study Nursing in Cyprus

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Topics reviewed in this article:

• Nursing University Conditions in European Cyprus
• Documents equivalence for nursing studies at Cyprus universities
• Study conditions for a nursing bachelor’s degree in Nicosia
• Cyprus nursing job market and student work

Nursing University Conditions in European Cyprus

The applicants must consider many factors for studying nursing in European Cyprus. Cypriot nursing universities do not have the same tuition fees, and each of them requires special qualifications. The nursing students can start their studies in Cyprus either from the first university year or higher levels. The students must pay attention to the international rule of medical and nursing qualifications equivalence and cost of nursing studies in European Cyprus or any other country. Physicians and nurses must study the destination country’s specific laws, besides having more requirements such as higher language skills in the first year of university. Therefore, the language skills and learning of the nursing system of that country are very critical. The applicants can enter the first nursing course with a diploma, so they don’t need to go through the equivalence process. Each of the Cypriot universities requires a degree from the applicants to enroll in a nursing program. They often ask for a degree in English or Greek and a report card of the last three years, plus transcripts. Some universities in Cyprus offer scholarships and funding for nursing studies, and some English-language private universities require different tuition fees. The applicants must have at least five years of relevant work experience and a nursing system license. Tuition at Cypriot universities is between 7,000 and 12,000 euros per year, and the living expense in Cyprus is 12,000 euros per year. Most Cypriot universities offer companion visas for the students’ spouses and children under 18. The applicant must pay the living expenses for each companion, which is about 7,000 euros per year, and it must be in the companion’s account as financial assets. We will explain the conditions and nursing study expense at some European Cyprus universities:

• European University of Cyprus EUC:

Studying nursing at EUC includes scientific knowledge, medical, communication skills, and clinical training so that the nurses are fully prepared to provide high-quality health services. This program is in line with the EU Directive on the professional competencies’ mutual recognition between member countries and approved by the European Commission. It means that this university graduate can work in any EU country without the need for equivalence and registration in the national nursing system. Its students provide clinical training in public and private hospitals, and graduates will register with the Cyprus Nursing and Midwifery Council. This university graduate can work or continue their postgraduate studies. The nursing study duration is four years, and the courses are in Greek. Some consider this university to be the best in Cyprus for nursing studies because of the vast funding and scholarships.

• NEAR EAST UNIVERSITY:

It offers postgraduate and doctoral nursing courses in Cyprus in different disciplines. For example, Communication in Health Services, Gynecological Nursing, Physiological Nursing, Surgical Nursing, Quality Management and Change in Nursing Services, etc. Studying in these fields takes from one to three years. Paramedical disciplines, like nursing, are in both English and Greek.

• CYPRUS SCIENCE UNIVERSITY:

It is one of the top nursing universities in Cyprus, and it accepts hundreds of international students each year. Students who complete a four-year nursing degree will receive a bachelor’s degree and a “nurse” degree.

• UNIVERSITY OF KYRENIA:

This university is one of the universities that offer undergraduate nursing studies. The language of instruction is English and Greek at this university. Nursing courses are offered in Greek and last for four years.

Documents equivalence for nursing studies at Cyprus universities

This process is just for postgraduate and higher levels. A bachelor of nursing must pass the equivalence stage for studying nursing at a Cyprus university to continue one’s study at higher levels at this university. International students must equivalent their degrees to enter some European Cypriot public universities (mostly offer their courses in Greek). Equivalence in European Cyprus has two forms:

1. Equivalence according to the integrated system of the European Union (Article 23 of Directive 2005/36)
2. Equivalence in the National Nursing System of Cyprus

(The first method is for native EU students, and the second method is for other nations)

Documents equivalence requirements for studying nursing at Cypriot universities:

• Completed application form
• Copy of nursing degree and 12-year diploma
• Copy of any professional degree in nursing
• Copy of the nursing system license of the country of origin
• Two pieces of passport photo
• Copy of passport cover page
• Letter of no criminal record (if the person has been in Cyprus for the last six months before the application must obtain this letter from the Cyprus Police)

All of the above documents must be translated into either Greek or English. Cyprus is one of the countries that accept English-speaking nurses to continue their work and study and has no obligation to learn Greek. Individuals wishing to continue their studies and work as nurses in Cypriot hospitals and government centers must have a Greek language certificate of at least C1. The nurses can work in this country by presenting an IELTS 7 or higher if employed in private hospitals and have a job offer. Most Cypriot private universities offer general and specialist nursing courses in English. Therefore, the applicants can do equivalent work in postgraduate programs with an English language degree if their admission is based on English language courses. Cyprus has not included special equivalence courses in its nursing and immigration system. The countries such as Denmark and Sweden provide visas, language courses, and specific internships for nurses. However, Cypriot Nursing courses for equivalence include a comprehensive exam, project, and class participation course offered by the university. The student can participate in them after approval from the Cyprus Nursing System. For example, Greek language courses are not specifically for nurses. The admission to private Greek language schools is not valid enough to give a long-term visa for students. The learning of European languages process (a complex language such as Greek) is time-consuming, and the applicants cannot fully master them in less than a year. The degree equivalence process for studying nursing at Cypriot universities is similar to the equivalence of degrees for nurses in Oman, and degrees can be equivalent in English. Depending on the Cyprus Council of Nurses and Midwives’ opinion, the individual may need to complete a six-month or more internship after obtaining a work permit. Compulsory courses are unlikely for nurses with more than five years of work experience. Some universities in Cyprus (like Nicosia) offer examinations and programs in the equivalence process. The applicants can do an internship and pass the Equivalence Exam when the Council approved the initial application.

Study conditions for a nursing bachelor’s degree in Nicosia

The University of Nicosia Cyprus has the largest number of international students in Europe Cyprus, and probably is the best Cypriot university for nursing study. This undergraduate university admits international students to study nursing. Nursing courses are in English, and students do not need to learn a native language. It does not mean that English is the only instruction language at this university. Undergraduate courses are generally in Greek so that native students can use this university’s facilities. The nursing study takes four years in Cyprus and this university. It offers courses under the Equivalence course title, and an applicant for work and continuing nursing studies in Cyprus must complete it. This course includes a comprehensive exam and internship in special classes or participation in designated projects. The equivalent degree is based on general exam scores and performance evaluation in classes and projects. Therefore, they will calculate the courses’ grades, the student’s average grade point average (GPA), and the concession point average (CPA).

Graduates who have been trained at this university for at least 2300 hours can enroll in the European Cyprus Nursing and Midwifery System and eventually receive a license. In the first year of the undergraduate course at this university, the applicants will learn basic subjects such as foundation and primary nursing information, physiology and primary care, and more specialized fields, which will be added to the curriculum every semester. For example, programs such as nursing for the mentally ill are taught in the second year. The tuition fee for a nursing degree in Cyprus is 9420 euros per year, which must be paid for the first four years of nursing.

Cyprus nursing job market and student work

The nursing job market in Cyprus is one of the most critical topics for nursing applicants. European Cyprus could control the unemployment rate in its society better every year and maintain its declining trend by joining the European Union and the developed and prosperous countries. Therefore, the applicants can easily find a job in this country if they need a qualified graduate nurse. Besides, the Cypriot universities clearly outline their job offers and career prospects for the applicant, and most of them have a separate section for finding graduates. The minimum wage in Cyprus is 880 euros, and the maximum is 2,510 euros. The students can also work in this country. Universities usually assist the student in their work while studying, and the nursing student can work part-time for up to 30 hours per week and the graduate student for up to 40 hours per week.