The attractiveness of university studies in Cyprus for international students is no longer a matter of perception. The data confirms it. English-taught programmes, aligned with labour-market needs – from engineering and computer science to shipping, design, and health sciences – now rank among the most popular choices.
Cypriot universities have established dedicated career and employability offices that track graduate outcomes, alongside admissions and international student offices that guide students step by step through the process. Four institutions are moving in the same direction, creating a shared momentum, even as housing shortages and weak integration mechanisms continue to turn a strong academic offering into a challenging first experience for many newcomers.
English-taught programmes
The University of Cyprus reports that 13.6% of its student body is international. Frederick University stands at around 30%, while the University of Nicosia and the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT/TEPAK) are steadily moving towards similar levels. TEPAK attracts students from Kenya and Uganda, among other countries, offering scholarships and intensive Greek-language courses.
Across the board, Cypriot universities are expanding their English-taught programmes closely linked to the labour market, while familiar challenges remain. Limited student accommodation, demanding visa procedures, and social integration that often depends on individual resilience continue to test the system. Overall, however, the picture is clear: a small higher-education system becoming increasingly competitive internationally.
What makes Cyprus attractive
English-taught programmes are expanding in areas where Cyprus holds a comparative advantage. The University of Cyprus broadened its offer this year with a new MSc in Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences, while Erasmus+ mobility and embedded internships remain key reference points.
TEPAK is investing in joint postgraduate programmes, including Interaction Design with Tallinn University, Electronic Science and Technology with Hangzhou Dianzi University in China, and Design for Social Innovation. It also allows doctoral research in English.
Frederick University highlights its traditional strengths in engineering, business administration, shipping, arts and design, with its MBA and shipping-focused master’s programmes attracting working professionals.
Student support
Support services are no longer an afterthought. The University of Cyprus, through its International Students Office, provides guidance before arrival, during studies, and after graduation. TEPAK’s Studies and Student Welfare Service employs specialised staff for non-EU students, handling visa and residence procedures, typically within two months. Frederick University requires an advance payment for visa processing and first-semester tuition, while its International Office offers support on migration, health insurance, and accommodation.
The University of Nicosia follows a similarly structured and comprehensive model, supporting students at every stage.
Pressure points: housing
Housing remains the most pressing challenge. The Athalassa dormitories of the University of Cyprus are limited in capacity. TEPAK offers around 300 beds in Limassol and 150 in Paphos, while subsidising approximately 300 additional students with €250 per month. The first phase of TEPAK’s privately owned dormitories in Kato Polemidia (150 beds) is expected before the 2026–27 academic year.
Frederick University has launched the Platonos Residences in Nicosia, offering 63 fully equipped studios from €155 per week for first-year students, and operates a Housing Office mediating accommodation in Nicosia and Limassol.
The University of Cyprus publishes clear data on dormitory capacity and standards, a crucial factor for families comparing options. While universities are increasing and publicising availability, private-market rents remain high, and the ratio of beds to enrolments continues to place pressure on students.
Integration: lived experience
Barasa Daniel, a TEPAK graduate from Uganda, describes a dual reality. He arrived in Cyprus in 2017, learned Greek, and enrolled on a scholarship in 2018. Bureaucracy was not an obstacle, and his basic needs were fully covered by the university. Socially, however, he encountered barriers. His attempt to establish an African student association was redirected into broader “cultural” activities, leaving him feeling isolated.
Sport became his bridge. He excelled in athletics, launched the Running Fluent initiative to connect students, and collaborated with the Cyprus Youth Organisation.
He considers the Greek language “the key” that unlocked daily life, classrooms, and workplaces, giving him a sense of belonging. Eight years on, he lives in Limassol, mentors new students, and organises awareness campaigns, including a 180-kilometre marathon from Limassol to Larnaca for rare diseases.
Competition between universities
Internationalisation is advancing through different strategies. The University of Cyprus attracts mainly at doctoral level. Frederick University hosts international cohorts across all programmes. TEPAK develops targeted student flows from specific countries, linking language education with practical experience. The University of Nicosia follows a similar trajectory, focusing on substantive student support.
High-demand programmes cluster in areas where Cyprus combines need and expertise: engineering, IT, and business administration, with shipping, health sciences, and design adding momentum. The University of Cyprus strengthens the natural sciences, TEPAK builds international partnerships, Frederick invests in professional degrees, and UNIC focuses on employability and graduate outcomes.
Why Cyprus attracts more students today
Cyprus now speaks the language of the global academic market – and not only in English. Universities design programmes directly linked to employment, combining academic credibility with clear pathways from admission to the job market. The offer is realistic: European degrees at a manageable cost, in a safe and accessible environment.
The real driver of growth, however, is coordination. Four universities that once operated in isolation now move in parallel, sharing a focus on employability, language, and streamlined procedures. Bureaucracy has become manageable, proving that a small country can generate economies of scale when its institutions align.
Challenges remain. Housing capacity is still insufficient, and social integration often depends on personal initiative. Yet the foundations – modern programmes, international partnerships, and growing transparency – are now embedded in national higher-education policy.
Cyprus is no longer a peripheral option. It is emerging as a reliable hub for students seeking European qualifications with a Mediterranean pace. What began as a cautious push towards outward-looking education has matured into a confident, credible proposition. The island’s education industry is increasingly shaping its future.