Living conditions in Cyprus
Cyprus is in southern Turkey on an island in the Mediterranean Sea near Sicily. Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is geographically in Asia but politically a European country.
Its capital is Nicosia, and its official languages are Greek and Turkish, but English is widely spoken. They also use German, French and Russian languages because of the many international students in this country. Cyprus is a beautiful country with a Mediterranean climate. The tranquil beaches, tropical climate, and beautiful nature make Cyprus a great place to live. Low expenses, affordable universities, English language study, and prestigious academic and educational centers have made Cyprus a perfect destination for students. Moreover, the applicants can travel, live, and work in EU countries by residing in Cyprus. The living expenses in Cyprus are lower than in other European countries, which we will discuss in detail in its special section.
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Tuition fees in Cyprus for international students
More than 63,000 university students from more than 131 different countries are currently enrolled in the 12 major universities in Cyprus. Cyprus is one of the best choices for the applicants who want to study in a good and proper environment where they can meet different people from different cultures. This section examines the cost of studying in Cyprus.
Tuition fees in Cyprus for international students depend on the degree (for example, the undergraduate and postgraduate). The cost of studying in Cyprus for international undergraduate students is less than 3,500 euros per year, except for a pharmacy course which costs around 7,000 euros per year. The postgraduate and doctoral cost of studying in Cyprus depends on the program and is between 3,000 and 4,000 euros.
You can see the tuition fees in Cyprus for international students in some master’s degree programs below:
The postgraduate programs: 5,125 euros per program with the following exceptions:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA): 10,250 euros
- Master of Petroleum Engineering: 8,000 euros
- School Psychology Application: 5,125 euros
- Master of Economics and Technology, Entrepreneurship Innovation Management: 10,000 euros
- Master of Human Resource Management: 7,500 euros
- Master in Intelligent Critical Infrastructure: 6,500 euros
The doctorate cost of studying in Cyprus is about 4,000 euros, which varies depending on the field. The doctoral programs take between three to four years.
Living expenses in Cyprus
The applicants’ living expenses in Cyprus depend on their lifestyle, and we cannot accurately describe the cost of living in Cyprus for international students. However, the average cost of living in Cyprus for international students is between 350 and 600 euros per month for food and housing. Cyprus is generally considered a cheap country for living.
Cyprus University Tuition
We discuss the costs of studying in Cyprus universities (tuition) and explain the top universities.
- University of Nicosia
Tuition: from 8,000 euros
The University of Nicosia is in the capital and was established in 1980. It is the largest university in Cyprus with more than 12,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The faculty consists of a large university on the outskirts of Engomia in Nicosia.
Academic profile: It has six faculties including:
- Business
- Science and engineering
- Education
- Humanities and social sciences
- Law
- Medicine
This university offers more than 100 standard programs in the university, online, and distance learning programs for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students. It is one of the first universities to accept Bitcoin as a tuition payment. It also has international and extensive collaborations with several overseas universities, including Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Patras University, St George’s University of London, and West Sydney University. This low-cost university in Cyprus is one of the top 100 emerging universities in Europe and Asia with high academic standards.
- University of Cyprus
Tuition: from 3500 Euros
The University of Cyprus is a prestigious Cyprus General Research University in the capital of Nicosia. It was founded in 1989 and has become an internationally recognized institution with more than 7,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Although teaching is mainly in Greek and Turkish, the university offers intensive language programs to international students. The university organization of this university has eight faculties include:
- Humanities
- Applied sciences
- Social sciences
- Education
- Engineering
- Economics
- Management
- Medicine
Despite being newly established, this university has become a world-renowned institution of advanced studies and currently among the top 200-400 universities in terms of QS and Times Advanced Education rankings. Besides, it is one of the few institutions in the country with a strong focus on research and offers more than 200 courses and research programs with access to essential facilities. It maintains international cooperation with many other European institutions and actively participates in student exchange activities.
- Cyprus International University
Tuition: from 6000 Euros
Cyprus International University is one of the only university institutions in Cyprus that should focus on providing educational programs for international students. It is a private English-language university in northern Nicosia.
This affordable university in Cyprus was first established in 1997 primarily because of the need for more English-language institutions. Academically, this university has several faculties with different disciplines, including:
- Pharmacy
- Communications
- Economics
- Administrative sciences
- Education
- Engineering
- Art
- Law
- Health sciences
- Agriculture
- Natural sciences
It also has several notable research centers contributing to the country’s development, including the Environmental Research Center and the Biotechnology Research Center. Besides, it provides several excellent facilities for students, from a new library to many sports facilities. Currently, this university has a student population of over 15,000 and is among the largest universities in terms of student enrollment. Students from more than 60 countries study at CIU. It also maintains several collaborations with foreign universities and participates in student exchange programs annually, attracting several students.
- Eastern Mediterranean University
Tuition: from 3000 Euros
Eastern Mediterranean University was found in 1979 and is another public research university in Famagusta on the east coast of Cyprus. It is one of the largest advanced education institutions in the region with over 18,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Additionally, students can use several undergraduates, postgraduates, and doctoral programs and special research study courses, a total of 141 programs. The main languages of instruction are English and Turkish. This university has a large campus with a variety of sports and social facilities for the students. Besides, it has one of the largest university libraries in the Mediterranean, with more than 120,000 books. Also, this university provides an introductory English language course for students who want to develop their English. Likewise, international students who wish to learn another foreign language can use numerous Turkish language courses. This university has several international collaborations and is a member of the Caucasus University Association. Moreover, it is ranked among the top 800 universities according to the Times Advanced Education Rankings.
- Frederick University
Tuition: from 5000 euros
Frederick University is another cheap university in Cyprus. This university was founded in 1965, and it operates through two major universities in Nicosia and Limassol. It is one of the most energetic and vibrant advanced education institutions in Cyprus and offers several diplomae, bachelor, and master degree programs. Further teaching and research in the science, technology and art fields are prevalent at this university. This institute, despite being newly established, is now a nationally and internationally respected university.
Although it is a small university, it currently has a student population of over 3,000. Academic profile: It has several faculties includes:
- Architecture
- Economics
- Education
- Health
- Humanities
- Engineering
Its commercial schools are prestigious, especially in Cyprus. It is one of the top 100 management and technical universities in Europe due to its advanced academic position. This university offers individual programs in marine studies and petroleum engineering, which are not found in other universities in this country.
- Cyprus University of Technology
Tuition: from 3200 Euros
We finish the list of the cheapest Cyprus universities with the Cyprus University of Technology. It is a public research university and one of the last universities in the Cypriot advanced education system. This university was established in 2004, and it wants to fill the gap in the presentation of degrees that are not offered, specifically, in other advanced learning institutions in this country. This university is in Limassol, the second-largest city in Cyprus. It has more orientation in the research fields and is known as the academic and research hub of science and technology in Cyprus.
University Organization: It has six critical faculties, including:
- Management and Economics
- Health Sciences
- Communication
- Fine Arts
- Engineering
- Geology and Environmental Management
Besides, this university has an international institute and a language center for prospective international students who need to be more in tune with the culture and languages of Cyprus.
Student income in Cyprus
Working abroad is almost mandatory for international students. The applicants can pay for their living expenses and save money for their tuition by working part-time. The students can earn money by internships in established companies, depending on their working hours, and gaining work experience, and being in a professional environment through universities. Cyprus allows third-country nationals to work 20 hours per week by enrolling in a full-time study program at a reputable Cypriot university. International students can work in Cyprus if it does not interfere with their internship at their university. Work permits and part-time work programs in Cyprus as a third country are described in this section.
According to the law and instructions of the Cyprus Ministry of Labor, international students can work in the following areas:
· Gas stations
· Laundries
· Caring for the elderly
· Work on farmland, fishing, and local bakeries
· Fast food delivery drivers
· Cafe, restaurant, supermarket, clothing stores, library, car wash
International students cannot work part-time on a student visa. They must first obtain a permit and prepare the following documents:
· Valid Cyprus Residence Permit (Ministry of Labor will check whether the student has spent six months in Cyprus before applying for a job)
· An employment contract that you can get from the regional employment offices. (Signed by employer and employee)
· University Class Schedule (Prove that your part-time working hours do not interfere with your university courses)
The income of student work is between 350 and 450 Euros, which depends on its difficulty and type.
Work permit after graduation in Cyprus
A work permit after graduation in Cyprus is not simply available but is possible. Students must leave Cyprus 60 days after completing their study program. However, they can re-enter Cyprus with a work permit if they have a company-based contract in this country. The employers who meet the requirements of inviting a foreign employee following Cypriot law will send the work permit to Cyprus. Then, the employers send the invitation to their employees. An employee applying for a work permit at the Cyprus Embassy in one’s home country will provide the necessary documents for approval. If approved, the candidate can enter Cyprus with a work visa a and a temporary residence permit is issued, which is valid for a year and can be renewed every year. After five years of living in Cyprus with temporary residence, the candidate can apply for a permanent residence visa in Cyprus.
Advantages and disadvantages of living in Cyprus
Some of the benefits of living in Cyprus include the following:
- Astounding weather and a healthy environment
- Safe and comfortable life
- High-quality training
Disadvantages of Cyprus
There are no great jobs for international students. It does not matter if you have knowledge or experience in your field. You can hardly get a job that pays well. Most jobs in Cyprus are currently reserved for Cypriots and Europeans. If you have completed your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Cyprus, you may be able to do some work in your field. However, if you have just started your bachelor’s degree, they will not accept you for an interview. International students can work 20 hours a week in Cyprus, and the government has limited working hours for international students. The minimum wage is usually 5 euros per hour, which is 100 euros a week.
- Racism and discrimination
- Traveling to other European countries is difficult.
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