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Cyprus Higher Education

Egypt, December 2010

Department of Higher and Tertiary EducationCyprus Ministry of Education and Culture

daae@moec.gov.cy

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About Cyprus

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About Cyprus

• Cyprus is a beautiful island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, with a population of approximately 700,000

• Throughout the centuries, Cyprus has been a meeting place of civilizations and cultures.

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About Cyprus• The island has superb mountain

scenery, forests, fascinating coastlines and beaches, and a rich historical and archaeological heritage

• Cyprus is a member state of the EU since May 2004

• Cyprus enjoys a wonderful Mediterranean climate with long dry summers from mid May to mid October and abundant sunshine throughout the year.

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About Cyprus - Language• The official languages of Cyprus are Greek

and Turkish, but English is widely spoken. • English is also the language of instruction in

the Private Institutions of Tertiary Education for the vast majority of their programmes of studies.

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Cyprus Higher Education• Government policy aims:

– to fulfill the local needs for HE and– to establish Cyprus as a regional and

international center for high quality education and research

• The HE system in Cyprus is shaped by the European Higher Education Area as outlined by the Bologna Process.

• HE in Cyprus consists of the public universities and public and private institutions of tertiary education.

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Cyprus Higher Education (Public Universities)

• All public universities are overseen and financed by the state

• They all operate under their own Laws and Regulations, which cover their establishment and operation

• They are autonomous and self-governed.• The equivalence of their titles is ab- initio

recognised by the state

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Cyprus Higher Education (Public Universities)

• University of Cyprus www.ucy.ac.cy– Offers programmes of studies in all three cycles of

university education (B.Sc/A, M.Sc/A, Ph.D)• Open University of Cyprus www.ouc.ac.cy

– Received its first students in September 2006 – Offers two programmes of studies in the second cycle

(M.Sc/A)• Cyprus University of Technology www.cut.ac.cy

– Received its first students in September 2007– Offers eight programmes of studies in the first cycle

(B.Sc/A)

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University of Cyprus www.ucy.ac.cy

• Number of students (2009-2010): 6067 (including 871 at Masters and 348 Doctoral degrees).

• The programme structure: – 4 years for bachelors degree– 1,5 years for the Masters degree – Further 3 years of study and research for

PhD degree

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University of Cyprus www.ucy.ac.cy

Faculties• Faculty of Humanities• Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences• Faculty of Social Sciences and Education• Faculty of Economics and Management• Faculty of Engineering • Faculty of Letters• Faculty of Medicine (starts its operation in

2013)

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Open University of Cyprus www.ouc.ac.cy

Operation of the University in January 2006 • Faculties:

– Humanities and Social Sciences– Economics and Management– Pure and Applied Sciences

• Current programmes:– Bachelor– Master– Phd– Life long learning modules

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Cyprus University of Technology www.cut.ac.cy

• Received its first students in September 2007

• Among the aims of CUT is the provision of courses to graduates of the public HE institutions to upgrade their qualifications

• Offers ten programmes of studies in the first cycle (B.Sc/A), as well as programmes in the second (Master) and third cycle (PhD)

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Cyprus University of Technology www.cut.ac.cy

Faculties• Faculty of Applied Arts and Communications• Faculty of Health Sciences• Faculty of Economics and Management• Faculty of Geotechnical Science

and Environmental Management• Faculty of Engineering and Technology

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Cyprus Higher Education (Private Universities)

• The Council of Ministers, with a decision taken on the 12th of September, 2007, after the relevant recommendations of ECPU, permitted the establishment of the following three private Universities:– Frederick University – Cyprus– European University – Cyprus– University of Nicosia

• The private universities offer 4-year undergraduate courses that lead to the award of Bachelors qualifications (i.e. BA, BSc) and 1-year to 2-year postgraduate programmes of study that lead to the award of Masters qualifications (i.e. MA, MSc).

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FREDERICK UNIVERSITYwww.frederick.ac.cy

FACULTIES • Architecture, Fine and Applied Arts• Humanities and Social Sciences• Economics and Administration• Health Sciences• Engineering and Applied Sciences• Education• Economics and Administration

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EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY – CYPRUSwww.euc.ac.cy

FACULTIES• Arts and Education Sciences• Humanities and Social Sciences• Business Administration• Sciences

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UNIVERSITY OF NICOSIA www.unic.ac.cy

FACULTIES• Humanities, Social Sciences and Law• Business Administration• Sciences• Education

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Cyprus Higher Education (Public HE Institutions)

1. Higher Technical Institute 2. Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus 3. Mediterranean Institute of Management 4. School of Nursing 5. Public Health Inspectors School 6. Cyprus Forestry College 7. Cyprus Police Academy 8. Tourist Guides School

• The equivalence of their titles is ab- initio recognised by the state

• They offer programmes of studies leading to Certificates or Higher Diplomas

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• Currently, 31 Private Institutions of Tertiary Education (PITE) are registered with the Ministry of Education and Culture

• They offer a wide range of academic as well as vocational programmes of studies leading to Certificate, Diploma, Higher Diploma, Bachelor and Masters Degrees in various fields such as:– Business Studies, – Engineering, – Social Sciences,– Languages,– Education,

Hotel and Tourism,– Administration,– Management,– Graphic Design,– Computer Science and others

Cyprus Higher Education (Private Institutions)

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Cyprus Higher Education (Private Institutions)

• The titles awarded from accreditedprogrammes of studies are recognised bythe state for equivalence.

• The language of instruction at the PITE isEnglish for 95% of the programmes ofstudies offered, thus attracting scholarsand students from all over the world in amulticultural learning environment.

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Quality Assurance in CyprusThe Council of Educational Evaluation-Accreditation (C.E.E.A.)

• The competent authority responsible for the educational evaluation-accreditation of programmes of studies offered by PITE is the Council of Educational Evaluation –Accreditation - SEKAP (C.E.E.A.)

• Established in 1996 • Independent body and member of:

– ENQA– INQAAHE– EUA– EURASHE

• The first programmes of study have been accredited by the C.E.E.A. in January 2000

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Quality Assurance in CyprusThe Council of Educational Evaluation-Accreditation

(C.E.E.A.)

• The purpose of evaluation:– To built confidence and trust among local

and international students concerning the quality of the offered programmes

– To establish the minimum possible criteria to be fulfilled for the equivalence of a degree awarded through an accredited programme

– To provide a basis of comparison with degree titles granted from foreign institutions of higher education

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Quality Assurance in CyprusEvaluation Committee of Private Universities

(E.C.P.U.)

• Established in 2005 for the evaluation of the applications for the establishment of Private Universities

• Independent body• Consists of seven prominent university

professors from five different countries (Cyprus, Greece, UK, Germany, USA)

• Appoints specialized Committees to evaluate the various aspects of the applications

• Follow up and final evaluation within 5 years

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Quality Assurance in CyprusThe Cyprus Council of the Recognition of Higher

Education Qualifications (Ky.S.A.T.S.)• The competent authority for the

recognition of Higher Education qualifications obtained home and abroad

• Established in 1997• Independent body• Member of:

– ENIC– NARIC

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Quality Assurance in CyprusNational Quality Assurance and Accreditation

Agency• Complying with the Bologna Process, a

National Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency is in the process of being established

• It will carry educational evaluation for both State and Private Institutions of Tertiary Education

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Quality Assurance in Cyprus

• The academic qualifications awarded by the universities and HE public institutions and those awarded from accredited programmes of studies by PITE are recognized by European Union member states as well as other countries.

• Therefore they become powerful assets when pursuing a career anywhere in the world.

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Cyprus Higher Education : Cypriot and foreign students in Cyprus and

Cypriot students studying abroad

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

Cypriot students abroad

Cypriot students in Cyprus

Foreign students in Cyprus

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Cyprus Higher Education Number of Foreign Students by Country of

Citizenship

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

2007/2008

2008/2009

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Cyprus Higher Education International Students

• The international dimension of education is important in Cyprus

• International students enrich the educational experience of our own students and bring an international dimension to our culture.

• Lifelong friendships and networks are formed between Cypriot and overseas students which later enhance the cultural and trade relationships between our countries.

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Reasons for studying in Cyprus

• Quality education• Highly qualified academic and research staff

who acquired their degrees and experience from various HE systems (Cyprus, Greece, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, etc)

• English mainly as the language of instruction

• Affordable cost• Safe and friendly environment

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Reasons for studying in Cyprus

• Students can develop independence, maturity, an understanding of other cultures

• Preparation of students to work in today’s global marketplace

• Location at the crossroad of Europe, Asia and Africa

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Admission• Access to the programmes offered by public

universities and public HE institutions is granted via the leaving certificate from a secondary education school or equivalent qualification, and national entrance (pancyprian) examinations.

• The Private Universities and PITE require a school leaving certificate awarded by a six-year secondary school and a good knowledge of the language of instruction.

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Issuing of Visas• Candidates from a country, which is not a member of

the European Union, need entry clearance issued by a Cyprus Diplomatic Mission in the country of their nationality, or the country in which they are living, before travelling to Cyprus.

• Candidates should check with the Cyprus Diplomatic Mission in their own country to find out which entry clearance they require and obtain it before they travel. Without the appropriate entry clearance, they may be refused entry into Cyprus.

• Contact details concerning the diplomatic missions of Cyprus abroad can be found at the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus: www.mfa.gov.cy

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Issuing of VisasOn arrival in Cyprus The following documents are necessary:• Original Bank Certificate for the payment of the

academic fees and receipt from the HE institutionagainst the fees paid

• Original Academic Certificates • Original Passport. Passport should be valid for at

least one year from the day of entry into Cyprus• Visa or entry clearance • Money in cash for the accommodation and living

expenses

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Work Whilst StudyingHealth Insurance

• International students are allowed to work part-time in specific sectors of the economy after obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Labour & Social Insurance.

• They are permitted to work 20 hours per week during the academic period of their studies and 38 hours per week during the vacation period.

• The health insurance is compulsory. Students should make sure that the HE institution has made arrangements for health insurance

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Contact Information• Address: Department of Higher and Tertiary EducationMinistry of Education and CultureKimonos and Thoukydides Corner1434 Nicosia, CYPRUS• e-mail: daae@moec.gov.cy• Tel.: 00357 22800616/617• Fax: 00357 22427560• Website: www.HigherEducation.ac.cy

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

Stelios ChristophidesSenior Education Officer

Department of Higher and Tertiary EducationCyprus Ministry of Education and Culture

schristophides@moec.gov.cy