Study in Cyprus (EU): Universities and Visa

Mediterranean climate, teaching in English, a European degree: the Republic of Cyprus, a member of the European Union, attracts more and more international students, particularly in business, IT, hospitality, health sciences and medicine. Be careful not to confuse it with Northern Cyprus, which has a different system. Here is how to study in Cyprus on the EU side.

Cyprus or Northern Cyprus?

• Republic of Cyprus (south of the island): EU member, European degrees, generally higher fees.

• Northern Cyprus: English-taught universities with grade-based scholarships, but international recognition needs to be checked. See our guide Study in Northern Cyprus.

This article covers the Republic of Cyprus.

The universities

Public

• University of Cyprus (Nicosia);

• Cyprus University of Technology (Limassol);

• Open University of Cyprus (distance learning).

Bachelor's degrees there are often taught in Greek; the English-taught offer mainly concerns master's degrees.

Private

Private universities offer most programmes in English for international students: University of Nicosia, European University Cyprus, Frederick University, Neapolis University Pafos, UCLan Cyprus… They offer business, IT, engineering, law, hospitality, design and health sciences, including medicine in English at some of them.

Admission

Applications are made directly to the universities, generally with:

• baccalaureate and transcripts (or a bachelor's degree for a master's);

• an English certificate (IELTS, TOEFL or the university's own test);

• passport;

• cover letter and, for some programmes, an interview.

Private universities often have several intakes per year (autumn and spring) and respond fairly quickly. For medicine, admission is more selective, with an exam or interview.

The visa: the student entry permit

Cyprus is part of the EU but not of the Schengen area. The procedure is specific: it is usually the university that submits, on your behalf, an application for a student entry permit to the Cypriot immigration service. You need to provide:

• a valid passport;

• the admission letter;

• proof of funds (bank statements, guarantor);

• proof of payment of part of the fees;

• a medical certificate and the required tests;

• a criminal record extract;

• documents translated and legalised if necessary.

Once the permit is granted, you obtain the entry visa, then finalise your residence permit on site. Allow several weeks: start the process as soon as you are admitted.

What budget should you plan for?

• Tuition fees at private universities: roughly a few thousand to more than €10,000 per year depending on the programme, and much more for medicine.

• Daily life: generally €700 to €1,000 per month, more in Limassol, the most expensive city.

• Administrative costs: permit, health insurance, medical tests.

Scholarships or merit-based discounts are often offered by private universities.

Working while studying

Non-EU students can work part-time under certain conditions (authorised sectors, weekly hour limit, authorisation). It is only a supplement: proof of funds is required before arrival.

Living in Cyprus

Nicosia (the capital, many universities), Limassol (lively and international), Larnaca and Paphos (quieter). English is widely spoken, which makes integration easier. The climate is very hot in summer.

Typical timeline for a September intake

1. Autumn – winter: choosing universities and programmes, English test.

2. Winter – spring: application and receipt of the admission letter.

3. Spring: paying the deposit, gathering documents for the entry permit (medical certificate, criminal record, bank statements).

4. Spring – summer: the university submits the entry permit application and you wait for the decision.

5. Summer: entry visa, plane ticket, accommodation.

The entry permit procedure is the longest: the earlier you are admitted, the more leeway you have. For the spring intake, shift this timeline by about six months.

Choosing the right private university

There are many private Cypriot universities, and they vary in quality. Check:

• the accreditation of the programme by the Cypriot national quality assurance agency;

• international partnerships (double degrees, Erasmus exchanges);

• the employment rate of graduates and the internships offered;

• the total fees over the whole programme and the conditions for keeping scholarships;

• services for international students: help with the permit, accommodation, welcome.

Accommodation in Cyprus

• University residences: practical for the first year, often close to campus.

• Shared flats: cheaper in Nicosia than in Limassol.

• Contracts: read the conditions carefully (length, deposit, utilities, whether air conditioning is included, which matters given the very hot summers).

Documents to prepare in Tunisia

• passport valid for the entire stay;

• transcripts and diplomas translated, legalised or apostilled;

• a recent criminal record extract (bulletin n° 3);

• the family's bank statements over several months;

• medical certificate and required tests;

• English certificate.

Prepare several certified copies: they will be used for the university, immigration and final enrolment.

After graduation

As the Cypriot degree is European, it makes it easier to continue with a master's elsewhere in Europe. To work in Cyprus after your studies, the rules for non-Europeans are stricter: find out about the conditions in force when you graduate.

Key takeaway: the Republic of Cyprus awards European degrees in English, but the entry permit procedure is long. Get admitted early, prepare solid financial documents and choose an accredited university with good services for international students.

Our support

Worldwide Studies helps you choose the university and programme, prepare the application and the entry permit file, and compare with other English-speaking destinations such as Malta, Ireland or the Netherlands.

👉 Fees vary depending on the university and programme: talk to an advisor for a Cyprus plan suited to your budget.