Education in Cyprus


is overseen by the Ministry of Education,Sports,Youth and Culture.
The education system is divided into pre-primary education, primary education, secondary education and higher education. Full-time education is compulsory for all children aged between 5 and 15. State-provided schooling including higher education is paid for by taxes.
There is also a parallel system of accredited independent schooling, and parents may choose to educate their children by any suitable means. Private school and university fees are not usually covered by the state.
Higher education often begins with a four-year bachelor's degree. Postgraduate degrees include master's degrees, either taught or by research, and the doctorate, a research degree that usually takes at least three years. Universities require accreditation by the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education in order to issue degrees.

Primary education

In the 2017-2018 academic year there were 334 primary schools with 56,700 students and 3,980 teachers.

Secondary education

see Secondary education in Cyprus

Higher education

Higher, or tertiary education is provided by a network of state and private universities and colleges. Private universities were first accredited in 2005 and require a special licence to operate and award degrees. This was set out in the 2005 Private Universities law.
Currently the following universities have a licence by the Ministry of Education and Culture to issue academic degrees:

Public Universities

  1. University of Cyprus
  2. Open University of Cyprus
  3. Cyprus University of Technology

    Private Universities

  4. European University Cyprus
  5. Frederick University
  6. Neapolis University
  7. University of Central Lancashire Cyprus
  8. University of Nicosia
  9. Philips University

    Private Institutions of Tertiary Education

  10. A.C. American College
  11. ACC AKADEMIA COLLEGE
  12. Aigaia School of Art and Design
  13. Alexander College
  14. Arte Music Academy
  15. Atlantis College
  16. Casa College
  17. CBS – College of Business Studies
  18. C.D.A. College
  19. Church of Cyprus - School of Theology
  20. City Unity College Nicosia
  21. College of Tourism & Hotel Management
  22. Cyprus College
  23. Cyprus International Institute of Management
  24. Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine
  25. Frederick Institute of Technology
  26. Global College
  27. Institute of Professional Studies, UCLan Cyprus
  28. Intercollege
  29. InterNapa College
  30. KES College
  31. Larnaca College
  32. Ledra College
  33. Mesoyios College
  34. Neapolis College
  35. P.A. College
  36. Susini College
  37. The CTL EuroCollege
  38. The Cyprus Academy of Art
  39. The Cyprus Institute
  40. The Cyprus Institute of Marketing
  41. The Limassol College - T.L.C.
  42. The Philips College
  43. Vladimiros Kafkaridis School of Drama

    Public Institutions of Tertiary Education

  44. The Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus
  45. The Cyprus Forestry College
  46. The Mediterranean Institute of Management
  47. The Police Academy
  48. The School for Tourist Guides
  49. The Public School of Higher Vocational Education and Training

    Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

addresses multiple demands of an economic, social and environmental nature by helping young people and adults to develop the skills they need for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship, promoting equitable, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and supporting transitions to green economies and environmental sustainability.
The Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus is the body in charge of managing training funds in Cyprus. The system relies on contributions paid by all employees, with the exception of the self-employed and government workers. By law the Human Resource Development Levy rate cannot exceed 1% of the emoluments paid to each employee. In practice, the levy rate is 0.5% of payroll, with a monthly cap of €4,533.
The HRDA issues grants to employers for approved training as well as allowances to trainees and financial assistance for obtaining training equipment. The HRDA subsidizes 80% of the cost of training, rising to 100% for ‘high-priority multi-company training programmes’.