Higher Education Institutions
Public Universities
The first University in the Republic of Cyprus, the University of Cyprus, was founded in 1989. It admitted its first undergraduates in 1992 and its first postgraduates in 1997. The University community in Cyprus was expanded in 2006 with the foundation of the Open University of Cyprus, which is the only Higher Education Institution in Cyprus focusing exclusively on distance education. The Cyprus University of Technology, which focuses on applied research and adds another dimension to Higher Education in Cyprus, was founded a year later, in 2007. The Cyprus University of Technology is based in Limassol. It was the first University institution founded outside the capital, in keeping with the principle of decentralisation. The University of Cyprus, the Cyprus University of Technology and the Open University of Cyprus quickly increased the courses available at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.Additional information on the Public Universities can be found by clicking on the following links:
Private Universities
In 2007, three former private Tertiary Education Institutions were converted into and granted licences as Private Universities (European University of Cyprus, Frederick University of Cyprus and University of Nicosia). Neapolis University opened in 2010 in Paphos and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan Cyprus) opened in 2012 in Pyla in the District of Larnaca. In 2019 the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Higher Education (CYQAA) gave accreditation to Philips University of Cyprus which was registered in as a Private University after the Council of Minister’s decision. The six Private Universities contribute to the attainment of the goal to promote Cyprus as an attractive destination to both local and foreign students.Additional information on Private Universities can be found by clicking on the following links:
- Frederick University
- European University of Cyprus
- University of Nicosia
- Neapolis University
- UCLan Cyprus
- Philips University
Public Institutions of Tertiary Education
The following Public Institutions of Tertiary Education operate in Cyprus:- Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus (HHIC)
- Police Academy of Cyprus
- Mediterranean Institute of Management
- Post-Secondary Institutes of Vocational Education and Training (PSIVET)
- School for Tourist Guides
Private Institutions of Tertiary Education
There are 45 Private Institutions of Tertiary Education in Cyprus. These Institutions, according to the relevant law, are inspected by the DHE, which ensures that they adhere to the provisions of the Laws on Tertiary Education Institutions of 1996 to 2019. In order to achieve the goal set by the government to promote Cyprus as a Regional Centre for Higher Education, the DHE of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth was given responsibility for examining the academic qualifications of perspective third-country foreign students.Additional information on Private Institutions of Tertiary Education can be found here.
