english-language degrees — The University of Cyprus has submitted proposals for four new English-language undergraduate degrees to the education ministry. This initiative follows the launch of its inaugural foreign-language bachelor’s programme earlier this year.
Officials from the university confirmed to the Cyprus Mail that the proposals have been presented to Education Minister Athina Michaelidou. The new programmes are expected to cover the fields of medicine, business administration, and economics, with plans to admit students starting in September 2027, pending cabinet approval.
This move aligns with the earlier governmental approval for the university’s first English-language degree, a bachelor’s in urban sustainability studies, which is being offered through the Young Universities for the Future of Europe alliance.
All students enrolled in the proposed programmes will be required to pay tuition fees set at €5,300 per year, leading to a total cost of approximately €15,900 for the three-year degrees. Unlike existing Greek-language programmes at the university, which offer free tuition for eligible Cypriot and EU students, these new English-language degrees will operate on a self-financing basis.
The university aims to attract a diverse student body, focusing primarily on overseas students who are seeking internationally recognised English qualifications within the EU. There is also anticipated interest from students completing the International Baccalaureate, as well as graduates from private English-speaking schools in Cyprus.
Additionally, the university hopes to engage students who have completed the Pancyprian examinations and wish to pursue their studies in English. Applicants from the Greek-language secondary education system will need to demonstrate English proficiency through recognised language qualifications or equivalent evidence of competence at the GCSE level.
This initiative is part of the university’s broader strategy to enhance its international profile and create new revenue streams that can support academic development and investment. By expanding its offerings beyond the domestic market, the University of Cyprus aims to compete more effectively with private universities and international institutions within the region.
The University of Cyprus gained eligibility to offer foreign-language undergraduate degrees following legislative changes approved by parliament, which allow public universities to introduce programmes in languages other than Greek and Turkish. Under this legislation, courses must be fully self-funded and are subject to oversight regarding tuition fees and operating costs.
