Financing for equity in higher education

1. Education resources to subnational governments

Introduction

Key financing indicators (UIS Data)

UIS data indicate that the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes was 99% in 2023. The initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 13.5% in 2022, while the initial household funding per tertiary student was 8.2%.

Tuition-free status

The tuition fees of Cypriot and EU students during their first cycle of studies in the two conventional public universities and the public institutions of higher education of Cyprus are covered by the government. This does not apply for the Open University of Cyprus, which is a non-conventional public distance learning institution.

The tuition fees at public universities, for the second cycle of studies are covered by the students themselves and they range between EUR 5,125 to EUR 10,250, depending on the programme of study.

The tuition fees for part-time students in their second cycle of studies in public universities are proportional to credits taken by semester.

The tuition fees for the third cycle of studies at public universities range between EUR 3,200 and EUR 9,000 and are covered by the students.

Public institutions of higher education offer short-cycle programs of study. The duration of these programmes varies between one (1) to three (3) academic years. Cypriot and EU students do not pay fees for the majority of the programs offered. In the programmes that require tuition fees, Cypriot and EU students pay between EUR 500 to EUR 3,000.

Tuition fees for international students (non-EU countries) amount approximately to EUR 6,834 per academic year. Tuition fees for these students are ranged between EUR 5,125 to EUR 10,250 according to the programme of study.

Governance

The Department of Higher Education (DHE) of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth is the competent authority within the Ministry, responsible for the implementation of the government’s policies in Higher Education and the submission of strategic plans for the enhancement of Higher Education in Cyprus. The DHE is also responsible for the drafting and the modification of legislation on Higher Education. Furthermore, the DHE is responsible, alongside with the Ministry of Finance, for the financing of public universities.

1. Education resources to subnational governments

Public universities are funded centrally by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, with the approval of the Ministry of Finance, the Council of Ministers and the Parliament.

2. Education resources to institutions

Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions

Private universities mainly raise their funds from tuition fees. Students at private institutions pay fees, which are set by the Councils of the institutions and approved by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.

Allocation and equity

Government funding of public universities is primarily allocated through the national budget. Funding is distributed under predetermined budget headings set by the Ministry of Finance, typically categorized into current expenditures, covering staff salaries and operational costs, and capital expenditures for infrastructure and technological development. To secure this national grant, public universities must align their individual strategic plans with the national Strategic Plan for the Improvement and Upgrading of Higher Education. This framework, developed by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, prioritizes the enhancement of the higher education system of Cyprus, strives to strengthen links between higher education and the labour market, and focuses on establishing Cyprus as a Regional and International Higher Education Center. By integrating these goals, Public Universities ensure that their fiscal requests support broader national objectives of excellence in the education offered, internationalization, and socio-economic impact.

3. Education resources to students

Admission for vulnerable groups

Cyprus has implemented various measures to promote equitable access to higher education. These measures specifically target students with special education needs, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, individuals with particular family circumstances (e.g., single-parent families) etc. Students with low socio-economic status do not pay fees for participation in the National Public Universities’ Entrance Examinations (Pancyprian Examinations). The government also provides adjustments for the National University Entrance Examinations depending on the candidate’s disability and needs.

Supernumerary places are additionally offered at public universities, based on specific criteria/needs. This includes supernumerary places of to graduates of second chance upper secondary schools (General and VET). Candidates should get a grade in the National University Entrance Examinations (Pancyprian Examinations), equal to the 70% of the total grade of the last candidate who was admitted in the specific Program of Study. Supernumerary places to public universities are also offered to specific groups such as mature students, students with disabilities, students from specific religious groups, low socio-economic/ disadvantaged family background, etc. The students must have a grade of at least 80% of the total grade of the last candidate admitted to the specific Program of Study.

Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups

Student grants

The Grants and Allowance Service of the Ministry of Finance provides student grants for the first cycle and second cycle of studies, either in Cyprus or abroad, to students with low socio-economic background.

Study loans

The Central Body for Equal Burden Distribution, which is the Legal Entity responsible for the implementation of the Regulations of the Plan for the Restoration of Pre-War Solvency of Owners of Occupied Inaccessible Real Estate, offers study loans to displaced Cypriots who are owners of property in the part of Cyprus occupied by Turkey. This is a state loan with low interest rate for studies in Cyprus or abroad. The amount of the loan is based on the cost of studies, which includes the cost of tuition fees and students’ cost-of-living expenses.

Scholarships

The Cyprus State Scholarship Foundation is the government’s scholarship award body. Scholarships are offered to both undergraduate and graduate students for studies either in Cyprus or abroad, based on students’ academic performance or on both academic performance and socio-economic criteria .

EU Scholarship Program for the Turkish Cypriot Community

Since 2007, the EU Scholarship Program for the Turkish Cypriot community provides scholarships to members of the Turkish Cypriot community for studying/training in the European Union. The scholarships are funded by the European Union for Turkish Cypriot students, graduates, and professionals in the northern part of Cyprus occupied by Turkey.

4. Support for students’ living costs

Transportation

The Grants and Allowance Service of the Ministry of Finance provides allowances to students for the covering of living expenses, air ticket expenses (for students studying abroad) etc., for short cycle and first cycle studies, based on socio-economic criteria.

Cypriots who study in Cyprus or abroad, as well as foreign students who are enrolled in evaluated/accredited programs in Cyprus are eligible for a Student Identification Card and a European Youth Card issued by the Youth Board of Cyprus. The Student ID and European Youth Card offer benefits such as low prices on transportation, cultural and entertainment events, products and services in Cyprus and in other European countries who are members of the European Youth Card Association (EYCA).

Furthermore, the Government, through the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, provides targeted support to persons with disabilities for enhancing social inclusion through schemes and legal provisions.

Accommodation

Textbooks

The Grants and Allowance Service of the Ministry of Finance provides allowances to students for the covering of textbook expenses for short cycle and first cycle studies, based on socio-economic criteria.

This profile has been reviewed by Dr. Ioannis Savvides, Head of European and International Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth; and Dr Tatiana Shiamma-Charilaou, European and International Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.

Last modified:

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 08:32