The Cyprus market for UK education is a mature and well-established market, with strong links existing between the two countries. UK education and qualifications are held in high esteem and a UK degree is deemed to give better prospects for employment in Cyprus.
Following Cyprus accession to the EU, the number of Cypriot students applying to UK institutions from 2004 onwards increased tremendously. HESA statistics indicate a steady increase for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the UK.
The UK is the second most popular destination for Cypriot students abroad after Greece, where tuition is free-of-charge and the language of instruction is Greek.
Higher education in Cyprus is provided by public and private institutions of higher education at university and non-university level. The University of Cyprus was established in 1989 and accepted its first students in 1992. The Open University of Cyprus and the Cyprus University of Technology accepted their first students in September 2006 and September 2007 respectively. In September 2007, the first private universities were established after a relevant decision of the Council of Ministers: Frederick University; European University Cyprus; University of Nicosia (Panepistimio Lefkosias).
Following the above changes in the local education market, an increase in demand for postgraduate studies abroad and especially the UK is expected from 2008 onwards.
The Cypriot education structure follows the Greek system in the south, providing students with an Apolytirion or school leaving certificate, and the Turkish system in the north, providing students with a Lycée Diploma.
Apolytirion (school leaving certificate) - acceptable in lieu of GCSEs (grades A to C) on a subject-for-subject basis (except English language), where a mark of at least ten has been achieved. Some HE institutions may additionally require one or two UK advanced level qualifications to satisfy specific entry requirements; others accept the Apolytirion as satisfying general entry requirements.
Devlet Lise Diplomasi (state high school leaving certificate) and Lise Bitirme Diplomasi (high school finishing diploma) - considered to be at a standard of at least GCSE level. Students with an overall average of five are eligible to receive a school leaving certificate.
- Greek-Cypriot system: graded 1 to 20 (with 20 being the maximum), pass mark 10
- Turkish-Cypriot system: graded 1 to 10 (with 10 being the maximum), pass mark 5
Under the constitution of the Republic of Cyprus, the two communities, the Greek and the Turkish, are responsible for dealing with educational affairs.
Greek-Cypriot system
Education is co-educational and compulsory until the age of 15. As of the academic year 2004/2005, pre-primary education also became compulsory, followed by six years of primary education and six years of secondary education. Secondary education is divided into two cycles of three years: three years Gymnasio (compulsory lower-secondary), followed by three years Eniaio Lykeio (upper-secondary) or Secondary Technical and Vocational Education (SVTE). In 2000/2001, the Eniaio Lykeio replaced the former Lykeio of optional subjects which had functioned for 20 years. The students of the last two years of Eniaio Lykeio have the flexibility to form their own timetable according to their interests; at primary, lower-secondary level and in the first year (class A) of Eniaio Lykeio, a core curriculum is followed.
Since 2001/2002, STVE is offered in two streams: theoretical and practical. The content of the revised STVE aims to provide technical school graduates with the necessary educational background to enable them to enter the labour market or pursue further studies.
Turkish-Cypriot system
The education system follows a similar model as Turkey and has equivalent standards. Education is compulsory between the ages of five until 15 years. Kindergarten education is taught from age five to six years; primary education level I from seven to 11 years; primary education level II from 12 to 14 years. Classes are graded as 1 to 12 and education is compulsory from grade 1 to 8. Optional education is taught at high school (lycée) from age 15 to 18 years. Students completing primary levels I and II can choose to attend high school. There are six different types of high schools – vocational lise; multi-programmed lise; science lise (it became multi-programme lycee); art lise; anadolu lise (science and mathematics courses are taught in English and IGCSE in science subjects); and maarif college (all courses except Turkish literature and Turkish history are taught in English).
Greek-Cypriot system
Access to state higher education institutions of Cyprus (university and non-university) and Greece is done through the Pancyprian examinations, organized by the Examinations Service of Ministry of Education and Culture. The Pancyprian examinations have replaced, since 2006, the Eisagogikes Exetaseis (entrance examinations) and are organized for the purposes of both graduation from secondary education and access to state higher education institutions of Cyprus and Greece.
For access to the Open University of Cyprus, interested candidates need to apply directly to the institution and their applications are evaluated by a special committee.
Public and private institutions of higher education (university and non-university) accept the Apolytirion as a minimum entry requirement. As the medium of instruction is English in all private HE institutions, candidates have to provide poof of their proficiency in English. Private HE institutions have their own English placement test and, if judged necessary, students have to follow an English foundation programme.
Turkish-Cypriot system
Access to the higher education universities and institutions of Cyprus and Turkey is through a competitive central entrance examination. Students who have successfully completed high school and gained the Lise Diplomasi need to take the university entrance examination to gain entry to universities. This examination is organised by the Higher Board of Education (YOK). Local universities also accept students without the YOK entrance examination (OSS) on condition that they pass an entrance examination administered by the institutions themselves. In most universities in Turkey and in all universities in Cyprus, the medium of instruction is English. Therefore, students are obliged to provide proof of at least intermediate level of English (TOEFL or IELTS) or to pass the institution’s own English proficiency test. Students who are unsuccessful will study a year’s English foundation programme which has an ongoing assessment process, in addition to a final proficiency test at the end of the academic year.
When UCAS introduced the electronic application method in 2005, the British Council identified the need for the provision of guidance and assistance to Cypriot students and created a new service for this purpose. The main aim was to ensure that potential applications to UK institutions were not lost due to a lack of knowledge or anxiety about the process. Since then, a significant number of applications from Cyprus have been processed via this service and feedback from students and parents is extremely positive.
The priority sectors remain the undergraduate and postgraduate markets. The highest population of Cypriot undergraduate students are in the subjects of business studies, law, engineering and technology, and computer science.
The market is growing, with an increase in demand for postgraduate qualifications from overseas (especially the UK), particularly in finance, management and MBAs. There are clear indications that this will grow even bigger in the near future and can mainly be attributed to the change of fee status as well as to the accreditation of a number of courses offered by local tertiary colleges by the Cyprus Accreditation Council (SEKAP). In addition, following the approval (in September 2007) of the legislation which has governed the establishment and operation of private universities in Cyprus (mentioned above), more students will opt to obtain an undergraduate degree in-country and a postgraduate one overseas, mainly in the UK.
Demand for further education still seems to be limited, as there is good local provision and many of the courses offered by tertiary education colleges are accredited by SEKAP.
The number of students seeking qualification by distance learning is growing considerably over the last few years. The Cyprus Accreditation Council (KYSATS) has developed a process for recognition of this type of programme. There is an existing and growing market potential for four-year courses that integrate a foundation year. Many Cypriot students do not possess the entry qualifications for the first year. Consequently, they seek alternative entry routes to UK institutions.
In conclusion, all data supports that promoting UK education through the Education UK exhibition in Cyprus is a worthwhile investment.
British Council Cyprus operates from two offices in Nicosia (south and north). The main areas of work are examinations, projects and education.
Education work focuses mainly on Education UK promotion and services, including: organising education UK exhibitions, school visits, presentations, seminars, participation in educational events and open days, assistance with university applications, translations and certifications.
A list of local representatives / agents of UK institutions can be found on the Cyprus Education UK website . British Council Cyprus has provided 'promoting UK education and training' on-line course to local representative / agents. Those who successfully completed the course are marked with an asterisk on our website.
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