. These are:

The first three began their operation under an initial license for operation since the 1st of October 2007. The fourth will start operating, in the academic year 2010 – 2011.  

The Faculties/Schools and programmes of study offered by the private universities operating in the Republic of Cyprus are shown on the table in the following document.

Accredited Programmes of Study of Private Universities

1. “EUC European University-Cyprus”   
2. “Frederick University - Cyprus”         
3. “University of Nicosia”       
4. "Neapolis University - Cyprus"

Any reference to the offered programmes of study must use exclusively the exact titles of the programmes of study as approved. No reference should be made to concentrations, unless they are approved. Approved concentrations should not be presented as different separate programmes of study.  

The ECPU and the private universities have agreed on a procedure for the evaluation and approval of new programmes of study which will be offered, additionally to those included in the above table, during their operation under initial license for operation.