Address:
Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture
Department of Higher and
Tertiary Education
Corner of Kimonos and Thoukididou
1434 Nicosia
Cyprus
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Contact:
Despina Martidou-Forcier
Chief Education Officer
Tel.: +357 (0)22 800 622
Fax: +357(0)22 427 560
E-mail:
dmartidou@moec.gov.cy
Website: www.moec.gov.cy
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INTRODUCTION
Due to its geographic location in the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus has stood
throughout its 10,000-year history at the crossroads of diverse peoples,
civilisations, and cultures. Through the ages it has been a stepping stone and
a connecting link between the Western and the Eastern worlds. Cyprus is the
third largest island in the Mediterranean and has a mild and pleasant climate,
with sunshine throughout the year, beautiful beaches, mountain resorts and
unique archaeological sites bearing witness to its long and varied history. In
May 2004 Cyprus became a member of the European Union, and its easternmost and
southernmost outpost. With a population of approximately 700,000, Cyprus is a
cosmopolitan island. The official languages of the Republic of Cyprus are Greek
and Turkish, but English is widely spoken.
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EDUCATION SYSTEM
Secondary general education includes two three-year cycles, called gymnasio
(lower secondary education) and lykeio (upper secondary education). Secondary
pupils are between the ages of 12 and 18. Instead of the lykeio, pupils may
choose to attend secondary technical and vocational education, which provides
them with knowledge and skills that will prepare them to enter the workforce,
or to pursue further studies in their area of interest. Higher education in
Cyprus is provided by the University of Cyprus, the Open University of Cyprus,
and public and private tertiary education institutions. There are programmes of
study at various undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Government policy on
higher education is aimed at fulfilling the local needs for higher education
and establishing Cyprus as a regional educational and research centre, a hub
for international scholars and students alike. Measures are being taken for the
establishment of new universities, such as the Technological University of
Cyprus and the Open University of Cyprus. With its passage of Law 109 (I) of
2005, which regulates the establishment, control, and operation I private
universities, the House of Representatives hail taken steps to upgrade the
private tertiary education institutions. Another advantage of the educational
system in Cyprus is the fact that it is shaped by the European higher education
system as outlined by the Bologna Process. The language of instruction at the
private tertiary education institutions is English for 95% of the programmes of
study offered, thus attracting scholars and students from all over the world in
a multicultural learning environment. As of July 2006, a total of 173
programmes of study have been evaluated and accredited. These programmes
include ten at the Certificate level, 103 at the Diploma level, six at the
Higher Diploma level 49 at the Bachelors level, and five at the Masters level.
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THE NATIONAL AGENCY
The Department of Higher and Tertiary Education is the competent authority
within the Ministry of Education and Culture for all issues pertaining to
higher education.
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