Studying in Cyprus
Tuition, living costs, visas and how to apply, from the European Commission's official profile — with student numbers from Eurostat and the Erasmus Mundus master's you can take here.
At a glance
Tuition · EU/EEA students
Tuition · non-EU/EEA students
Fees — more detail
Living costs
Erasmus Mundus master's
CollegeMatcher note: The sorting range is the public master's range — the only figure the profile gives. It states no living costs.
Students in Cyprus
Tertiary students · 2024
From abroad · 2024
Of whom from the EU · 2024
Largest countries of origin: Greece (4,414), India (2,692), Nepal (906), Russia (432), Bangladesh (409).
“From abroad” means degree-mobile students — enrolled for a whole degree, having gained their previous qualification in another country. Exchange students on Erasmus aren't counted.
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31,965 | 33,674 | 37,166 | 40,347 | 45,263 | 47,169 | 50,211 | 53,192 | 53,508 | 52,996 | 52,936 | 57,889 |
Tuition fees
Tuition fees vary depending on the institution, study programme and your nationality.
EU students do not pay tuition fees for first-cycle (Bachelor's) programmes at public universities, except for the Open University of Cyprus.
Non-EU students pay tuition fees, which vary by institution and programme.
Tuition fees for Master's programmes at public universities generally range from €4,100 to €10,250 per academic year.
Visa requirements
Non-EU/EEA students must apply for a student visa or entry permit before travelling to Cyprus. After arrival, they must obtain a temporary residence permit.
As part of the application, students are generally required to provide
- an acceptance letter from a recognised higher education institution
- certified copies of academic qualifications
- valid passport
- criminal record certificate
- medical examination results
- proof of sufficient financial resources
- proof of payment of part of the tuition fees
- completed immigration application forms
Higher education system
Cyprus is part of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and follows the Bologna Process.
The higher education system consists of
- public universities
- private universities
- public institutions of higher education
Study programmes are offered at Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral levels.
Many institutions offer programmes taught in English, particularly at postgraduate level.
A list of institutions is published by the Cyprus ministry of education.
Application process
Admission requirements vary by higher education institution and study programme. Prospective students should check the specific entry requirements and application procedures of their chosen institution before applying.
Scholarships
A range of scholarships and financial support schemes are available through universities and other organisations. International students should check with their chosen institution for available scholarships and eligibility criteria.
EU students studying at public universities may also benefit from government-funded tuition at Bachelor's level.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study in English in Cyprus?
Yes. Many universities offer Bachelor's, Master's and PhD programmes taught entirely in English.
Do EU students pay tuition fees?
EU students do not pay tuition fees for first-cycle programmes at public universities, with the exception of the Open University of Cyprus. Tuition fees apply for most Master's programmes.
Can international students work while studying?
International students may be allowed to work during their studies, subject to the relevant immigration and employment regulations.
Source: Study in Cyprus – tuition fees, education system and scholarships, last updated 28 July 2026.
Erasmus Mundus master's with a university in Cyprus
Joint master's taught by several universities in different countries, open to students from anywhere, with EU-funded scholarships on many of them.
- Education Policies for Global DevelopmentUniversity of Cyprus · Education, Political science, Social Sciences and Humanities · 24 months / 120 ECTS
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree on Public Health in DisasterEdex - Educational Excellence Corporation Limited · Life Sciences · 24 months / 120 ECTS
Country guidance adapted from the European Commission’s Study in Europe country profiles, © European Union, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Condensed, restructured and combined with other data by CollegeMatcher.
Student numbers: Eurostat, tables educ_uoe_enrt01 (tertiary enrolment) and educ_uoe_mobs02 (degree-mobile students from abroad).
Programmes: the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue of the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA); partner institutions from the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform. © European Union, CC BY 4.0.